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<blockquote data-quote="Stocker Steve" data-source="post: 579671" data-attributes="member: 1715"><p>The experts tell us to do a "gross margin analysis" on each part of the operation. A fancy phrase for subtracting direct cost from revenue to see where/if where the profit potential is. The trick is knowing how and where to leverage underutilized resources in your specific area vs. reducing costs vs. increasing production volume.</p><p>In my area the most consistent gross margin/acre is making meadow hay like Grandpa did. This year the highest GM with conventional crops was raising small grain. A legume/grain rotation with some purchased in hay (and manure) makes sense for central Minnesota. Semi retired dairy farmers seem to love making and selling hay.</p><p>The best GM per head is by direct marketing meat. Poultry seems to be the easier to sell than beef. The second best GM per head is by grazing rented pasture. Pastures are getting harder to rent as land is purchased for deer hunting. Not everyone can or will work with customers and land lords on these types operations.</p><p>Mob grazing or high density stocking is an idea that is getting a lot of press right now. My experiments improved the appearance of the pasture but reduced ADG. I think I needed to make more paddock shifts.</p><p>The interesting thing in both crop and livestock operations is that marketing you and your products (not production) seems to be the biggest profit driver. Just look at the grain price swings, rented vs. deeded land costs, and the commodity vs. direct marketed meat prices...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Stocker Steve, post: 579671, member: 1715"] The experts tell us to do a "gross margin analysis" on each part of the operation. A fancy phrase for subtracting direct cost from revenue to see where/if where the profit potential is. The trick is knowing how and where to leverage underutilized resources in your specific area vs. reducing costs vs. increasing production volume. In my area the most consistent gross margin/acre is making meadow hay like Grandpa did. This year the highest GM with conventional crops was raising small grain. A legume/grain rotation with some purchased in hay (and manure) makes sense for central Minnesota. Semi retired dairy farmers seem to love making and selling hay. The best GM per head is by direct marketing meat. Poultry seems to be the easier to sell than beef. The second best GM per head is by grazing rented pasture. Pastures are getting harder to rent as land is purchased for deer hunting. Not everyone can or will work with customers and land lords on these types operations. Mob grazing or high density stocking is an idea that is getting a lot of press right now. My experiments improved the appearance of the pasture but reduced ADG. I think I needed to make more paddock shifts. The interesting thing in both crop and livestock operations is that marketing you and your products (not production) seems to be the biggest profit driver. Just look at the grain price swings, rented vs. deeded land costs, and the commodity vs. direct marketed meat prices... [/QUOTE]
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