7 things I have learned in 40 years of grazing. By Jim Gerrish a very good video on yt. Another one is titled "Get out of the hay buisness" In short, they recommend that if you are short on grass, you should, for economic reasons sell cattle. Old ranchers here in se Kansas and ne Oklahoma that I have known, many of which survived the dust bowl days and the 3 or 4 years of drought in the late 50's. Would tell you that you have too many cows. When it comes to grass, take half and leave half. If you had less cows and baled enough hay to last for 2 winters, you wouldn't be in trouble for this winter. Most of the old cattlemen still operate that way. As Jim Gerrish would say "never be scared of wasting grass" 30 cows that profit 50 dollars per year, or you could have 20 cows that profit 100 dollars per year. It's your choice. Don't despair just learn from your mistakes, don't repeat them
Those are good resources that I am familiar with. And I totally agree. I still don’t plan on selling cows though because I am actively adding more acreage into my rotation. So I’m increasing my acres per head by holding steady on cattle numbers. My goal is to get to zero reliance on hay for an average year and only supplement on record Drought years like this. Cattle is a tough business. I cannot imagine it as my primary income source.
@@stringerbridgefarm3201 i spent 14 years of my life in the feed buisness, where I had a mailing list of a little more than 400 people in the cattle buisness, some very large, and many who had other sources of income too. One of my friends from high school had the position of vice president of sales for a large shoe company, his only customer to call on was walmart in Bentonville Arkansas. He complained to me one early September that cattle were getting cheaper every week and feed was getting higher every week! All I could say was "well, you're in the cattle buisness, and you'll someday be wondering why you are spending your money with so many cattle" it wasn't long before he began cutting back on his cowherd. I said all of that just to say this, make a few cows make money, and if you can, then you are in the cattle buisness, if you can't make cows earn you a profit, then call it a hobby. Ever since the beginning of time, in human history humans have been co-existing, each specie dependent on the other. I believe it is instinctive that we want to live around cattle, and that we, of European ancestry especially, are very well genetically adapted to consuming beef! So go ahead you are on the right track!
It's a shame that one has to go through times like this as options weighs heavy on the mind choosing which decision to grab ahold of and run with it. I agree supplementing grains , 14 or 20% cakes (cow candy), a flake of alfalfa now and then may get you through..hopefully that will curb using up all the hay till pastures recoup. Prayers help as well. Here's wishing your family a blessed holiday season.
These are the years I’m glad the cows are not my primary income source. It would be lean times. We are getting some rain so hopefully it’s not too long and the cows can start enjoying some good grazing again. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
1. Why so much hay
2. How to extend it
3. Fishing highligh!!
7 things I have learned in 40 years of grazing. By Jim Gerrish a very good video on yt. Another one is titled "Get out of the hay buisness"
In short, they recommend that if you are short on grass, you should, for economic reasons sell cattle.
Old ranchers here in se Kansas and ne Oklahoma that I have known, many of which survived the dust bowl days and the 3 or 4 years of drought in the late 50's. Would tell you that you have too many cows. When it comes to grass, take half and leave half. If you had less cows and baled enough hay to last for 2 winters, you wouldn't be in trouble for this winter. Most of the old cattlemen still operate that way. As Jim Gerrish would say "never be scared of wasting grass"
30 cows that profit 50 dollars per year, or you could have 20 cows that profit 100 dollars per year. It's your choice.
Don't despair just learn from your mistakes, don't repeat them
Those are good resources that I am familiar with. And I totally agree. I still don’t plan on selling cows though because I am actively adding more acreage into my rotation. So I’m increasing my acres per head by holding steady on cattle numbers. My goal is to get to zero reliance on hay for an average year and only supplement on record Drought years like this. Cattle is a tough business. I cannot imagine it as my primary income source.
@@stringerbridgefarm3201 i spent 14 years of my life in the feed buisness, where I had a mailing list of a little more than 400 people in the cattle buisness, some very large, and many who had other sources of income too. One of my friends from high school had the position of vice president of sales for a large shoe company, his only customer to call on was walmart in Bentonville Arkansas. He complained to me one early September that cattle were getting cheaper every week and feed was getting higher every week! All I could say was "well, you're in the cattle buisness, and you'll someday be wondering why you are spending your money with so many cattle" it wasn't long before he began cutting back on his cowherd.
I said all of that just to say this, make a few cows make money, and if you can, then you are in the cattle buisness, if you can't make cows earn you a profit, then call it a hobby.
Ever since the beginning of time, in human history humans have been co-existing, each specie dependent on the other. I believe it is instinctive that we want to live around cattle, and that we, of European ancestry especially, are very well genetically adapted to consuming beef! So go ahead you are on the right track!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year ❤❤
Same to you. God bless and enjoy the Holiday Season!
It's a shame that one has to go through times like this as options weighs heavy on the mind choosing which decision to grab ahold of and run with it.
I agree supplementing grains , 14 or 20% cakes (cow candy), a flake of alfalfa now and then may get you through..hopefully that will curb using up all the hay till pastures recoup. Prayers help as well.
Here's wishing your family a blessed holiday season.
These are the years I’m glad the cows are not my primary income source. It would be lean times. We are getting some rain so hopefully it’s not too long and the cows can start enjoying some good grazing again. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!