Our Wyoming Life I deleivered a combine to a old farmer he told.me that. Then looked at me with a wink and said and we think we're making money doing it lol
So much respect for the farming life! I need to get back into this, grew up on a farm but moved to a city in my early twenties. I’m eager to buy my own farm
I dont mean to be so offtopic but does any of you know a way to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the login password. I love any help you can give me.
@Lionel Mohamed I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
That is pretty much the same in Aviation, that is how I make a living. Hard work low-profit margins. I never faulted a rancher for charging me a trespass fee to hunt. When things are going right, it can be heaven on earth, but in flying, things can get ugly in the blink of an eye! Airplanes are expensive, when you decide to fly on the vertical, it becomes a real money pit.
Should be , ' How to lose a large fortune...........start farming '..... its the same in the UK , small and medium farmers go part time , and subsidize the farm with that income . Its called working day , and night.................
Yup! Grudgingly left Wyoming for Denver 13 years ago. The last bits of My Wyoming Life are played out on my computer using Farming Simulator 17 and I LOVE the Lamborghini Nitro for a small tractor. Man, I still miss Wyoming. No one's cutting you off on the road. People are chill. People can be friendly even without a Starbucks in their hand. Thanks for living the way you do! (Oh, and my almost-4-yo loves driving the harvesters around my video game fields. Got to raise him right!)
My uncle found, I guess you’d call it, the body and frame of one in a junk yard in good condition. Bought it cheap because the guy didn’t know what it was. He was able to put some engine and transmission and tires and patched some spots and got it running.
Thanks Robert. I actually worked in radio for almost 20 years before we came to the ranch. If you check out Our Story ua-cam.com/video/32R0RME-T_I/v-deo.html it gives you some of the back ground. We scatter some more of the back story throughout our videos. I still do a little voice over work with a local radio station (one or two commercials per month). T Thanks for watching ! - Mike
That's awesome, Mike! A really wonderful journey you've had. As I mentioned before, I'm an audio engineer in NYC, and occasionally my company will put together VO castings. Please shoot me a direct message if that's something you might be interested in being included in, it'd be great to work with you.
Thanks Robert, I'm not sure if there is a way to direct message on UA-cam. But you can email me at ourwylife@gmail.com Thank you very much, sounds like fun. - Mike
@Hugo louis if you really want to start an apiculture bussiness you should ask around that's a very nice idea the good news about agriculture no matter the department is that you will make a lot of profit.
Sounds like what I needed.... I'm interested in diversifying into cryptocurrency and precious metals and I want an integrated trading software that offers such functions.
Mike, the fact you are an ethical rancher and really seem to care about the welfare of your animals makes me have hope that there are still good people out there raising our food.Have a blessed holiday season with your beautiful family-Jerry
is ranching and farming an attraction for women? IF that's the case I would like get into farming not for the cows ,not for the chickens but for the women.
I'm not a farmer but my great grandparents were, and I have recently been trying to educate myself to understand better. People today have little knowledge or respect for what goes into feeding the world, and they don't really understand the sacrifices you all make to keep it running. Videos like this, just laying out the facts of business, really make it easy for a non-farmer to understand the stakes you are up against. I wish you success and thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
Thank you! I am wrapping up the first year of my new farm and I feel exactly what you are saying. To see a profit I had to ignore certain costs or break them down so they accounted for less. I am a young farmer and I hate seeing farm land being turned into cookie cutter houses. I have a good 40 years left in the business plus two young kids and my goal is to grab up as much land as I can over the years and save it. I don’t need to get rich but just pay the bills and I’ll be happy. Keep up the good work man!
Thank you sir! Please quit reminding me how much money I'm losing...... I have a sign in my living room that states "Behind every successful rancher, is a wife that works in town." My favorite saying is, "I can show you how to make a small fortune in ranching. Start with a LARGE one!"
No wonder my steak is not cheap. Thanks for this very informative video. I already appreciated what ranchers do and now I have even more respect. Seeing the cost of trying to start up a ranch really helps explain why it is a generational lifestyle and not just a simple start up company.
My fellow-American, if only more business owners like you are open and honest as you are in this world of business and money. You are the reason why I totally appreciate your hard work and honest into making what this country really is: Being American! Thank you and thank you for your family for feeding us. Thank you and God bless America!
My wife and I do e head first into this a little over a year ago. We started with nothing, we have no big fancy equipment, no money coming in. Our herd is small, less than a dozen, we are clawing our way through it all and it's rough. Rough not having an income to put dinner on the table consistently, and rough trying to gain the things we need to continue. He's right, it's not cheap and it's not easy. And if you don't love the work you do, it's not worth it, not even close. We love the work we do and we don't take a paycheck because there is no money to take one from. We do this because this is what and where we love. Not slaving to line someone else's pocket while getting paid a fraction of the money you make your company. Don't be the commodity.
Hi Mike. Im a city guy from South Dakota and our cattle guys have are suffering through a late season snow storm. Our local news has really focused on the our area producers and the struggles they are going though during calving and the difficulties they are facing. Im trying to learn more about the great folks that work with cattle in our great state and I really appreciate this video.
Thank you very much, it is a mess as I have been following it as well. We are in northeast wyoming and in fact I am in South Dakota today. Thanks for watching - Mike
Cool video, I had about 2% of an idea of what it took to be a rancher and I am sure there are dozens of other details left out. it's the details that get you every time.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I have a ranch in South America, and I never heard someone so clear and honest like you! Once I spoke with an American rancher and I asked about his ranch returns an politely replied me: Ranch is a way of life! that is definitely true
Great video. I own a small slice of heaven 133 acres in northern Michigan. Its our ranch. I love country living. Wishing you and all farmers and ranchers the best. Thanks for all the hard work you do!
Thank you Mike and you're honesty is greatly appreciated and every time I go to the grocery store I truthfully appreciate your effort and the farmers efforts what irritates the daylights out of me is the amount of attack on that people after you do God bless you and keep on because I love watching you and your family God bless you
Good morning yes the cost of anything dealing with farming is tough. We had three calves yesterday two died one was breached and the other one got trampled two moms had a fight animals are hard to understand sometimes. Farming comes with challenges that some people just can't handle it brings out the rough in the tough men and women of this country. Thanks for your video hope you have a great day
Great video. I'll use it the classes I teach on ranching at Oklahoma State University. Two comments, you shouldn't charge for summer grass since you said you inherited the ranch - which provides the summer grass. You didn't mention protein supplement - maybe you don't need much in Wyoming with feeding hay. Two - you didn't count cull cow and bull income. That makes a difference. Most everything else was spot even for Oklahoma. Thanks!
Thanks Ryan, I tried to keep it as simple as possible without throwing too much in there, Cull cows for us do help, some years more than others. The protein supplement cost does depend on the quality of hay you are feeding, with the price of cake where it is we can figure between 50-60$ per head for cake cost and an additional 10-20$ per head for additional mineral and lick. Also with the summer grass we dont charge but it was used in the example to show that it is worth something if you had to buy it, so it does have a value, just like labor cost that most of us choose not to count. Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike
My grandfather supplemented his farm income with his full time job of being an engineer for Delavan, Inc. (makers of ag-spray nozzles as well as fuel spray injectors, etc) and he was integral in my younger years for helping me develop a strong work ethic. Put in a very simple way, he once told me that if whatever I choose to do; If I LOVE my work - I will never WORK a day in my life. No truer words were ever spoken and I live my life each day for this simple fact! This is my 2nd video of yours I have watched and am looking forward to viewing many more! Thank you!
Thanks Mike. I believe that same thing as well. I had a friend down from Montana last week and he was telling me about the advances in spraying and they are amazing. -Mike
Through hard work, great things can happen... I needed to hear that today. Thank you for the very inspirational message and your experience as a rancher. Subscribed!
I grew up on a cattle and sheep farm (small ranch) in Ireland. I figured out real quick and at a real young age that there's no money in cattle. Nowadays, You need to have mutiple streams of income from your ranch... bnb, tourism, etc. I will tell you that growing up on a farm/ranch is priceless. Great lifestyle.
