Cow/Calf folks
- Thread starter AllForage
- Start date
Pretty basic thinking.
I don't see the price of grains as being the factor on livestock production to watch in the future, but the force of the people to demand that grain not be fed to animals that could be fed to humans. Albeit not in it's natural form, but processed in a way to make it edible/palatable.
I don't see the price of grains as being the factor on livestock production to watch in the future, but the force of the people to demand that grain not be fed to animals that could be fed to humans. Albeit not in it's natural form, but processed in a way to make it edible/palatable.
Kingfisher
Well-known member
I've only heard this corn/grain slant one other time and it was questioned why we would turn corn into ethanol when people were going hungry. As the world turns I suppose.Aaron":1s4gokp6 said:
Kingfisher":30f8oc03 said:
Well I used to think on those lines, but I think society's thirst for cheap fuel is of more significance to them than the prospect of abundant food. They just expect food to be there, while they know that fuel can be very volatile in price.
Dave
Well-known member
Aaron":1g5c67wa said:
I think that is only true in that part of the world where the grocery store is always stocked full but there have been lines at the gas station. In other parts of the world where there is fuel available if you can afford it but food is scares or unaffordable, they have a different outlook.
AllForage
Well-known member
Well, I felt the most striking aspect of his opinion was how the packer's desires are in direct contradiction to the cow/calf guy. The type of animal that is the most sustaining and profitable is not being selected for. The packer is wagging the tail of the cowman. How many guys argue here over a couple of inches of height and let performance get in the way of reproduction?
The grain and input thing has already gotten too expensive. Another drought will finish that nail off in the coffin.
The grain and input thing has already gotten too expensive. Another drought will finish that nail off in the coffin.
JHH
Well-known member
AllForage said:
djinwa
Well-known member
The grain feeding system will continue as long as energy is cheap. And we've shown our willingness to do what it takes to have cheap energy, including spending trillions to have or troops in the Middle East.
Takes alot of energy to make fertilizer, plant and harvest and transport grain, haul the cattle to the feedlot, then to the packer, and from the packer all over the country/world.
As long as energy is relatively cheap, the only force against grain feeding I see is the movement for healthier animals and healthier food.
Obviously ruminants aren't designed for high grain diets and require antibiotics to prevent liver abscesses, etc. I run into more and more people who don't want that. And guys like Michael Pollan have done alot to raise questions about the system.
Takes alot of energy to make fertilizer, plant and harvest and transport grain, haul the cattle to the feedlot, then to the packer, and from the packer all over the country/world.
As long as energy is relatively cheap, the only force against grain feeding I see is the movement for healthier animals and healthier food.
Obviously ruminants aren't designed for high grain diets and require antibiotics to prevent liver abscesses, etc. I run into more and more people who don't want that. And guys like Michael Pollan have done alot to raise questions about the system.
plumber_greg
Well-known member
It all sounds good, but you guys are gonna' have a hellva' time supplying beef to the world if you only feed grass. What ya' gonna' do plant all the cropground to grass? Oh, can't do that, there's gonna' be a shortage of grain. They call that an impossible situation. gs
AllForage
Well-known member
plumber_greg":2uflr8i6 said:
Who says we are responsible for providing the world with beef???? That idea seems to justify a lot of bad decisions. We can consume everything that we produce. That is our advantage over Canada or NZ.
Could we produce grass fed nationwide, yes. But is am under no grand illusion it ever will nor would I want it to. I enjoy my higher priced niche.
We do waste a lots of grain through senseless propped up subsidized fuels and subsidies should all be droped to allow the true free market rule in AG.
What's wrong with growing stockers up to 7,8, 900 poudns then feedlotting. Less grain and more efficient.
You missed the point of the article. Raise cattle that fit your feed and select for reproduction. Not what the big packer wants that most here never see after the sales barn.
