Becoming a rancher?

[redclay]

I am a senior in high school. For about 4 years now my dream has been to own my own cattle ranch in the Western US. I visited a ranch on the way to Yellowstone on vacation, and it was awesome. I think it would be a great lifestyle for me. I love working in the outdoors, working with animals, and being mostly in charge of myself. I have worked on a farm, so I do have experience working with ag stuff.

How would a person start a ranching business? I am planning on getting at least an associates degree, maybe a bachelors. I live in WI and I would have no land that family or anyone owns, so Would I have to lease or what? I also wouldnt have much money, being freah out of college. I would appreciate any info on the life of a rancher and how someone like me would be able to make my dream a reality. Thank you

 

[per]

Welcome redclay. The first thing I would recommend is to start thinking of Ranching as a business. If you have a successful business it will support your lifestyle. Treat it as a lifestyle and not a business and you will need an outside job to support your lifestyle.

 

[jodywy]

We are currently selling the ranch, but the Trust will buy a new ranch and my wife and I will form our own company and rent the land from the trust.
You can ranch with out owning the land. There is land business, cattle and farming business and they can be different.

 

[Kato]

If you don't have much money, don't worry about that, neither do we! :wink:

All joking aside, I would recommend getting a job working on a ranch, get right in there and see it from the inside. It's a great way of life, and you can learn so much from those you would be working with. That would give you a real foundation that would make the switch to being a rancher yourself a lot smoother.

Maybe try and find summer jobs while you continue school. That way you could get quite the headstart. 8) Consider it a test drive. With pay.

 

[Shortgrass]

Working on a ranch is good advice. Find a good cowman, and pay attention. If he crosses his suspenders in the front, cross yours in the front. Learn all you can on his dollar. You'll get to spend plenty of your own anyway.

 

[redclay]

thanks, this is the kind of info I'm looking for. Please keep it coming

 

[leanin' H]

I'd tell ya to work as much as ya can for other folks also. It's amazing how different people can do the same work in so many different ways. And the one thats right is the way that works best for you! Watch and listen and learn. And know that ranching isn't just an occupation, it's commitment and tradition and sweat and tears and blood and a way of life all wrapped up in cowhide and hayleaves. It requires you to love it and hate it and keep on going either way. Ranching is lots and lots of work. The only way to succeed is to have enough want-to. And it sounds like you are part way there in the want-to department. These two amazing country's, the USA and our great Canadian neighbors, allow you and us to reach for the end of the sky when we want to. Good luck and dream big.

 

[Ben H]

start with the book LAND , LIVESTOCK & LIFE, A GRAZIER'S GUIDE TO FINANCE,
http://www.stockmangrassfarmer.net/cgi-bin/page.cgi?id=599
One of the great oportunities I had in college was all the farms we visited, but we took it a step further and viewed their financial analysis in the classroom. I actualy focused on dairy in school but went back to beef after graduating and moving home a few years later. In your Junior year of the dairy fellows program you visit lots of farms. Between the Jr/Sr year you get yourself a good internship. The senior year, farms have the dairy fellows come out and break into teams to analyze based on things like herd health, nutrient management, nutrition and finance. A week or two later, (in one case the next day on a weekend trip) you report back to the farmer.

I ended up with a BS from Cornell, but I started by getting my AAS at SUNY (State University of New York) Cobleskill. They have a program where if you get a certain GPA and take certain classes you can automaticly transfer to Cornell. Check other colleges for these opportunities. It's a cheaper way to go and an easier transition. You get your core classes done at the smaller school.

Cornell also allows the opportunity to do a semester in New Zealand, I still kick myself for not doing that. Being surrounded by kids from the big dairies and talking about that as the industry standard I didn't see myself getting into grazing, altthough they told us in school that the US can't compete with NZ on the world market for milk because their cost of production is so low (grazing).

Learn all you can about grazing management, I don't care if you have cow calf, stockers or finishing animals, you need to learn how to rely on animals haresting the feed for as many months as possible to remain profitable in todays industry.

Subscribe to Stockman Grass Farmer.

