The Price of Calves, and What To Do About It?

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  • Опубліковано 18 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 359

  • @OldTimerDave
    @OldTimerDave 5 років тому +116

    this is exactly what I love about this channel.... the honestly and brutal truth about Ranch Life such as it is.... Thanks for doing what you do keeping everyone informed

  • @jaystowater6746
    @jaystowater6746 5 років тому +35

    Mike, this is probably the best video you have ever made! I'm so happy you also decide to cover the business aspect of ranching! People often forget the farms and ranches are business entities no different than any other business that is intended to be profitable. I'm glad you decided to cover this topic because many other ranchers I personally know are contemplating similar decisions. I'm glad you decided to wean you calves and sell them after being weaned. I would also suggest another round of vaccinations before weaning. Cattle feeders definitely pay premiums for weaned calves over truck weaned or "bawling" calves. I would suggest using fall grazing and fenceline weaning for the least amount of stress. As a purebred breeder, we always have to sell our bulls and heifers after weaning to other ranchers. Also our calves that don't make the standards to stay intact, become steers and are sold after preconditioning. Also coming from a cattle feeding background, I have dealt with non-weaned and weaned calves and the weaned calves generally are easier to start on feeding programs. I ultimately believe that while your decision may bring more work to your operation you will see a better paycheck on sale day because you will be selling more weight and a higher demanded product to stocker operators and feedyards. Also perhaps consider bangs vaccinating your heifer calves to make them more appealing to buyers who are looking for heifers to breed. I also notice you utilize Red Angus herd sires, perhaps consider in the future using a Red Angus Association of America Feeder Calf program to capture more value for your genetics. I know this is quite a bit of information and a lot of my opinion but I have quite a bit of opinion on this topic and in today's world of tight margins cow/calf producers need to use every tool in the toolbox to take nature's gifts and produce a product that commands a higher premium. Thanks so much again!

  • @meganzizzamia2993
    @meganzizzamia2993 5 років тому +4

    Finally an ACTIVE farm life youtube channel that posts honest, educational videos.
    We want a little farm one day, and have no idea how to start or where to begin but these videos give us a great idea what we are in store for!

    • @OurWyomingLife
      @OurWyomingLife  5 років тому

      Thank you very much. Glad you found us. I hope we can help. -Mike

    • @sunrise7ranch85
      @sunrise7ranch85 5 років тому

      Never give up on that dream. All the best to you!

  • @jim7273
    @jim7273 5 років тому +3

    Another example of "nothing is as easy as it seems". A lot more goes into the process than most people realize. Thanks for the explanation.

  • @ronniepate4315
    @ronniepate4315 5 років тому

    Mike you guys work so hard to make a go of it. Most people have no idea what it takes to put their food on the shelves. Your videos show a lot of folks theirs a lot of hard labor , planing and sleepless nights in raising livestock.

  • @surfmanx796
    @surfmanx796 5 років тому +1

    Thanks for sharing the intimate details of your financial situation. It adds so much to our understanding of your operations and that of many other ranchers and farmers. You have a gift for breaking down the complexities so urbanites like myself can understand.

  • @ianburton8050
    @ianburton8050 5 років тому

    This is without a doubt one of the, no...THE BEST farming videos I have seen on UA-cam. No crap, and it's heartening to see that the pitfalls of cattle raising are universal, not just confined to one location. In Australia we have some occasional respite when live exports to Asian and middle eastern markets jump, but mostly it is the same old grind.

  • @WPRJersey
    @WPRJersey 5 років тому

    A goal without a plan is just a wish. Very well said. I have been known to wish quite a bit, but once I make a plan, (good or bad) I follow through and get results. Keeping any business alive and prosperous is hard work. Thanks for sharing.😀

  • @AcesUpOffroad
    @AcesUpOffroad 5 років тому

    Fellow Rancher here, you explained it well.

  • @nathanrobinson7715
    @nathanrobinson7715 2 роки тому

    May God bless all you farmers/ ranchers Without you all we wouldn't have beef to eat.

  • @chrisnickell1607
    @chrisnickell1607 5 років тому

    I enjoy when you break down the cost and such. Most channels wont give the bad side of ranching, but you guys ain't afraid to show the good and the bad. Your honesty is what keeps me watching. Thank you for being brutally honest!! Keep up the good work!!

