Consultant fees?

[Spanish Johhny]

I've been selling feed for quite a few years. A few days ago I got into a conversation with a purebred breeder who says he feels more "comfortable" buying his nutritional advice from an independent rather than what is offered from the feed company rep. That's not really a new concept other than he says he would like to hire me to do that. I'd love to do it. However, I have no idea what is a fair rate for him and I. What are they charging out there? What does it include? Your thoughts?

 

[Faster horses]

I've been selling feed for quite a few years. A few days ago I got into a conversation with a purebred breeder who says he feels more "comfortable" buying his nutritional advice from an independent rather than what is offered from the feed company rep. That's not really a new concept other than he says he would like to hire me to do that. I'd love to do it. However, I have no idea what is a fair rate for him and I. What are they charging out there? What does it include? Your thoughts?

Welcome to ranchers.net.

To answer your question we would first need to know your qualifications.
Is this your line of work?

I don't think it matters who gives nutritional advice as long as that
person comes recommended, is knowledgeable and can be trusted. All three take years to accomplish.

Good luck!

 

[Spanish Johhny]

Fair enough questions FH, so here goes;

I always felt that if I gave nutritional service of value to my customers, the feed orders would follow. And usually they did. That's how I put food on my table. (not to say I didn't get dragged into the commodity pricing bid wars.....those customers are important too.)
My creds?....no letters beside my name but a continual student of the beef industry. I've been fortunate to work for some of the more progressive feed companies who supported my efforts to stay current. Received quite a bit of training at KSU, MARC, IBC etc. I've sold, conducted nutrition presentations, trained staff in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Cow / calf and feedlots. For over 20 years. I also have a herd of cows too. Always felt that kept me grounded in my career.
Trust? Yup, I know he wont just hand it over, I'll need to earn it.

(Sorry guys, Hope you weren't too close and got splattered with that!! :? )
Thanks for the welcome................................

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

I think BRG hired a consultant, maybe he will see this thread and fill in some details.

Which part of Ab. are you is? South, central, north or Peace River?

 

[BRG]

Check your PM

 

[Faster horses]

Fair enough questions FH, so here goes;

I always felt that if I gave nutritional service of value to my customers, the feed orders would follow. And usually they did. That's how I put food on my table. (not to say I didn't get dragged into the commodity pricing bid wars.....those customers are important too.)
My creds?....no letters beside my name but a continual student of the beef industry. I've been fortunate to work for some of the more progressive feed companies who supported my efforts to stay current. Received quite a bit of training at KSU, MARC, IBC etc. I've sold, conducted nutrition presentations, trained staff in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Cow / calf and feedlots. For over 20 years. I also have a herd of cows too. Always felt that kept me grounded in my career.
Trust? Yup, I know he wont just hand it over, I'll need to earn it.

(Sorry guys, Hope you weren't too close and got splattered with that!! :? )
Thanks for the welcome................................

Sounds good. And I like the REAL LIFE part of your resume'. It's always nice to have a herd of cattle around to keep you grounded.

At times I think the best letters behind a name, might be COWS. :wink:

AS for being 'independent' sometimes that isn't the case. I do know of instances where the rancher thought he hired an 'independent' only to find out they were receiving a kick-back from the manufacturer of the feed he was recommending as an independent nutritionist. :shock:

Again, it goes back to trust.

We strive to not sell someone something that is unnecessary even if the client thinks it might be necessary--we ask questions, find out what is going on, explain the reasons for it or against it, back it with research and go on. That's worked well for us for 20 years now.

Maybe it's 'consultant information' instead of 'feed sales.'


Anyway, sounds like you are on the right track. Best of luck to you.

After all that, I don't have an answer to your questions.

 

[Spanish Johhny]

I think BRG hired a consultant, maybe he will see this thread and fill in some details.

Which part of Ab. are you is? South, central, north or Peace River?

Central part, north of Rocky Mountain House. Not much cropland around here but lots of grass cattle, cows and pasture. Go to the end of the road and on a clear day I can see the Rockies.

 

[Spanish Johhny]

Fair enough questions FH, so here goes;

I always felt that if I gave nutritional service of value to my customers, the feed orders would follow. And usually they did. That's how I put food on my table. (not to say I didn't get dragged into the commodity pricing bid wars.....those customers are important too.)
My creds?....no letters beside my name but a continual student of the beef industry. I've been fortunate to work for some of the more progressive feed companies who supported my efforts to stay current. Received quite a bit of training at KSU, MARC, IBC etc. I've sold, conducted nutrition presentations, trained staff in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Cow / calf and feedlots. For over 20 years. I also have a herd of cows too. Always felt that kept me grounded in my career.
Trust? Yup, I know he wont just hand it over, I'll need to earn it.

(Sorry guys, Hope you weren't too close and got splattered with that!! :? )
Thanks for the welcome................................

