Startup/Farm Renewal Question

[jk14]

Hi,

Looking for some general comments here to a plan we are about to embark upon.

I have an old and out of operation cattle farm in Georgia. It has been out of commsion for about 30 years.

Farm was my Grandfathers, I used to help out as a kid up to about age 12.

We have about 200 acres that can be used for pastureland. Another 125 that is cultivated and we can use as needed for crops. Some equipment including a couple tractors and many older implements. The farm has been kept active mainly with a focus on leasing the crop land and farming a couple pecan orchards on the property. Another 300 acres of pastureland is available from family is needed later. Everything is paid for and no debt of any kind. But, it has grown up and we need to do a good bit of land clearing work.

What I am about to do with my brother is start down the road of cleaning up land for pasture, putting up fence, and we aim to get into a cow calf operation. I really like and we are going to look at the higher quality angus cattle. I like the certified Angus program and we might just go the direction of a cow calf operation of quality angus cattle.

Planning to work up to about a 100 calf per year operation

Question - Assuming we have capital to get into this without any debt. I have some funds from other business do you think this would be a worthwhile exercise and profitable?

 

[bigbull338]

1st off i would shred what i could of the pastures.then if the fence rows are grown up.id hire a dozer to push the fence rows off.an then bury or burn the brush pile.take your time an slowly get things the way you want them.

 

[jk14]

Thanks, yes the fences are grown up bad. We are going to do just that push them up in a pile, burn, then bury the wire.
Going to start fresh with new fences

 

[Howdyjabo]

Go ahead and use the other 300 acres too and Hire someone that knows what they are doing(be real particular and get someone with some rough years under their belt)- it will save you money in the end.
Split the cattle into cows and stockers.
That way in a bad year you can sell the stockers if you need more grass and you can sell most of the homegrown calves in trailer loads.
Selling calves in trailer loads is where the money is.

If you are rebuilding fences consider building them to hold sheep or goats too- little gravy on top of the cattle. Extra bonus they are better at rehabbing pasture than cattle alone are.

Only reason to get into cattle is you just love the idea of it-- theres lots better things to do with money to make more money.
With that kind of land you could easily rent it out and let someone else take the risk and dirty work off your hands. There isn't a person on this board that hasn't questioned the sanity of owning cattle at one time or another.

 

[dun]

There isn't a person on this board that hasn't questioned the sanity of owning cattle at one time or another.

I'm well past the questioning phase!

 

[alftn]

Cattle are one of my greatest pleasures, and a heart ache ever now and then...And yes, you have to be a little crazy to own them...

I would fix the out side/perimeter fences, and when they would hold cattle , I would put cow in there...They , the cows , will clean it up...

If granddaddy had cows there 30 years ago, it will be OK for cows now....save the dozer money , bush hog what you can, Grow Grass, let the cows eat....

MIG is where you heading, you do not have to do it over nite... Stocking rate is may be 100 cows now, and 2 1/2 that in the years to come...