The consumer should be given the proper information to make buying decisions. Of course, many GMO companies are afraid that if they give consumers a choice, GMO products will suffer. Isn`t this the whole belief behind capitalism? Shouldn`t supply and demand drive the markets, not corporate interests?

 

The consumer should be given the proper information to make buying decisions. Of course, many GMO companies are afraid that if they give consumers a choice, GMO products will suffer. Isn`t this the whole belief behind capitalism? Shouldn`t supply and demand drive the markets, ...

Come for the information - stay for the entertainment!

Joel has a way of getting his point across in a very entertaining way. However, the message is equally important. He goes through 10 steps of successful farming that are eye opening. He answers questions that we all have about making a living in agriculture with great wisdom and insight, and addresses the pitfalls that farmers face. Enjoy and share with other young farmers/ranchers who would like to get into, or continue in agriculture, but don`t know how to make it work.  Joel Salatin - 10 Thread to Farming Success

Come for the information - stay for the entertainment!

Joel has a way of getting his point across in a very entertaining way. However, the message is equally important. He goes through 10 steps of successful farming that are eye opening. He answers questions that we ...

Weaning calves used to be a stressful time for the calves, the cows, and us. This was also the time when we placed the calves in the feedlot and fed them hay until the spring green-up. We would spend the next couple of months feeding and doctoring calves. Fenceline weaning has simplified the entire process. The majority of the stress on the calves is from the separation. By weaning calves across the fence from their mothers, they can still see their mothers and their anxiety is greatly reduced. Plus, they can continue to graze in the pasture, so no expensive feed, and very few sick calves. We have made it many years without any sick calves.

Weaning calves used to be a stressful time for the calves, the cows, and us. This was also the time when we placed the calves in the feedlot ...

We were able to attend one of Gabe Brown`s seminars on soil health recently. Although we have read through much of his work, meeting him in person and getting to ask him questions directly was a great learning experience. It helped that our dad was able to go with us, and get his questions answered first-hand. A day with Gabe probably saved us a month of explaining! No matter where you are in your farming and livestock projects, from novice to expert, seminars like this help re-engerize and re-focus your efforts. Sometimes the naysayers start getting to a person. Talking with Gabe provided great positive reinforcement for what we are doing, and helped us lay out plans for future projects. Especially in our area, knowing what species will work for no-till cover cropping and cash crops probably saved us 5-10 years of experimenting.

 

Bob, Bobby, Gabe, and Brendan

We were able to attend one of Gabe Brown`s seminars on soil health recently. Although we have read through much of his work, meeting him in person and getting to ask him questions directly was a great learning experience. It helped that our dad was able to go with us, and get ...

For ranchers and producers, it`s the time of year when most of us are looking for bulls. Unless you were smart, and already bought them this past fall. Average sale prices so far this spring have almost doubled last year`s highs for many seedstock producers. With bulls selling in the $5-10K range, make sure you are getting your money`s worth. Just because someone else is willing to bid you up that high, doesn`t mean a bull is worth that much. From personal experience, the auction ring environment has left me with many regrets. I think for a lot of people, it is addicting, similar to gambling. I know I`ve had my heart pumping a few time at sales in the past. I came to realize that I was being sold on the hype, and not necessarily on the quality of the bulls.

 

I don`t care what anyone says, if a seedstock producer`s bulls are gaining like fat steers, they are not going to last. Sure, they look fat and shiny, but you can cover a lot of defects with a little extra fat. And you will pay for that extra fat many times over in lower fertility and reduced longevity. Unless you plan on keeping a grain bucket in front of that fat bull all summer, don`t expect him to look like that in the fall. And his calves won`t look like that either as yearlings, unless you pack that grain bucket for them too. Man, that`s a lot of grain buckets to pack around, not to mention all the grain!

 

Standard industry practice is to put one bull with 25 head of cows, and you should get 4 years out of that bull. I say "should," because his grain foundered feet might not make it that long. Simple math says that a $10K bull over 4 years will cost you $100 per calf. Now, what if you could get 40 calves per year, and 6 years of use out of a forage fed bull for the same price? That comes out to about $42 per calf. And that is a conservative estimate! We have put our herdbull, 116Y, with over 50 cows for the last 3 years. And we expect to do that for another 5 years. For that same $10,000 bull, the cost would be $25 per calf. So, you get 4X your money`s worth for the forage fed bull, or you can afford to pay 4X as much. Plus, I can guarantee that you won`t have the "after-auction regrets."

 

Most bull buyers already know all this. So why would anyone want to pay too much for a bull that is almost guaranteed to fall apart? Good question. I think the answer has more to do with social interaction and psychology, than with logic. These big seedstock producers are good at turning a sale into the "social event of the year!" Even if people go just to see their neighbors and friends, they often end up making a purchase that they later regret. I`m not telling anyone not to be social, but if you`re an alcoholic, shouldn`t you avoid the bar? My favorite is the seedstock producers that say they, "are now focused on moderate frames, longevity, and low-maintenance," but continue using the same AI sires. What has changed? There are 2 parts to the puzzle; you need the right genetics and proper development. Neither works well by itself. If seedstock producer X`s bull didn`t last 3 years in the past, what makes you think his bulls are any different this year? Look for a seedstock producer that runs his cattle harder than you do, or at least as hard.

 

In closing thoughts, my purpose is not to disparage other producers, but to show that there is another way. Ranching can be profitable and fun, and it should be. How else are we going to continue this way of life? Or encourage the next generation to follow in our footsteps? However, "profitable" and "fun" are directly related. Make wise decisions this year. Look for new ways to be innovative and profitable, and don`t be afraid to think outside the box. History has many lessons for us. We need to make sure we are learning from our mistakes, and not chalking another one up to "bad luck."

For ranchers and producers, it`s the time of year when most of us are looking for bulls. Unless you were smart, and already bought them this past fall. Average sale prices so far this spring have almost doubled last year`s highs for many seedstock producers. With bulls selling ...

A review of the book "Defending Beef" was recently published in the LA Times. The book makes a case for cattle as necessary to the restoration and future health of the planet and its people. The author, Nicolette Hahn Niman, is a trained biologist and environmental attorney (and interestingly enough, also a vegetarian). She debunks many myths and addresses such things as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, overgrazing, and many environmental questions that conscientious objectors have with cattle and beef. She cites many sources to draw her conclusions from, and presents her book in an interesting format. Review: `Case on Sustainable Meat` takes on many sacred cows

 

 

 

A review of the book "Defending Beef" was recently published in the LA Times. The book makes a case for cattle as necessary to the restoration and future health of the planet and its people. The author, Nicolette Hahn Niman, is a ...