Tubgrinding.

[grassfarmer]

That's a common Alberta attitude ALLFARMER look how big numbers I have/how much machinery/how big a truck/how much land I have. Personally I'm more interested in running a profitable, sustainable business irregardless of size. If a guy with 40 cows can make a good living off his farm I'd rather listen to him than the guy that needs 400 as in my estimation the small guy must be a heck of a lot smarter. (no offence to gaucho intended)

So what's your game plan in the next decade ALLFARMER if cattle prices return to the lows of recent years? You are not interested in paying attention to the things that might make you a low cost producer, are you prepared to add value on the other end or will you just sell weaned calves regardless of price? Will a million dollars of assets cashflow you well enough to put milk on your table?

[ASRG]

I think most people have goals of where they want to be in life and how they see themselves achieving that?
I've always tried to remember that what I might want has nothing to do with what the guy down the road might desire?
There used to be a popular saying a few years ago "Who ever ends up with the most toys....WINS".....but I think that really is a foolish concept?
In reality the real "WIN" is the ride? Not what you accomplished, but how much you enjoyed doing it! At the end of your days...your money and possessions won't mean much....but your memories....and how others remember you will be about all that matters?
It's good to be young and expanding and achieving all you hope for. It's an exciting time!It really is your day in the sun!
But realize that someday that will change...either willingly or not! We'll all quit farming and ranching someday, and that isn't a bad thing, just very different?
"Wherever you go in life...there you are"

[per]

Interesting where this thread went. Allfarmer as you strive for your 400 head remember the difference between a commodity producer and one who hangs on to the tail all the way to the box. That is like comparing a couple of draft horses to a 4WD tractor. The number of head is not as important as the net profit. My little pasture to plate enterprise is highly profitable compared to our commodity enterprise.

To paraphrase what has already said. Money (cattle numbers, acres, etc) doesn't have much value. So if bragging rights are the core value here for you then have at it. A well run 400 head outfit should give you the best of both kinds of value.

[smcgrath76]

Whatever floats your boat...
I think going forward working in terms
of cost on a per cow basis and focusing
on keeping costs down and adding value
on the other end helps to reduce a lot
of risk.
If you can produce a calf for $400, that
is a lot less risk than $800, even
though $1000 calves probably cash flow
better than $600 calves.
However many cows you run I would try to
focus on the margin and the risk
management.

[per]

This blog from Dave Pratt's Ranching For Profit blog called Growth is not a Strategy by the CEO of Starbucks gets the point across pretty well.

http://blog.ranchmanagement.com/2011/06/22/growth-is-not-a-strategy.aspx

[gcreekrch]

My wife and I started with absolutely nothing and still have most of it left. We have added to it considerably in the last 31 years but have learned a few lessons. Some of those lessons had a fairly large tuition fee.

Iron costs money no matter how you look at it. Personally, I have no use for a piece of iron that does a job that the cow is quite capable of doing on her own. Did attend an RFP school this past winter but had those ideas before I went.

Have had the bigger is better disease for years, now at 50 years of age with the cow herd near the 500 mark we are rethinking this philosophy. There are ways to to make a living at this business without the idea of running more cows to justify more iron. Regardless of the numbers in the herd, there had better be enough dollars to go around at the end of the year or you won't be around long.

Pecking with the chickens is not a bad thing to do while you are preparing to soar with the eagles.

[greybeard]

Very easy to git overstocked when you are rapidly expanding. Especially when starting from nothing. Can cause serious long term damage to your grass stands and actually reduce your total production and wipe out profitability.
Something to watch out for.
I believe you need good,productive equipment. I don't like one of everything. It all depreciates to nothing and it all requires time and money to keep going.
Good luck with your goals and dreams Allfarmer. We sure need new blood in this business.

[ALLFARMER]

Thanks greybeard you post is exactly why I follow agriville.

I am over half finished adding 500' of steel bunk fence and I can't wait for winter!