Becoming a rancher?

[movin' on]

redclay, don't give up the dream!!!! Whatever you do, don't do that. I started in the same position that you are and am slowly working my way up. Some peole were born into it and think that no one else is entitled to it. Don't listen to them. It will be a long, uphill battle, I can assure you that. You will have to think outside of the box and probably pursue some niche markets, but it CAN be done. The fact that you are going to have to do more than eat, sleep and breathe to be assured a spot on the family ranch will probably make you a better business person in the long run anyway! I wish you the best of luck and, once again, don't give up the dream!

 

[gcreekrch]

redclay, don't give up the dream!!!! Whatever you do, don't do that. I started in the same position that you are and am slowly working my way up. Some peole were born into it and think that no one else is entitled to it. Don't listen to them. It will be a long, uphill battle, I can assure you that. You will have to think outside of the box and probably pursue some niche markets, but it CAN be done. The fact that you are going to have to do more than eat, sleep and breathe to be assured a spot on the family ranch will probably make you a better business person in the long run anyway! I wish you the best of luck and, once again, don't give up the dream!

Thanks Movin' On, that's kind of what I was trying to say earlier. I've watched several ranches that were passed down or simply given to the next in line, go broke or are slowly falling into the dirt. Meanwhile we've kept building.

The only way to finish a job is to keep pluggin' away at it. :wink:

 

[RobertMac]

Redclay, don't be deterred by nay-sayers...ranching/farming is long hours of hard work, but I'm betting you knew that! :wink: I started about four years after gcreekrch with nothing but a BS in agronomy...took me about a year and a half to learn what the BS stood for. The most important thing I learned in college was how to learn. Remember one thing, almost no one that teaches you in college will have run a successful farm or ranch! :shock:
Ben H made a very good point...one I learned too late...take lots of business courses. To make money, you have to run it as a business. Ben is also right about Greg Judy...get his book.
Movin' on is right...think niche markets. Commodity ag is built on low margin, high volume(this is probably what put the bad taste in CattleArmy's mouth).

If someone wants to bad enough, AND uses their head, ANYTHING is possible.

Be smart...associate with and/or work for someone that has been successful. Experience is the best teacher...the smart ones learn from others experiences.
Best of luck to you!

 

[Blkbuckaroo]

I guess i'll chime in here,since this kind of represents my life.First i think everyone has a valid point on this thread,but i'm on the side of things that says never give up your dream and asspirations,we would'nt be this far in the world if people before us did!!!!Second,farming and ranching are all i've every wanted to do in life,love the hard work,the life style ,challenges,sucesses!!!So keep at it!!I've had to ranch in a round about way,since i was'nt born to it and no one left me a piece of ground to continue on,but it did'nt stop me.I have only ten acres to my name so all my operation are on ground i've bartered with people for,work trades-like helping them with projects on their place in exchange for running a couple head in a pasture they were'nt using, haying their fields and sharing gas expenses and the hay off the field,there are ways to make your dream happen if you go after it!!!You don't have to be a multi=millionaire to get at it!!Just a hard worker and a go getter!!!Talk to people,ask absentee land owners if you can work there place,think outside the norm!I've had to buy older equipement and keep it in good working condition till i can trade up to something better,still does the job,and gets me in the game.Only play the game at a level you can afford!!!! :lol: get some outside working ranch experience and mentorship from someone you see as sucessful and follow in their shoes.And yes i do have a gig in town,but i'm still getting my ranch on every second i can.Learn equipement,ride your horse well,read your stock.Education is important!!!Don't pass it up!!Be realistic in your endeavors,don't let getting rich stop you,think business minded,and get'er done!!!Solomon aka blackbuckaroo.good luck!!I'm only 37,so hopefully i'll have another 40 years to make it happen!! :cboy: 8)

 

[Mrs.Greg]

redclay, don't give up the dream!!!! Whatever you do, don't do that. I started in the same position that you are and am slowly working my way up. Some peole were born into it and think that no one else is entitled to it. Don't listen to them. It will be a long, uphill battle, I can assure you that. You will have to think outside of the box and probably pursue some niche markets, but it CAN be done. The fact that you are going to have to do more than eat, sleep and breathe to be assured a spot on the family ranch will probably make you a better business person in the long run anyway! I wish you the best of luck and, once again, don't give up the dream!

