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Battle Question

G

garymason

New member
Joined
Jun 30, 2009
Messages
4
Location
West Central Illinois
Greetings, Unfortunatley, I am an electrical engineer by trade and therefore know very little about farming/ranching. However, my father has asked my to move to the farm (because his health is rapidly failing) and to take over the farming operations. One of the things he would like for me to do is to start a small herd of beef cattle. He has suggested BLACK ANGUS as the beef he would like me to raise. My question is, is BLACK ANGUS the most profitable type of cattle to begin raising? Or is there another (more profitable) type for my location (Illinois)? Any suggestions at all, about anything?
 
ANGUS................ANGUS......................ANGUS................ANGUS


Remember...just cause it may be a black bovine...doesn't mean it's got one drop of Angus blood.

Make sure you do your homework and read up before you decide on ANY breed.

Find someone in that area in the cattle biz that you'd trust their opinion.....talk to them, get some pointers.
 
Has your dad had any experience with cattle before?

Are there facilities already in place to handle the cattle when they are worked? If not.....and you proceed with the cattle business.....make sure you have facilities in place before the first cow steps foot on your place.

Main thing is if you go into this. Go into it WANTING to do it. Because if you DON"T want to...you won't enjoy it. If you do....it's very interesting and rewarding, tho your rewards are not always gonna be in the $$$ form.

Having someone you can go to for advice that is knowledgeable is almost a must. Even they won't know everything tho. You do this for years and years, and still find things you didn't know, see things you've never seen.

If your married, make sure your wife also wants to be involved in this. Because...she will be involved....no matter what your plans are in the beginning LOL
 
garymason said:
Greetings, Unfortunatley, I am an electrical engineer by trade and therefore know very little about farming/ranching. However, my father has asked my to move to the farm (because his health is rapidly failing) and to take over the farming operations. One of the things he would like for me to do is to start a small herd of beef cattle. He has suggested BLACK ANGUS as the beef he would like me to raise. My question is, is BLACK ANGUS the most profitable type of cattle to begin raising? Or is there another (more profitable) type for my location (Illinois)? Any suggestions at all, about anything?
Click to expand...

Awww, see, now you're gonna get a fight started. :lol:
Angus or nearly any breed will work fine for you. There are more differences within breeds than there are between them. Having said that, it has always been our belief that cattle that require the least inputs for the most returns are the most desirable cattle to have. For us Blonde d'Aquitaine have done the job admirably. In my experience a little angus in a cow is a great thing, but a lot of angus is not.
You will find that there are at least as many opinions on breeds of cattle as there are cattlemen, so whatever decision you make will be applauded by some and criticized by many. Just start with good cattle and strive to improve and everything will be fine.
 
I'd suggest Highlanders!!!

These make excellent crosses with Angus. In fact the association is coming out with an Angus-Highlander composite: Hi-Flexes!

Black and Hairy just right for the carpet-CAB specialty grid.
 
nortexsook said:
I'd suggest Highlanders!!!

These make excellent crosses with Angus. In fact the association is coming out with an Angus-Highlander composite: Hi-Flexes!

Black and Hairy just right for the carpet-CAB specialty grid.
Click to expand...


Come on now. :lol: I suppose your starting the first Hi Flex shearing business in Texas. :lol: :lol:
 
kolanuraven said:
ANGUS................ANGUS......................ANGUS................ANGUS


Remember...just cause it may be a black bovine...doesn't mean it's got one drop of Angus blood.

Make sure you do your homework and read up before you decide on ANY breed.

Find someone in that area in the cattle biz that you'd trust their opinion.....talk to them, get some pointers.
Click to expand...

Lord, can't believe I am saying this, but I, I uh, I think, well, I spose I agree with Kola. :gag: But I think Black Angus cattle are a great way to go and CAB eligible Angus calves generally sell very well at the sale barn. As Kola said, research on breeds is important, but also on the BREEDER. Find a reputable operation to buy your seedstock from (I assume this'll be a cow/calf deal) and listen to the advice older and wiser producer's have. It sure has helped me out.
 
garymason said:
Greetings, Unfortunatley, I am an electrical engineer by trade and therefore know very little about farming/ranching. However, my father has asked my to move to the farm (because his health is rapidly failing) and to take over the farming operations. One of the things he would like for me to do is to start a small herd of beef cattle. He has suggested BLACK ANGUS as the beef he would like me to raise. My question is, is BLACK ANGUS the most profitable type of cattle to begin raising? Or is there another (more profitable) type for my location (Illinois)? Any suggestions at all, about anything?
Click to expand...

