How did you become a rancher?

[terrier]

How does one become a rancher? It's not a joke, I really would like to know. I grew up on a small non-working farm then went on to college. Now I sit in a WINDOWless office and just wonder what it would be like to own a small working farm. What is it like? Is it doable? I make good money but that just isn't everything. Are there words of wisdom out there on the Rancher's net? Thank you any and all for taking the time to post a comment to my question. C Gahler

[azcowpuncher]

i would stay in your office without windows and keep makin that good money , i dont know anything about farming but the ranching part i would say you have a better chance of winning the lottery than you do makin money with cattle . Here is when you do if you win the lottery then buy you a ranch for a tax right off thats the only thing they are good for now days unless you wanna buy you a big million acre place then you might make some money as long as it rains and the cow prices are up . i have worked on ranches my whole life and i tell ya right now you are better off were you are if i was smart i would have went to college but i went to punchin cows and here i am workin for 1500 a month ridin nasty horse gatherin nasty cattle in rough contry , not most peoples cup of tea .

[Mike]

Don't quit your day job.

Maybe if you can save up a couple of mill you can get some cows when you retire.

I'm serious.

[Andy]

If farming is something that you really want to do it will work, but it is going to be a lot of work and to get started you are most likely going to have too keep working in your window less office. The chances of making good money are slim but doable if you find the right niche.

[IL Rancher]

Terrier,

There are something you can do to make a small farm make some money but it is tough.. Direct marketing of farm goods will help but again, don't quit your day job.. As far as it being a hobby, a nice placeto decompress while you are not working, well that should be doable but making a living.. I dunno about that.. If I were you and could save up some money I would buy a small place, very small perhaps and run some criter, maybe just enough to feed your family or some friends and build from there. You might never be pushing 1000 head of yearlings across the ponderosa, lol, but if you enjoy what you are doing, can end up with a few nickels to toss in your ashtry than hey, it was worth it... And the best way to learn about how to do all this stuff is by doing.. Find a farmer who wouldn't mind a tag along or do it yourself..Option 2 will be the more xpensive and entertaining one..

[Maple Leaf Angus]

If you want to farm and end up with a million dollars, the best way is to start out with two million and quit when you are down to your last million!

I am at the point where I am ready to quit farming because I am tired of all the crap that one has to put up with here in the east. Regs, regs, regs. Can't build anything without a permit and can't get a permit without engineered plans and not until one has completed an environmental farm plan.

WHOSE FARM IS IT AND WHO IS PAYING FOR THE BLOODY PROJECT?

However, there is no life like it, both good and bad, more good than bad. It's the best place to raise a family as long as you remember that it's a family and not a free labour pool, which many farmers frequently forget! (Ranchers don't do that, right? )

Can you keep your good paying job and farm on a hobby scale>

[azcowpuncher]

[cutterone]

I've been involved in ag all my life and there is'nt anything that gets in your blood quite like raising your own crops and livestock but the truth is that we are all being smothered out by the big corporate outfits. We just can't compete, don't have the buying power & marketing resources - the same with any small business. If you can find a niche market then you might make a few bucks.
There are plenty of ag related jobs and business that don't have to be a farmer/rancher as such and still be working with the same people and the like. I would not tell you not to quit what yo are doing but look hard before you leep!
Here is something to tell you a lot of how it is to be a farmer/rancher.
Good Luck
I am the lowest paid worker in America. Can you guess who I am?

My company takes in 10 ‘s of to 100’s of thousands dollars of income annually yet I receive no weekly, monthly, or annual salary. I am the CEO, owner, business manager, and employee. I have no benefit package, pension plan, company paid insurance, spring break or holidays. It’s a “home-based business” and if I fail I loose my home. I am always the last to get paid.
I pay thousands in taxes annually and get no federal or state offsets. I speak English, am a patriot, hate politicians and lawyers, and get told by the government and activists where and how I can produce my products. When I die the government may force the sale of my assets to pay the “death tax”.
I am part of the silent minority who takes care of the majority of the country and the 97% of the country regulates and legislates how I will conduct my business.
I am both self and formally educated. I have “degrees” in horticulture, agronomy, animal science, veterinary science, chemistry, accounting, and safety.
I work closely with the EPA, Department of Conservation, the DNR and trained in the proper use and handling of chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and flammable products.
I work around very dangerous machinery, chemicals, animals and conditions.
I would find a 40 hour week to be like a vacation for most others. Sixteen hour days are not uncommon and I receive no overtime pay. I get called out many times in the middle of the night and severe weather.
I am sometimes a carpenter, farrier, welder, receptionist, mechanic, nutritionist, soil judge, trainer, weatherman, plumber, cook, veterinary, electrician, engineer and salesman. I have to furnish my own tools, can operate heavy equipment and use a computer on a daily basis. I’ve been called “Jack of all trades and a Master of none”. I rarely wear a tie, have dirty pants most days, almost always wear a hat, and boots are the order of the day.
I work in the heat of summer and the cold and snow of winter. Rain or wind can be my enemy or friend. The weather report controls my day.
I have one of the most studied and scrutinized quality control systems checking my products yet I produce the best and sought out products in the world. I have “little to none” control to the value of the products I sell. My input costs have doubled or tripled in just the last few years and the value of my products has been near the same for many years. I am deeply in debt, my assets may be worth a great deal, yet I generally have only a few dollars in the checking account. All the middlemen between myself and the consumer make more income on “my products” than I do. And now, I have to compete with corporations producing the same products and some are the very companies I have to buy my input resources from.
My best friends are my spouse and my dog. I am young and old. My most valuable tools are my pliers, a pencil and pickup truck. I love the color green and yet fall is my most favorite season. Every part of my body hurts when I bed down at night, yet I love what I do more than anything I can imagine… Who am I ???

I am an American Farmer/Rancher

[Maple Leaf Angus]

Same can be said for the Canadian farmer/ rancher.

[Oldtimer]

[CattleArmy]

Slow learning..........watching my ancestors work all the time wasn't proof enough I thought I'd like a go at a ranch being my life.

[Mrs.Greg]

I think most of us that own land started with help from The Parents.Its a great life but because we didn't want gregs siblings complaining we got the land givin to us{although we've since added onto our land supply}we both worked to pay off the land, after work,weekends and holidays were for ranchwork. Theres not much time off.

You know life always looks better elsewhere...I was raised in the city,married my hubby and have lived on ranch for last 28 yrs. This weekend was in the city,went to my fav. shopping street,funky stores,unique people and coffee bars everywhere.I thought,man I could live here,go for cooffee every morn read my paper,people watch....well by the end of the day I was thinking...oh thank-goodness I only get to city couple times a year cause all these people were driving me NUTS.You may like the ranch a day or two but by the end we may be drivin you NUTS