Golden Opportunity

[Jogeephus]

Have been fencing and putting in new fields for the past few years. Goal has been to triple herd size by 2009. In spite of the drought, I have surplus hay but am not in hay business. Now we are in another drought, haven't seen rain in quite a while and the grass has quit growing. Talking to hay producers about availability it seems supplies are going to be tight or almost nonexistant after X-Mas. Peanut hay is not yielding much this year either and if it doesn't start raining - there will be little to no winter grazing.

If the drought continues, I think some good mama cows could be bought this winter for a good price and I could feed my surplus hay to these. On the otherhand, I could sell surplus hay and fence and pasture more land and continue building on replacements as I have been.

Given these alternatives, what would you do?

 

[hayray]

Have been fencing and putting in new fields for the past few years. Goal has been to triple herd size by 2009. In spite of the drought, I have surplus hay but am not in hay business. Now we are in another drought, haven't seen rain in quite a while and the grass has quit growing. Talking to hay producers about availability it seems supplies are going to be tight or almost nonexistant after X-Mas. Peanut hay is not yielding much this year either and if it doesn't start raining - there will be little to no winter grazing.

If the drought continues, I think some good mama cows could be bought this winter for a good price and I could feed my surplus hay to these. On the otherhand, I could sell surplus hay and fence and pasture more land and continue building on replacements as I have been.

Given these alternatives, what would you do?

The old saying the old timers always said is that keeping hay is like money in the bank. I am in the same position, trying to build up the herd, but we don't have any drought. My decision is wheather to fence more pasture so I can hold off feeding hay, because I can sell all the hay I have baled if I want to, or do I spend the dollars on pasture lease and fence? I wondering how grazing stockpiled winter forage will work and if I can use protein tubs as the supplement or will I have to haul corn out there also?

 

[backhoeboogie]

I have 60 "extra" bales of coastal I am going to sell. I just made 115 bales. I am holding some surplus for myself. I've planted some wheat, rye, and Hubam clover. If I get rain, I am in high cotton.

If cattle prices fall off, I will be buying a few head.

I had some bales already. I can go another 6 months of no rain without consequence, except to the land.

I put out an ad on the hay and I would swap for cattle to those who are hurting. We will see what happens.

 

[GMN]

I'd keep the hay, buy some animals, can't lose this way in my eyes. Always a good idea to hang onto that hay.

GMN

 

[john250]

Have been fencing and putting in new fields for the past few years. Goal has been to triple herd size by 2009. In spite of the drought, I have surplus hay but am not in hay business. Now we are in another drought, haven't seen rain in quite a while and the grass has quit growing. Talking to hay producers about availability it seems supplies are going to be tight or almost nonexistant after X-Mas. Peanut hay is not yielding much this year either and if it doesn't start raining - there will be little to no winter grazing.

If the drought continues, I think some good mama cows could be bought this winter for a good price and I could feed my surplus hay to these. On the otherhand, I could sell surplus hay and fence and pasture more land and continue building on replacements as I have been.

Given these alternatives, what would you do?

My quick thought--If you can add cattle without adding expense (i.e. labor, barns, machinery) then go that route. I'd leave a margin of error. Winter might last longer than we think.
Even in GA.