  • @m.webber5118
    @m.webber5118 5 років тому +17

    As of Tuesday, I will be one month into my weening process, life is good now! It’s been really noisy around here. In Iowa where I am, neighbors are much closer. Had one stop a month ago, not knowing anything about cattle, and asked, “if I was torturing the my calves?” I had to answer, yes.

    • @rodolfoplasencia4953
      @rodolfoplasencia4953 5 років тому +1

      Hahahaha

    • @hairymanonetwo
      @hairymanonetwo 5 років тому

      Im from northeastern Iowa ...you mention about " one month into weaning " ? I weaned my calves two weeks ago. After the third day.....it was silent. So...... yours take a month to quiet down ? Why the difference ? Any ideas ?

    • @okiegrandboater
      @okiegrandboater 5 років тому

      Irv Farmer agree mine normally quite down on the third day

  • @missmamtube
    @missmamtube 5 років тому +4

    Shalom! Mike and Miss Erin, thank you so much for sharing with u, how to cattle. Blessings to you all, grandma and the girls!

  • @loriehabel1552
    @loriehabel1552 5 років тому +8

    We never know what tomorrow will bring,I've heard the elders say millions of times. They lived threw things I hope none of us have to worry about. Hope yall can hold em to just the right time to get the best price. Good luck. This time of year is a nailbighter😳😊.

  • @sergiomarin1793
    @sergiomarin1793 5 років тому +2

    That's a good move on your part Mike, always wean my calves and bring them to a desireble weight. This year I averaged 700 lbs on steers

  • @frankmetcalf9595
    @frankmetcalf9595 5 років тому +1

    Good analysis. Hoping for better markets. You lay it all out there. Good luck.

  • @wranther
    @wranther 5 років тому +3

    Thank you for bringing truth to the internet Mike, along with ranching's hard choices and decisions! -Bob...

    • @OurWyomingLife
      @OurWyomingLife  5 років тому +1

      Ain’t that the truth, thanks Bob - Mike

  • @Johnny53kgb-nsa
    @Johnny53kgb-nsa 5 років тому +2

    I didn't realize how much goes into the whole ranch process. There is much more than I thought. Raising a family on a ranch has to be very rewarding also. I wish you guys the best. Thanks, JohnG

  • @bluespartan5092
    @bluespartan5092 5 років тому +39

    Without a side job in town or some extra income it’s just nearly impossible to sustain a ranch. What a shame 😔 Best wishes to you and your family Mike 👍🏻

    • @HERBALNATUMAN1
      @HERBALNATUMAN1 5 років тому +1

      Things are getting better for American ranchers now.

    • @charlesuplifted5216
      @charlesuplifted5216 5 років тому +8

      @@HERBALNATUMAN1 how?

    • @christopherrowley7506
      @christopherrowley7506 5 років тому +7

      the more the rest of the food industry gets automated the harder it is for smaller scale operations. As such it's ridiculous that he manages that many cows and that much land by himself. Back in the 50s he would have had a whole team of ranch hands. So much for all of the progress our society has made.

    • @davidhickenbottom6574
      @davidhickenbottom6574 5 років тому +1

      The packers are squeezing them its ridiculous.

    • @okiegrandboater
      @okiegrandboater 5 років тому +1

      Leandro Zuniga I have to question that, calf prices continue to slump, and very very soon us ranchers will be competing against synthetic beef that is made even cheaper, aka the impossible whooper, synthetic beef will cause the continued decline in beef prices until ranching is extinct, after that land prices will drastically fall leaving our only asset basically worthless

  • @gregoryallen3284
    @gregoryallen3284 5 років тому

    Thank you Mike! Hope all goes well and your cost as well! Take care and have a warm winter.

  • @mikecorning8999
    @mikecorning8999 5 років тому

    Awesome video mike hope an pray all goes well an the market turns up

  • @StoneyRidgeFarmer
    @StoneyRidgeFarmer 5 років тому +1

    Thanks Mike...a great look at the reality of Ranch Life! A great time for us to purchase cattle for our farm!

