Might want try and read a little more closely before responding like that.
I used your example of losing 3 years of profit. I then listed the gross sales for the example given. Then I listed the expenses
(My yearly cost per cow is listed at $280).
Revenue-expenses=net profit.
I make considerably more than $400 per calf, so do most people I know with similar management philosophies. Sounds like you may need to re-examine your operation.
We have very different goals for our herds and management it seems.
In a lot of ways what we're talking about is like investing.
1. Choice 1- What you're doing is like day trading stocks. You can make a lot of money in a short timeframe, and many people have made fortunes doing so....you can also loose a lot more in a short timeframe. Many people are very successful doing it...most are lucky to break even. You don't get the value of compounding interest...it's 100% based off your decisions and a lot of unknowns. You mitigate the risk of a single loss, but your overall risk is higher. It can be done successfully, sure.
2. Choice 2- You can invest in a single stock or mutual fund, buy more when you can, and maybe try something new every once in a while. You may come out a little ahead but it's for the most part stagnant and not growing or if it is, not by much (what most do).
3. You can actively manage your investments, making small changes or large changes when needed, always holding for the long term gain....Not selling well the indicators are still good... But waiting until very specific criteria are met before selling...taking full advantage of compounding interest (genetics /quality of herd), and continually finding new ways to improve those investments while reducing cost.
At the end of year 30, chances are number 3 is going to have led to the best return on investment. Maybe you are one of those that can make option number 1 work... based off your statements of profit per calf it doesn't sound like it though