Great video. One thing that helps a little bit in Ireland is the government gives every farmer a grant every year. It helps supplement some of the costs. Another cost in Ireland along with feed is, you have to house all livestock for 5 to 6 months... as the land is too wet the winter months.
No grants for us here. Farmer's can get subsidy on crops but there isn't any for beef producers. Housing them would be rough. I'm sure they live it when they are let out though :)
The government actually gave large grants to irish farmers to build the cattle house (slatted sheds). They still give you annual grant monies to farmers to plant trees on your land. Some land over there is only fit for trees. After 20 years you get that lumber money too. They also used to give you grant monies to keep your farm tidy, free of junk piles and clotting. It'd be nice to see the US government do more of it. I worked on a 20000 acre cattle ranch in Santa Rosa, New Mexico for a year back in 2010. 1 cow to 100 acres.
keep up the awesome work,I grew up on a farm in Southern Iowa,no better life than farming or ranching,to see what you have built with your hands,and how you make it,sometimes its the toughest,but in the end,its probably the most satisfying job ever
Wow man this video was everything and more then I was expecting my hat's off to you and Erin I must say your videos are like a study guide for anybody that wants to become a Rancher cuz you single-handedly explain everything so intelligently that anybody can become a Rancher that they truly wanted to be must say. I have to say you all are touching lives hundreds if not thousands of miles away from where you live keep up the great great work. And not to put you on the spot but your videos help others learn from the mistakes of others you can't make them all yourself
Well mistakes I have made plenty but you learn from everything, everyday. You just have to be willing to soak it in. By the way, EVERCLEAR? You are more of a man than I. lol Thanks Justin! - Mike
Our Wyoming Life well I use Everclear just because it goes farther than regular whiskey or anything lol and I'm not a regular Drinker by no means alcohol touch my lips for the first time last night since Halloween. And I just really like cream soda😀
Our Wyoming Life I'll have to look that up and see what I can find on something like that. But I usually do 3/4 soda 1/4 clear and that's for an 16-oz glass and that does pretty good for me then again I am a lightweight though oddly enough Kim is the heavyweight haha
I often wondered about the cost of ranching, Thank you for putting it into perspective for me. 😲WOW!!! I've always said that farmers and ranchers should have anything they need to run their farms at taxpayers expense. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!! Idk, maybe I'm wrong but that's the way I see it. Without you folks America would starve!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS and Take Care!!!
You think cows are expensive? Try bison. They're roaming (and herding) animals, so you needs lots of land. On the plus side, they roam, so planting grass isn't usually necessary.
You guys are incredible for very little money you feed us all . How on earth do you it . All the machinery you need alone wow . Thank you so ,ugh for your hard work xoxo
Stumbled onto one of your videos about a week or so ago while surfing youtube. I subscribed to your channel and have watched a few videos pretty much every day since. Love the way you guys stepped up to help when the family needed you, took a lot of guts to drop what you were comfortable with and take on a completely different lifestyle. Farming and ranching isn't a job, it's a way of life. Either you love it or you hate it. I work 40 to 70 hrs a week in a factory and have a small 25acre farm here in East Tennessee, where we hobby farm a few calves each year. We also have a horse, some chivkens, several dogs, and just bought some baby ducks(don't ask me why, lol). I love the country lifestyle. Keep doing what you're doing guys, and thanks for inviting us into your daily lives!!!
My dad is a vet and ranch kid. Lot of people think he charges too much for his services. Well let me tell you, those peoole are the ones who have cats and dogs and make a 100 grand a year and still STIFF him for a lousy 60 dollar rabies shot. He works tirelessly for his large animal customers because they are the ones that always pay on time and have values. For those of you that have to buy scours vaccine, he hardly makes any money on that thousand dollar bottle and hates having to supply them because he knows how bad a scours problem can turn in to. Good luck in the year everybody and hopefully calving season isn't too rough on you.
So if I want that life I should've fought harder for the boy in highschool who couldn't go out cause he had to work on the farm for his granddaddy. Damn it
FASCINATING video.....just subscribed, 1st time viewer....wish things were different for you all. I miss seeing family ranches and farms all over. Sending God's blessings 2 u all.
Thank you very much, for us, diversification is the key. We raise and sell our own beef and pork, we are very active in farmers markets and a whole lot more. Just a way of life. Thanks for watching - Mike
I feel the same. I grew up around a farm as well. I live in the city and think of the country all the time lately. I'm here on your comments section to thank you for sharing these very practical and fun videos.
There are ways to do it. Lease land, get a job as a ranch hand with someone who is looking to pass down their ranch or farm. No one said you can't do it. It won't be easy but it's fine everyday! Thanks for watching. -Mike
I so much appreciate your video, your clear and honest talk and the way you ran the numbers, I'm a city guy and I have never thought of all that you guys do and go through, God bless, I love it.
Good video, this presents a realistic picture, I think. I believe that those born into family operations don't know the hardships of someone who starts from scratch. They don't see the costs and don't understand why people just can't fork over the cash. Your video brings that to light. Enjoyed watching this one for sure.
800 per acre is low.try 5k to 10 k per acre in texas and the Midwest.wall street types are parking their money on farm/ranch lasnd.letting it lay idle.your place looks great.your info is great.keep it coming.
Oh yea, I get that the price is different everywhere you go, but we can only talk about what we have to deal with it. It is a shame that there is so much land sitting doing nothing. Thanks for watching - Mike
Distance from metro areas drives prices. Ft Worth, expensive, Azle (just outside Ft. Worth) about $10,000/ acre, Jacksboro, Texas (50 miles from Ft. Worth) $4000 to $5000/ acre. Olney (75 miles from Ft. Worth) about $2700/ acre. Distance and productivity (grass and soil capability) drive the price.
I hate seeing land turn into buildings. My father grew up on his parents’ farm during the Depression. He told us about homeless, hungry people passing through looking for food. My grandmother gave them what she could, which most of the time was maybe a pork sandwich, a few potatoes, and some peaches in the Summer. My point is we need people like you. And not just for food. To me, it’s for a feeling of freedom that farms and ranches hold in my heart.
Thanks for the video Mike! The information provided was useful, the delivery was flawless, and your honesty is very much appreciated! We don`t have access to range land here in Mississippi (to my knowledge) however, many of the principles you described in the video above still apply. Farming/homesteading/producing beef and goat meat has always been an interest of mine, so this video really hit close to home. You weren`t afraid to put forth realistic costs and scenarios, and that amount of honesty and transparency is what we need entering into this field. As you mentioned before, you have to love it to do it. And as you pointed out, even though there are some pretty steep costs and other aspects that should be taken into consideration, there are plenty of ways to counter them. Buying bred cows, inheriting land, volunteering as a ranch hand with someone who is seeking to pass down their operation and possessing the know how to do certain things around the ranch/farm to cut down on costs that would otherwise hurt your pockets are a few great points that you mentioned. Where as some people would become discouraged while watching a video that doesn`t tickle their ears and that contain high amounts of honesty as this video; I was actually both encouraged and empowered because I believe now, more than before, that this is the line of work for me. You`ve challenged me to be creative, conduct more research, connect with other farmers and people of like interest and to just all around learn more about the agricultural world! I just graduated college with a bachelor`s degree in Agriculture (Animal Science Emphasis), so videos like this are of great interest to me! Sorry for such a lengthy post lol, but I thank for educating us and showing us a more realistic approach to both farming and owning cattle! Best of prayers for you guys entering the New Year! Be blessed, and thanks a lot!!!
We have almost 600 cows and a little grow yard, and your numbers are pretty close to our area, it takes alot of money. So for a young guy like me wanting to expand I have to buy the land and the cows so there really isn't any thing left over
We deal with that, you have to go with what you have and make the best of it. There is only so much land and thats why we find other sources of income. Thanks! -Mike
my landlord has a ranch and he's been teaching me what he knows. at 80 something he's been at it for a long time. he says you have to lease land. there's no way around it nowadays.
Robert Allen Robert Allen yes I agree. I inherited around 200 acres of land in Louisiana and the easiest way to expand and make a profit is to lease land.
