Hello guys I am a highschool student starting to think about what I would like to do when im older. I am very hardworking/ outdoorsy and the idea of working a ranch sounds really apealling to me. I do plan to go to college. What I am asking is what is the real life of a rancher like? I know it is hard work but is there time for other aspects of life? Weekends? Hunting? Golf? Etc. Thanks
Life as a Rancher
- Thread starter Magungo
- Start date
Triangle Bar
Well-known member
Magungo said:
When you are your own boss and stuff doesn't get done, you don't have to look very far to whom to place the blame. You will soon find that during calving & harvest seasons it's 24/7 until the job(s) are done.
It's important to learn to pace yourself and schedule time to have fun and pursue other interests. It's not for everyone and the romanticism of the occupation can be short lived if it isn't for you. The only way to find out is to get work doing the job and see for yourself.
Best of luck and welcome to Rancher's.
per
Well-known member
Golf is a prerequisite to working here. There are plenty of ranches that enjoy and take time for other things. Find one of them to work for.
3words
Well-known member
I go fishing in the afternoon about 4 times a year,other then that I work.I don't consider it work though,because theirs nothing I enjoy more then being on the farm.The way I see it,theirs lots of time to relax and just lay around when I'm 6' under.Magungo said:
I wouldnt say that, but in my case my ranch, cows, grasses, creeks, ponds, etc. are my hobbies. Sun-up to Sun-down everyday, rain, snow, wind, 15 below to 110 above, there is always something to be done on the ranch. I love what I do and dont find a need for other hobbies. It wouldnt matter if i started my day at 4 in the morning I still wouldnt be done until after dark, because there is always something to do and I enjoy it.
I do have other hobbies such as watching sports, going to an occasional football game, and time with friends at social gatherings or at the local bar, but I dont plan on any of them because if you do it wont happen, a cow will need help, a calf doctored, fix fenced. Might sound stupid but I have season tickets to Nebraska Football games and didnt even make a game last year, sold every one of them because something was going on on the ranch. Some years I will make 3 or 4 but it just depends on whats happening.
eatbeef said:
he is exactly right,other than that Husker nonsense, :wink: if you farm / ranch it is you lively hood and your hobby all rolled up in one. we went on a 4 day ski trip to Colorado, all I did was wonder what the weather was like at home, and wish I was there..... we can slide a bit here from December to March, but the rest of the year, there is not a lot of slack time....no such thing as a weekend!
Shortgrass
Well-known member
You are talking to people who like what the do, or else they would do something else. There are plenty of people who did not like the farm or ranch, and left it behind, never looking back. Others think they would like to come back, but can't seem to accomplish it. Most who are still in the country, like me, love what they do, they just wish it was more lucritive. Not a great living, but one heck of a good life.
3words
Well-known member
Silver said:
So did i,i guess we just raise cattle for a living :roll: . :lol:
Big Swede
Well-known member
I had made plans to go to college in the engineering field because I didn't think there was room for me at home on the farm/ranch. My Dad drove me to SDSchool of Mines and Technology for a visit to check out the campus. On the drive home we visited and I told him I would prefer to come home but didn't think it was possible. He told me to choose my own path and things have a way of working out. That conversation changed my life, the following day I applied to South Dakota State and four years later I had a degree in Animal Science.
The first few years weren't easy with the prices we were receiving for cattle and crops but as time went on I got married, started a family, bought my parents place and now our future looks bright. My son is a sophomore in college and wants to come home too.
My advice would be like lefty said, go west, get some experience and see for yourself. You're young, explore the possibilities and see if it's for you. Also like per said, golf is high on the priority list here too.
The first few years weren't easy with the prices we were receiving for cattle and crops but as time went on I got married, started a family, bought my parents place and now our future looks bright. My son is a sophomore in college and wants to come home too.
My advice would be like lefty said, go west, get some experience and see for yourself. You're young, explore the possibilities and see if it's for you. Also like per said, golf is high on the priority list here too.
leanin' H
Well-known member
Ranching, and agriculture in general, requires a lot of committment. Cattle have to be cared for regardless of plans or schedules. In my world, calving and feeding takes up 5 months. The first of April brings branding and vaccination for my own bunch plus lots of folks i really enjoy helping. Cattle head to the mountain in May which means they feed themselves, but still need water checked and gates closed and salt packed and moved to fresh grass about every 6 weeks. June-September brings irrigating and haying. October means round-up and pre-conditioning plus weaning and hauling calves 65 miles to the feedlot for my cousin. November starts the cycle over. I sneak away to hunt as often as i can, but between my day job (4-ten hour days) and my family and duties as a volunteer firefighter plus some church, i am not found too far from the cattle. AND I WOULDNT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY! 
No other vocation brings as much joy and pain, success and frustration, as much fullfillment and satisfaction. I take a lot of pride in doing what 95% of the population CANNOT! I get plenty tired after a 16 hour day on a horse or checking heifers every 2 hours, but it's a satisfied tired. Some folks were made to sit behind a desk or commute on a subway. I really think I am happiest when i am cutting cedar posts or moving cows or hauling hay or leaning on a pitchfork watching cattle at the manger. I wish ya well as you pursue your dreams and attack your future. I'd also reccomend starting out working on a ranch to get your feet wet and see how ya like the water (Or lack thereof). Welcome and good luck!
No other vocation brings as much joy and pain, success and frustration, as much fullfillment and satisfaction. I take a lot of pride in doing what 95% of the population CANNOT! I get plenty tired after a 16 hour day on a horse or checking heifers every 2 hours, but it's a satisfied tired. Some folks were made to sit behind a desk or commute on a subway. I really think I am happiest when i am cutting cedar posts or moving cows or hauling hay or leaning on a pitchfork watching cattle at the manger. I wish ya well as you pursue your dreams and attack your future. I'd also reccomend starting out working on a ranch to get your feet wet and see how ya like the water (Or lack thereof). Welcome and good luck! gcreekrch
Well-known member
I became a rancher because I was too lazy to work and too honest to steal.
Shortgrass
Well-known member
Silver said:
I encouraged my daughter to get a business degree. She did. I'll bet it has been better than Animal Science or Ranch Management.
j&lfarms
Member
I'm a 17 year old and my girlfriend and I bought four heifers in october and I haven't regretted it since. I've always worked on farms here and there but actually owning your own cattle and tending to the land on your own and calling the shots it brings a whole new aspect to farming. I love it. My friends can't seem to understand why I'd rather go work with the heifers instead of getting drunk but it's something you either love or hate. If at all possible I will never have a job other than farming. It's not likely but it's a goal I have. I'd do what was said above and get a job and try it out. Experience it and see what you think. Ps. Another thing I love about farming is you always learn something new and you never get bored.
jodywy
Well-known member
here a good web site about Ranchers
http://realranchers.com/
http://realranchers.com/
3 M L & C
Well-known member
Shortgrass said:
I agree. I didn't go to college, but I have talked to a lot of freinds that did and everyone said those classes or majors are a waist. Most of the proffessors were "retired" farmers or ranchers that just couldn't make it farming or ranching any more. And realisticly how much are you going to learn about ranch management from a book or class?