  • @russellmoore9903
    @russellmoore9903 5 років тому +1

    Another great and informative video Mike.

  • @bluemtnsman
    @bluemtnsman 5 років тому

    There is no escaping reality. Thankfully you do not sugar coat your presentation Mike. All the best, in all regards, to you and your family.

  • @susanchamblee2549
    @susanchamblee2549 5 років тому +1

    Another great video Mike. You and Erin work so hard for every dollar the ranch makes!! Thanks for showing us ALL of it!! I sure appreciate where my food comes from more because of it...!! Hope the sale goes well.🙏

  • @wykeishacraft6820
    @wykeishacraft6820 5 років тому

    I love your videos Mike you are still doing a great job with your farm and animals , you takes care of them healthy animals and pretty land. I love your family, your wife with the beautiful crops that I loves ,you all are doing an amazing job. Way To Go Mike !

  • @estorrado
    @estorrado 5 років тому

    Mike/Erin,
    Very informative, educational, excellent video presentation, thank you!

  • @petermavus4131
    @petermavus4131 5 років тому

    Thanks for explaining the cattle battle

  • @lisaineastcentralohio6805
    @lisaineastcentralohio6805 5 років тому

    I do understand the farming life, I only wish more people would understand,I'm so happy that you're able to come onto UA-cam and to be able to make these videos to show people what it's like financially for Farmers we depend on you we don't have you we don't eat me I love to eat beef thank you. Lisa in East Central Ohio

  • @melvinwoodruff905
    @melvinwoodruff905 2 роки тому

    Excellent video with honest information. Very informative, thanks Mike

  • @1jumbox
    @1jumbox 5 років тому +1

    Ranchers and farmers should be watching your channel, good info that many have never looked at in such a manner. Keep it up! The open market is really not open, owned and operated by the packing house, it has become a noose around all the ag industry! You have roots in the corporate world, you must realise the injustice. The plight of our food producers, that are at the bottom of the food chain, by design, needs to be exposed!

    • @jacobryun870
      @jacobryun870 5 років тому

      Rancher here. We do watch and go through the same dilemas. Mike has a great way of openly sharing the difficult decisions we all have to go through every year. Thanks, Mike!

  • @kao80536
    @kao80536 5 років тому

    Great video, it was really interesting to see the market prices for steers and heifers while you explained what we were seeing. Hope weaning and your new plan goes well. Thanks for sharing your family's story and promoting agriculture.

  • @Todd.Roberts
    @Todd.Roberts 5 років тому

    I have learned so much about cattle ranching since I been watching your channel . Didn’t realize that some much went into raising cattle

  • @lupitamacedo193
    @lupitamacedo193 3 роки тому

    God Bless you and your Family 🦋
    Thank You for the food supply that you raise 🙏🇺🇸💕 Lupita Macedo from California

  • @altonriggs2352
    @altonriggs2352 5 років тому +2

    Great explanation. Thanks

  • @stevenkietzke5582
    @stevenkietzke5582 5 років тому +1

    Good luck at the market

  • @Q_IXIX
    @Q_IXIX 5 років тому

    I plan having my own ranch in 4 years and I've learned alot from your videos man.. thanks

  • @arailway8809
    @arailway8809 5 років тому +1

    Down here in East Texas, we avoid October sales because
    the market is glutted with everybody else's stock, and the price is down. So we
    might sell earlier or later to catch the higher prices.
    As always, a good presentation.

  • @rodneybrown3137
    @rodneybrown3137 5 років тому

    Enjoyed your presentation, spot on. Here in S Texas during the same time as the market report you referenced we're getting $1-$1.20 for heavy weight steers and bull calves. We'd be jumping for joy to be getting your average per head. Our prices peaked in April at an average $1.40-$1.55 for 500# plus steer/bull calves. From June it was until the 1st of September before we received any rain. Prices haven't rebounded. Good video, enjoyed.

  • @dbirdeycapozzi9807
    @dbirdeycapozzi9807 5 років тому +1

    I think everyone will need to make some changes in the next few years. Frankly and honestly, I foresee a change in our eating habits, so I'm glad you keep a finger in more than one pot on this Wyoming Life. Lots of love from S Carolina 🌎

  • @sirBighead12
    @sirBighead12 5 років тому +1

    Great content, thanks for the numbers. Good fortune.