Excellent post "movin on"where would people be without a dream to work towards

 

[redclay]

Thanks alot. I've gotten some good info from every one of you. I was thinking it would be neat to have a working ranch where people could stay, do trail rides, and that sort of stuff for extra money. All advice is still greatly appreciated

 

[Mrs.Greg]

Wondering where WHSH's post that was here last night went? :???:

 

[Shortgrass]

When will I learn to listen instead of talk? Here goes:

Cattle Army says give it up, go do something else. Face reality. Gcreekrch says NO don't quit, you can do it. I say that IF you can do something else, maybe you should. If the truth be known, Gcreekrch is of the same cloth I am. He couldn't quit if he wanted to. He or I could make more money doing something else, but, although others may never understand why, we can't quit. Face reality. Not reality as you wish it were, but reality as it is. Ranching is not tall grass, fat calves, and good prices as we ride off into the sunset with a pretty girl strumming on the guitar. Nor is it a vacation on a dude ranch. Reality is dust, drought, blizzards, death losses, high feed cost, fuel cost, equipment costs, and lower than needed calf prices. Cattle will not buy land. Rented ground is hard to find, you will drive an old pickup that is held together with baling wire and duct tape while the rest of the world goes and buys a new one. Stress, fatigue, discouragement are always lurking around the corner. If you can do something else, maybe you should, but if you must pursue this dream, I understand. Go forth with your eyes wide open. The situation is worse than you think, the process will take longer than you think, and the cost will be much higher than you think. Facing reality is nasty, but necessary. If you lack realism today, you will lack credibility tomorrow. As for the pretty girl part, she had better be pretty darn tough; so had you. Think about this. One other thing--do not borrow money againt cows.

 

[kolanuraven]

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.

Whoa up here ol' gal!!!! :lol: :lol: I have a computer blow up and this is what I come back to.....the Dating Game????? :lol: :lol:

Sorry, I'm not an option.

See, I'm an only child and we DO NOT have, know or understand the meaning of the word " share". :???: :???: :???: It's not in our vocabulary and we're not able to comprehend the concept very well. :lol: :lol:

Besides I bet I'm old enough to your mother anyway!!!!!! :wink: ***Just went back and read your initial post.....hell,I could be your mother.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: ...(jigs will place ' older women' jokes here)

CA is right. It's WAY WAY WAY to hard to start out with nothing anymore. I vote with CA....get a high paying job and ranch on the side.

 

[Mike]

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.

Whoa up here ol' gal!!!! :lol: :lol: I have a computer blow up and this is what I come back to.....the Dating Game????? :lol: :lol:

Sorry, I'm not an option.

See, I'm an only child and we DO NOT have, know or understand the meaning of the word " share". :???: :???: :???: It's not in our vocabulary and we're not able to comprehend the concept very well. :lol: :lol:

Besides I bet I'm old enough to your mother anyway!!!!!! :wink: ***Just went back and read your initial post.....hell,I could be your mother.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: ...(jigs will place ' older women' jokes here)

CA is right. It's WAY WAY WAY to hard to start out with nothing anymore. I vote with CA....get a high paying job and ranch on the side.

I thought a lot of you "Trendy" girls had themselves a "Boy Toy" on the side? :lol:

 

[Mrs.Greg]

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.

Whoa up here ol' gal!!!! :lol: :lol: I have a computer blow up and this is what I come back to.....the Dating Game????? :lol: :lol:

Sorry, I'm not an option.

See, I'm an only child and we DO NOT have, know or understand the meaning of the word " share". :???: :???: :???: It's not in our vocabulary and we're not able to comprehend the concept very well. :lol: :lol:

Besides I bet I'm old enough to your mother anyway!!!!!! :wink: ***Just went back and read your initial post.....hell,I could be your mother.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: ...(jigs will place ' older women' jokes here)

CA is right. It's WAY WAY WAY to hard to start out with nothing anymore. I vote with CA....get a high paying job and ranch on the side.

Kola young guys like that call gals like you cougars...they LIKE them.He could be your boy toy,he'd get into ranching the way he wants

 

[jodywy]

Some migatory sheep outfits over here you could get into cheap. You need a sheep camp wagon to winter out on the desert thru lambing, a wall tent to stay in in the summer time on the moutain, Good horses to pull the wagon and pack camp.A good rifle for coyotes, and alot of time alone.

