vs_cattle
Well-known member
Whats the best number to be classified as a small scale rancher to some 100-200 animals is small but I want to know whats the real small scale rancher number is it 20-40 or lower 15-25
vs_cattle":1dwatg2k said:sorry what I ment was what number is associated with small scale ranching
vs_cattle":1ljpxlqu said:Whats the best number to be classified as a small scale rancher to some 100-200 animals is small but I want to know whats the real small scale rancher number is it 20-40 or lower 15-25
flaboy?":12fspv2o said:Small - those ranches with cows you can pet.
Medium - those ranches that have a cow or two you can pet.
Large - those ranches that you don't dare get off of the horse when you ride into the cow herd.
vs_cattle":1416t0q9 said:so small scale ranching could be a way you run you operation to I guess not just your number your running
MikeC":2k4xfka2 said:Was at a seminar a few years ago and listened to several speakers......... from Feedlot operators to Packing house reps, Producers, and all in between.
Their whole message was that small time ranching is ruining the cattle industry as we know it.
In no particular order (from memory)
1-They usually have no working facilities therefore have no health program and raise calves that have high mortality/death rates after they leave the farm. (Everyone, large and small ranches alike pay for the risks that buyers take)
2-Most rob the calves off the cows when they need a few dollars, take them to the sale barn, and are satisfied with the price paid whether it pays the bills or not. (NO marketing)
3-Buy high priced feed in the bag, thus pushing the price up for everyone. Same goes for seed and fertilizer.
4-Usually have crossbred mongrels with inconsistant carcass qualities because of the cheap bulls purchased and/or retained, plus the replacements raised that shouldn't be on the farm to start with.
These guys were merely trying to push the small producer into doing a better job.
MissouriExile":394phhy7 said:MikeC":394phhy7 said:Was at a seminar a few years ago and listened to several speakers......... from Feedlot operators to Packing house reps, Producers, and all in between.
Their whole message was that small time ranching is ruining the cattle industry as we know it.
In no particular order (from memory)
1-They usually have no working facilities therefore have no health program and raise calves that have high mortality/death rates after they leave the farm. (Everyone, large and small ranches alike pay for the risks that buyers take)
2-Most rob the calves off the cows when they need a few dollars, take them to the sale barn, and are satisfied with the price paid whether it pays the bills or not. (NO marketing)
3-Buy high priced feed in the bag, thus pushing the price up for everyone. Same goes for seed and fertilizer.
4-Usually have crossbred mongrels with inconsistant carcass qualities because of the cheap bulls purchased and/or retained, plus the replacements raised that shouldn't be on the farm to start with.
These guys were merely trying to push the small producer into doing a better job.
Mike;
Thanks for noting these points. For me anyway they are thought provoking. This is a great site to learn from.
Jon
MikeC":3pnvcjyi said:Was at a seminar a few years ago and listened to several speakers......... from Feedlot operators to Packing house reps, Producers, and all in between.
Their whole message was that small time ranching is ruining the cattle industry as we know it.
In no particular order (from memory)
1-They usually have no working facilities therefore have no health program and raise calves that have high mortality/death rates after they leave the farm. (Everyone, large and small ranches alike pay for the risks that buyers take)
2-Most rob the calves off the cows when they need a few dollars, take them to the sale barn, and are satisfied with the price paid whether it pays the bills or not. (NO marketing)
3-Buy high priced feed in the bag, thus pushing the price up for everyone. Same goes for seed and fertilizer.
4-Usually have crossbred mongrels with inconsistant carcass qualities because of the cheap bulls purchased and/or retained, plus the replacements raised that shouldn't be on the farm to start with.
These guys were merely trying to push the small producer into doing a better job.
Was at a seminar a few years ago and listened to several speakers......... from Feedlot operators to Packing house reps, Producers, and all in between.
Their whole message was that small time ranching is ruining the cattle industry as we know it.
In no particular order (from memory)
1-They usually have no working facilities therefore have no health program and raise calves that have high mortality/death rates after they leave the farm. (Everyone, large and small ranches alike pay for the risks that buyers take)
2-Most rob the calves off the cows when they need a few dollars, take them to the sale barn, and are satisfied with the price paid whether it pays the bills or not. (NO marketing)
3-Buy high priced feed in the bag, thus pushing the price up for everyone. Same goes for seed and fertilizer.
4-Usually have crossbred mongrels with inconsistant carcass qualities because of the cheap bulls purchased and/or retained, plus the replacements raised that shouldn't be on the farm to start with.
These guys were merely trying to push the small producer into doing a better job.
I believe this was presented as a packer view of a few - Small producers made this countries beef industry as did smaller and more packers in the business. There was a time when these packers had representatives that came to the farmer/rancher looked over your cattle and asked to ship them to the yards at certian times. I don't believe this is happening these days.