  • @moneyandtimefreedom3352
    @moneyandtimefreedom3352 5 років тому

    Farmers and a Ranchers are some of the smartest people on the planet. Thanks for sharing

  • @henry7765
    @henry7765 5 років тому +3

    “ The Cost of Ranching “was your first video I saw , “The dollars and the CENTS and not the common sense bc after this video you’ll be wondering if I have any SENSE at all” loved it!! Classic👌

  • @pyr8at40
    @pyr8at40 5 років тому

    you are doing a great job....i just hope those without a clue how hard it is to ranch/farm see this channel and start repecting how hard it is for you to put that food on the table for them

  • @CaptainSloose
    @CaptainSloose 5 років тому

    I really must say I'm impressed at your delivery, candor, and ability to explain how the economics of a cattle ranch work. I am not a farmer, nor will I ever be, but that doesn't make this ANY less fascinating. Your video production quality skills are excellent. You've got a new subscriber. Excellent stuff.
    With brutal economics such as this, acquisition and amortization of major equipment such as tractors, etc, as expensive as they are, must be daunting at best.

  • @tubecoatue
    @tubecoatue 5 років тому

    Very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to break it down. Good luck!!

  • @brentfarrow8125
    @brentfarrow8125 5 років тому +1

    Great commentary !😎

  • @cmoreson4281
    @cmoreson4281 5 років тому +1

    I always enjoy your videos there always so informative. I hope everything works out for you and your family.

  • @midwestfarmerleduc9256
    @midwestfarmerleduc9256 5 років тому

    Mike thank you for the wonderful job that you do with your ranch and explaining things everybody I'm a farmer and I have the same issues.

  • @14Marathons
    @14Marathons 5 років тому

    Great video, Mike...Love the channel....interesting video....Thanks for all you do.

  • @harrisjuan1564
    @harrisjuan1564 5 років тому +2

    I’m glad you have a plan to beat the odds. I wish you the best of luck to you and your family. Thank you.

  • @25kip
    @25kip 5 років тому

    Tons of respect. Work with corn farmers daily & it’s just amazing how hard farm work is & the dedication involved.

  • @danieljuarez-ln7sn
    @danieljuarez-ln7sn 5 років тому

    Hey Mike,, Thanks for sharing.

  • @mikehamilton3833
    @mikehamilton3833 5 років тому

    Thanks for the inside look at ranching numbers. Makes me think about my 23 head of black angus heading to market soon. Big or small we all face the same decisions. Good luck Mike and Erin.

  • @shaunroberts9361
    @shaunroberts9361 5 років тому

    Good info Mike for sure.

  • @CC-xk6cp
    @CC-xk6cp 5 років тому

    Hi again MIKE! Point positive it's a tough business because there are so many variables. Transport is tricky as some measure of weight is lost. Wondering if you've ever sold right from the ranch which would save both ship fees and weight loss. Happy you have all your new sources that will help out. Looking forward to the next things coming soon. Hope you All are finally well. Take good care and we'll hope the bad snows hold off a bit longer!! Thx as always Mike...

  • @Student_of_history
    @Student_of_history 5 років тому

    Another excellent informative video, cheers mate.

  • @robertbidwell4541
    @robertbidwell4541 5 років тому

    Mike I like videos like this I like how you explained about the beef sales awesome video again

  • @williamj.stilianessis1851
    @williamj.stilianessis1851 5 років тому +1

    Wow Mike, I had never thought about the price break for ranchers. Hearing how little you get for calves is like knowing how small our milk check is going to be. The farm costs the same to operate, the girls still need to eat all winter, (late November to late April) but the CWT for milk is still low and going lower. We can expect just a little over $15 per hundred weight of milk, Roughly 11 gallons. That same 11 gallons being sold in the local grocery yields approx. $49.30. Given that milk, I presume like beef, needs a lot of fossil fuel to get it from point A to point B then back accounts for a fairly significant chunk of the difference.
    It is a great irony that Vermont is known as a dairy state but virtually all, (except a very small number of independent bottlers) our milk is trucked an average of 600 miles round trip. Knowing that, those numbers in pricing are not surprising.
    Thanks for taking the time to educate and make these videos. More folks ought to know the how and why of food production.

