Yes, also land especially old family land has a way of taking on a real presence in your life. I really can't even explain it. Nothing would tempt you to sell it, but the thought of losing it to the bank would be terrible.
Farming is tough
- Thread starter HDRider
- Start date
Help Support CattleToday:
IMO - Control. He'd been able to live under the illusion of controlling everything around him most of his life, wasn't going die any way he didn't control either.
Sunday was always a day of rest growing up - only emergencies like the cows getting out were attended to. I've not kept that myself, nor my wife or kids as they will work their outside jobs on Sunday if required because that's the world we live in.
But, we don't work on the farm or at home on Sunday. Try and get to church at least in the morning and the remainder of the day is rest.
Unfortunately when it comes to farming. I might be wrong but, in most farming practices everything revolves around the amount of product you produce.
Most farmers exspecially new farmers just starting out and having to borrow alot of money to begin with can't survive tragedies that farmers who have passed their farms from one generation to the next.
You take 3, 4, 5 generation farmer's alot of them had the farm/equipment/knowledge passed on to them. And are big enough to make a descent living from farming.
We all know you make more money off the sale of 20 head of cattle verses 10 head of cattle. More off a 100 bushels of wheat than 10 bushels and so on.
The more money you make the better life style you can lead.
And of course the bigger your operation the more risk you take. More stress, more equipment to maintain, and more to lose when drought hits and you end up losing money by crop loss etc...,
I think where alot of people just starting out in farming make the mistake of trying too generate more of that money making product they have chose to produce than they have resources to produce it with.
People who have never raised cattle don't understand how many head of cattle they would have to raise to make say $ 30,000 clear on a yearly based.
They don't have a clue How many dollars worth of equipment it takes and so on.
They don't have a clue what would work best for their situation or a better way of wording it. What type of operation they can aford.
Most farmers exspecially new farmers just starting out and having to borrow alot of money to begin with can't survive tragedies that farmers who have passed their farms from one generation to the next.
You take 3, 4, 5 generation farmer's alot of them had the farm/equipment/knowledge passed on to them. And are big enough to make a descent living from farming.
We all know you make more money off the sale of 20 head of cattle verses 10 head of cattle. More off a 100 bushels of wheat than 10 bushels and so on.
The more money you make the better life style you can lead.
And of course the bigger your operation the more risk you take. More stress, more equipment to maintain, and more to lose when drought hits and you end up losing money by crop loss etc...,
I think where alot of people just starting out in farming make the mistake of trying too generate more of that money making product they have chose to produce than they have resources to produce it with.
People who have never raised cattle don't understand how many head of cattle they would have to raise to make say $ 30,000 clear on a yearly based.
They don't have a clue How many dollars worth of equipment it takes and so on.
They don't have a clue what would work best for their situation or a better way of wording it. What type of operation they can aford.
Lee VanRoss
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2020
- Messages
- 2,392
- Reaction score
- 2,682
Given there are exceptions to most rules:: If you are not farming large enough to justify a hired man you will probably be the
last of your family to operate the farm. Generally it takes about a 1000 acres to justify a hired man. Fiscal diversity and a general
knowledge of economics is an asset no to be overlooked. Simply stated outside investments and the ability to capitalize on them
can add generations of life to the family farm. A spouse with no interest in the land is a death knell to the success of any operation.
Lack of time management is a big factor in farm failures. Too much unplanned time, There are more but I shall close with,
" Letting too much iron and oil set between the sun and the ground without a purpose" i.e. single use equipment
Oh and I almost forgot, God works in mysterious ways, His miracles to perform.
last of your family to operate the farm. Generally it takes about a 1000 acres to justify a hired man. Fiscal diversity and a general
knowledge of economics is an asset no to be overlooked. Simply stated outside investments and the ability to capitalize on them
can add generations of life to the family farm. A spouse with no interest in the land is a death knell to the success of any operation.
Lack of time management is a big factor in farm failures. Too much unplanned time, There are more but I shall close with,
" Letting too much iron and oil set between the sun and the ground without a purpose" i.e. single use equipment
Oh and I almost forgot, God works in mysterious ways, His miracles to perform.
This little woman doctor right out of med school told me after she found out I have a few cows. That she had grew up on a farm, had some chickens, hogs, no cattle.
