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custom grazing

T

TWOROPES

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 24, 2005
Messages
151
Location
south central texas
Hey folks, I need your input on this. I am thinking about custom grazing some momma cows to generate some cash for my own small operation. I just aquired a new lease and have way more grass than cows. I want to charge by the head, by the month. I would supply salt, water, good grass,fence upkeep, check cattle every other day, ride through them once a week horseback, check for sicks. If cow owner wanted other services, they would be extra. Hay and meds paid by owner if needed. Nobody in our area does leases by the head by the month, its all by the acre by the year. so there is no going rate. What do you guys think is a fair rate? Any opinions would be appreciated. I am in southeast central texas, pasture is bermuda,-bluestem. Thanks.
 
We pay from $18.00 to $24.00 per head per month here in Utah. That just gets ya pasture and water. We have to check our cattle and everything else you mentioned. You can probably get as much as the market dictates! Hopefully that is a bunch! Good luck! :D
 
10-12 dollars a unit a month for just grass and water around here but you can't hardly find a lease like that or by the yr either
 
I think the owner should supply salt and minerals. Mineral price just jumped by the way.
Greg Judy's book Risk Free Ranching is written on this subject, I would pick up a copy.
One thing he does differently now from when he wrote the books is that he isn't just charging for gain on stockers, he has a day rate so he's not left with the shrink.
Here's a resource.
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Charts_and_Maps/Grazing_Fees/gf_hm.asp
 
I don't imagine your costs are less than ours in Alberta. I won't take anything on for less than a $1.00 per day. Charge for all the work you do including checking and salting and consider the size of the animals that come in. There is no doubt that a 1600lb cow with a 5 month old calf eats more than a 1300lb cow with a 3 month old calf. If they are stockers then charge yardage and per lb of gain. It would be a great time to hone your rotational grazing skills. Reading Judy's book is probably the best advise so far.
 
--Cow/Calf Pairs--
--2008-- --2007--

Eastern and - 22.00-35.00, 20.00-31.00,
Central Wyoming mostly 22.00-30.00, mostly 20.00-28.00,
instances 16.00-20.00 instances 16.00-19.00

Western Wyoming - 15.00-20.00 15.00-20.00


Western Nebraska - 22.00-40.00, 20.00-35.00,
mostly 28.00-35.00, mostly 25.00-35.00
instances 42.00-45.00

S.W. South Dakota - 22.00-36.00, 20.00-35.00,
mostly 25.00-35.00 mostly 20.00-30.00,
instances 16.00-19.00



--Yearlings--
--2008-- --2007--

Eastern and - 14.00-25.00, 12.00-25.00,
Central Wyoming mostly 14.00-20.00 mostly 14.00-19.00
or .25-.30 per lb gain or .28-.30 per lb gain

Western Wyoming - 10.00-16.00, 8.00-16.00,
or .25-.28 per lb gain mostly 12.00-16.00

Western Nebraska - 15.00-26.00, 14.00-22.00,
mostly 18.00-25.00 mostly 15.00-20.00

S.W. South Dakota - 13.00-28.00, 12.00-22.00,
mostly 16.00-24.00 mostly 15.00-22.00
or .25-.30 per lb gain

Note: Lease contracts vary widely even within specific areas. Generally
the high end of the price range requires landlords to maintain fences, check
windmills, cattle, etc. While on the lower end of the price range cattle
owners are responsible for these services. Sheep to cattle pasture ratios
are usually 6 to 1.

Source: USDA-WY Dept Ag Market News, Torrington, WY
Dennis Widga, OIC 307/532-4146
24 HR Markets 307/532-7200
Office email: [email protected]
www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/to_ls150.txt
 
I guess I'm getting a good deal then renting tame pasture for yearlings at $8 / head / month. I maintain the fences and supply salt and mineral of course, and check them myself.
 
A fella here gave $45/acre for a SECTION of grass. He is limited to a 5 month grazing season, 65 PAIRS max (the place would easily support twice that number), and must pay for aerial application to control muskthistles. He will have $67/acre invested, minimum. :shock:

$42,880 divided by 65 pairs? $659.69 per pair divided by 5 months? $131.94/pair/month, or $4.40 per pair per day............No wonder he tells me he can't afford LOOMIX! :roll:
 
Silver said:
I guess I'm getting a good deal then renting tame pasture for yearlings at $8 / head / month. I maintain the fences and supply salt and mineral of course, and check them myself.
Click to expand...


Here that would cost you 17.50 but all you would have to do is buy the mineral and make sure the check is on time. :wink: of course you could visit them whenever you like.
 
I am getting $40 per pair per month, could have easily rented the whole place at that. I fix fence and windmills, no contact with cattle, salt, mineral, or cattle work.
NW Nebraska. I am not on the high end around here
 
loomixguy said:
A fella here gave $45/acre for a SECTION of grass. He is limited to a 5 month grazing season, 65 PAIRS max (the place would easily support twice that number), and must pay for aerial application to control muskthistles. He will have $67/acre invested, minimum. :shock:

$42,880 divided by 65 pairs? $659.69 per pair divided by 5 months? $131.94/pair/month, or $4.40 per pair per day............No wonder he tells me he can't afford LOOMIX! :roll:
Click to expand...

I can't afford the Loomix either, but I enjoy the company of the delivery guy, so I get it anyway!
 

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