Thanks for the reality of Ranching!!!! if every city boy and girl that ate a steak had to watch this video and CSPAN 4 hours a week this country would change overnight. Wake Up America, Thanks Wyoming life
Thank you for watching, and this goes for everyone reading this, if you agree and feel inclined please share and spread the word. Thanks for watching! - Mike
+Our Wyoming Life I WAS RANCH RAISED SE OKLA !!! DAD PASSED. IN 92! ITS ALL GONE ! SAD !! PEOPLE THINK RANCHERS R. RICH ( WHERE DO PEOPLE GIT THEIR INFO ) AINT SEEN RICH RANCHER YET !!
If they’ve been born in the last 30 yrs. and buy their steak in styrofoam and plastic, they’ve never tasted real beef, aka beef that wasn’t stuffed in a feed lot most of it’s life. Sad but true.
Great explanation of costs. There are people that don’t understand why ranchers can graze a herd on government land for free. They have no idea what working a ranch or farm is about either. Your wife has got to be out there all the time as well or at least as often as she can. God Bless you and your family.
I appreciate how honest your story is.Supplemental income and a really good work ethic can make a nice place, But it is a hard line of work to turn a profit getting started.I have considered taking on some goats for a couple of years because they are a faster turnaround in my area, " its like Corb lund said what else you gonna spend that extra money on!"
Thanks Chris, we have talked about doing a few goats. There are quite a few small goat operations around here, maybe once the kids are bit older and can help out a bit more. Thanks - Mike
My brother says there are plans for a packing plant in Great Falls, MT that is supposed to be able to slaughter cattle, hogs and sheep. If they do that could be a good outlet for goats. (I like goats. My kids showed them in 4-H)
There is a reason for that - you are basically buying the PET bottle and also paying delivery and retail. If the bottle were empty, the price would still be virtually the same. Where I live, farmers don't even bother with dairy cows - too much hassle.
This video is currently 4 years old I stumbled across your channel because I am tired of the rising beef prices. I've decided I want to look into getting my own beef cow. Even if just one a year feed it grow it butcher it. I did hit the subscribe button to your channel because I thought you did an excellent job on the video explaining it. I someday hope that maybe I will have my own homestead I currently live in the city and I raise chickens I collect my own rainwater and I garden and my neighbors all think I'm a joke but. As food shortages continue I sometimes wonder if this is sustainable the path that we are on right now. I've heard stories about the Great depression when times got hard the farmer still farmed the baker still baked his bread. And I realized the more dependent you are on yourself the better off you'll be too many people are expecting the government to carry them now it's a system that can't sustain itself. Great video hit that subscribe button I hope to see more great videos from you.
In case you don't know, there's a huge trend that's started for grass fed beef, and fatty beef ... or just beef in general. Low Carb-High Fat diets, ketogenic diets, carnivore diets ... the science supporting them as super healthy is very solid. If I were you, I'd be feeling pretty good about raising cattle. I'd also try to get started selling the meat direct on the interwebs. Advertise it as LCHF or Keto food, and that you don't cut the fat off ... you'll get lots of customers. Just search Keto on UA-cam... there are dozens of channels. Search 'Low Carb Down Under' ... see the conferences the low carb community is holding. Also AncestralHealth.
Great video. I'd argue your numbers are low. But very informative and great throughly enjoyed it. I get so mad at people saying how farmers and ranchers have it easy. Sometime do a cost analysis of medicines. I worked from a fertilizer company that also did custom spraying. I unloaded two pallets of chemicals thirty boxes with two 2.5 gallon jugs per box. When I finished my boss looked at me and said you just moved 250,00o dollars. So again tell me how farmers and ranches over use chemicals sorry for the rant. Thanks Mike and Erin for the video
Our Wyoming Life if you really wanna be depressed figure what you make per hour. When I first started trucking an old hand told me don't ever try to figure out what you make per hour, of course I did I cried lol
I've already made the mistake of adding up how many miles of fence I have to maintain. I dont think Ill ever figure out how many cents I make an hour! lol
I go broke 2 or 3 times a year because of row cropping...Thank God for the cows that keep us floating...I also raise about 200 hd.of feeder pigs/year, they are a constant tussle...Thank God for our forefathers whom got us started..Its in nearly impossible if a man isn't grandfather in..My Grandaddy is 95 yrs old and hard work hasn't killed him yet..
This is a great breakdown of the real costs of farming! Coming from a dairy farmer in Wisconsin we feel the pressure from the sides. Keep it goin and stay warm out there!
The government should do something to help and protect the American Rancher /Farmer and agriculture land. I'm not even American I am a 101% born and rasied Mexican who now lives in the beautiful US and drives big rigs,But I've always worked with cattle and agriculture because that is what I used to do in my country when I was a kid,I know the feeling of being a rancher,I know the feeling of being out there working feeding the cattle,Fixing the fence,Dealing with agressive animals,taking care of the new born and younger members of the heard,Riding my horse around the ranch to make sure everything is going well and the fence is still up,I really wish that some day life gives me the opportunity to be a rancher again but this time here in the US,I know its very hard and I know its very expensive but that does not scare me at all,Because I know that hard work,dedication and common sense will make any business succeed. Hope you all are having a great day so far,Greetings to you all,Especially to them bad ass ranchers and farmers out there,With out you guys this country could starve to death !!!
Most farmers or ranchers do not want government subsidies. That is just another form of welfare. You have to manage your farm and money for profit. Not beg for $ when there is failure.
@@mommymilestones i never said they are begging for money at all. I said that because of their hard work they deserve to have some kind of help because they have earned it with a lot of sacrifice and dedication to their beloved farms and ranches.
@Fuck You yes I am "legal" here in the US. I went to Ciudad Juarez Mexico at the age of 14 to get my residence card. My dad paid for all the process for me and my family to come to the US legal,Its a hard and expensive process,Becoming legal is not easy and its very expensive. We waited more than a decade to get our documents. My dad has been living in this country for over 40 years and he got his legal documents a long time ago and thats how we were able to become legal because of him. "Illegal" people aren't illegal because the want to be illegal,They are illegal because they're not given the opportunity to become legal and comply with the law,I am 100% sure that if they were given one single opportunity to become legal they would take it and they would do it,Because they want to be legal here,they want to contribute to this amazing and beautiful country and its economy,they want to better their lives here working hard and walking straight just like I've been doing since first day I got here and I've been doing it that way for 11 years now. They dont want to be hiding from the border patrol and worrying because they are going to be deported and their kids are going to be kept in custody of the government. They want to have peace they want to be seen as a normal human being,not as "illegals" What you hear and see on TV is not always true,but anyway,thank you for the good luck you've wished me with my dreams and goals.
Most ranchers I know (and people in Wyoming) would prefer the government get out of their way. Last thing they'd want is the know-it-all-yet-wrong-every-time government picking favorites in ranching and screwing up the free markets. I certainly can't speak for Mike.
A excellent installment of "Our Wyoming Life"! From a purely numbers point of view though- Ranching seems questionable at best as a chosen way to make a living. BUT...BUT IMO 100% worth while when you look at it from the point of view of your Family(as Bruce said) priceless. Speaking for myself a city guy- I will never look at the Meat counter at the Grocery store the same after watching your videos.
Thank you Matt. If you look at the bigger picture it makes much more sense. You rock. Erin will be extremely excited to read how your views have changed. Thanks for watching. -Mike
In Chicago, 5 yrs or so ago, Some group of Cattle Ranchers had a convention. Long story short- a man (resembling Erins Dad) explained how beef is graded and gave me examples of each. Learned dog food is basically one grade below a major restaurant!
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. I have only 5 acres and raise Hampshires. I appreciate you breaking the numbers down. We raise for ourselves only. We do our own butchering, curing, smoking ,etc...
A good video ...many home truths here and a god listing of costs and economic considerations ...thanks for upload..not a farmer but worked for years with the dairy processing industry...and still alive at 71!
I still would rather farm and ranch than call the man boss. Besides, I'm used to being poor and working in all weather conditions along with lots of blood and sweat.
