There is no reason to be so jealous of grass fed beef producers. We are the only ones making record profits in the cattle business today. The problem is that you don't want to re-learn traditional ranching practices as yall have bought in completely with grain-fed genetics and yall need to just keep doing what you are doing.
To get in this business, you are looking at a minimum of 10 years to bring your land base up to speed and get into grassfed genetics. Everything you have learned about grain-fed genetics you would have to just forget about including your land management practices. Plus, you would need exemplary marketing skills to be successful in this business. Takes a little more effort than a grain bucket.
I really think you are looking at two decades before you could prosper where there is such a steep learning curve. It is not impossible for you to learn about plant physiology, beef cattle nutrition in a forage-based environment, soil chemistry, marketing and finance, forage utilization and management, grassfed genetics, meat science, biochemistry of the meat animal, grass-finishing, the forage chain, understanding how to sync your cattle with the grass growth curve, bull selection and to re-invest profits in high return areas.
Most of you will think that the way to re-invest your profits would be to continue doing what got you there--which is not always the best ROI. Lastly a tip for you to digest:
The highest return on your investment will be your time spent learning new knowledge that most people don't know. This is the true source of competitive advantage.
Ed
To get in this business, you are looking at a minimum of 10 years to bring your land base up to speed and get into grassfed genetics. Everything you have learned about grain-fed genetics you would have to just forget about including your land management practices. Plus, you would need exemplary marketing skills to be successful in this business. Takes a little more effort than a grain bucket.
I really think you are looking at two decades before you could prosper where there is such a steep learning curve. It is not impossible for you to learn about plant physiology, beef cattle nutrition in a forage-based environment, soil chemistry, marketing and finance, forage utilization and management, grassfed genetics, meat science, biochemistry of the meat animal, grass-finishing, the forage chain, understanding how to sync your cattle with the grass growth curve, bull selection and to re-invest profits in high return areas.
Most of you will think that the way to re-invest your profits would be to continue doing what got you there--which is not always the best ROI. Lastly a tip for you to digest:
The highest return on your investment will be your time spent learning new knowledge that most people don't know. This is the true source of competitive advantage.
Ed