  • @vxnova1
    @vxnova1 5 років тому

    Thanks for explaining the cattle market prices, very interesting

  • @joesoap393
    @joesoap393 5 років тому

    Good luck with your sales plan, the beef problems are the same here in Ireland, calves are selling currently below the cost of production

  • @bigcliffadventures
    @bigcliffadventures 5 років тому +3

    Great job Mike and I been in the same place over the years but some how God has help me get throght it all.
    Godbless yall and he will watch over yall also.
    Love Cliff

  • @kennethfillmoreCoolCatKen
    @kennethfillmoreCoolCatKen 4 роки тому

    Happy New Year Mike & Erin & Family i enjoy your videos so much about the ranch

  • @SeanEasterling
    @SeanEasterling 5 років тому +1

    I'm subscribed. I like to see what you do and how Wyoming Ranching works. You make great videos and the quality is really good. Great work Mike, keeps it up.

  • @jasonmcbride2111
    @jasonmcbride2111 5 років тому +1

    Good luck Mike
    I know you have been talking about selling off some of the cows about a year now .
    Your a great rancher / family man
    We will say a special prayer for your ranch / family
    Best of luck sir 👍

  • @robertferguson3020
    @robertferguson3020 4 роки тому

    More to ranching than I thought ! City guy here

  • @bossstang497
    @bossstang497 5 років тому

    Im sorry for you herd reduction due to hay and pasture. Been there , really hurts. Bless You.

  • @thegreenviking1422
    @thegreenviking1422 5 років тому

    i really love the way you break this down. :) makes it so much easier for me to plan my future moves to off-grid farming.

  • @GerraldFarms
    @GerraldFarms 5 років тому

    We normally would be Selling calves but we’re doing the same thing. Thankfully we made enough hay to winter them. Have a good one

  • @LostInThe0zone
    @LostInThe0zone 5 років тому

    Good luck Mike.

  • @flynnclement3254
    @flynnclement3254 5 років тому

    We all do i worked with my dad for 40 years and if we broke even we felt good and hope next year will be better

  • @banjobenson9348
    @banjobenson9348 5 років тому +5

    Beef it is what s for dinner, I get some tougher cuts of steak and put rub on them and throw them in the crock pot, in a few hours I have the most tender roast beef you can imagine, toss in a few taters and veggies and I got a feast. Pour out any fats over the feast and add some butter and you have a very tasty meal. Keep raising them for us.

  • @stevensmith3358
    @stevensmith3358 5 років тому +1

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING , I FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING

  • @triciaadamson2285
    @triciaadamson2285 5 років тому +1

    In the ranch life there are always hard decisions to be made, gotta rob from Peter to pay Paul but ya always seem to make things work. Another informative and great video Mike thanks for taking us along with ya. God Bless & have a great week.

  • @kennethfillmoreCoolCatKen
    @kennethfillmoreCoolCatKen 4 роки тому

    Wow I did not know that you would have to keep such records it's very confusing watching those prices your Channel is so educational I really enjoy it

  • @jimmason1072
    @jimmason1072 5 років тому +2

    Man..... Great story.....it's good to see that you can see the future .....to some extent....and deal with it.....farming is like anything else( business wise) except it's not😟.....you can't eat steel..... concrete.... plastic.....but times are changing.....( If you can buy calves cheaper than you can produce them..... Then someone else is also taking a loss.....) It takes a deep pocket sometimes to stay in business.....it's our Turkey day in Canada 🇨🇦( Thanksgiving) giving....best off luck....

    • @DonnaRatliff1
      @DonnaRatliff1 5 років тому

      Wow enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey! 🦃 Yum!

  • @JanVafa
    @JanVafa 5 років тому +1

    My dad always said, “when a door is shut, God will open a window ... but sometimes it’s hard to find!” Hail shut a door but now you have an opportunity to keep the calves a bit longer and hopefully make the market work in your favor!

  • @BethGrantDeRoos
    @BethGrantDeRoos 5 років тому

    Being a data wonk I LOVE videos like this. Wish more people would take the time to understand that ranching/farming isn't a hobby but a serious business!!

