OP
OP
Anonymous
I don't look at the hourly income. I work strictly on the premise that in the worst years we made more then we spent. The cows are my TV, movies, visting with folks and vacation. I don;t know what a movie costs these days but I figure a couple of hours of just sitting around watching the cows do cowey things is worth as much as any flick I could see. When I get really piised, I go out and sit with the girls, when I'm depressed, the same, if I just generally feel crappy, I do the same. So the cows are also my doctor, my uppers, my tranqualizers, etc. Sure beats having to give somebody else money for a bottle of something. I read a report that claims the average profit per cow is only in the range of 50 to 75 bucks a year. At minimum wage you could only spend 10 hours a year per cow and be behind in the income department. I'll go along with the statement that I've have the cows even if they lost money, they're a lot cheaper then a doctor or a night on the town. One added benefit for me, I like to share whatever useless knowledge I've gathered. Once years ago, I wasn't allowed to go on leave because I was the only one that knew how to do the year end processing system. I swore to myself that would never happen again. That's why I want everybody to know everything I do, it's a 40 year old habit, and may save somebody from some of the stupid mistakes that I've made. Of course, I'm always open to making more stupid mistakes. "Experience is the ability to recognize a mistake the second time you make it." In some things I've gained additional experience by trying the same things over and over.
dunmovin farms
> In my way of thinking you make a
> whole lot of sense, so first let
> me say that I don't disagree with
> a single thing you said. And, BTW,
> power to you and yours! My "real
> job" is also completely unrelated
> to cattle. You refer to you dad in
> a lot of your postings – and I
> like that. Those "old pharts" (to
> borrow a Dun-ism) (he's probably
> one of them) had/have a lot of
> wisdom to pass on. I don't count
> myself as one of them yet but it's
> closer by the year and I'll be
> proud when it gets here. Also, I
> read you loud and clear on the
> hunger remark.
> So, as long we know we're on the
> same page, let me respond. It
> would be hard to justify running
> cattle if I was honest about it.
> But, as my dad always says (here
> we go again), "It's always best to
> have a hobby or pastime that at
> least has the POTENTIAL to make
> money", vs cost you money. I love
> those old cows; they're my golf
> game - except I also profit from
> them. Heck, I'd do it for free (in
> the spring and fall). I make it my
> goal to earn some money at it
> (again, we're not talking Sch F)
> or at least break even. I'm not a
> big enough outfit to earn a GOOD
> living out of cows, but I can sure
> make it pay something. That's part
> of the beauty of it. I'm not a
> very proud guy, so I don't worry
> about being fancy or cutting edge.
> Therefore, I have to look at it
> from the net and the hourly
> aspects. Heck, you have to draw
> the line somewhere, with some sort
> of criteria, or you'd be out in
> the pasture 24/7!
> Now, finally, to the point. It's
> my objective to make money at this
> thing. If you can make money at
> what you like to do, you've got a
> real deal. So, is there a better
> way to draw the line when making
> management decisions?
> Keep posting.
> Craig
dunmovin farms
> In my way of thinking you make a
> whole lot of sense, so first let
> me say that I don't disagree with
> a single thing you said. And, BTW,
> power to you and yours! My "real
> job" is also completely unrelated
> to cattle. You refer to you dad in
> a lot of your postings – and I
> like that. Those "old pharts" (to
> borrow a Dun-ism) (he's probably
> one of them) had/have a lot of
> wisdom to pass on. I don't count
> myself as one of them yet but it's
> closer by the year and I'll be
> proud when it gets here. Also, I
> read you loud and clear on the
> hunger remark.
> So, as long we know we're on the
> same page, let me respond. It
> would be hard to justify running
> cattle if I was honest about it.
> But, as my dad always says (here
> we go again), "It's always best to
> have a hobby or pastime that at
> least has the POTENTIAL to make
> money", vs cost you money. I love
> those old cows; they're my golf
> game - except I also profit from
> them. Heck, I'd do it for free (in
> the spring and fall). I make it my
> goal to earn some money at it
> (again, we're not talking Sch F)
> or at least break even. I'm not a
> big enough outfit to earn a GOOD
> living out of cows, but I can sure
> make it pay something. That's part
> of the beauty of it. I'm not a
> very proud guy, so I don't worry
> about being fancy or cutting edge.
> Therefore, I have to look at it
> from the net and the hourly
> aspects. Heck, you have to draw
> the line somewhere, with some sort
> of criteria, or you'd be out in
> the pasture 24/7!
> Now, finally, to the point. It's
> my objective to make money at this
> thing. If you can make money at
> what you like to do, you've got a
> real deal. So, is there a better
> way to draw the line when making
> management decisions?
> Keep posting.
> Craig