The trouble with the farming and ranching business is that most of society is so far removed from that type of lifestyle. Food being one of our three basic needs . The two others being shelter and water. The only one of those people are seemingly willing to pay money for is shelter . Food and water folks simply are unwilling to pay for unless it's been value added to (restaurants and such). Every year for the last three years farming has cost me roughly $100,000/year. I say let the masses eat cake. A stupid profession to be a a part of. Work 16 hours a day 6 and 7 days a week. Just to live poor and die rich. While I love it it doesn't pay the bills .
Thank you so much this was very informative. People always dream about being a part-time farmer or having a hobby Farm but there's so much more to it. Like he said you got to love what you do that's the most important thing. God bless you and your family
It saddens me to see how the farmland is "ate" up. I live fairly close to Baldwin county Alabama which has prime farm and ranch land. My aunt lives there. Everytime I go down there another subdivision is going in or is already built. The old farmers and ranchers are dying out and their heir's don't care about that lifestyle. Plus they see them dollar signs.
Dallas Sullivan smh sad. They doing the same thing in east Texas. It’s just not fair to those farmers who were born in the 30s to have to go through this BS.
Haha. Try growing your own salad or salads for thousands of people. That costs a pretty penny too and for farmer's the profit margin may be even slimmer hence the reason small farmer's are being bought by larger corporations. Thanks for watching. -Mike
It's like the old saying goes "How do you get a million dollars raising race horses? Start with two million." Great videos, really informative. Your numbers stack up against my estimates for starting a hobby farm. Thanks!
In my experience this is inaccurate. I know plenty of people who are starting off with 10-30 acres and are working their way up by reinvesting back into their herd. Yes, they still work a day job, but starting off with a handful of cattle and getting up to 85 in a few years aint bad at all. You dont have to start on a 5000 acre ranch with 300 cattle....
Here in the river valley u are safe with a cow to two acres. But during the spring and early summer I’ve seen people run 80 or 90 head on a 40acer plot. Hell right now in February I’m running 23 mommas on 29 acres.
well that sounds pretty bleak. I'm wondering why anyone would bother. I hate to say it, but the way you described it... it sounds like a person might be better off flipping burgers instead of growing them.
We bother because we love it, because we are stewards of the land and the animals. Easy to just sell or lease everything and walk away but the hole in our soul would never be filled. Thanks for watching - Mike
This depends a lot on where you live. Good grazing grass doesn't grow as well in different parts of the world as it does in some. Where I'm at it's 1 cow for 1.5 acres. He mentioned that a couple times at least, maybe that was in the previous videos in this series, not sure, I watched them all back to back.
Farmers are not recognize as the hard workers they are.. Most people don't know where there food comes from. I taught school to small kids and they didn't know eggs come from chickens, also one child told me you get milk from the grocery store. So sad. Thank you very much Mike for the hard work you do everyday. God Bless you and your family and your ranch.♥️🇺🇸💞
"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, pays the freight both ways." -John F. Kennedy
Wow, I cant believe I have never heard that before. I'm going to put that on the wall of the shop! Thanks - Mike
I saw that saying on Facebook the other day. I thought it was great.
Our Wyoming Life I deleivered a combine to a old farmer he told.me that. Then looked at me with a wink and said and we think we're making money doing it lol
its about way more than money, thats for sure! - Mike
G Koplitz Government buys now
So much respect for the farming life! I need to get back into this, grew up on a farm but moved to a city in my early twenties. I’m eager to buy my own farm
Nate O'Brien
Interesting seeing you here!
I dont mean to be so offtopic but does any of you know a way to get back into an instagram account?
I was stupid lost the login password. I love any help you can give me.
@Dane Kylan Instablaster :)
@Lionel Mohamed I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm trying it out atm.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Lionel Mohamed it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D
"How to make a small fortune in ranching?" Start with a large fortune!
Thanks for watching - Mike
That is pretty much the same in Aviation, that is how I make a living. Hard work low-profit margins. I never faulted a rancher for charging me a trespass fee to hunt. When things are going right, it can be heaven on earth, but in flying, things can get ugly in the blink of an eye! Airplanes are expensive, when you decide to fly on the vertical, it becomes a real money pit.
Should be , ' How to lose a large fortune...........start farming '..... its the same in the UK , small and medium farmers go part time , and subsidize the farm with that income . Its called working day , and night.................
Exactly
😂😂😂........🤔
If John Marston can do it, I can too
Heriberto Murillo darn right
Lmfao I was just playing rdr2
Rip A.Morgan
@@trondeiriksvendsen2354 Nooooo :(
Great comment 😂👍🏻
We must protect our ranchers, God bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you very much - Mike
We must !!!
@@OurWyomingLife Is there a rancher Foundation?
We do support them with Welfare
@Anthony Maurice More Trump Welfare for the farmers
Ranching is romanticized in the media. Thank you for telling us the reality of ranching.
Some people are so gullible.
Im sure some people drive a Lamborghini out to the pasture. Lamborghini started making tractors long before cars
Exactly, you got the joke lol Thanks for watching - Mike
Yup! Grudgingly left Wyoming for Denver 13 years ago. The last bits of My Wyoming Life are played out on my computer using Farming Simulator 17 and I LOVE the Lamborghini Nitro for a small tractor. Man, I still miss Wyoming. No one's cutting you off on the road. People are chill. People can be friendly even without a Starbucks in their hand. Thanks for living the way you do! (Oh, and my almost-4-yo loves driving the harvesters around my video game fields. Got to raise him right!)
i got one :P
You just changed my life. And I thought the Massey Freguson was cool.
My uncle found, I guess you’d call it, the body and frame of one in a junk yard in good condition. Bought it cheap because the guy didn’t know what it was. He was able to put some engine and transmission and tires and patched some spots and got it running.
Damn, man, you should consider getting into the voiceover game. Gold tones. (Brought to you by an audio engineer working in TV and film).
Thanks Robert. I actually worked in radio for almost 20 years before we came to the ranch. If you check out Our Story ua-cam.com/video/32R0RME-T_I/v-deo.html it gives you some of the back ground. We scatter some more of the back story throughout our videos. I still do a little voice over work with a local radio station (one or two commercials per month). T
Thanks for watching ! - Mike
That's awesome, Mike! A really wonderful journey you've had. As I mentioned before, I'm an audio engineer in NYC, and occasionally my company will put together VO castings. Please shoot me a direct message if that's something you might be interested in being included in, it'd be great to work with you.
Thanks Robert, I'm not sure if there is a way to direct message on UA-cam. But you can email me at ourwylife@gmail.com Thank you very much, sounds like fun. - Mike
Was thinking the same thing. We have projects that could use great VO
feel free to email if you would like at ourwylife@gmail.com Thanks
All thanks to agriculture Because with out agriculture we could have starved to death.
@Hugo louis if you really want to start an apiculture bussiness you should ask around that's a very nice idea the good news about agriculture no matter the department is that you will make a lot of profit.
@Hugo louis which of the Susan Is it the one from the financial channel?
I Know she's the best when it comes to Investment in bitcoin and also help to manage your portfolio.
Sounds like what I needed.... I'm interested in diversifying into cryptocurrency and precious metals and I want an integrated trading software that offers such functions.
Is 20k good for a start?
Farmers and Ranchers = National Treasures. Thank you, Sir.
I suspect a Brooklyn deli owner or a Queens taxi driver has more knowledge of ranching than Bloomberg. They certainly would have more empathy.
Mike, the fact you are an ethical rancher and really seem to care about the welfare of your animals makes me have hope that there are still good people out there raising our food.Have a blessed holiday season with your beautiful family-Jerry
Thank you Jerry, there are many like me have no doubt. Have a great holiday - Mike
i am working on becoming a farmer. not for the money. not for the women. but for the love of waking up and doing something i love and enjoy
Thats the only reason to do it I think Thanks Mike - Mike
is ranching and farming an attraction for women? IF that's the case I would like get into farming not for the cows ,not for the chickens but for the women.