 

[Cal]

Thanks alot. I've gotten some good info from every one of you. I was thinking it would be neat to have a working ranch where people could stay, do trail rides, and that sort of stuff for extra money. All advice is still greatly appreciated

One of the downsides about the tourism thing (besides the tourists :lol: ) is that you likely assume liability for anyone who pays to be on your property. We have some hunters come in, but I never take money from them.....usually give them some ____ jobs to do instead. There is all kinds of opportunity in producation agriculture as well as agribusiness. Keep exploring your options, but keep in mind that it may someday suck to be old and poor. Might try to avoid that scenario.

On the other hand, many tourists are quite gullable. Some of the local natives charge a few silly Eastern Liberals dearly to sit out in the pasture for a couple days under a blanket and make up some ceremony so they'll become "Indians". :lol: :lol:

 

[kolanuraven]

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.

Whoa up here ol' gal!!!! :lol: :lol: I have a computer blow up and this is what I come back to.....the Dating Game????? :lol: :lol:

Sorry, I'm not an option.

See, I'm an only child and we DO NOT have, know or understand the meaning of the word " share". :???: :???: :???: It's not in our vocabulary and we're not able to comprehend the concept very well. :lol: :lol:

Besides I bet I'm old enough to your mother anyway!!!!!! :wink: ***Just went back and read your initial post.....hell,I could be your mother.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: ...(jigs will place ' older women' jokes here)

CA is right. It's WAY WAY WAY to hard to start out with nothing anymore. I vote with CA....get a high paying job and ranch on the side.

Kola young guys like that call gals like you cougars...they LIKE them.He could be your boy toy,he'd get into ranching the way he wants

Hate to bust this ' fantasy' bubble but I like my men-folk al little more on the mature side with a nice hefty bank account.

Now, it's not that I can get into THEIR bank account....but so they'll stay the hell away from MINE!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

We had us a self proclaimed Cougar chick on here once.....wonder where she got off to....she might work. :wink: :wink: :wink: Remember???? :wink: :wink:

 

[jigs]

now don't go giving Kola away to some young punk... that is my retirement nest egg!

Kola......please don't fall for that youthful stamina and vigor....you know you like it here.... 45 seconds of bitter disappointment, and and hours of promising it will get better....

 

[Ranchero]

Redclay follow your dreams and you will enjoy your life. It sounds like you have a pretty good plan. Get your education and while your getting it learn to speak Spanish, so you can come down here to Mexico where ranching is the most common lifestyle. Land is still available at reasonable prices. The land of opportunity for ranching is in Mexico. The place where the first cowboys (vaqueros) came from. If you need some more info PM me I'd be happy to give you a few pointers how I did it. I own and operate a cattle ranch the size of some US counties. Don't ever let the dream busters get in your way. Pick your target and never take your eyes off and you will hit your mark.

 

[Faster horses]

Hey, Ranchero.
I'm too old to have a ranch there, but could I come and visit?

 

[Ranchero]

Sure you're welecome to come on down for a visit. I hope you don't mind stepping back in time a little bit. That is to a time where people still ride hosres more than cars. A time where everybody is willing to lend a helping hand to their neighbor. A time when people wear more cowboy hats than baseball hats. And the boys ask permission to date your daughters. A time when life was simple. A time when wealth was measured by health and family , not things or money.

 

[hillsdown]

Redclay follow your dreams and you will enjoy your life. It sounds like you have a pretty good plan. Get your education and while your getting it learn to speak Spanish, so you can come down here to Mexico where ranching is the most common lifestyle. Land is still available at reasonable prices. The land of opportunity for ranching is in Mexico. The place where the first cowboys (vaqueros) came from. If you need some more info PM me I'd be happy to give you a few pointers how I did it. I own and operate a cattle ranch the size of some US counties. Don't ever let the dream busters get in your way. Pick your target and never take your eyes off and you will hit your mark.

How hard is it to buy land in Mexico legally and start a business?
I have heard that you have to live there a minimum of a year before you can work??

Not being a smart @ss just have some relatives that are really interested in it and who knows maybe us one day.

Thanks.

 

[Ranchero]

It is very easy to buy land legally here in Mexico. After finding your dream ranch/farm.
First you must get a FM-3 visa $300, then you apply for permission to buy land as a foreigner $600, you must agree to abide by all Mexican laws. That's it. Buy your land and work. Each year you must re-new your visa. After 5 years you can apply for citizenship. You can maintain dual citizenship forever.