How do you see yourself?

[cowman]

Grassfarmer brought up a question in a thread below that got me thinking about why we do the things we do?
Now I think he sees himself as basically someone who grows grass and uses the cow to harvest it?
But I wonder, if there was a better market for his grass, using a different harvesting system would he do that instead?
For example if barley was $5 a bushel(Or hay $5 bale)(year in year out) would you be raising cows? I truly don't think I would. I think I would take the $500/acre every year from barley...and to hell with the cows!
I quit raising any grain in 1988. Many reasons but mainly it just didn't pay! I also wasn't a real fan of going around and around all day! Now occasionally I will put in an afternoon on the tractor or combine for my cousin, and I do enjoy it...but usually for only one day!
But seriously if there was money in grain would you be bothered with cows?

[WoolyBear]

Consider this cowman, if the price of barley was $5/bushel could anyone afford the rent price of land then? The price of land would be out of this world, you wouldn't need those oilwells. If the farm input companies knew we were slogging in cash, what would fuel, seed and fertilizer be worth then?

Trust me cowman as long as theres a buck in a farmers pocket the corporates will try to take 2. Consider what the price of grain growing equipment is, and how much it takes to do things properly, why not just do something you enjoy, and try and make a buck at that. You don't have to feed alot of barley if you run the right kind of cows.

[PureCountry]

Cowman, I would never farm our land. As I can afford it, all of our land that is currently being rented out will be seeded down, and it will stay that way as long as I'm kickin and tickin. I see myself as a steward of the land who produces healthy food. I love cows, always have, always will. Yeah there may come a day when they are absolutely not profitable in a down-turn of markets, but I'll ride those through.

I'll go to custom grazing our grass or Ag-Tourism before I'll grain farm.

[WoolyBear]

PureCountry...... I wish I had as strong a conviction about what I do as you do. I think you have a great (postive)attitude about whats what in your world.

[PureCountry]

Thank you, sir.

[WoolyBear]

Cowman...... I guess I never answered your question. I too am not a fan of going around and around a field all day and night either. I find it much more enjoyable watching a young animal take its first breath, or feeling the reward when I can help one in trouble. Its more rewarding to watch a living thing grow and then be as best a manager as you can. I recognize the fragility in life, and how quickly it can be taken by predators or sickness. But of course grain and oilseeds are living too, but its just not the same. Try to teach a young person about the facts of life looking at barley (Cheeky grin).

There would still be American corn

[WoolyBear]

Thank you PureCountry, though I am neither old enough, and hardly wise enough to be call sir.

[WoolyBear]

I too, have to admit that I get a lump in my throat every year when I see that firt calf trying to get to its feet. Now, living in an area where not a lot of grain is grown makes a vast difference in the type of agriculture found here.
I love the cow business, albeit I have a small herd these days but its what I do and who I am. Nothing better than walking through the cows this time of year guessing which one will bring in the best calf in the fall...and doing my part to see that those mamas are looked after and in good shape to do their job !

[cowman]

While not overly keen on fieldwork, one of my little hobbies(if you could call it that) is field scouting! I truly do enjoy walking in a grain field and seeing how it is growing! Usually on my rented out land but also wherever I see a field that catches my interest! Look for diseases, insects, how the crop is filling etc. Try it? It can be a very tranquil experience!
It can be an eyeopener! You will see exactly where the sprayer missed!

[cswilson]

I garantee you'll never see me farming.

[rkaiser]

Hope you don't go out into those feilds to soon after spraying cowman. That tranquil experience might turn into an even more tranquil experience in a hospital bed on some drugs to ease the pain of your cancer.

[PureCountry]

As I was reading along here gentlemen I noticed a glint of something....just a bit of it, almost like an aura of....oh yeah, that's it - hope. Or for those of you who may be emotionally challenged, I mean optimism.

[PureCountry]

good advice Randy, but as we know cowman is 'outstanding in his field '..

I know that was horrible !!

[PureCountry]

Good greif.............

I am not a pessimist (sp), but I have worked in the Ag service business, and bank role my own little addiction with out any help from dad, and started up in the last 12 years but, here is my take .......

Without a doubt I've seen alot of producers keep going every year because there was still some money left to spend. Efficient was open for interpretation...

But hey, thats what they want to do, free country, But then the big chats start up about efficient cows, etc, etc, so where is the line drawn?

I am guilty of raising cows and crops. If its money I want, wrong place to be without a doubt right now, and it scares me shitless to think how things may end up in 15 years because quite frankly I don't want to have to drive another log truck or what ever to make some money to pay for my addiction when I am that age. I pay for things now and do know what they cost. And the intangebles like staring at a new calf are priceless now, but its all money and business and the end of the day for me. Its what keeps the lights on ...

[cowman]

Well I'm not overly worried? Spraying chemicals is my bread and butter...and has been for a long time?
You have the training and wear the safety equipment and it is doubtful that you will have a problem? There is a little bit more to it than opening up a crackerjack box and pulling out a license these days? You actually need to continually get re-educated these days if you intend to keep an industrial license...its the law(and also costly)!
The chemicals used in industrial spraying are pretty safe...as compared to the killers most people buy for the old lawn!
And what the heck...I could step in front of a bus tommorrow and wouldn't have to worry about it, right?