Omg!! I can't stop laughing!!;;😄😄😃
Haha the lady's love ranchers? You live on there 24/7 you dont have a crazy social life. This guy has no idea lol
And no money lol
My dad farmed and he said that if he won the lottery he would keep farming until it was all gone
Exactly, but I'd drive alot nicer truck! Thanks for watching Greg - Mike
I'm not a farmer but my great grandparents were, and I have recently been trying to educate myself to understand better. People today have little knowledge or respect for what goes into feeding the world, and they don't really understand the sacrifices you all make to keep it running. Videos like this, just laying out the facts of business, really make it easy for a non-farmer to understand the stakes you are up against. I wish you success and thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
I hope my wife doesn't see this video..I've got her thinking we're making money on our farm..lol
You may very well, every operation is different, but I wont tell if you dont. Thanks Steve and thanks for watching - Mike
Same here lol shhhh!
Your ass gone get some whooping if she finds out lol
lol
Hahahahaaa...
Much love and respect to all farmers and ranchers thank you for everything y’all do for us
Thank you! I am wrapping up the first year of my new farm and I feel exactly what you are saying. To see a profit I had to ignore certain costs or break them down so they accounted for less. I am a young farmer and I hate seeing farm land being turned into cookie cutter houses. I have a good 40 years left in the business plus two young kids and my goal is to grab up as much land as I can over the years and save it. I don’t need to get rich but just pay the bills and I’ll be happy. Keep up the good work man!
Thank you sir! Please quit reminding me how much money I'm losing...... I have a sign in my living room that states "Behind every successful rancher, is a wife that works in town." My favorite saying is, "I can show you how to make a small fortune in ranching. Start with a LARGE one!"
haha, I hear ya. Many say you have to love it, you also cant have expensive tastes. Thanks for watching - Mike
No wonder my steak is not cheap. Thanks for this very informative video. I already appreciated what ranchers do and now I have even more respect. Seeing the cost of trying to start up a ranch really helps explain why it is a generational lifestyle and not just a simple start up company.
Thank you very much, and thank you for watching - Mike
God save our farmers, the world over. Great informative video, greetings from the UK 🇬🇧
My fellow-American, if only more business owners like you are open and honest as you are in this world of business and money. You are the reason why I totally appreciate your hard work and honest into making what this country really is: Being American! Thank you and thank you for your family for feeding us. Thank you and God bless America!
My wife and I do e head first into this a little over a year ago. We started with nothing, we have no big fancy equipment, no money coming in. Our herd is small, less than a dozen, we are clawing our way through it all and it's rough. Rough not having an income to put dinner on the table consistently, and rough trying to gain the things we need to continue. He's right, it's not cheap and it's not easy. And if you don't love the work you do, it's not worth it, not even close. We love the work we do and we don't take a paycheck because there is no money to take one from. We do this because this is what and where we love. Not slaving to line someone else's pocket while getting paid a fraction of the money you make your company. Don't be the commodity.
Hi Mike. Im a city guy from South Dakota and our cattle guys have are suffering through a late season snow storm. Our local news has really focused on the our area producers and the struggles they are going though during calving and the difficulties they are facing. Im trying to learn more about the great folks that work with cattle in our great state and I really appreciate this video.
Thank you very much, it is a mess as I have been following it as well. We are in northeast wyoming and in fact I am in South Dakota today. Thanks for watching - Mike
Cool video, I had about 2% of an idea of what it took to be a rancher and I am sure there are dozens of other details left out. it's the details that get you every time.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I have a ranch in South America, and I never heard someone so clear and honest like you! Once I spoke with an American rancher and I asked about his ranch returns an politely replied me: Ranch is a way of life! that is definitely true
Yes it is, thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike
Great video. I own a small slice of heaven 133 acres in northern Michigan. Its our ranch. I love country living. Wishing you and all farmers and ranchers the best. Thanks for all the hard work you do!
Thank you Mike and you're honesty is greatly appreciated and every time I go to the grocery store I truthfully appreciate your effort and the farmers efforts what irritates the daylights out of me is the amount of attack on that people after you do God bless you and keep on because I love watching you and your family God bless you
Good morning yes the cost of anything dealing with farming is tough. We had three calves yesterday two died one was breached and the other one got trampled two moms had a fight animals are hard to understand sometimes. Farming comes with challenges that some people just can't handle it brings out the rough in the tough men and women of this country. Thanks for your video hope you have a great day
Thanks for watching - Mike
Nice video
In New Mexico, we love our work. Just yesterday we dropped at ton of hay 4 our corral. b4 6am.
The Farming Life How was your nice comment man
The Farming Life
F
Great video. I'll use it the classes I teach on ranching at Oklahoma State University. Two comments, you shouldn't charge for summer grass since you said you inherited the ranch - which provides the summer grass. You didn't mention protein supplement - maybe you don't need much in Wyoming with feeding hay. Two - you didn't count cull cow and bull income. That makes a difference. Most everything else was spot even for Oklahoma. Thanks!
Thanks Ryan, I tried to keep it as simple as possible without throwing too much in there, Cull cows for us do help, some years more than others. The protein supplement cost does depend on the quality of hay you are feeding, with the price of cake where it is we can figure between 50-60$ per head for cake cost and an additional 10-20$ per head for additional mineral and lick. Also with the summer grass we dont charge but it was used in the example to show that it is worth something if you had to buy it, so it does have a value, just like labor cost that most of us choose not to count. Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike
Man I'm impressed. You've got a talent for speaking in front of the camera and keeping the attention of the listener. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Gavin, and thanks for watching - Mike
My grandfather supplemented his farm income with his full time job of being an engineer for Delavan, Inc. (makers of ag-spray nozzles as well as fuel spray injectors, etc) and he was integral in my younger years for helping me develop a strong work ethic. Put in a very simple way, he once told me that if whatever I choose to do; If I LOVE my work - I will never WORK a day in my life. No truer words were ever spoken and I live my life each day for this simple fact! This is my 2nd video of yours I have watched and am looking forward to viewing many more! Thank you!
Thanks Mike. I believe that same thing as well. I had a friend down from Montana last week and he was telling me about the advances in spraying and they are amazing. -Mike
Through hard work, great things can happen... I needed to hear that today. Thank you for the very inspirational message and your experience as a rancher. Subscribed!
Thank you Rudy -Mike
Hard work sucks......... in modern times strategic work is much better.
I grew up on a cattle and sheep farm (small ranch) in Ireland. I figured out real quick and at a real young age that there's no money in cattle. Nowadays, You need to have mutiple streams of income from your ranch... bnb, tourism, etc. I will tell you that growing up on a farm/ranch is priceless. Great lifestyle.
You are correct. Thank you very much for watching. -Mike
Great video. One thing that helps a little bit in Ireland is the government gives every farmer a grant every year. It helps supplement some of the costs. Another cost in Ireland along with feed is, you have to house all livestock for 5 to 6 months... as the land is too wet the winter months.
No grants for us here. Farmer's can get subsidy on crops but there isn't any for beef producers. Housing them would be rough. I'm sure they live it when they are let out though :)
The government actually gave large grants to irish farmers to build the cattle house (slatted sheds). They still give you annual grant monies to farmers to plant trees on your land. Some land over there is only fit for trees. After 20 years you get that lumber money too. They also used to give you grant monies to keep your farm tidy, free of junk piles and clotting. It'd be nice to see the US government do more of it. I worked on a 20000 acre cattle ranch in Santa Rosa, New Mexico for a year back in 2010. 1 cow to 100 acres.
It would be nice. Wow. That makes me not feel so bad. Thanks
ironic that Lamborghini actually started as a tractor co
That it is, maybe someday there will be a John Deere sports car :) - Mike
The way you explain ranching is amazing. Simple and to the point answering questions that pop up before I ask them.
