A brief update

[Whitewing]

Planted about 50 acres of grain sorghum between the 10th and 15th of August. The entire month of July and the first half of August had been really dry but accuweather called for good rainfall in late August and most of September. The crop looks good. I dressed it with urea and 10-20-20 when the seedlings were at about 15 days. So far the rainfall has been perfect! Oh, since my tractor is too busy baling, I worked a deal with the local gubmint co-op to plow the place for me. Their plow has been down for some time for lack of spare parts so they used mine. Billed me 100 bs/hectare. The going rate is about 400 bs/hectare so I was happy with the price. They're now leasing my plow and working other nearby ranches.

My cattle and hogs are doing well, especially with the recent rains we've been getting. I'm now starting to buy young mautes (male calves) for fattening. I'll still run some cow/calves, but I'm thinking the maute business may be a better fit for me.

Most of my bermuda looks good; was working on the second cutting until the hydraulic pump on my JD failed. I found a new one, the ONLY ONE in the country, and took delivery today and will install tomorrow.

One of my best bermuda pastures is infested with bachachos (leaf cutter ants). If you've never experienced them, you don't want to. God can they wreck the place. It's a crying shame to see the damage they've done to what was a beautiful, productive pasture. I've decided to harvest what I can, send in the cattle to clean up the rest, and then plow the place. Once plowed it's a lot easier to ID the active nests. I'll then kill them one nest at a time.

Now selling about 50 dressed chickens a day here at the house. Finally bought a plucking machine and that sure makes the process a lot easier. Also installing a 9 X 15' walk-in cooler. My bodega biz has grown enough that I'm in the process of remodeling the front of the house so I can set up in bigger quaters there. Oh, and I'm going to FINALLY open the meat market I've always wanted alongside the new and improved bodega. Working out of the house really has its advantages.

While I'm selling lots of bales and also a lot of animal feeds, I've throttled back on the idea of opening the feed/seed/farm implement operation. Selling food is just too profitable here. I do have some ideas on much-needed equipment that I could sell or lease out, but that's gonna have to wait until I can get these other projects farther along.

Also put a 110 acre section of my ranch on the market. It's the last piece I bought and I haven't done much with it. I've gotten some nibbles but nothing serious. If I don't get my asking price for it, I'll clear the land this coming summer (Jan-Feb timeframe) and get it ready to plant more grain and bermuda.

All in all, I'm still having fun.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Sounds like your going great guns and still having FUN :!:

 

[gcreekrch]

Don't take much to keep you busy does it?

An employer I once had told me that if you stop growing it doesn't take long to start going backwards. My observations have given me the same viewpoint.

Glad things are working for you.

Do you ever hear from RobinFarmandRanch anymore? Often wonder about him, the south has always held my interest and I enjoyed his posts. The Bayous are on my bucket list to see someday.

 

[Faster horses]

Planted about 50 acres of grain sorghum between the 10th and 15th of August. The entire month of July and the first half of August had been really dry but accuweather called for good rainfall in late August and most of September. The crop looks good. I dressed it with urea and 10-20-20 when the seedlings were at about 15 days. So far the rainfall has been perfect! Oh, since my tractor is too busy baling, I worked a deal with the local gubmint co-op to plow the place for me. Their plow has been down for some time for lack of spare parts so they used mine. Billed me 100 bs/hectare. The going rate is about 400 bs/hectare so I was happy with the price. They're now leasing my plow and working other nearby ranches.

My cattle and hogs are doing well, especially with the recent rains we've been getting. I'm now starting to buy young mautes (male calves) for fattening. I'll still run some cow/calves, but I'm thinking the maute business may be a better fit for me.

Most of my bermuda looks good; was working on the second cutting until the hydraulic pump on my JD failed. I found a new one, the ONLY ONE in the country, and took delivery today and will install tomorrow.

One of my best bermuda pastures is infested with bachachos (leaf cutter ants). If you've never experienced them, you don't want to. God can they wreck the place. It's a crying shame to see the damage they've done to what was a beautiful, productive pasture. I've decided to harvest what I can, send in the cattle to clean up the rest, and then plow the place. Once plowed it's a lot easier to ID the active nests. I'll then kill them one nest at a time.

Now selling about 50 dressed chickens a day here at the house. Finally bought a plucking machine and that sure makes the process a lot easier. Also installing a 9 X 15' walk-in cooler. My bodega biz has grown enough that I'm in the process of remodeling the front of the house so I can set up in bigger quaters there. Oh, and I'm going to FINALLY open the meat market I've always wanted alongside the new and improved bodega. Working out of the house really has its advantages.

While I'm selling lots of bales and also a lot of animal feeds, I've throttled back on the idea of opening the feed/seed/farm implement operation. Selling food is just too profitable here. I do have some ideas on much-needed equipment that I could sell or lease out, but that's gonna have to wait until I can get these other projects farther along.

Also put a 110 acre section of my ranch on the market. It's the last piece I bought and I haven't done much with it. I've gotten some nibbles but nothing serious. If I don't get my asking price for it, I'll clear the land this coming summer (Jan-Feb timeframe) and get it ready to plant more grain and bermuda.

All in all, I'm still having fun.

Sounds like you are having enough fun for two people and have enough ideas to keep two people busy. Too bad there is only one Whitewing!!!

Nice that things are going well. And you don't have to put up with Obama. :gag:

 

[Whitewing]

Don't take much to keep you busy does it?

An employer I once had told me that if you stop growing it doesn't take long to start going backwards. My observations have given me the same viewpoint.

Glad things are working for you.

Do you ever hear from RobinFarmandRanch anymore? Often wonder about him, the south has always held my interest and I enjoyed his posts. The Bayous are on my bucket list to see someday.

I haven't spoken with RFR for some time now. Does he stll post? His place is just about 20 miles north of where I went to college and worked the oilfield.....he's up around Opelousas and I lived in Lafayette for 20 years or more.

There's some great scenery in S. Louisiana and even better food which is something I REALLY MISS about home. If you ever do get a chance to see some of the state, please try to schedule the trip for mid-October. August and September are nothing short of brutal.

And write me ahead of time. I'll send ya the list of the best places to eat....none of them are on the typical tourist's lists of places to hit.