Said her and her husband had bought 30 acres of woods they were clearing and was planning on buying 80 more acres next to it that was mostly pasture. No water, little fencing that needs replaced. Said her husband just loves to be on a tractor. Plans on running a cow calf operation.
I didn't say nothing. Thought to myself they have been watching too much little house on the prairie.
Said her and her husband had bought 30 acres of woods they were clearing and was planning on buying 80 more acres next to it that was mostly pasture. No water, little fencing that needs replaced. Said her husband just loves to be on a tractor. Plans on running a cow calf operation.
I didn't say nothing. Thought to myself they have been watching too much little house on the prairie.
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
I've seen folks start with a whole lot less. Hope it works out for em. Next thing ya know they could have a thousand acres if played right.
Gotta have that "want to!"
That and a whole lot of money. Not going to run many pairs + a bull,+ bale hay off of 110 acres even if it is real good pasture.
Even if you run the max carrying compacity for a cow calf operation on 110 acres
You will still lose money.
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Ain't you an okie? Location?
I know of a guy has about 70 acres. Running 30 mamas and 2 bulls. 2 different locations. Usually more calves than mamas.....
I realize all locations are different but with smaller cows (corriente, lowline etc...) it can be very profitable.
Ya can also lose ur arse too! Lol
So many other things to make money in too. Pigs, chickens, eggs. It all adds up.
Maximize.
If he likes sitting on a tractor, lots of folks need help making hay, working ground, etc for use of equipment to make your own hay. Trade labor for hay.
Endless....
But like I said. Gotta have that "want to" drive.
All it takes. Pick up an extra 30 acre least. A 40, next thing ya know ur in the dough!
Last edited:
Don't think what you described is going to make any profit. Sounds like a good way to lose alot of money quick though.
Growing up 50 years ago my family and most other families done the butchering hogs, saleing pigs, potatoes for $ 10 a hundred, raised chickens for eggs and butchering.
Leasing land hasn't ever worked out too good for me either.
Now I can winter 30 pairs and 2 bulls on less than 15 acres along with a half dozen horse's only because i haul hay in to feed all of them through the winter.
Disagree with you about all it takes is want too. If it was a really good 70 acres and had perfect weather conditions to cut and bale hay ??? Was going to say you might hang on to the 30 head and two bulls for a year or so until drought hits or something else happens where you have to get rid of them because you can't feed them. Probably end up saling them for killer prices.
You take young people or even old people who don't know nothing about cattle or farming in general that goes into something like your describing.
All their going to end up with is an exspenseive education on what not to do again.
You can usually spot thoes kind of people around here. You find a 70 acre pasture and what cows are on it looks like skeletons with a hide drooped over them. They have eat the grass down to dirt.
They are learning that all it takes attitude is a bunch of bull ****.
Growing up 50 years ago my family and most other families done the butchering hogs, saleing pigs, potatoes for $ 10 a hundred, raised chickens for eggs and butchering.
Leasing land hasn't ever worked out too good for me either.
Now I can winter 30 pairs and 2 bulls on less than 15 acres along with a half dozen horse's only because i haul hay in to feed all of them through the winter.
Disagree with you about all it takes is want too. If it was a really good 70 acres and had perfect weather conditions to cut and bale hay ??? Was going to say you might hang on to the 30 head and two bulls for a year or so until drought hits or something else happens where you have to get rid of them because you can't feed them. Probably end up saling them for killer prices.
You take young people or even old people who don't know nothing about cattle or farming in general that goes into something like your describing.
All their going to end up with is an exspenseive education on what not to do again.
You can usually spot thoes kind of people around here. You find a 70 acre pasture and what cows are on it looks like skeletons with a hide drooped over them. They have eat the grass down to dirt.
They are learning that all it takes attitude is a bunch of bull ****.
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Different strokes for different folks I guess.
Some folks would say, "theres no way that will work"
Some folks say, "how can I MAKE this work?"
Either way I guess a guy could still drown in a pile of beans if he worked at it
Some folks would say, "theres no way that will work"
Some folks say, "how can I MAKE this work?"
