Here's an idea!

[pandiana]

cowman: You sure do seem to be down on 'cowlovers' these days. There is no doubt in my mind that there is every reason to dump all cows this year if you are looking at the short term and getting out anyway. Nonetheless there remain many questions. How expensive will it be to get back in if you are not finished farming? Say you have invested a pile of money into specialized cattle related machinery and equipment. Will you be forced to sell this at bargain prices if everyone takes your advice? What are you going to live on while you try to rebuild your herd or on the otherhand, re-equip for another venture? I have heard over and over that some cattlemen have spend a lifetime building their herds. If it is dry next year will you be able to make enough hay to offset your lost income? How many farmers can the oilpatch absorb? Or, are we all going to flock to the city to live the good life?

[cowman]

You just might have a point there about me being too hard on "cowlovers"! I guess what bugs me is how some people haven't sat down with the calculator and figured out the exact costs and then considered the pros and cons of what they are doing. Perhaps I get a little disgusted with the attitude of farmers in general in this regard! And perhaps its because I've been just as irrational about this business!
In a normal business the most competent usually survive. Competition allows that to happen. In farming its almost like reality goes out the window and sentiment comes flowing in. I guess in my case business makes more sense to me than pleasure. Besides I'm too old to do this anymore.