Thank you very much and thanks for watching -Mike
keep up the awesome work,I grew up on a farm in Southern Iowa,no better life than farming or ranching,to see what you have built with your hands,and how you make it,sometimes its the toughest,but in the end,its probably the most satisfying job ever
it's still the best life
I totally agree! You cant beat it! - Mike
Wow man this video was everything and more then I was expecting my hat's off to you and Erin I must say your videos are like a study guide for anybody that wants to become a Rancher cuz you single-handedly explain everything so intelligently that anybody can become a Rancher that they truly wanted to be must say. I have to say you all are touching lives hundreds if not thousands of miles away from where you live keep up the great great work. And not to put you on the spot but your videos help others learn from the mistakes of others you can't make them all yourself
Well mistakes I have made plenty but you learn from everything, everyday. You just have to be willing to soak it in. By the way, EVERCLEAR? You are more of a man than I. lol Thanks Justin! - Mike
Our Wyoming Life well I use Everclear just because it goes farther than regular whiskey or anything lol and I'm not a regular Drinker by no means alcohol touch my lips for the first time last night since Halloween. And I just really like cream soda😀
never tried it with cream soda. Erins family makes a drink called burnt sugar out of everclear..That stuff will knock you for a loop!
Our Wyoming Life I'll have to look that up and see what I can find on something like that. But I usually do 3/4 soda 1/4 clear and that's for an 16-oz glass and that does pretty good for me then again I am a lightweight though oddly enough Kim is the heavyweight haha
hahah, you are a cheap date
I often wondered about the cost of ranching, Thank you for putting it into perspective for me. 😲WOW!!! I've always said that farmers and ranchers should have anything they need to run their farms at taxpayers expense. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!! Idk, maybe I'm wrong but that's the way I see it. Without you folks America would starve!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS and Take Care!!!
Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike
your a nut rocket man.
You think cows are expensive? Try bison. They're roaming (and herding) animals, so you needs lots of land. On the plus side, they roam, so planting grass isn't usually necessary.
On taxpayer money? Effff YOU!!! And we wouldnt STARVE without them. Thats ridiculous.
Ms Daisy Relax. Instead of insulting, try explaining the logistics of economic policy for a change
You guys are incredible for very little money you feed us all . How on earth do you it . All the machinery you need alone wow . Thank you so ,ugh for your hard work xoxo
Stumbled onto one of your videos about a week or so ago while surfing youtube. I subscribed to your channel and have watched a few videos pretty much every day since. Love the way you guys stepped up to help when the family needed you, took a lot of guts to drop what you were comfortable with and take on a completely different lifestyle. Farming and ranching isn't a job, it's a way of life. Either you love it or you hate it. I work 40 to 70 hrs a week in a factory and have a small 25acre farm here in East Tennessee, where we hobby farm a few calves each year. We also have a horse, some chivkens, several dogs, and just bought some baby ducks(don't ask me why, lol). I love the country lifestyle. Keep doing what you're doing guys, and thanks for inviting us into your daily lives!!!
My dad is a vet and ranch kid. Lot of people think he charges too much for his services. Well let me tell you, those peoole are the ones who have cats and dogs and make a 100 grand a year and still STIFF him for a lousy 60 dollar rabies shot. He works tirelessly for his large animal customers because they are the ones that always pay on time and have values. For those of you that have to buy scours vaccine, he hardly makes any money on that thousand dollar bottle and hates having to supply them because he knows how bad a scours problem can turn in to. Good luck in the year everybody and hopefully calving season isn't too rough on you.
Thank you so much to you and your dad. Its not easy but it is worth it. Thanks Dan - Mike
60 buck rabies shot? I think I'd stiff him too. My vet charges 20 bucks.
60 bucks for Rabies?! FFS it's $15 here in east texas.
So if I want that life I should've fought harder for the boy in highschool who couldn't go out cause he had to work on the farm for his granddaddy. Damn it
Well that was an option lol Who knows, Maybe hes still working late. lol Thanks for watching - Mike
Our Wyoming Life wish I knew then what I know now 😂. Love your videos
Join the club lol
We meet on Thursdays
Our Wyoming Life getting plane ticket now lol
Wow, just about the very best video I've ever seen on the cost-logistics of such an operation!
Thank you and thanks for watching - Mike
Hi Mike...I'm from Brazil and I'm studying English and American culture.
I love countryside landscapes and country music.
Your channel is amazing!
Dude, I feel you. So much hard work so little time for vacations. I appreciate YOU Mike, and all other farmers ! God bless !
FASCINATING video.....just subscribed, 1st time viewer....wish things were different for you all. I miss seeing family ranches and farms all over. Sending God's blessings 2 u all.
Thank you very much, for us, diversification is the key. We raise and sell our own beef and pork, we are very active in farmers markets and a whole lot more. Just a way of life. Thanks for watching - Mike
I feel the same. I grew up around a farm as well. I live in the city and think of the country all the time lately. I'm here on your comments section to thank you for sharing these very practical and fun videos.
This is a fantastic breakdown of the costs, very well done. and i agree, you need to do voice overs :)
Wow smh so you need millions there goes my dream
There are ways to do it. Lease land, get a job as a ranch hand with someone who is looking to pass down their ranch or farm. No one said you can't do it. It won't be easy but it's fine everyday! Thanks for watching. -Mike
Mine too :(
That's the point of the video killing dreams
Cows are worth a lot of money most ranchers I know all have money
It’s possible. You ca n marry into it.
I so much appreciate your video, your clear and honest talk and the way you ran the numbers, I'm a city guy and I have never thought of all that you guys do and go through, God bless, I love it.
Thank you very much and thank you for watching, we really appreciate it - Mike
Whew.. God bless our much needed farmers & ranchers. Thanks for what you do.
Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike
Good video, this presents a realistic picture, I think. I believe that those born into family operations don't know the hardships of someone who starts from scratch. They don't see the costs and don't understand why people just can't fork over the cash. Your video brings that to light. Enjoyed watching this one for sure.
Thank you very much, glad you found us. Thanks for watching - Mike
800 per acre is low.try 5k to 10 k per acre in texas and the Midwest.wall street types are parking their money on farm/ranch lasnd.letting it lay idle.your place looks great.your info is great.keep it coming.
Oh yea, I get that the price is different everywhere you go, but we can only talk about what we have to deal with it. It is a shame that there is so much land sitting doing nothing. Thanks for watching - Mike
I haven’t done the math but I’d bet it averages out the same when you factor in you don’t need as much land per cow in Texas. 30 acres is insane!
Lol try 15k per acre in south texas
Try 312,000 per acre. British Columbia Canada. That’s what one sold for not to long ago
Distance from metro areas drives prices. Ft Worth, expensive, Azle (just outside Ft. Worth) about $10,000/ acre, Jacksboro, Texas (50 miles from Ft. Worth) $4000 to $5000/ acre. Olney (75 miles from Ft. Worth) about $2700/ acre. Distance and productivity (grass and soil capability) drive the price.
Two most important passions of ranching, growing grass, and fixing fence, everything else is gravy.
Yup, you better love all those things. Thanks - Mike
I hate seeing land turn into buildings.
My father grew up on his parents’ farm during the Depression. He told us about homeless, hungry people passing through looking for food. My grandmother gave them what she could, which most of the time was maybe a pork sandwich, a few potatoes, and some peaches in the Summer.
My point is we need people like you. And not just for food. To me, it’s for a feeling of freedom that farms and ranches hold in my heart.
Thanks for the video Mike! The information provided was useful, the delivery was flawless, and your honesty is very much appreciated! We don`t have access to range land here in Mississippi (to my knowledge) however, many of the principles you described in the video above still apply. Farming/homesteading/producing beef and goat meat has always been an interest of mine, so this video really hit close to home. You weren`t afraid to put forth realistic costs and scenarios, and that amount of honesty and transparency is what we need entering into this field. As you mentioned before, you have to love it to do it. And as you pointed out, even though there are some pretty steep costs and other aspects that should be taken into consideration, there are plenty of ways to counter them. Buying bred cows, inheriting land, volunteering as a ranch hand with someone who is seeking to pass down their operation and possessing the know how to do certain things around the ranch/farm to cut down on costs that would otherwise hurt your pockets are a few great points that you mentioned. Where as some people would become discouraged while watching a video that doesn`t tickle their ears and that contain high amounts of honesty as this video; I was actually both encouraged and empowered because I believe now, more than before, that this is the line of work for me. You`ve challenged me to be creative, conduct more research, connect with other farmers and people of like interest and to just all around learn more about the agricultural world! I just graduated college with a bachelor`s degree in Agriculture (Animal Science Emphasis), so videos like this are of great interest to me! Sorry for such a lengthy post lol, but I thank for educating us and showing us a more realistic approach to both farming and owning cattle! Best of prayers for you guys entering the New Year! Be blessed, and thanks a lot!!!
