Need starting out advice.

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NEBeef

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I'm currenlty active duty Air Force deployed to the (big sand box). In the Air Force I'm a mechanic and mainly work on diesel gensets. I'm even pretty good at it! It's just not for me anymore. (joined when I was 18 to get out of town) I'm from rural SW Nebraska and plan on moving back when my enlistment is up. I miss the small town atmosphere and the lifestyle. I'm looking to get a cattle operation started up after I get settled. I know I wouldn't be able to live off it. I have no access to family land or inheritance. I do have some experience through helping a buddy work his farm during the summers. My minds pretty set on this. I always loved working outside. I was thinking about some stockers just starting out or would cow, calf operation be more rewarding? Renting land from my buddy is an option. I would rather buy though. I guess what I'm looking for is some tips and to make sure I'm not shooting in the dark here.
Thanks,
SRA McConnell
 
First, thank you sir for your service, and for protecting my family!

I would highly suggest you take up your friends offer to lease some pasture to start out. I love cow/calf, and if it were me I would buy 4-7 year old bred cows or pairs. Make sure the land has adequate fences, water, and corrals and a chute so you can handle them. You can always go back and buy land a year or two down the road. It's mighty tough to start out owing for land and cows at the same time. Some will suggest stockers, and you can't go wrong either way. I just like seeing the new calves hit the ground every year. God bless you.

Isom
 
Your best bet would be getting your feet wet and see if you like it before you spend your life savings. If your freind will let you why not fence off a section and get some stockers. you can't resell the fence , the rest you can get some $$$ back on. A good road wrench is hard to come by . diesle mechanics that travle with road crews make good money but they are never home, you had enough of that by now,sorry if I RAMBLE . You get back here safe and bring all our brothers and sisters home with you .good luck :welcome:
 
stockers vs cow/calf

Stockers are a little more risky due to health issue's, market volatility, higher nutritional requirements for proper weight gain, time requirements are higher due health issues, broader knowledge and ability to recognize sickness, may require farmland and equipment to sow/plant.

Stockers require less land and short term lease land seems to be easier to be found, not a long term dedication(in case of drought you can sell out and live to fight another day) quicker return on your money, availability of calves at any weight, breed, color, health program, at any given time,


Cow/calf
Good quality cows that do not have any health issues or diseases are hard to find and expensive.
Cows are a long term investment and will take years to recoup your initial investment and turn a profit.
Cow/calf requires a larger amount of land vs stockers
With cows drought can be wreck your bottom line due to having to purchase hay/feed or sell off cows.

Cows require less time and with the right setup only require water and mineral except vaccines, calving time and weaning/working calves.
Cows have less financial risk vs stockers
Cows can utilize forages stockers can't
 
Isomade":2pj1y8x2 said:
First, thank you sir for your service, and for protecting my family!

I would highly suggest you take up your friends offer to lease some pasture to start out. I love cow/calf, and if it were me I would buy 4-7 year old bred cows or pairs. Make sure the land has adequate fences, water, and corrals and a chute so you can handle them. You can always go back and buy land a year or two down the road. It's mighty tough to start out owing for land and cows at the same time. Some will suggest stockers, and you can't go wrong either way. I just like seeing the new calves hit the ground every year. God bless you.

Isom
Click to expand...

Ditto!
 
Thanks for all the support. It's nice to know people still think about us over here. Can't wait to see some grass and trees again. They serve beef here at the chow hall, but I'm not sure where it comes from. I haven't seen a cow in months. The locals around here eat camel. It wouldn't even make good hamburger.

I'm leanin towards stockers more and more to get me started. It'll give me time to come up with a way to feed some cow/calfs through the winter. Looks like I need to start planning for the future and sit down and talk business over a few beers with my buddy. (I turn 21 over here..)

They probably very state to state, but does anyone know of any good financial programs for people starting out? I know a few people have got a loan with no interest and no payments for awhile to get their herd started.
 
I too, Thank you for your service for all of us in America.
As far as getting started, I agree with ISO, and would rent the land from your buddy, and get going with a cow/calf operation. Just make sure you will have access to water, and pens, good fencing around the place, and especially a way to get hay. Those are just a few things to consider.
 
Thank you for your service also.
I started out in october with my first set of heifers. Im only 17 so it was a little challenging to get started but we've got a pretty good start now. When I started out my girlfriend and I went in together and bought four heifers from one of her grandfathers friends. She had the money but I had to borrow $500 from her grandpa. So I guess basically what im saying is start small and see if you like it then expand. I've been around cattle all my life but it's so much greater of an experience when you get to call the shots and your choices affect your cattle instead of someone elses. I can't wait to expand. Hopefully by February of next year we will have four calves on the ground.
 
dun":3ud46qjq said:
Not sure how it works but FSA has programs for first time farmers
Click to expand...
he has to be able to show 3 years
of recent documented history of either owning in his own cattle or working full time with cattle.
 
heath":2zzs5ly3 said:
dun":2zzs5ly3 said:
Not sure how it works but FSA has programs for first time farmers
Click to expand...
he has to be able to show 3 years
of recent documented history of either owning in his own cattle or working full time with cattle.
Click to expand...
That sure doesn;t sound like beginning farmers to me.
 
I think the purpose is to make sure just anyone off the street cant get the loan. You have to be able to prove you are knowledgeable for them to take the chance on loaning the money.
I never kept good records on my cows but had 2 yrs worth and and also an associates degree in ranch mngt that they took in to account.
 
Heath is right, FSA does require 3 years history for the real good stuff(I have got customers by with 2 however).

My advice to the OP would be to do the stocker thing for a couple of years. As stated quicker turn on your money, less risk and the ability to get in and out. Another bonus, if you set it up right no winter chores.

Once you do get your 2-3 years under your belt you go to the top of the list for funding for the FSA funds as a vet. They'll make you take some financial mgt classes and do a bunch of paperwork, but the money is super cheap.

Keep your head down over there and come home safe.

Thanks
 
Berore I would recommend either I would like to see a business plan.
Especially with the current market it will take a sharp pencil to show a profit with stockers
I can't see a buy in/ sell weight that looks appealing after factoring in feed, meds, death loss, lease, transportation and general day to day cost

Right now today I see cow/calf with more appeal.
 
heath":1dnjgkng said:
I think the purpose is to make sure just anyone off the street cant get the loan. You have to be able to prove you are knowledgeable for them to take the chance on loaning the money.
I never kept good records on my cows but had 2 yrs worth and and also an associates degree in ranch mngt that they took in to account.
Click to expand...
Did you get that degree at MIT?
 
Thanks for your service. I'm also thinking about getting into the business, and this thread helped me out a lot.
 

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