Sierra":ms05q73y said:
Ok, I think I've found the place with the wisdom I need.
We're just starting out and I'd like to hear what you would do if you were in my situation. (Even if the answer is run fast, run far!)
We have 80 acres in central Texas. Mostly coastal, but some is native pasture. I grew up around polled hereford and do admit a soft-spot for the breed. However, I'm not so soft on them that I will make the breed decision based on that. My intention is for this to be a business so profitability is the goal.
Knowing what you know now, looking at empty land... where would you start? First off with "skys the limit" for getting started and then a more reasonable and doable budget to start.
Thanks so much for your help.
How many years you planning to take to do this? I am seeing so much bull schitzen here I am beginning to think your advice and wisdom comes from people who INHERITED their operation rather than started from scratch.
So ......
Buy two animals - raise one for yourself - raise the other as a companion animal - sell it to anyone who will buy it.
Buy a case of beer a month - more if you like it, or are addicted - and sit in the shade and drink it.
Rent the land out to some other fool so he can do all the work and spend all the money you are being advised to spend on this board - and yes, there are all sorts of VERY happy land rental agreements out there.
The positives: You get to sit on your butt in the shade and drink beer, you get to eat your own beef, you get to MAYBE make more money than you ever will on cattle - certainly SAVE more money than if you start an operation on a piddly little 80 acres in an area that knows what drought is -
especially if you spend all the dammed money your so called "WISE cattle advisors" on this board are telling you to spend, and you do it all from the shade with a cold beer in your hand.
The negatives: You have to sit on your butt and drink beer and make money while some other guy does all the work - but you have to do it year round - so you might have to find a hobby to keep from getting bored - or drink more beer.
Drought ...... remember that word and consider buying feed ....... or selling cows ....... - or drinking beer and letting the other guy do the worrying.
If you are bound and determined to do it anyways - first things first - go out to the back and run your head into a tree as hard as you can - do it for an hour - when you stop you will feel great. Then get your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, live in lover or whatever to do the same thing - ask that person if it feels good enough to continue doing it TOGETHER for the next 30 years or so.
If they look at you and tell you that you are a dumb schitte for suggesting it - then decide which is more important - you cattle operation or your partner. Make the decision now - or the judge will give it to your partner in a few years anyways - this way is cheaper and just as effective - plus you stand less chance of going to jail for murder.
If you are not on speaking terms with the neighbours - move. You will need them for help once in a while. And they will need yours - it is all for free as well - so no money made there - but perhaps a little spent.
Now go talk to the neighbour about what really works in your area. If they cannot help you, no one can.
Personally I think you need to buy two animals and see if you can handle it - if it works - fine - do it again with three animals - and then again with four.
If it does not work out you are only out a few bucks - do as some of the well meaning but not overly wise folks above have advised above and you will not be a happy camper. And you will be FRIGGING BROKE!!!!!
Trust me - this is pretty sound advice
You will do as you see fit.
Bez+