Read Greg Judy's book Risk Free Ranching about getting into it with little or no capital. http://www.greenpasturesfarm.net/store.php?cat=59

Most states have Farm Link programs, they way they typically work is that land owners with land fill out a form about their farm available for sale, short term or long term lease, transition, partnership etc. They put down the acreage, how much is in pasture, how much is tillable etc. Then farmers fill out a farm on what they are looking for. The organization finds the best matches and arranges meetings if there is mutual interest. Our state does require 3 years of experience farming to participate in finding land.

I'm going to be biased, Cornell does have a good Beef program, they're expensive but there is money available. I have heard that SUNY Alfred is supposed to be haveing a program based on grazing, they're in Western NY. (I've made the drive to World Dairy Expo in Madison back in college, it's not too far).

One more thing, if you find yourself at a Land Grant University, join Alpha Gamma Rho, it's the National Agriculture Fraternity. It was great at Cornell being at such a huge college and living/hanging out with a bnuch of farmers. The connections and friendships are for life.

 

[mrj]

redclay, you have read some good info here. I suggest checking the thread prior to yours about getting good ranch hands, posted by Cal. I have met the guy, as well as meeting his parents years ago through ag industry volunteer group Ag In The Classroom, if I recall correctly. They are good people and good farmer/ranchers in western SD.

One benefit to doing some apprentice work in western SD and other arid states is that it is probably about as hard to succeed here as it can be, yet many do. Good for the education, no matter where you go.

Second, and I can't emphasize this too much! You need to get as much education as possible, continuing for your lifetime, both about agriculture and in another field with better prospects for good income. You may have to subsidize your ranching 'habit' and that is more feasible if you have the mind to enable you to get into a career field that provides high income for few hours, leaving time to tend your ranch, or to hire more help than might be justified by the size of your ranch/farm. Truly, there are many who would be considered 'hobby ranchers' when comparing their ranch income with their 'other' incomes, yet they manage to give great service to the cattle industry in one way or another. One coming quickly to mind is the King Ranch in TX. One current contribution is their sponsorship of a ranch management course at the TX A & M campus in Kingsville, TX under Dr. Barry Dunn. I will post their website later, as I don't have it before me now. It is small numbers of students, and has some impressive credentials and graduates. Dr. Dunn, is highly respected, justifiably so, in many segments of the cattle/beef industry and academia.

Something else that enables some ranches to prosper in difficult times is the sideline of agri-tourism. Again, King Ranches, as well as other large ranchers, have been great in sharing the information on those enterprises with smaller ranchers who can do the same thing on their own much smaller ranches. A friend who has a family ranch has told me her 'bed & breakfast' guests are content simply to be on a rural ranch, sitting on the porch watching birds, walking about the yard, and watching the family at work. It doesn't necessarily take a complicated effort involving trail riding for city folk, or spectacular scenery to have a successful ranch/farm tourism business.

I've lived on, and from, ranches in SD for all my 68 years and understand that it serves ranchers well to have long term experience from a young age, but also have learned that it CAN be learned at any age by some people. I believe that business management courses may be the most valuable formal education, but that sound production education is important as well. It also is beneficial to hire experts experienced in agricultural business for your tax preparation, legal advice, and financial and banking needs. If you raise animals, a good veterinarian is priceless! Strong faith and giving to your community life and activity in local, state, and national politics is very important. We would all be better served if more 'ag' people were more involved in all those areas, IMO.

Dedication and desire are very valuable traits in a 'wannabe' rancher, but common sense in all facets of life from management of animals, grazing, finances, people and ones own emotions is paramount for success in farming or ranching. It is very difficult for ranches/farms to survive personal problems such as divorce, substance abuse, even severe illnesses of family members if un-insured, not to mention vagaries of the national economy and governmental regulation against ag enterprises. Yet it is worth it all to those of us who value this life work choice.

