Start up operation

[Anonymous]

Start up operation.

Hello…. I’m trying to educate myself. I have a 160 acre farm in Eastern Nebraska, 86.5 acres of crop land and 70 acres to really good pasture (that’s what my renter tells me, he said his calf’s go in weighting around 150 and they come out over 500#) I live on this property, and I currently rent the ground out. I’m thinking next year (spring 2003) I would like to run 20 – 30 cow calf pairs on the pasture and grow alfalfa on the 86.5 acres and buy a used baler and swatter, and pay a local planter to plant the alfalfa. I would sell the calves in fall and feed the cows all winter.

So here are my questions: 1). Will 70 acres of pasture carry up to 30 head? I know rain is a big what if.

2). Ball park the cost to plant 86.5 acres of alfalfa?

3). What’s the cost of used equipment?

4). Other farmers in the area are getting 4 cuttings per season of hay, how many bales could I make?

5). What does the med’s cost?

Thanks, Eat beef it’s what’s for dinner!



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[Anonymous]

> Dear Bill,

I moved to South Africa from England six years ago, and i read your question with interest. I was hoping you had some response to your question regarding raising some cattle, i am looking at around 200 acres in South Africa. I would really appreciate any help with this matter.

Regards

Chris.

Start up operation.

> Hello…. I’m trying to educate
> myself. I have a 160 acre farm in
> Eastern Nebraska, 86.5 acres of
> crop land and 70 acres to really
> good pasture (that’s what my
> renter tells me, he said his
> calf’s go in weighting around 150
> and they come out over 500#) I
> live on this property, and I
> currently rent the ground out. I’m
> thinking next year (spring 2003) I
> would like to run 20 – 30 cow calf
> pairs on the pasture and grow
> alfalfa on the 86.5 acres and buy
> a used baler and swatter, and pay
> a local planter to plant the
> alfalfa. I would sell the calves
> in fall and feed the cows all
> winter.

> So here are my questions: 1). Will
> 70 acres of pasture carry up to 30
> head? I know rain is a big what
> if.

> 2). Ball park the cost to plant
> 86.5 acres of alfalfa?

> 3). What’s the cost of used
> equipment?

> 4). Other farmers in the area are
> getting 4 cuttings per season of
> hay, how many bales could I make?

> 5). What does the med’s cost?

> Thanks, Eat beef it’s what’s for
> dinner!

[email protected]