Cow wintering cost

[Larrry]

A person needs to look at their land cost. If you can't get a return on the land why bother. What could you rent it for is a good figure to start at

That seems like a bankers line for a ballance sheet. If your ground is paid for and you love what you do and arn't going bacwards in the money department. Who's to say that your property tax is the only return you have to make towards your land.

I don't disagree with you in doing what we love. We all do it, but I like to have an honest figure of actual costs. Then if I or anyone else wants to toss in the land so they can do what they, great if thats what we want.

 

[eatbeef]

Its called "opportunity cost" and I just got done running figures for 2013 and if you value everything at market price the costs of a cow to raise a calf to weaing in our area is $782.62, That includings, vet costs, labor, stalks, protien, mineral, grass, bull costs, replacement costs and market value of hay. Unreal I know, but that is market value of everything if it was to be bought, rented, hired out, or sold. And for everybody that is getting by on less than that you are probably ought to be paying income tax because breakeven at that price for a 550 calf at weaning is $1.43.

 

[nortexsook]

A couple of quick pics of open range winter grazing.

 

[Faster horses]

I think Herefords do better on that type of grazing than other cows might.
Ray Bannister over by Wibaux runs Herefords on his place. He's more
concerned with grass health than weaning weights. There is a lot of
conversation about his conservation practices. He's taught his cows to
even eat weeds. Pehaps you have heard of him, he has gained some
noteritory.

When do you calve and what time of year were these pictures taken?

 

[eatbeef]

Open Winter Range

Closed Winter Range

 

[nortexsook]

When do you calve and what time of year were these pictures taken?

I calve March 1 through April 30. I am trying to move that up. I had bull issues this spring so I don't think I was very successful and probably strung things out a bit. I'll do better next year. I think I would rather calve Feb 1 through March 31. Gets hot too fast here and the pasture is pretty played out by 5-31.

Those pictures were taken 12-31-2011. I remember because when I was taking them I got a text from my sister in law on the things I needed to buy at the refreshment store on my way home for the New Years Eve party that night.

 

[littlejoe]

I think Herefords do better on that type of grazing than other cows might.
Ray Bannister over by Wibaux runs Herefords on his place. He's more
concerned with grass health than weaning weights. There is a lot of
conversation about his conservation practices. He's taught his cows to
even eat weeds. Pehaps you have heard of him, he has gained some
noteritory.

When do you calve and what time of year were these pictures taken?

ray's got 10 rules for 'chaos ranching'===interesting guy, got conservationist of the yr with his 'nuke the hell outa it and don't go back in till it's as good as the road ditch' etc theories.

 

[Angus 62]

A good deal of what we own was farmed (raped) at one time and we were able to buy it because it had gotten to the point where the inputs took all the profit out of it. That will happen again sooner than anyone thinks.

There are people that think you need to invest 100's of thousands in haying equipment to run some cows. Until you can afford to do things that improve your land 3-4-5 years down the road you will often struggle in the cattle business. The best way NOT to be able to afford to be able to do that is by making iron payments every time you turn around, BTDT.

 

[nortexsook]

A good deal of what we own was farmed (raped) at one time and we were able to buy it because it had gotten to the point where the inputs took all the profit out of it. That will happen again sooner than anyone thinks.

There are people that think you need to invest 100's of thousands in haying equipment to run some cows. Until you can afford to do things that improve your land 3-4-5 years down the road you will often struggle in the cattle business. The best way NOT to be able to afford to be able to do that is by making iron payments every time you turn around, BTDT.

Excellent post.

 

[4Diamond]

I would agree with iron payments BUT if you depend on a custom operator to do your hay and have to wait down in the year before they show, how many dollars are sacrificed in poor quality hay? Just like everything I believe there is a happy medium.

 

[Denny]

I'm running an 855 New Holland baler this year I bought at an auction this spring for $600 9 wheel rake 15 years ago for $1200 Dbl 9 Rowse mower New 15 years ago $13000 Kuhn Discbine 2 years ago $14000 2 Belarus tractors I bought 15 years ago $24000 for the pair low hours with loaders and a 7060 allis chalmers tractor $5000 10 years ago. I scrapped out 2 old balers this spring for $565 each you don't need to spend crazy to make hay most people do to keep up with the neighbors.You need to make hay in this country too much fall rain and snow ruins anything left standing.

 

[nortexsook]

Denny, seems like from your posts through the years, you have a pretty good handle on what you're doing.

I know some folks in some areas absolutely have to raise or buy hay. I guess that is one advantage I have in living where I do. Sort of a small payback for dealing with all the hot summers, I guess.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Been an interesting thread.

I graze as much as I can and last winter had more then half the herd out grazing from October until I brought them in for branding. I never even saw most of them for calving. Doesn't always work that way so I need to be prepared for the worst but I don't run stocked to the max as we need old grass to grow new grass. We can adjust our numbers with yearling if we have to before we have to sacrifice cows.
I admit I am lousy at keeping track of my costs.