  • @jwjco
    @jwjco 5 років тому +1

    Excellent video Mike , Over this direction we have a few late calves that hopefully we can keep them good and healthy . I believe there was one that i had sent you a picture of. The weather is not helping the young stock at all. I guess as far as the auction prices go , do you think it maybe better to wait till possibly Dec. Over this way there are some special feeder cattle auctions that bring in more buyers and sometimes that helps.

  • @tinkwilkinson9446
    @tinkwilkinson9446 5 років тому

    Thanks. Very interesting and informative. My maternal grandparents, and one son were small farmers in central VA when I was a kid. They raised tobacco and wheat for cash and grains for animal feed. My grandfather raised black Angus for fun. With mostly year round pastures winter feeding not such an issue. Think all of that is why I value your work.

  • @johncooper1560
    @johncooper1560 5 років тому

    We have had good results with our pre-conditioning program for calves. That, along with selling them as "naturals" when possible has increased our sales proceeds. We have the feed to hold them over for 90-120 days. We feel it's a win-win!

  • @Rshtuni-Papikyan
    @Rshtuni-Papikyan 3 роки тому

    Thank you Mike!👍👍👍✌

  • @ricdenali4213
    @ricdenali4213 5 років тому +1

    Great content, very interesting video.

  • @eli-bg9mi
    @eli-bg9mi 5 років тому +8

    There's always ups and downs in agriculture. I hope everything will turn out better for you.

  • @TheRobodoc130
    @TheRobodoc130 4 роки тому

    Thank you for explaining this I have always been curios about the how and why of this.

  • @stevebennett9839
    @stevebennett9839 5 років тому

    Another great video. Most people including me go buy a pound of beef not realising how much really goes into the process. OWL makes me think of those things now.

  • @gmoac
    @gmoac 5 років тому

    very good channel. greetings from Argentina!

  • @owenslubo9243
    @owenslubo9243 5 років тому

    i love this channel keep it up please

  • @brianvaughn1004
    @brianvaughn1004 5 років тому

    I'm a subscriber. Been watching since the beginning.

  • @caolanmckenna79
    @caolanmckenna79 5 років тому

    Very educational good video

  • @alwaysinblue
    @alwaysinblue 5 років тому

    Sounds like perfectly sound decisions, Mike. I hope, hope, hope you keep number 2. I want to adopt her next year when our expenses are better situated. In the meantime, I hope she stays. I hope and pray that things work out for you and your family on making these tough decisions, but it sounds like you have a good plan and it should work very well.

  • @joanneganon7157
    @joanneganon7157 5 років тому

    I hope all works out for the best Mike!
    Jo Jo in VT 😊💕🍁🍁🍁🍁

  • @lindajarrett5078
    @lindajarrett5078 5 років тому

    Mike thank you for explaining things with us. Decisions that are so hard on farmers . Thank you for this video

  • @skoalring83
    @skoalring83 5 років тому

    Great video

  • @josecorona2553
    @josecorona2553 5 років тому

    Great video and info

  • @HeritageFarmsTexas
    @HeritageFarmsTexas 5 років тому

    Great video, we just made some hard decisions ourselves. Price of cattle are really low in N. Texas.

  • @edwardcullen5705
    @edwardcullen5705 5 років тому +1

    When I was a kid I worked on a small farm. One week I got to go along to the sales barn. They had pigs on this farm ,no cattle. We on loaded the pigs and went in the sales barn. We were probably in there and hour. When we came out to the pickup to leave. We had a small calf in the box of the pickup and 2 in the trailer. This was back in the 80's.

  • @j.r.5882
    @j.r.5882 5 років тому

    Thanks for all the info. A behind the scenes of a true rancher !!! Great job Mike (nice hat) and wish you the best with the herd !!
    How’s the piggies, they almost ready ??
    Thanks again for your time and video !!

  • @missymay5975
    @missymay5975 Рік тому

    Good job

  • @fermewestshefford
    @fermewestshefford 5 років тому

    Exellent video ! I like your honestly and your channel this is so interesting! I’m proud to be a subscriber and help you and the ranch !