pwilli3
Well-known member
Hey Everybody,
I'm a town kid one generation removed from the life of cattle ranching and row crop farming in Kansas. I have always had a yearning to get into ranching, but always thought it was something you had to be born into and grow up around. Over the last couple of years I've decided I've wasted enough time on such foolish thoughts as that. My question now is: what is the best way to get started?
I am 35 years old. I work 50 to 70 hours a week as a chef. I live in the suburbs of Kansas City, but the most remote suburbs there are to the east. I am actually surrounded by cattle and row crops just outside my neighborhood.
I make good money and have good credit. In order to make a move outside of the burbs and into the sticks to buy a small piece of land I can put 4 cows on and run a small herd of stocker steers in the Summer I want to gain some practical experience. Land prices are huge around here. $4k an acre is bare minimum to get half-way decent highway access, which I will need because I will need to maintain my job in the city.
I've spent time haying, pulling thistle, and mending fence in my life. I know the work does not bother me. In fact it brings me great peace! I enjoy cattle and horses a great deal, but have not spent enough time working with them to get the experience I feel I should have before laying down hard earned cash to find I just can't make the time commitment to keep up the land and the cattle.
What is my best option for getting started? There are two small cow/calf operations 5 minutes from my house that I have thought many a time I should stop by and offer my assistance in trade for the experience. Is this a good idea?
Any and all advice would be helpful and much appreciated.
I'm a town kid one generation removed from the life of cattle ranching and row crop farming in Kansas. I have always had a yearning to get into ranching, but always thought it was something you had to be born into and grow up around. Over the last couple of years I've decided I've wasted enough time on such foolish thoughts as that. My question now is: what is the best way to get started?
I am 35 years old. I work 50 to 70 hours a week as a chef. I live in the suburbs of Kansas City, but the most remote suburbs there are to the east. I am actually surrounded by cattle and row crops just outside my neighborhood.
I make good money and have good credit. In order to make a move outside of the burbs and into the sticks to buy a small piece of land I can put 4 cows on and run a small herd of stocker steers in the Summer I want to gain some practical experience. Land prices are huge around here. $4k an acre is bare minimum to get half-way decent highway access, which I will need because I will need to maintain my job in the city.
I've spent time haying, pulling thistle, and mending fence in my life. I know the work does not bother me. In fact it brings me great peace! I enjoy cattle and horses a great deal, but have not spent enough time working with them to get the experience I feel I should have before laying down hard earned cash to find I just can't make the time commitment to keep up the land and the cattle.
What is my best option for getting started? There are two small cow/calf operations 5 minutes from my house that I have thought many a time I should stop by and offer my assistance in trade for the experience. Is this a good idea?
Any and all advice would be helpful and much appreciated.