BATTLE question?

That makes me laugh - how true.


I figure you need to start out by handing out guns and bullet proof vests.

Most profitable?

Too big a question

I would say the fellow that sells orange and pink cows at 70 cents a pound with only one cent of inputs is doing pretty damned good.

Profit comes from sale money minus the amount you put into the cow/calf/steer or whatever.

Colour has absolutely nothing to do with profit - anyone tells you different you better run from them.

I can figure there are a lot of colours out there that sell well - but if you put more into them than you get back you are losing.

And there are a pile of folks selling black that might brag about the sale price - but would never tell you how much they have in that animal

So - you best be doing a lot of thinking and forget the profitable question.

It is INPUTS vs SALE price.

And ..... believe it or not - you do not get to truly control either to any great extent.

Best to you

BC
 
nortexsook said:
I'd suggest Highlanders!!!

These make excellent crosses with Angus. In fact the association is coming out with an Angus-Highlander composite: Hi-Flexes!

Black and Hairy just right for the carpet-CAB specialty grid.
Click to expand...

Good Gawd I hope your jokeing the guy might just as well quit before starting. Highlander's are a waste of feed in my eye and I've had some grace my fields.
 
Denny said:
nortexsook said:
I'd suggest Highlanders!!!

These make excellent crosses with Angus. In fact the association is coming out with an Angus-Highlander composite: Hi-Flexes!

Black and Hairy just right for the carpet-CAB specialty grid.
Click to expand...

Good Gawd I hope your jokeing the guy might just as well quit before starting. Highlander's are a waste of feed in my eye and I've had some grace my fields.
Click to expand...

. . .and the "battle's" on!!! :wink: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:
 
An electrical engineer should be smart enough not to go into the farming or cattle buisness! :D :wink: If you do decide to jump in, only bet what ya can afford to lose! Angus will work but so will lots of breeds. Find what is working around your area but don't be afraid to think outside the box. Look at direct beef sale in your area. Whatever you do, enjoy it or don't do it! Good luck! :D
 
I'd go with goats.


Kids will buy those show goats like their going out of style. They are becoming all the rage around here.

They'll get the same Blue Ribbon and write up in the paper and proud parents with a $300 kid goat as they will with a $3K heifer on the end of a rope!!

Something to consider, no kidding. ( get it, 'kidding' :lol: :lol: )
 
kolanuraven said:
I'd go with goats.


Kids will buy those show goats like their going out of style. They are becoming all the rage around here.

They'll get the same Blue Ribbon and write up in the paper and proud parents with a $300 kid goat as they will with a $3K heifer on the end of a rope!!

Something to consider, no kidding. ( get it, 'kidding' :lol: :lol: )
Click to expand...


Yep. Look at what H is doing. :lol: :lol:
 
gcreekrch said:
kolanuraven said:
I'd go with goats.


Kids will buy those show goats like their going out of style. They are becoming all the rage around here.

They'll get the same Blue Ribbon and write up in the paper and proud parents with a $300 kid goat as they will with a $3K heifer on the end of a rope!!

Something to consider, no kidding. ( get it, 'kidding' :lol: :lol: )
Click to expand...


Yep. Look at what H is doing. :lol: :lol:
Click to expand...

Your lips, My butt!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Don't you have some water to change?
 
leanin' H said:
gcreekrch said:
kolanuraven said:
I'd go with goats.


Kids will buy those show goats like their going out of style. They are becoming all the rage around here.

They'll get the same Blue Ribbon and write up in the paper and proud parents with a $300 kid goat as they will with a $3K heifer on the end of a rope!!

Something to consider, no kidding. ( get it, 'kidding' :lol: :lol: )
Click to expand...


Yep. Look at what H is doing. :lol: :lol:
Click to expand...

Your lips, My butt!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Don't you have some water to change?
Click to expand...


Your pretty touchy goat boy. :wink: :lol:

Like Kola he was just kidding.
 

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