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Coffee Shop
Is Cattle Farming solely your income ?
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<blockquote data-quote="Aaron" data-source="post: 1023362" data-attributes="member: 1682"><p>For 16 years, the dairy and beef cattle were our sole source of income. Mom got a job in '90 and will retire in a couple of years.</p><p></p><p>We got out of the dairy (cream shipping) in '93 and expanded the beef cows. Can it be done? Yes. Is it difficult? Yes. Every vehicle we bought back then was 'pre-owned' and we ran it into the ground. They are all still sitting out in the field. There was no internet, cell phones or satellite TV. Garden was huge and meals were very basic. Dining out was never an option. Travel was kept to a bare minimum. Education was the big goal that savings were put into and all 5 of the kids went to university.</p><p></p><p>Today, the beef herd is about 80% (pension and odd-jobs have to be factored in) of my father's and myself income. Mom has the off-farm job, because she enjoys (as well as we) having the finer things in life. A new addition to the house in '93, new vehicles, satellite TV, hi-speed internet and the ability to travel where we want, when we want. </p><p></p><p>Can the cows pay the basic bills and put food on the table? Yes. Will they keep us up with the Jones'? No. But if your handy with a wrench and don't get 'iron fever', a bigger herd will put more money in your pocket as you spread your capital expenses over a greater number of animals. Cash costs are a given and even though they go up, sometimes they go down and shopping around always pays. Blind loyalty to a one business outlet for supplies is bad business. I tune so many producers out who complain about the price of oil or twine or equipment, yadda, yadda, yadda, because if you turn the conversation around and suggest where the deals are, their feathers get all ruffled because they wouldn't be supporting their local businessman or the certain brand/company they have a unhealthy infatuation with.</p><p></p><p>Of course, in the big picture, it has to be kept in mind that I live in the land of $100-300/acre land prices. We could never be full-time ranchers in most places that people here live.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Aaron, post: 1023362, member: 1682"] For 16 years, the dairy and beef cattle were our sole source of income. Mom got a job in '90 and will retire in a couple of years. We got out of the dairy (cream shipping) in '93 and expanded the beef cows. Can it be done? Yes. Is it difficult? Yes. Every vehicle we bought back then was 'pre-owned' and we ran it into the ground. They are all still sitting out in the field. There was no internet, cell phones or satellite TV. Garden was huge and meals were very basic. Dining out was never an option. Travel was kept to a bare minimum. Education was the big goal that savings were put into and all 5 of the kids went to university. Today, the beef herd is about 80% (pension and odd-jobs have to be factored in) of my father's and myself income. Mom has the off-farm job, because she enjoys (as well as we) having the finer things in life. A new addition to the house in '93, new vehicles, satellite TV, hi-speed internet and the ability to travel where we want, when we want. Can the cows pay the basic bills and put food on the table? Yes. Will they keep us up with the Jones'? No. But if your handy with a wrench and don't get 'iron fever', a bigger herd will put more money in your pocket as you spread your capital expenses over a greater number of animals. Cash costs are a given and even though they go up, sometimes they go down and shopping around always pays. Blind loyalty to a one business outlet for supplies is bad business. I tune so many producers out who complain about the price of oil or twine or equipment, yadda, yadda, yadda, because if you turn the conversation around and suggest where the deals are, their feathers get all ruffled because they wouldn't be supporting their local businessman or the certain brand/company they have a unhealthy infatuation with. Of course, in the big picture, it has to be kept in mind that I live in the land of $100-300/acre land prices. We could never be full-time ranchers in most places that people here live. [/QUOTE]
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