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Cattle Boards
Grasses, Pastures & Hay
Any zero till/regenerative ag experts?
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<blockquote data-quote="RDFF" data-source="post: 1653086" data-attributes="member: 39018"><p>Estimate what you realistically think YOUR ground will be able to grow, and then "carry"... it's all about animal density per acre of carrying capacity. And then take a look at what you estimate you can do with C/c vs. stockers too. Might surprise you when you do these computations and compare it to the bottom line of cash grains that YOU'VE been averaging. If it looks decent, start small, give it a try... it's the only way you'll ever know for sure if you can make it work in your context.</p><p></p><p>I don't work with any "program"... just do the best I can figuring every expense I can think of and plugging in a realistic cost into an Excel spreadsheet. I generally use the Iowa State Custom Rate Survey (online) to get applied cost for my machinery operations... have to use some kind of a "standard". I expect that with my older depreciated equipment, I can do it cheaper than the "typical custom operator"... but not necessarily, I figure. So I just use the "average rate" for that. And I don't "cheat" by not plugging in everything, literally.</p><p></p><p>When I've done it, IF I CAN GET MY STOCKING DENSITY UP TO MY TARGETS, I can do better grazing it than I can cropping it....... and this is on pure "corn/bean country" ground. Sure am getting the neighborhood talking!</p><p></p><p>My intent originally was to use the pastured cattle and my "soil health practices" as my fertility program for my row crops, instead of buying it from the Coop. I'm beginning to wonder now if the cash grain might not instead end up being used more as a rotational practice to reseed my pastures. Or maybe I won't have to reseed them at all, with proper management. I definitely enjoy working the cattle more than working with machinery!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RDFF, post: 1653086, member: 39018"] Estimate what you realistically think YOUR ground will be able to grow, and then "carry"... it's all about animal density per acre of carrying capacity. And then take a look at what you estimate you can do with C/c vs. stockers too. Might surprise you when you do these computations and compare it to the bottom line of cash grains that YOU'VE been averaging. If it looks decent, start small, give it a try... it's the only way you'll ever know for sure if you can make it work in your context. I don't work with any "program"... just do the best I can figuring every expense I can think of and plugging in a realistic cost into an Excel spreadsheet. I generally use the Iowa State Custom Rate Survey (online) to get applied cost for my machinery operations... have to use some kind of a "standard". I expect that with my older depreciated equipment, I can do it cheaper than the "typical custom operator"... but not necessarily, I figure. So I just use the "average rate" for that. And I don't "cheat" by not plugging in everything, literally. When I've done it, IF I CAN GET MY STOCKING DENSITY UP TO MY TARGETS, I can do better grazing it than I can cropping it....... and this is on pure "corn/bean country" ground. Sure am getting the neighborhood talking! My intent originally was to use the pastured cattle and my "soil health practices" as my fertility program for my row crops, instead of buying it from the Coop. I'm beginning to wonder now if the cash grain might not instead end up being used more as a rotational practice to reseed my pastures. Or maybe I won't have to reseed them at all, with proper management. I definitely enjoy working the cattle more than working with machinery! [/QUOTE]
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