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<blockquote data-quote="rockridgecattle" data-source="post: 560941" data-attributes="member: 6198"><p>Thanks for all the replies. It gives us something to think about. We love cows and it is something we do together. Bees is more my thing cause the hubby is fencing, land working etc during that time. He does help in the honey house and pulling honey. But it is tough being pulled in so many directions right now. Off farm job, cows, bees, sales, life. Something has to give. So far the tax analysis says bees are profitable, if you sell a good chunck direct.</p><p>I have taken some of the things i've learned about cows and put it to use with the bees. For example, if a hive is poor, and you've done your best within a time frame, time to tear down the hive. Those tough calls made in cattle are simillar in bees. You get the weather issues like in cows, same as haying. Disease is something we have to deal with with cows and bees. But the infrastucture is not as costly. To start up a hive is not as costly. To lose a hive is not as costly either.</p><p>Some of the differences are, no high vet costs. We are thankful for our vet and never balk at the prices, but it is eliminated. As well, you do not have to have the land base for bees. it is easy to rent a small 50x30 foot plot and place the bees for the summer. We can get two crops off a chunk of land. Feed for the bees, and or feed for the cows or clover seed.</p><p>Preditors are still a nusancein either commodity.</p><p>Right now honey is on the rise, cows on the decline. </p><p>Cool has me worried, I mean nothing bad against it but lets face it, it will have an impact on both of our markets. Especially Manitoba. Why you ask, Our cattle either have to go to Alberta or Quebec for slaughter, the cheaper route was the south. We have tried to get slaughter plants established since the BSE crisis but with a socialistic government like the NDP in power in the province, they are hardwired to the enviromentalists. In Manitoba, nothing changed to cut our dependance on the east, west or south. Our fault really. Around here in our area several guys have retired from the cows. We also know of a few more who are younger or around our age who are out this fall.</p><p>We have until fall to make the choices, to see what the market will do, to see what the inputs are like. As well there is a semiar happening this fall for ranchers on how to get through these tough times, on the changes we need to make in order to survive.</p><p></p><p>Thanks for all the input.</p><p></p><p>Rockridge</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="rockridgecattle, post: 560941, member: 6198"] Thanks for all the replies. It gives us something to think about. We love cows and it is something we do together. Bees is more my thing cause the hubby is fencing, land working etc during that time. He does help in the honey house and pulling honey. But it is tough being pulled in so many directions right now. Off farm job, cows, bees, sales, life. Something has to give. So far the tax analysis says bees are profitable, if you sell a good chunck direct. I have taken some of the things i've learned about cows and put it to use with the bees. For example, if a hive is poor, and you've done your best within a time frame, time to tear down the hive. Those tough calls made in cattle are simillar in bees. You get the weather issues like in cows, same as haying. Disease is something we have to deal with with cows and bees. But the infrastucture is not as costly. To start up a hive is not as costly. To lose a hive is not as costly either. Some of the differences are, no high vet costs. We are thankful for our vet and never balk at the prices, but it is eliminated. As well, you do not have to have the land base for bees. it is easy to rent a small 50x30 foot plot and place the bees for the summer. We can get two crops off a chunk of land. Feed for the bees, and or feed for the cows or clover seed. Preditors are still a nusancein either commodity. Right now honey is on the rise, cows on the decline. Cool has me worried, I mean nothing bad against it but lets face it, it will have an impact on both of our markets. Especially Manitoba. Why you ask, Our cattle either have to go to Alberta or Quebec for slaughter, the cheaper route was the south. We have tried to get slaughter plants established since the BSE crisis but with a socialistic government like the NDP in power in the province, they are hardwired to the enviromentalists. In Manitoba, nothing changed to cut our dependance on the east, west or south. Our fault really. Around here in our area several guys have retired from the cows. We also know of a few more who are younger or around our age who are out this fall. We have until fall to make the choices, to see what the market will do, to see what the inputs are like. As well there is a semiar happening this fall for ranchers on how to get through these tough times, on the changes we need to make in order to survive. Thanks for all the input. Rockridge [/QUOTE]
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