Creating a Cattle Company From Scratch Part 2.
Building Giblin Cattle Company: The Journey So Far
Starting a cattle company from scratch is no small feat, but it's the path I've chosen, and so far, the journey has been incredible. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Giblin, and I’m working to establish Giblin Cattle Company of Maine LLC. I wanted to take a moment to share some updates on the progress we've made, the lessons I've learned, and where we’re headed next.
Meet the Cows: Kylie & Daenerys
One of the biggest accomplishments of my life is owning my own cows. In our herd, we have Kylie and Daenerys—named after Kylie Jenner and Daenerys from Game of Thrones (even though I haven't actually watched the show). These two heifers are the foundation of what I’m building. They have fantastic genetics, are low to the ground, stocky, and resilient—everything I want in a grass-fed cattle operation.
The goal is to create a small-framed, healthy, grass-fed cow that thrives on minimal inputs while maintaining excellent resilience and longevity. This means focusing on genetics that promote efficiency—smaller cows that require less acreage, are easy keepers, and have great maternal traits.
Lessons from Dairy Farming
Right now, I work on a dairy farm in Freeport, Maine, which has been an incredible learning experience. Dairy cows are a bit different from beef cows in that they’re often more docile and used to human interaction. This can be great for handling but also poses challenges when it comes to movement and management.
One of the most valuable skills I've picked up is how to keep cows healthy—from nutrition to hoof care to handling unexpected illnesses. Being hands-on every day teaches you a lot about what works and what doesn’t, and I plan to take these lessons into my own operation.
The No-Risk Ranching Approach
A big part of my plan is following Greg Judy’s No-Risk Ranching method. Instead of taking on massive debt to buy land, barns, and expensive equipment, the idea is to lease land and reinvest capital into the cattle themselves. This approach minimizes financial risk and allows for steady, sustainable growth.
Currently, I have secured a 16.6-acre lease, which is a huge step forward. We recently got the soil test results back, and the pH is at 5.5—not high enough for optimal pasture growth, particularly for legumes like clover. To improve the soil, I plan to spread lime to raise the pH and enhance forage quality.
Financial & Legal Progress
Getting the business side of things squared away is just as important as managing the cattle. Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far:
LLC Registered: The company is officially established as an LLC.
Bank Account Opened: Keeping finances organized from the start.
Business Insurance Secured: I got a great deal on and insurance policy.
Operating Agreement Drafted: Working with an attorney (pro bono!) to structure the business properly.
Next Steps: Website & Community Building
One of my big goals is to create a website where I can share updates, lessons learned, and insights on starting a cattle company. I have experience with WordPress and am exploring options like Wix or Squarespace to keep things simple and cost-effective.
Beyond just sharing my journey, I hope the website can become a community space for others interested in regenerative ranching, no-risk ranching, and small-scale cattle operations. Learning from each other is key, and I want to document everything so others can follow a similar path if they choose.
Final Thoughts
Building Giblin Cattle Company has been an exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience so far. Every day, I’m learning more about cattle, pasture management, and business operations. The vision is clear: to create a sustainable, low-maintenance, grass-fed cattle operation that produces hardy, resilient cattle for the future.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far—whether through advice, encouragement, or just following along. Stay tuned for more updates, and if you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, keep an eye out for the website launch soon!
— Cooper Giblin