New farmer here

[cowman]

madcow: I don't think I ever said you were nuts...well maybe you are but if so then I guess I would have to say I am too?
Yep, it can be frustrating dealing with a low rate of return and all the goofiness of prices(both input and output)! However the old bottom line net worth keeps going up through thick and thin over the years! Don't know if that does us much good but our descendents should have a good time blowing it?
I guess the one benifit of ranching/farming is you are out with nature and at the end of the day you can see you actually accomplished something? It must be very frustrating for some people, who shuffle paper, to realize what they do is basically worthless, although they might be paid very well?
I believe true contentment doesn't come from money but from doing something you enjoy? Now if we could just make enough money to keep the darned wolf from the door...

[rkaiser]

Good post cowman, but I need to caution you DieselRam; taking all your advise from cowman will have you using hoesteader bulls and burning coal in that cookstove that you have to get up and stoke at five in the morning. Keep your head about you and grab an opportunity if it presents itself. I am 44 years old and have never had a job off the farm. Moved a few times to take advantage of good old real estate inflation, but always in Central Alberta, and always keeping that cow herd developing. With all the challenges facing this industry there is still lots of opportunity. Good Luck and welcome to Agri - vation.

[cowman]

Good advice from Randy. Don't mind his digs at me, I ruffled his feathers a bit in another post. He usually gets a bit snuffy after SH and agman beat him up over on Ranchers.net!

[kato]

I'm a Mom, so I just have to toss out some advice here. Can't help it. LOL

A few things I have learned in 30 years in the cattle business.

1. Think for yourself. By the time you catch up to the latest 'trend' in the cattle business, it's old news.

2. Guard your reputation with everything you've got. It will carry you farther than anything else you will ever have.

3. Develop a network. Get to know people in the business. You never know when they will pop up and save your butt.

3. When everyone is doing one thing, it's a good idea to not do it. The best moves we ever made in the cattle business were when we did something no one else was. (You have to use a little common sense with this one!) LOL

4. Always have extra feed.

5. Always have a Plan B.

6. The banker is not your friend. His financial advice is designed to protect the bank, not you.

7. Take time off for rest and recreation. There's more to life than work.

8. Always remember that those big shots in the city with their three piece suits and fancy cars are dreaming of the day when they can finally retire to a little place in the country with trees and meadows and chirping birds. You already have it.

Welcome to the wonderful world of farming.

[PureCountry]

Beauty, kato.

[madcow]

Well said "mom" ,how about some cookies and milk. I could use a hug too.