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<blockquote data-quote="Emgen" data-source="post: 206536" data-attributes="member: 1964"><p>I'm relatively new to the "cattle business" and do not pretend to be classified as a cattleman. However, I have a few excellent mentors and I've been able to make a few gains.</p><p></p><p>I bought a 2nd home with 70 acres and decided to try my hand at cattle. Clearly my fixed costs could not be offset by a small operation, however, investment in land made sense with or without cattle. Herd is a work in progress but will have 25-30 stocker cows and an angus bull. </p><p></p><p>Progress - Cattle operation will be cash flow positive during my second year based on projected # of calves. Cash outlay for most Cows and Bull was in '05 and operating expenses are very visible (medical, feed -if any, transport, etc) and relativley predictatable if you have quality grass/hay. Without quality pasture I do not believe you can expect to make money in a cow-calf operation. Farm is in excellent shape and I expect very little in the way of maintenance for '06. Price for 350-450 lb calves is very high and I am pleased with recent sales. I enjoy what I am doing and like the challenge of generating cash from a tough business. </p><p></p><p>Pitfalls </p><p>- Small operations can not overcome significant medical issues or lost animals</p><p>- Manage time wisely or you will be forced to come out of pocket unexpectedly</p><p>-Smaller operations are typically at the mercy of the local markets (price and volume demands)</p><p>-Without access to a cowman to guide and assist in medical treament, vet bills will jeopardize + cash flow</p><p>-unfavorable weather = cash drain</p><p></p><p>I have been relatively sucessful by starting with bred cows. Less costly than most pairs and cash can be generated in less than 5 months. From personal experience, I've found pairs to be less cost effective than bred cows. </p><p></p><p>You can certainly generate + cash flow with a small operation - manage wisely and you can expect to make gains but be careful not to depend on them as any material setback will be difficult to ovecome. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Regards</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emgen, post: 206536, member: 1964"] I'm relatively new to the "cattle business" and do not pretend to be classified as a cattleman. However, I have a few excellent mentors and I've been able to make a few gains. I bought a 2nd home with 70 acres and decided to try my hand at cattle. Clearly my fixed costs could not be offset by a small operation, however, investment in land made sense with or without cattle. Herd is a work in progress but will have 25-30 stocker cows and an angus bull. Progress - Cattle operation will be cash flow positive during my second year based on projected # of calves. Cash outlay for most Cows and Bull was in '05 and operating expenses are very visible (medical, feed -if any, transport, etc) and relativley predictatable if you have quality grass/hay. Without quality pasture I do not believe you can expect to make money in a cow-calf operation. Farm is in excellent shape and I expect very little in the way of maintenance for '06. Price for 350-450 lb calves is very high and I am pleased with recent sales. I enjoy what I am doing and like the challenge of generating cash from a tough business. Pitfalls - Small operations can not overcome significant medical issues or lost animals - Manage time wisely or you will be forced to come out of pocket unexpectedly -Smaller operations are typically at the mercy of the local markets (price and volume demands) -Without access to a cowman to guide and assist in medical treament, vet bills will jeopardize + cash flow -unfavorable weather = cash drain I have been relatively sucessful by starting with bred cows. Less costly than most pairs and cash can be generated in less than 5 months. From personal experience, I've found pairs to be less cost effective than bred cows. You can certainly generate + cash flow with a small operation - manage wisely and you can expect to make gains but be careful not to depend on them as any material setback will be difficult to ovecome. Regards [/QUOTE]
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