Sell the heifer you have now. Focus on getting your "bad debt" paid off and some money saved up. Get your family situation in order. You said you are more interested in crops than animals-why buy animals?

Why would anyone who is credit-worthy(read-will actually make the payments)lease cattle? If they have good credit, they can buy the cattle themselves-no need to pay you.

I know you feel mature, but you are 22 years old-too young, in my opinion. Get some more experience before you start making mistakes with your own money. Patience will pay off.

I don't want to be too harsh, but I think you need to "pay some dues" first.