Sounds good. And I like the REAL LIFE part of your resume'. It's always nice to have a herd of cattle around to keep you grounded.

At times I think the best letters behind a name, might be COWS. :wink:

AS for being 'independent' sometimes that isn't the case. I do know of instances where the rancher thought he hired an 'independent' only to find out they were receiving a kick-back from the manufacturer of the feed he was recommending as an independent nutritionist. :shock:

Again, it goes back to trust.

We strive to not sell someone something that is unnecessary even if the client thinks it might be necessary--we ask questions, find out what is going on, explain the reasons for it or against it, back it with research and go on. That's worked well for us for 20 years now.

Maybe it's 'consultant information' instead of 'feed sales.'


Anyway, sounds like you are on the right track. Best of luck to you.

After all that, I don't have an answer to your questions.

Thanks for the kind words my friend!!
I think I'm gonna like it here...........................

 

[loomixguy]

Fair enough questions FH, so here goes;

I always felt that if I gave nutritional service of value to my customers, the feed orders would follow. And usually they did. That's how I put food on my table. (not to say I didn't get dragged into the commodity pricing bid wars.....those customers are important too.)
My creds?....no letters beside my name but a continual student of the beef industry. I've been fortunate to work for some of the more progressive feed companies who supported my efforts to stay current. Received quite a bit of training at KSU, MARC, IBC etc. I've sold, conducted nutrition presentations, trained staff in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Cow / calf and feedlots. For over 20 years. I also have a herd of cows too. Always felt that kept me grounded in my career.
Trust? Yup, I know he wont just hand it over, I'll need to earn it.

(Sorry guys, Hope you weren't too close and got splattered with that!! :? )
Thanks for the welcome................................

Sounds good. And I like the REAL LIFE part of your resume'. It's always nice to have a herd of cattle around to keep you grounded.

At times I think the best letters behind a name, might be COWS. :wink:

AS for being 'independent' sometimes that isn't the case. I do know of instances where the rancher thought he hired an 'independent' only to find out they were receiving a kick-back from the manufacturer of the feed he was recommending as an independent nutritionist. :shock:

Again, it goes back to trust.

We strive to not sell someone something that is unnecessary even if the client thinks it might be necessary--we ask questions, find out what is going on, explain the reasons for it or against it, back it with research and go on. That's worked well for us for 20 years now.

Maybe it's 'consultant information' instead of 'feed sales.'


Anyway, sounds like you are on the right track. Best of luck to you.

After all that, I don't have an answer to your questions.

Ditto what FH said.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

I think BRG hired a consultant, maybe he will see this thread and fill in some details.

Which part of Ab. are you is? South, central, north or Peace River?

Central part, north of Rocky Mountain House. Not much cropland around here but lots of grass cattle, cows and pasture. Go to the end of the road and on a clear day I can see the Rockies.

Not many antelope up that way. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I probably have been in the area I have a daughter living in Sylvan Lake.

Had some people from that area move in here about 5 yrs ago but have moved on.

I think maybe Clayton Hoffart who lives up the valley from us moved in from that area as well.

 

[High Plains]

Friend of mine was a good feed salesman and PhD nutritionist. He quit selling feed and went to work for a cattle company and he said "everything changed". Guess it depends on whether you're buying or selling :!:

 

[Spanish Johhny]

I think BRG hired a consultant, maybe he will see this thread and fill in some details.

Which part of Ab. are you is? South, central, north or Peace River?

Central part, north of Rocky Mountain House. Not much cropland around here but lots of grass cattle, cows and pasture. Go to the end of the road and on a clear day I can see the Rockies.

Not many antelope up that way. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I probably have been in the area I have a daughter living in Sylvan Lake.

Had some people from that area move in here about 5 yrs ago but have moved on.

I think maybe Clayton Hoffart who lives up the valley from us moved in from that area as well.

I don't recognise your friends name although I've only been out here a few years. I'm a transplant from the east. Hence the antelope thing......(busted!) that's how I describe it to my buddies back home!!

 

[corncob]

I might suggest that you first confirm with the client that you will provide feed recommendations on a fee basis only and pledge to receive no income from the sale of products that you recommend. The client will agree to retain you with the recognition that your professional advise is worthy of a professional fee. You then set that fee to reward you a reasonable return for the time and expertise that you invest in the recommendations. This will have to be an estimate on your part initially. Agree to revisit the arrangement after a given period (6 - 12 months) to adjust as needed based on some experience.

 

[Soapweed]

I've been selling feed for quite a few years. A few days ago I got into a conversation with a purebred breeder who says he feels more "comfortable" buying his nutritional advice from an independent rather than what is offered from the feed company rep. That's not really a new concept other than he says he would like to hire me to do that. I'd love to do it. However, I have no idea what is a fair rate for him and I. What are they charging out there? What does it include? Your thoughts?