We have almost 600 cows and a little grow yard, and your numbers are pretty close to our area, it takes alot of money. So for a young guy like me wanting to expand I have to buy the land and the cows so there really isn't any thing left over
We deal with that, you have to go with what you have and make the best of it. There is only so much land and thats why we find other sources of income. Thanks! -Mike
Armando Fontana yeah the collapse hurt us and everyone pretty bad that had bought cows back after the drought we went through
my landlord has a ranch and he's been teaching me what he knows. at 80 something he's been at it for a long time. he says you have to lease land. there's no way around it nowadays.
Robert Allen Robert Allen yes I agree. I inherited around 200 acres of land in Louisiana and the easiest way to expand and make a profit is to lease land.
Thanks for making it plain and simple!
Thank you and thanks for watching - MIke
Thanks for the reality of Ranching!!!! if every city boy and girl that ate a steak had to watch this video and CSPAN 4 hours a week this country would change overnight. Wake Up America, Thanks Wyoming life
Thank you for watching, and this goes for everyone reading this, if you agree and feel inclined please share and spread the word. Thanks for watching! - Mike
+Our Wyoming Life I WAS RANCH RAISED SE OKLA !!! DAD PASSED. IN 92! ITS ALL GONE ! SAD !! PEOPLE THINK RANCHERS R. RICH ( WHERE DO PEOPLE GIT THEIR INFO ) AINT SEEN RICH RANCHER YET !!
If they’ve been born in the last 30 yrs. and buy their steak in styrofoam and plastic, they’ve never tasted real beef, aka beef that wasn’t stuffed in a feed lot most of it’s life. Sad but true.
Great explanation of costs. There are people that don’t understand why ranchers can graze a herd on government land for free. They have no idea what working a ranch or farm is about either. Your wife has got to be out there all the time as well or at least as often as she can. God Bless you and your family.
This is by far the most generous video I have seen on this topic. Many thanks for so much information.
I appreciate how honest your story is.Supplemental income and a really good work ethic can make a nice place, But it is a hard line of work to turn a profit getting started.I have considered taking on some goats for a couple of years because they are a faster turnaround in my area, " its like Corb lund said what else you gonna spend that extra money on!"
Thanks Chris, we have talked about doing a few goats. There are quite a few small goat operations around here, maybe once the kids are bit older and can help out a bit more. Thanks - Mike
My brother says there are plans for a packing plant in Great Falls, MT that is supposed to be able to slaughter cattle, hogs and sheep. If they do that could be a good outlet for goats. (I like goats. My kids showed them in 4-H)
What if I told you that in my country bottled water is 4x more expensive than the price that we farmers get for the same amount of quality milk?
That is amazing and sad. Thank you for watching - Mike
There is a reason for that - you are basically buying the PET bottle and also paying delivery and retail. If the bottle were empty, the price would still be virtually the same. Where I live, farmers don't even bother with dairy cows - too much hassle.
I would say you must live in the United States.
Great overview! Thanks for the work you put into the overview and the dedication to your ranch. God Bless!
Thank you very much for watching - Mike
This video is currently 4 years old I stumbled across your channel because I am tired of the rising beef prices. I've decided I want to look into getting my own beef cow. Even if just one a year feed it grow it butcher it. I did hit the subscribe button to your channel because I thought you did an excellent job on the video explaining it. I someday hope that maybe I will have my own homestead I currently live in the city and I raise chickens I collect my own rainwater and I garden and my neighbors all think I'm a joke but. As food shortages continue I sometimes wonder if this is sustainable the path that we are on right now. I've heard stories about the Great depression when times got hard the farmer still farmed the baker still baked his bread. And I realized the more dependent you are on yourself the better off you'll be too many people are expecting the government to carry them now it's a system that can't sustain itself. Great video hit that subscribe button I hope to see more great videos from you.
to the farmers and farm hands thank you for your hard work.
In case you don't know, there's a huge trend that's started for grass fed beef, and fatty beef ... or just beef in general. Low Carb-High Fat diets, ketogenic diets, carnivore diets ... the science supporting them as super healthy is very solid. If I were you, I'd be feeling pretty good about raising cattle. I'd also try to get started selling the meat direct on the interwebs. Advertise it as LCHF or Keto food, and that you don't cut the fat off ... you'll get lots of customers. Just search Keto on UA-cam... there are dozens of channels. Search 'Low Carb Down Under' ... see the conferences the low carb community is holding. Also AncestralHealth.
Thank you very much, we have grass fed beef here as well. - Mike
I started laughing pretty hard when he said there was a cat crawling up his leg
It's always interesting around here. And the cats always want to be involved. Thanks for watching -Mike
Great video. I'd argue your numbers are low. But very informative and great throughly enjoyed it. I get so mad at people saying how farmers and ranchers have it easy. Sometime do a cost analysis of medicines. I worked from a fertilizer company that also did custom spraying. I unloaded two pallets of chemicals thirty boxes with two 2.5 gallon jugs per box. When I finished my boss looked at me and said you just moved 250,00o dollars. So again tell me how farmers and ranches over use chemicals sorry for the rant. Thanks Mike and Erin for the video
Thanks Kory, they might be low but dang I have to leave myself some hope haha. Thanks for watching and sharing! - Mike
Our Wyoming Life if you really wanna be depressed figure what you make per hour. When I first started trucking an old hand told me don't ever try to figure out what you make per hour, of course I did I cried lol
I've already made the mistake of adding up how many miles of fence I have to maintain. I dont think Ill ever figure out how many cents I make an hour! lol
Our Wyoming Life I think if you did you'd cry when you found out your paying to ranch. But you can't beat the freedom or lifestylr
I go broke 2 or 3 times a year because of row cropping...Thank God for the cows that keep us floating...I also raise about 200 hd.of feeder pigs/year, they are a constant tussle...Thank God for our forefathers whom got us started..Its in nearly impossible if a man isn't grandfather in..My Grandaddy is 95 yrs old and hard work hasn't killed him yet..
This is a great breakdown of the real costs of farming! Coming from a dairy farmer in Wisconsin we feel the pressure from the sides. Keep it goin and stay warm out there!
Not sure how I got here, but what an eye opener. Big shout out to all the ranchers out there.
Thank you friend. well said. we have a 380 farm in east texas and always wanted cattle. I'm not too sure now.
It can be done you just have to be smart and make some sacrifices. Thanks for watching - Mike
The government should do something to help and protect the American Rancher /Farmer and agriculture land.
I'm not even American I am a 101% born and rasied Mexican who now lives in the beautiful US and drives big rigs,But I've always worked with cattle and agriculture because that is what I used to do in my country when I was a kid,I know the feeling of being a rancher,I know the feeling of being out there working feeding the cattle,Fixing the fence,Dealing with agressive animals,taking care of the new born and younger members of the heard,Riding my horse around the ranch to make sure everything is going well and the fence is still up,I really wish that some day life gives me the opportunity to be a rancher again but this time here in the US,I know its very hard and I know its very expensive but that does not scare me at all,Because I know that hard work,dedication and common sense will make any business succeed.
Hope you all are having a great day so far,Greetings to you all,Especially to them bad ass ranchers and farmers out there,With out you guys this country could starve to death !!!
There isnt so much subsidies for ranchers, for farmers and certain crops yes but not on this side of things. Thank you so much ! - Mike
Most farmers or ranchers do not want government subsidies. That is just another form of welfare. You have to manage your farm and money for profit. Not beg for $ when there is failure.
@@mommymilestones i never said they are begging for money at all.
I said that because of their hard work they deserve to have some kind of help because they have earned it with a lot of sacrifice and dedication to their beloved farms and ranches.