Either way I guess a guy could still drown in a pile of beans if he worked at it
Mrcopier
Well-known member
Maybe they just like the life style and making money isn't the reason to get in it
farmerjan
Well-known member
@504RP ..did she say they were going to make a living at it? Like @Mrcopier just posted, maybe they want to be more self sufficient, and if he likes the tractor, then go for it. If she is a dr, and practicing, then maybe they don't need the farm to be their primary source of income. Maybe they will flop and get out in 5 or 10 years after finding out what all it entails... but they deserve some consideration for wanting to try it and if she had some farm experience then hopefully will take good care of the cattle, healthwise. Maybe they will fall flat, maybe they will have it as a place to come back home to and reconnect with after a long day at work.
I give them a few points for wanting to do it and trying.
Our cattle pay for themselves, the rents/leases, mortgages, feed, fertilizer; we don't make alot of money and have outside income for "our daily" expenses and houses as neither son nor I live on the "farms"... but the mortgages, and all related, to the land are paid for by the cattle and that is increasing equity.....
And coming home to the "farm" is as good as spending money on other "hobbies" that give you nothing back monetarily.... they could just sit around and drink or smoke pot or do drugs or have a boat or go to the gym and play handball, or take an expensive "camper" and go to the campground for the weekends, or something that might give them pleasure too..... there is nothing wrong with wanting to have some animals to eat their grass. I go by places with 2 and 5 acre lawns that are wastefully mowed every week for no other reason than to look at it.... for what purpose? The gas, time and exhaust from the mower certainly doesn't contribute to "saving the planet".... so let them want and try to have their cow/calf operation. They might just want to raise some for the future sale of home grown beef... and they can make money at it if they do it cautiously and right.
I give them a few points for wanting to do it and trying.
Our cattle pay for themselves, the rents/leases, mortgages, feed, fertilizer; we don't make alot of money and have outside income for "our daily" expenses and houses as neither son nor I live on the "farms"... but the mortgages, and all related, to the land are paid for by the cattle and that is increasing equity.....
And coming home to the "farm" is as good as spending money on other "hobbies" that give you nothing back monetarily.... they could just sit around and drink or smoke pot or do drugs or have a boat or go to the gym and play handball, or take an expensive "camper" and go to the campground for the weekends, or something that might give them pleasure too..... there is nothing wrong with wanting to have some animals to eat their grass. I go by places with 2 and 5 acre lawns that are wastefully mowed every week for no other reason than to look at it.... for what purpose? The gas, time and exhaust from the mower certainly doesn't contribute to "saving the planet".... so let them want and try to have their cow/calf operation. They might just want to raise some for the future sale of home grown beef... and they can make money at it if they do it cautiously and right.
Ky hills
Well-known member
I'm 7th generation farmer in this county. Years ago it was around 2000 acres from what I understand. Now down to just around 200 acres left in the family. With us being in 150 of that. It came through my mothers side and she inherited part and then they bought an adjoining parcel when it sold. My father got tired of it and wanted to sell out, my mother held out and wanted to keep the land. I have Meneire's disease which is an inner ear condition, and a heart condition. I've worked on the farm since I was a young teen. Briefly had a small business but it was not panning out and I was not physically able to do the work so I went back to concentrating my efforts on the farm. I was raised with the belief that farming was impossible and was always afraid to take much risk in expanding. It takes a lot of resources to keep going on a small scale and now I'm kind of getting some momentum even if just a bit. My wife has been instrumental in helping and making financial decisions. We are growing our cowherd and utilizing pastures better since switching to all cow/calf. We are seriously considering at some point selling out here and relocating especially since I am the last in my family line. I would likely still have some land and cattle as it keeps me motivated and moving around and I want to do that as long as I can.
We live on probably a lot less than most folks on this forum. We have eaten good, have our own beef, eggs, and usually try to grow a garden.
We also have a couple rental houses on the property, and my wife has gotten into doing short term rentals with one. You have to utilize every resource at your disposal. Sometimes thinking out side of the box so to speak, because there are so many variables what worked in years past may or may not work the same now.
We live on probably a lot less than most folks on this forum. We have eaten good, have our own beef, eggs, and usually try to grow a garden.
We also have a couple rental houses on the property, and my wife has gotten into doing short term rentals with one. You have to utilize every resource at your disposal. Sometimes thinking out side of the box so to speak, because there are so many variables what worked in years past may or may not work the same now.
sim.-ang.king
Well-known member
When a super puncher gets old.
