CreekAngus said:
************* said:
gizmom said:
This has been a good thread, I enjoy hearing different opinions on how best to raise and market cattle.
I'm pretty sure I would get a premium in other states. One of my friends sell his steers in Missouri, why? Because he makes a premium there versus Kentucky.
Branded one thing no one has discussed is the difference in transportation and feedcost in the southeast vs out west. Both have a major impact in price paid.
Gizmom
Perhaps, but it seems that cattle out west and up north are a profession not a hobby, even worse a way to keep your weeds down.
Branded: you put your whole state on blast, talking about the poor quality of cattle yada yada yada. Isn't Boyd in your neighborhood? There are also a lot of other Angus seedstock farms in Kentucky, along with other breeds. Just using very basic information, one can tell there is quality cattle in Kentucky. Some of your neighbors might have a bunch of ruddy cattle, who should never reproduce (either the farmer or cattle). But we all got folks like that around us. Trust me every where in this country seed stock guys have to prove the value of the animals they sell. Especially with the over abundance of Angus. Quit complaining about your market and make one. And quit talking about President as if everyone wants that bull, he wasn't even in the top 30 this last year. It's ironic you make inferences that no one in your area doesn't want a Grandson of an AI, only sons, but in the next thread you claim your customer base is a bunch of unsophisticated dolts, who have no clue about pedigree or epd's. Pick your story, it can't be both. I like to see what you got going on, but honestly I'm really confused about your operation, have no idea what your trying to accomplish, but I see you criticizing your neighbors and folks on CT criticizing you. Cattle is my hobby, I own my own business and when I started out, I laid out a business plan, knowing the customer base around me, but I want my company to have the culture I want, not dictated by those customers. I picked the lane I wanted to drive my company in and we have held steadfast to it. Not criticizing my customers or my competitors. Every day is focus on what I want my company to stand for. It's not good enough to say I want to be better than other companies, but how will we be different and how do we create a dynamic culture for our clients so they stay with us and tell others about us. It's the same with cattle.
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Creek, I do put them on blast. What's wrong with that? Do you want me to congratulate producers that run below average operations?
I am fully aware that there are some very good operations here. I'm also aware that there are some horrid operations in this state. I think Bright Raven would probably concur on that one.
But with that said, you make a lot of sense in what you stated above.
It's probably for the best that I do my thing, and everyone else does theirs. Why stress out about a situation that will not change even if the prospect of losing one's farm is on the horizon, which for many is a distinct possibility.
Not everyone needs a son of President or Cowboy Up for that matter, but what they do need is to work on their overall quality, herd health, and image.
Would you buy a new truck that had crumbs in the seat, and someone had smoked in it, and the whole thing was muddy? Maybe you would if it was a deal, but most folks want something that is nice and presentable. It's hard to call a lot of what I see around me presentable. I don't see a lot of cattle where I want to stop by the farm and say "wow your cattle look great, what are you doing to make them look so good" Ask Ron, that rarely happens around here.
You mention Boyd's. I think everyone should put that much effort into their cattle, or at least strive to do that. I assure you, they would be a lot happier when they sell their cattle at market.
Yesterday, I sold 3 bulls, or more like they sold themselves. One take away, the guy took one look at the overall herd and I know felt confident in what he was buying. He saw healthy animals, and subconciously that goes a long ways. He commented, "they have been well taken care of". That's not rocket science to achieve, it takes labor, and pride in what you do. I'm not asking for producers here to produce the next Hoover Dam, just try and give a sh.t about improving. Stop thinking you know it all, and most of all stop trying to emulate what your great, great grandfather did. Chances are he would be struggling in today's economy.
I give you the last word on this topic. I've said what I need to say, and will not further expound on it. Only time will tell if I was right, or completely wrong about Kentucky cattle, but either way, big changes are coming in the years ahead. Those unwilling to adapt will be toast.
