Beef prices

[smcgrath76]

This is an interesting thread. I am not totally sure why it requires a tractor to treat animals well. A $200,000 tractor (just to pick a number) may be a responsible investment for a business as long as it can be made productive to the tune of $200,000. I have several neighbours, etc. with $4 and 500,000 tractors that utilize them to their full potential and the cost per unit produced is actually lower than a lesser tractor would be.
I actually truly believe that if you can afford a tractor (or truck, or million dollar house) and that is what you want to do with your money, then have at it. If you can't afford it, then have at that as well, as long as you are willing to accept responsibility for the results.
I don't feel entitled to a fancy tractor, but I do feel responsible to my business and my family to utilize my scarce resources as wisely as possible. In our case that includes limiting investment in depreciating assets, or assets that don't generate revenue in our situation (that's how I can justify cows). If we were grain farming I would likely have a larger investment in equipment, since it would generate revenues instead of just costs, but that is not how our business or land base is structured.
Currently our cows are very well fed (we are on bale grazing at the moment) and our calves are on a backgrounding ration that is accomplishing our desired rate of gain at our predicted feed conversion. Calves are fed free choice hay and a pellet/grain ration without starting the tractor. I think that our cattle are very well cared for, using science, feed testing, a robust mineral and vaccination program and other tools at our disposal.

[ProFarmer]

Here! Here! to all but Grassfarmer. I am not going to farm with third world conditions while my neighbor grainfarmer or town folk can take their warm vacation in the winter or uninterrupted weekends at the lake while I am dealing with providing for my cows summer and winter 24 hours a day.

[grassfarmer]

Folks, its "hear, hear" to indicate the act of listening or paying attention to what has been said. Rather like if you were comforting a child you wouldn't say "their, their" - although apparently many on Agriville would.

[ajl]

Shop around a little. You can still get a nice loader tractor for feeding cows for $100000 even if the dollar is only worth 80 cents. Can get a decent pickup for less than 50 as well. My last one was $27000 three years ago. It is a 2006 Dodge diesel. While beef producers do deserve every penny, higher prices do kill demand due to substitution with chicken, pork and even pulses. We even have eaten lentils recently.