hillbillycwo
Well-known member
I put Agman's principles to the test. I rotate every 3-10 days through pastures that are 3-6 acres. I have 6 pastures and two hay fields. I graze the hay fields for 2 days after I take the hay off and put it in the barn. I have 25 pairs and 1 bull in that herd. The place had no grass on it when i bought it 3 years ago. Now i have fescue and red clover better in some fields than others. My cows can't keep up with it. I feed hay now mid Jan to mid April. I honestly think if I rotated daily into smaller pastures I would not have to feed any hay and could increase my herd by as much as 20% and still be relatively safe in the dry times. Long term drought I couldn't do it. I can't make a full time living on this but the cows will pay for there keep, the land, the machinery I need, fertillizer needs, seed, fencing and fuel costs. I do profit annually thanks a lot to the increase in cattle prices the profit is increasing. When I compare my starting figures to the current figures and look at the percentages in each category as compared to the gross farm income I see very little variation over the three years. I know that will change as I keep with it. I said all that to say this. I think that 100 cows would provide me the residual income coupled with my retirement pay to afford me the lifestyle I provide for my family now. The reason I put that effort into the farm is to be my own boss, enjoy the newness of life provided annually by the babies and the fact that the farm affords me the ability to enjoy life and not be a slave to a job. It is a lifestyle I think we should figure a way to put a dollar figure on that part of it. Why else would anyone want o risk that much for so little profit? My profits are much more intangible than dollars. But then again I am not into material things. I want a place my grand kids can play dawn to dusk outside without concerns of being snagged off the street. I don't want to be worried about crime, I know who comes to my house to see me I like being waved at whenI meet a car on the road....I am sure many of you feel that way also...What is that worth in compensation?