My thought, as a rancher, is that I'd rather spend money on nutrition (hay, cake, or mineral) than I would the services of a nutritionist. :wink:

 

[Mike]

I've been selling feed for quite a few years. A few days ago I got into a conversation with a purebred breeder who says he feels more "comfortable" buying his nutritional advice from an independent rather than what is offered from the feed company rep. That's not really a new concept other than he says he would like to hire me to do that. I'd love to do it. However, I have no idea what is a fair rate for him and I. What are they charging out there? What does it include? Your thoughts?

My thought, as a rancher, is that I'd rather spend money on nutrition (hay, cake, or mineral) than I would the services of a nutritionist. :wink:

Ah, yes. But if a nutritionist could save you money by recommending a
by-product or mixture that saved you more money than he cost and you still had a truly balanced ration, wouldn't he be worth his salt?

Had a neighbor feed some broken peppermint candy canes (still in the wrapper) that were cheap, cheap, cheap one winter for his cattle's energy needs and he saved a ton of money.

Were it not for his nutritionist constantly on the lookout for various optional feedstuffs, he would not have known.

With all the work his nutritionist does, i.e. testing hay and pasture grasses, testing manure, etc. etc., his $5,000.00 annual fee could literally be chicken feed.

 

[corncob]

Not every rancher/producer will make the choice to hire a nutritionist. But for some with a specific interest to increase feeding or breeding efficiencies, modify carcass trait expression, improve herd health, etc, as this purebred producer apparently has, there may be a place for a nutritional consultant.

For those who make that choice, the most valued service you can offer is the confidence that you are working with his best interests in mind. This can only happen if you make recommendations that remain independent of the sale of the products that you recommend.

Demand is the mother of every new job. And new jobs are the engine of a free economy. I wish you all the best.

 

[Soapweed]

Kind of like when I was a little kid, I had a severe personality clash with the family dentist. He was always commenting about the "groceries" stuck in my teeth, and in general tried to intimidate me. A couple or three years of this went by, and finally I was maturing a little bit, so tried to show him I was growing up enough to make meaningful conversation. I asked in my most eloquent sounding voice, "So, Dr. Richter, what kind of toothpaste do you recommend?" His reply put me right back into my humble place, "It doesn't matter what kind of toothpaste you use, just use any kind and be sure to brush often." This is kind of like feed for cattle. It doesn't matter so much what kind you use, just feed often and plenty. Proper nutrition takes the place of a lot of high powered genetics.

 

[High Plains]

Soap, I'm calling you out on the "nutrition takes the place of genetics" statement. That mule of yours is never going to be a thoroughbred, no matter how much you feed him. I say that genetics are cheaper in the long run than nutrition. I see a whole lot of feedlot closeouts and I assure you that when you feed cattle all the same diet the genetic differences are staggering. But your cattle look plenty good to me, so I guess we're arguing over nothing. :wink:

 

[BRG]

We did hire a nutritionist last year for a couple reasons. First was to get on the correct mineral program and the other was for developing our bulls and heifers correctly. With the high feed prices last year we wanted to make sure that we were feeding the right stuff at the right amount. Also we feel it is important to develop the bulls the best possible way so their isn't fertility or soundness issues later in the bulls. We found that if you feed the right feed stuffs at the correct amount it will work. The ration was balanced and the bulls did better than ever before on a ration that wasn't as hot as previous years. We found that he paid for himself. He is on the pay role again this year.

I can understand if you are feeding cows alone, their isn't much that needs to be done except make sure the protein is right and give them enough to eat. But in our situation, none of us are ration makers and we found we needed help as energy and roughage are to dang expensive to just throw it at them and hope for the best.

 

[BRG]

Kind of like when I was a little kid, I had a severe personality clash with the family dentist. He was always commenting about the "groceries" stuck in my teeth, and in general tried to intimidate me. A couple or three years of this went by, and finally I was maturing a little bit, so tried to show him I was growing up enough to make meaningful conversation. I asked in my most eloquent sounding voice, "So, Dr. Richter, what kind of toothpaste do you recommend?" His reply put me right back into my humble place, "It doesn't matter what kind of toothpaste you use, just use any kind and be sure to brush often." This is kind of like feed for cattle. It doesn't matter so much what kind you use, just feed often and plenty. Proper nutrition takes the place of a lot of high powered genetics.

Proper nutrition can fix a lot of things, but incorrect nutrition can cause a lot of problems, and if you don't know if you have cattle on a "proper nutrition" diet then you possibly won't know if you have an issue until its either to late or you have way more money in them than you need. Also, in a feedlot situation, feeders want the best genetics possible, as if an average set of calves are fed the same ration as a good set, their will be a big difference in the amount of money you have in them come finish time because it will either take longer to finish or you will have to change the ration to fit the average set of calves.