BIG cattle requiring inputs beyond grass and mineral and water are the crux of the profitability problem, plus they're more destructive to the land. My cattleman mentors are making money with fertility and longevity and I'm modeling my retirement after their operations. Inputs are minimal and cows last into their teens. But I'm still listening here, so see what else I might learn. I was never "boxed in" as much as Bob the Farmer or John the Accountant. I'm a natural problem solver, always looking for the "other" option. Graze the tops.
I agree with everything said, but never mentioned having to manage 30% more head of cattle. Both sides have their sort. How many 14 year old cows do you have as a commercial guy; the cows that bred back early and have 4 daughters in your herd is worth more over time. Most sorts happen for a reason.
You'll still be a hire hand at 55, heard that from my ex wife 30 years ago by God she was right. Now I'm expected make decisions only to be told you can do that when I'm done. Change come when someone go broke or dies.
Production er acre/hectare is exactly how we GETAWAY from the mega cow/calf size mentality. The Industry is fixated on the profitability of a 1200 vs. 1400 cow. REALITY says THREE 1000# cows out perform two 1500# cows per ACRE, not per unit. Beancounter industrial thinking is terrible for animal production. The guys I follow are making money and expanding their operations.
BIG cattle requiring inputs beyond grass and mineral and water are the crux of the profitability problem, plus they're more destructive to the land. My cattleman mentors are making money with fertility and longevity and I'm modeling my retirement after their operations. Inputs are minimal and cows last into their teens. But I'm still listening here, so see what else I might learn. I was never "boxed in" as much as Bob the Farmer or John the Accountant. I'm a natural problem solver, always looking for the "other" option. Graze the tops.
I agree with everything said, but never mentioned having to manage 30% more head of cattle. Both sides have their sort. How many 14 year old cows do you have as a commercial guy; the cows that bred back early and have 4 daughters in your herd is worth more over time. Most sorts happen for a reason.
You'll still be a hire hand at 55, heard that from my ex wife 30 years ago by God she was right. Now I'm expected make decisions only to be told you can do that when I'm done. Change come when someone go broke or dies.
Change comes when your thinking changes.
Production er acre/hectare is exactly how we GETAWAY from the mega cow/calf size mentality. The Industry is fixated on the profitability of a 1200 vs. 1400 cow. REALITY says THREE 1000# cows out perform two 1500# cows per ACRE, not per unit. Beancounter industrial thinking is terrible for animal production.
The guys I follow are making money and expanding their operations.