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<blockquote data-quote="Bez+" data-source="post: 579664" data-attributes="member: 6797"><p>How much ground are we talking about? It will temper my answers greatly.</p><p></p><p>Full time or hobby subsidized by a job?</p><p></p><p>Less than 50 acres and I say you will do better with sheep or goats - cows / calves are not as efficient at utilizing graze while YOU keep the COSTS down as per your own writing.</p><p></p><p>Why you want to rip the ground - <u>expensive</u> and usually not necessary for subsistance farming. There are ways around it.</p><p></p><p>Ground size will also tell me whether your plan will allow you to profit or hobby the farm.</p><p></p><p>Market area and plans for selling?</p><p></p><p>Do not ignore chickens, turkey and believe it or not - duck and geese.</p><p></p><p>In truth the cow is probably the least efficient and provides the smallest cash flow - a very poor investment for a small operator - and only provides a one time cash input from sale. </p><p></p><p>The vast majority of people on this board have no idea what it costs to raise a calf to a cow - they do not care. You need to think in dollars and pennies - it is a business - run your pencil over everything.</p><p></p><p>If you truly want to farm you need to think cash flow - so toss the cows and go with goats or sheep - chickens and maybe some free range pigs.</p><p></p><p>Your Grandad did not use a lot of machinery - already I can see a bunch of ways to cut your costs - you have too much in your machinery plans.</p><p></p><p>Lots of folks will tell you I am full of schitzen on this - but you want to use the land - so be sure to look at a cow or calf as the last option - it could die one week before market and you are out a year of cash flow and still have a year of expenses to pay out. </p><p></p><p>Lose 10% of your chickens and you still have a cash flow.</p><p></p><p>Do you want continual cash flow - like your Grandad?</p><p></p><p>Or do you plan to hobby? In which none of the above matters because you will spend for the sake of a life style.</p><p></p><p>Lots more - but I will wait for now.</p><p></p><p>Bez+</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bez+, post: 579664, member: 6797"] How much ground are we talking about? It will temper my answers greatly. Full time or hobby subsidized by a job? Less than 50 acres and I say you will do better with sheep or goats - cows / calves are not as efficient at utilizing graze while YOU keep the COSTS down as per your own writing. Why you want to rip the ground - [u]expensive[/u] and usually not necessary for subsistance farming. There are ways around it. Ground size will also tell me whether your plan will allow you to profit or hobby the farm. Market area and plans for selling? Do not ignore chickens, turkey and believe it or not - duck and geese. In truth the cow is probably the least efficient and provides the smallest cash flow - a very poor investment for a small operator - and only provides a one time cash input from sale. The vast majority of people on this board have no idea what it costs to raise a calf to a cow - they do not care. You need to think in dollars and pennies - it is a business - run your pencil over everything. If you truly want to farm you need to think cash flow - so toss the cows and go with goats or sheep - chickens and maybe some free range pigs. Your Grandad did not use a lot of machinery - already I can see a bunch of ways to cut your costs - you have too much in your machinery plans. Lots of folks will tell you I am full of schitzen on this - but you want to use the land - so be sure to look at a cow or calf as the last option - it could die one week before market and you are out a year of cash flow and still have a year of expenses to pay out. Lose 10% of your chickens and you still have a cash flow. Do you want continual cash flow - like your Grandad? Or do you plan to hobby? In which none of the above matters because you will spend for the sake of a life style. Lots more - but I will wait for now. Bez+ [/QUOTE]
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