would you?

[kraines]

In a flash, but can't afford to dump really good cows at $550! I'm exhausted working a full time off farm job and farming in the dark and on weekends,and losing ground and equity. Feeling really stuck right now. Love my livestock (I have sheep to) and love the idea of being a farmer, but don't think I can keep up much longer- and what is it costing my family to hang on?

[cowman]

Well hopefully things will start to turn around soon. I've lived through various "wrecks" over my lifetime and it doesn't stay bad forever, although it sure seems bleak at the time!
Who can predict the future? By this time next year we might be all floating in clover! Perhaps the world will finally deal with this BSE thing in a rational way instead of running around like Chicken Little!
Remember tough times don't last forever...but tough people do!

[rusty1]

Know how you feel. This is the toughest year of my life and tommorrow I go trucking - something I havn't done in years, and don't really have any desire to. However when I turn to the Word it had continually encouraged me to perserver. Perserverance builds caracter, yeh like I really need this character building moment. But we will. You do the same. Chin up we are all in it together, and we work in the greatest industry around with the greatest people.

[carebear300]

I too know only to well how you feel. I wish I could give a little swish my magic wand and turn this whole industry around over night but alas I am not quite able to perform those kind of miracles. I have been at it full time for the last thirty years and someway or another it will work out. One thing I can guarantee it won't be easy but it is still the most gratifying industry to be involved with and hopefully the financial end will turn around. Always remember if it was easy there would be a shortage of lawyers and double dealing politicians because they would all be farming.

[kato]

LOL...Don't forget that it is honest work as well, so that cuts a bunch out right off the top.

[cakadu]

It's really hard to answer that question. There are days when it would be so much easier, less stressful and a whole lot less money going out if one were to pack it in. I guess the thing to ask is if it is costing you more than you have to loose, then is it worth it? I'm talking just more than actual cash flow - family life, your own sanity and a life for yourself, and not having to worry about things that are well beyond your control are just a few of the things that come to mind.

Several months ago, one of the other fairly regular contributors to the site said that he was going to go and spend more time with his kids - it would be interesting to see how he feels now and what his experiences have been since letting go of some of the day to day dealings of farm life. From an economic standpoint, can you afford to keep feeding animals that are worth nothing and for how long? While it may hurt, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and let go. I can't imagine how some of the families must have felt last year whenselling herds was the only viable option. I suppose now they are feeling good about that decision in some respects.

With sheep, we have the i.d. program coming in that is going to cost us more to run and prices are not climbing at all and who on earth buys boneless lamb?

Sadly, it is a decision that each individual has to make and I suppose when it gets to the point where there are more days that you are thinking of selling versus hanging on, then tough decisions may have to be made.

Wish there was something more that one could do for everyone who is struggling right now.