I'll get off my soap box and end with best wishes for your future in US agriculture. We sure do need more young people in this field. Being a third generation rancher and grandmother to the 5th generation (seven of them, ages 3 to 24!) of our family on this ranch, I appreciate the fact that life career decisions are difficult, challenging, and exciting for young people. I really enjoy seeing happy, hardworking, GOOD kids spreading their wings, both ours and any one elses!


mrj

 

[redclay]

Thanks alot guys, I really appreciate all of this info. I am definetly going to further my education. At least an associate degree, probably a bachelors. I can see how experience would help with a career like ranching, with so many things to do. I was thinking I might be able to work on ranches during my summers in college since I'm planning on going to college in either Wyoming, Western Nebraska, or South Dakota. My family and I are going to be heading to these states next week for vacation, and to visit these colleges.

mrj, One of the colleges I am really looking into attending is Western Dakota Tech. They have a 2 year ranch management program, and that is my favorite area of the country I've been to so far.

 

[CattleArmy]

Give up the dream. Honestly in this day and age starting with nothing and having something is about impossible. Fewer ranch owners are willing to lease ranches and plain and simply cows cannot pay for land at current prices.

I suggest you get a degree obtain a high paying job and then hobby ranch on the side.

Or second choice I hear Kolaraven is single Cause if your family doesn't have it then you better look for someone who does.

 

[gcreekrch]

Give up the dream. Honestly in this day and age starting with nothing and having something is about impossible. Fewer ranch owners are willing to lease ranches and plain and simply cows cannot pay for land at current prices.

I suggest you get a degree obtain a high paying job and then hobby ranch on the side.

Or second choice I hear Kolaraven is single Cause if your family doesn't have it then you better look for someone who does.

CA, 35 years ago some no-it-alls told me the same thing. It was my choice to drop out of school because it was interfering with my education. I was married at age 19 to a lady that I celebrated my 28th anniversary with this July. We raised two good boys who have become very capable young men. While our operation is not what I consider a large one, WE are still building OUR DREAM. The only components of our dream that we have been given are opportunities and time.
If someone wants to bad enough, AND uses their head, ANYTHING is possible.
Agriculture needs young people and this young person needs encouragement not a smartazz.

 

[CattleArmy]

Give up the dream. Honestly in this day and age starting with nothing and having something is about impossible. Fewer ranch owners are willing to lease ranches and plain and simply cows cannot pay for land at current prices.

I suggest you get a degree obtain a high paying job and then hobby ranch on the side.

Or second choice I hear Kolaraven is single Cause if your family doesn't have it then you better look for someone who does.

CA, 35 years ago some no-it-alls told me the same thing. It was my choice to drop out of school because it was interfering with my education. I was married at age 19 to a lady that I celebrated my 28th anniversary with this July. We raised two good boys who have become very capable young men. While our operation is not what I consider a large one, WE are still building OUR DREAM. The only components of our dream that we have been given are opportunities and time.
If someone wants to bad enough, AND uses their head, ANYTHING is possible.
Agriculture needs young people and this young person needs encouragement not a smartazz.

Better a smartass then a dumbass.

Maybe it's the border but if people were honest and business minded on this site they too would agree that without a side way to get into the business cows just do not pay for ranches anymore.

Wanna be a ranch hand? Why? Very few have benefits and most give a person 1200-1500 a month and think they are giving their help the world. On call 24 hours a day and still not making ends meet.

Reality at times isn't what any of us want it to be but sometimes the toughest things are the hardest to face.

I would rather say the reality then give someone a sense of false hope.

 

[gcreekrch]

Better a smartass then a dumbass.

Call me what you like, you are the person that has to live with your conscience. :roll:

Maybe it's the border but if people were honest and business minded on this site they too would agree that without a side way to get into the business cows just do not pay for ranches anymore



I didn't say how we did it but we did do it. :wink:



Wanna be a ranch hand? Why? Very few have benefits and most give a person 1200-1500 a month and think they are giving their help the world. On call 24 hours a day and still not making ends meet.




Depends on what lifestyle makes you happy. :cboy:




Reality at times isn't what any of us want it to be but sometimes the toughest things are the hardest to face.




Especially when you have the tenacity to overcome them. 8)




I would rather say the reality then give someone a sense of false hope.[/quote]

You seem to be a very unhappy person Ca, are you that dissatisfied with your lot in life?

