Cargill and cows

[15444]

She is a teeter-tottering scale right now. I wouldn't be holding on the to much excess. I don't like the looks of the June and August futures to much, and wonder if the October and December futures are just a wee bit too optimistic. We are sending everything that can go in 2 weeks. Culls cows, bulls and steers with a few of the poorer heifers. Debating how much of a risk I should take on keep heifers back...even though we are sending quite a few cows. We have about a dozen fall calves that could go to....but I think maybe we will chance it and see if we can still pull something decent from the market in the fall.

[cowman]

Purecountry: If you look at my figures you will see I put up $15 to get him to green grass? A maitenance ration? Not going to put on any weight?
Always I hear these big grass gains, but I don't see it? Now mind you I'm not grazing them on lush alphalfa or something just old bush type pasture. And I'm not into lugging out the old feed bucket? Maybe I need to get some different genetics or something?
Still the buyers seem to always like my August September grassers and I always find a ready market.
I probably do everything wrong according to the experts and modern grazers, but somehow I struggle through? I seldom listen to the market gurus, just go with my gut instinct! Somehow or other I operate in the black every year, despite doing everything wrong? Now definitely not as much as I would like, but that is okay...it gets me down the road one more year!
It's kind of funny. Over the years I have seen a lot of really up to date progressive guys go broke...and this old dumb farmer just keeps plowing along working hard, grabbing the brass ring when I can, out hustling for anything that will make me a buck and keep the wolf from the door?

[cswilson]

You mean the old dumb farmer like yourself with an oilfield income don't be too hard on yourself-not the first guy with a second income passes his time telling everybody else how they can't make it.

[cowman]

Hey cswilson: I never apologize for getting out and doing what I have to do to make a buck and put the food on the table! A lot of others should follow my advice?
I think you know what I mean as you get out and chase a buck...which by the way I think is a good thing to do!
Oil and gas work for me and I truly enjoy what I do! I don't think the world begins or ends with a cow or a crop.

[cswilson]

Just get a little tired of sundowners telling ranchers how to ranch-our countries full of them but with the major employer closing some 'ranch' operations are going to get a big reality check. Lots of iron junkies relying on off farm income to get their fix-I notice the local equipment pimp isn't moving stuff like he used to.

[cowman]

hmmm...maybe I'd be more acceptable if I had a business sticking my hand up a cows ass all day? Maybe the kettle calling the pot black? LOL

[cswilson]

I think your kettle quite a bit deeper than mine old windy.

[cswilson]

I think your kettle quite a bit deeper than mine old windy.

[cowman]

Oh...good answer. LOL