@Fuck You yes I am "legal" here in the US.
I went to Ciudad Juarez Mexico at the age of 14 to get my residence card.
My dad paid for all the process for me and my family to come to the US legal,Its a hard and expensive process,Becoming legal is not easy and its very expensive.
We waited more than a decade to get our documents.
My dad has been living in this country for over 40 years and he got his legal documents a long time ago and thats how we were able to become legal because of him.
"Illegal" people aren't illegal because the want to be illegal,They are illegal because they're not given the opportunity to become legal and comply with the law,I am 100% sure that if they were given one single opportunity to become legal they would take it and they would do it,Because they want to be legal here,they want to contribute to this amazing and beautiful country and its economy,they want to better their lives here working hard and walking straight just like I've been doing since first day I got here and I've been doing it that way for 11 years now.
They dont want to be hiding from the border patrol and worrying because they are going to be deported and their kids are going to be kept in custody of the government.
They want to have peace they want to be seen as a normal human being,not as "illegals"
What you hear and see on TV is not always true,but anyway,thank you for the good luck you've wished me with my dreams and goals.
Most ranchers I know (and people in Wyoming) would prefer the government get out of their way. Last thing they'd want is the know-it-all-yet-wrong-every-time government picking favorites in ranching and screwing up the free markets. I certainly can't speak for Mike.
A excellent installment of "Our Wyoming Life"! From a purely numbers point of view though- Ranching seems questionable at best as a chosen way to make a living. BUT...BUT IMO 100% worth while when you look at it from the point of view of your Family(as Bruce said) priceless. Speaking for myself a city guy- I will never look at the Meat counter at the Grocery store the same after watching your videos.
Thank you Matt. If you look at the bigger picture it makes much more sense. You rock. Erin will be extremely excited to read how your views have changed. Thanks for watching. -Mike
In Chicago, 5 yrs or so ago, Some group of Cattle Ranchers had a convention. Long story short- a man (resembling Erins Dad) explained how beef is graded and gave me examples of each. Learned dog food is basically one grade below a major restaurant!
Finally, a video that can get city people to understand the idea of ranching. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. I have only 5 acres and raise Hampshires. I appreciate you breaking the numbers down. We raise for ourselves only. We do our own butchering, curing, smoking ,etc...
No idea how i ended up here... but Sub'd just for the damn quality of the vid.. Hello, from Northern CA, Yuba City
Hello Jeremias, glad you found us. Thanks for watching and subbing - Mike
''farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field''-Dwight D. Eisenhower'
President Eisenhower was a Farmer. His farm is located near Gettysburg, PA.
It's 1:30 in the morning. why did I just watch a video of how to ranch😂😂😂
It's 2:40 am now. Why am I answering comments :) -Mike
1 year later. 1:39. Im right here myself.
A good video ...many home truths here and a god listing of costs and economic considerations ...thanks for upload..not a farmer but worked for years with the dairy processing industry...and still alive at 71!
Thank you very much Tom, glad you enjoyed it - Mike
Extremely nice way of describing the ranches techniques to us..........God bless u.........
I still would rather farm and ranch than call the man boss. Besides, I'm used to being poor and working in all weather conditions along with lots of blood and sweat.
The trouble with the farming and ranching business is that most of society is so far removed from that type of lifestyle. Food being one of our three basic needs . The two others being shelter and water. The only one of those people are seemingly willing to pay money for is shelter . Food and water folks simply are unwilling to pay for unless it's been value added to (restaurants and such). Every year for the last three years farming has cost me roughly $100,000/year. I say let the masses eat cake. A stupid profession to be a a part of. Work 16 hours a day 6 and 7 days a week. Just to live poor and die rich. While I love it it doesn't pay the bills .
Thats why we do alot more. It is important to us. Thanks - Mike
ill be a Texas rancher and pay half in land. great video
How u figure? Texas land seems really expensive, got any advice?
Love your channel, am a farm vet from Botswana Africa! Keep up the good work
Thank you so much this was very informative. People always dream about being a part-time farmer or having a hobby Farm but there's so much more to it. Like he said you got to love what you do that's the most important thing. God bless you and your family
Thank you a great informative Vedeo👍
Thanks David and thanks for watching! - Mike
Ironic thay the most important members of the economy have it the hardest 😔😔😔😔
It saddens me to see how the farmland is "ate" up. I live fairly close to Baldwin county Alabama which has prime farm and ranch land. My aunt lives there. Everytime I go down there another subdivision is going in or is already built. The old farmers and ranchers are dying out and their heir's don't care about that lifestyle. Plus they see them dollar signs.
I hear ya, its everywhere and very sad to see. Thanks for watching- Mike
Dallas Sullivan smh sad. They doing the same thing in east Texas. It’s just not fair to those farmers who were born in the 30s to have to go through this BS.
My respects to ranchers and farmers!! You all are awesome💚
This is my all time favorite video from Our Wyoming Life
damn! salad dressing never costed me that much
Haha. Try growing your own salad or salads for thousands of people. That costs a pretty penny too and for farmer's the profit margin may be even slimmer hence the reason small farmer's are being bought by larger corporations. Thanks for watching. -Mike
Don't become a rancher in less you have millions of dollars in the bank before you get started! Or like you said you inherited
Or you marry into it, I forgot that one lol - Mike
It's like the old saying goes "How do you get a million dollars raising race horses? Start with two million." Great videos, really informative. Your numbers stack up against my estimates for starting a hobby farm. Thanks!
Thanks Mike, and thanks for watching! - Mike
true that nearly impossible if not grandfather in..
In my experience this is inaccurate. I know plenty of people who are starting off with 10-30 acres and are working their way up by reinvesting back into their herd. Yes, they still work a day job, but starting off with a handful of cattle and getting up to 85 in a few years aint bad at all.
You dont have to start on a 5000 acre ranch with 300 cattle....
Don’t forget the cost of Copenhagen per year!!
I know nothing about ranching. Learned a lot today. This is indeed is a very very good video.
Your living the dream brother! May you have great success for all your days! 👍
Thank you and thank you very much for watching - Mike
dude its fr 30 acres per cow in wyoming? in arkansas it like 2 acres per cow
Even here in Wyoming it differs from area to area. Thanks for watching -Mike
Here in the river valley u are safe with a cow to two acres. But during the spring and early summer I’ve seen people run 80 or 90 head on a 40acer plot. Hell right now in February I’m running 23 mommas on 29 acres.
But I’m also in the Arkansas River delta in western Arkansas pretty good ground
That's to feed them. If you put a cow on 2 acres of grass your gonna have no grass in 2 weeks.
Nancy Fahey thats false, my family has had 125 acres we consistently keep 80-100 head on it for the past 25 years, no problem with the grass at all
well that sounds pretty bleak. I'm wondering why anyone would bother. I hate to say it, but the way you described it... it sounds like a person might be better off flipping burgers instead of growing them.
We bother because we love it, because we are stewards of the land and the animals. Easy to just sell or lease everything and walk away but the hole in our soul would never be filled. Thanks for watching - Mike
Gabbos Ironfist where are you going to get that burger to flip? Somebody has to do it
Corporate owned ranching seems the ominous future. Who else besides huge corporations can absorb the costs of modern farming and ranching?
Don't let them lie to you .. look what he drives and machines he uses . Gov helps them - the big ones
Government don't help me.
30 acres per cow I thought I could like 1 cow for every 2-3 acres
This depends a lot on where you live. Good grazing grass doesn't grow as well in different parts of the world as it does in some. Where I'm at it's 1 cow for 1.5 acres. He mentioned that a couple times at least, maybe that was in the previous videos in this series, not sure, I watched them all back to back.
Hi Mike, that’s the reality of having a Ranch. Good information. Passion for Ranching is need for success.
Farmers are not recognize as the hard workers they are..
Most people don't know where there food comes from. I taught school to small kids and they didn't know eggs come from chickens, also one child told me you get milk from the grocery store. So sad. Thank you very much Mike for the hard work you do everyday.
God Bless you and your family and your ranch.♥️🇺🇸💞