 

[Ben H]

Some ranch/farm management programs focus on animal health and nutrition way more then finance. That's fine if you are going to work for someone, but if you are going to own a business you need to take all the finance classes you can. It may not be fun, but it will help you in the long run.

 

[CattleArmy]

You seem to be a very unhappy person Ca, are you that dissatisfied with your lot in life?

Unhappy is facing reality? I just think that so few in this industry tell it like it is. Most get into the business through their family or their spouses. The day and age of making something from nothing in a sense is over. Years ago people could get into this industry through hard work and preserverence but with rising land costs and the lack of willing people to lease land that day is pretty much over. As I pointed out cows cannot pay for land values today. Years ago if your cows were paid for you could pencil it out to buy land now even with paid for cows they just can't pay for the land at current values.

Why would anyone encourage a young person to take a job working in this field? Most agriculture positions in this area anyway are dead end jobs. No insurance, no time off, and working more then anyone should have to. Get a degree, a job in town, and hobby ranch. With town jobs there is ample time off to have a few cows and do it after hours.

Some of you prefer to make it all warm and fuzzy. Don't get me wrong it's a good life. It's a good way to raise a family and I'm fortunate to live on a place with my parents. However, I've had to live on a place for someone else and there is truly more to life then work and being on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

As for your reference to name calling exactly who started it?

 

[Mrs.Greg]

CRM...anything and everything a person trys is a learning expeirence.Pretty sure if someones wanting to follow a dream a negative Nelly isn't going to stop them. :wink:

 

[WyomingRancher]

Believe it or not, I agree with everything being said on this topic. I didn't grow up on a ranch, or have ranching in my family, but I wanted to ranch, and that's what I'm doing. I love the lifestyle and freedom, and to me, those qualities are priceless.

Yes, the money is poor compared to other occupations, but even on $12-1500/month, if housing is provided, a person can save a lot of money over time, depending on how you want to live. I advise you to start investing NOW so your money has time to compound, and STAY OUT OF DEBT.

I also advise you to get a good education, and see what opportunities present themselves. I think drive and determination can get you far, but you also need to be realistic and plan for the future. Make as many contacts as possible since it doesn't seem to be what you know, but who you know. Work hard and go the extra mile, and you will be noticed.

I was exactly in your shoes, and have never regretted my "career choice" for a second. Every single morning over the past decade I've woke up happy and excited to start my day, and I think that is a true measurement of success. However, I also have a backup plan to get me by if things go bad. I just always figured it was best to enjoy my retirement while I was young enough to appreciate it :lol: !

Good luck!

 

[Kato]

I second the stay out of debt comment. 8) 8)

Better to grow slowly and with the least amount of debt that you can. Money spent on interest is money gone for good.

I recommend working for someone else not for the wages, as much as for the opportunity to see up close and personal exactly what kind of lifestyle you may be in for. It could be that you find it's not for you. If so, you may have saved yourself a lot of time, work, and probably money.

If you do the ranch work and see that the hours and commitment required are worth it, then you can move forward and be better prepared for what is in store. You'll go in with your eyes open.

And don't believe it can't be done if you really want it. But you really have to want it, and you can't take on something this difficult without being prepared. And it is difficult, but there are rewards that you cannot put a dollar sign on.

 

[mrj]

redclay, I'm sure that votech is a good program, however, you probably will need more than that.

If you plan to take your time, that should give opportunities for further study and summer jobs, tho.

Comments seem to have hit many of the pro's and con's, but don't recall anyone damning the low wages mentioning that many jobs on ranches do include a home, often all the beef you need, and often a pickup to drive at least for ranch work, and sometimes for personal needs. All that makes wages go a long way. Some family members don't get paid that well!!! Often the hired people get more time off than do the family members. Guess I don't believe anyone in this area except family members are "on call" 24/7 unless there are extenuating circumstances such as family illness or accident during calving, or some such problem.

When you are dreaming, dream big. And keep the possiblilties and the realities in life well in mind. Practice, a responsible, faith based lifestyle and you will have a good life no matter what you are doing.

mrj