Does anybody see any overall cow herd expansion

[kato]

ProFarmer, no one asked us either. We're keeping heifers, sure, but it's only to replace the cows that have gotten old in the years that they weren't worth culling. The herd is down from five years ago, and we're having enough trouble just keeping it from getting smaller, let alone expanding it.

I'm not sure if I could count all the neighbours who've gotten out of cows without writing it on a list to keep track. There are than many of them.

Grain farming is not an option for us, since it takes a pretty good sized land base to support the equipment needed. When we got married, we had lots of neighbours who farmed grain, and had cattle on the side. Now we've got lots of neighbours who have either sold out to the four or five big grain farmers still around, or have rented to them. And hardly of them has a cow now. Only hobby herds. There are more farmyards with non farmers living in them, than with farmers. If the farms are farther from town, then the old yards have been bulldozed.

Rural depopulation in action. Right before our eyes.

[ASRG]

Kato: I'm probably about in the same situation as you. You are probably a little more agressive in the bringing of cows into an operation....whatever....?
How do you see your future playinmg out? None of us are getting any younger?

[SADIE]

"O GIVE ME A HOME, WHERE THE CATTLE USED TO ROOM"

WATCH THIS BABY PLAY OUT. COW HERD CYCLE----PRICE KEEPS GOING UP MORE & MORE COW HERD SALES. EACH TURN IS THE SALE---%SOLD OFF AS SLAUGHTER.

THE SMALLER, 70PLUS operators with 40-50 cows, grazing coolies, did it for something to do, a hobby. They were welcomed customering is a rural veterinary clinic because they used a clinic more. The big dream co-orporate cow operations do not pick up all the slack. Employment on those operations is a problem. Death loss on those operations a problem.

Regulations are the key problem. It killed the Pig industry in the 70s & 80s. Eartag regulations, attempt at fines on laws that cannot be achieved with tags not meant to be used in environmental conditions below 0 celcius, Talk about Biosecurity----The question is WHAT BULLSHIT IS NEXT???