Most Optimum Operation

[harris25]

Not sure where to post this at so I'll post it in the Ranch Talk Board. What does everyone think the best cattle operation to run would be? I'm not talking the least amount of work but the highest return for the inputs or maybe not just running a cattle operation a combination of both livestock and farming. Just wanting to see what everyone thinks is the best to run or what would be your dream operation when it comes to farming and ranching.

 

[jkvikefan]

Hornick, Iowa

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

If I could only find that goose that lays the golden egg I would gladly become a goose herder. :wink: :lol:

With out knowing the situation it would be very hard to advise you. At times I think a custom grazing operation would be the best if you had good customer. Labor is a major factor in a cow calf operation. Cow/ calf builds equity and a yearling grasser deal has lots of cash flow but takes large amount of cash.

 

[PureCountry]

Hornick, Iowa????? What is that supposed to mean? The ideal locale for a ranch?

For me, my dream operation is a grass-based one like we run now. A purebred seedstock herd that runs year round with our commercial herd. We are trying to increase the quality of our pastures, and the quantity, so we can graze year round. We'll reach that point next winter, which will put us closer to that ideal scenario.

I also want to start grazing other species, like hogs, chickens, and goats, which will come in time. We plan to run multiple breeds in our seedstock operation as well, although it will be small numbers of each.

As for THE ideal, as opposed to MY ideal, who can say? It's whatever works best for your own resource base on your ranch. If you have pasture where we are, it's alot different than planning things in Alabama. You have to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your ranch, then match the enterprises to the ranch. It makes things alot easier stress-wise, and money-wise.

If all I wanted to do was make a profit, I would custom graze other people's cattle at really high stock densities for 100-120 days. We could graze 500 yearlings for 120 days @ $1/day to gross $60,000, with very little expense, and spend the rest of the year visiting Rancher's.net Alumni. :lol:

 

[RSL]

Wife wins the lottery and keeps me hired on for my good looks and pays all my bills :shock: with nary a question, thus relieving me of any management responsibility...
Actually for me it is a cow calf operation where I could really focus on the genetics and making the grass better than it has any right to be. Costs are under $300 per cow per year, and labour is minimal (except for picking bulls and riding horses). Calves largely sell out of the yard as beef and wintering cows takes the form of opening gates or rolling out polywire once a week or so...
Oh wait, I just about live there now. A perfect operation wouldn't be much fun though as it would be all maintenance and little planning or experimenting, so there is a little room for improvement.
Final thought... A perfect operation is one where we achieve our vision statement (on our website), my kids love the land, life and learning and we all see an opportunity in them pursuing it.

 

[Trinity man]

We most have a cow/calf operation, but over the years we have started a pecan operation, sell hay, and custom grazing. They all have their benefits and their down fall. The pecan operation does great every five years, the hay operation is a headache with they way our rain comes are not, and the custom grazing is doing pretty good this year with the rancher along the coast still trying to find some place to put some cattle until they get their place back in order after Ike.

 

[roger dodger]

The ideal ranch is kind of hard to pin down, as it is different for every person you meet. For me it would be a cow calf operation (witch we have now) that owns the calves until they are hanging on the rail. But my first goal is to be out of debt and not have to barrow money to operate on. Have been trying for that goal for thirty two years and haven't made it yet. Good luck to you. RD

 

[jkvikefan]

Hornick, Iowa????? What is that supposed to mean? The ideal locale for a ranch?

For me, my dream operation is a grass-based one like we run now. A purebred seedstock herd that runs year round with our commercial herd. We are trying to increase the quality of our pastures, and the quantity, so we can graze year round. We'll reach that point next winter, which will put us closer to that ideal scenario.

I also want to start grazing other species, like hogs, chickens, and goats, which will come in time. We plan to run multiple breeds in our seedstock operation as well, although it will be small numbers of each.

As for THE ideal, as opposed to MY ideal, who can say? It's whatever works best for your own resource base on your ranch. If you have pasture where we are, it's alot different than planning things in Alabama. You have to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your ranch, then match the enterprises to the ranch. It makes things alot easier stress-wise, and money-wise.

If all I wanted to do was make a profit, I would custom graze other people's cattle at really high stock densities for 100-120 days. We could graze 500 yearlings for 120 days @ $1/day to gross $60,000, with very little expense, and spend the rest of the year visiting Rancher's.net Alumni. :lol:

Just a little joke ..There's no place like home!!

 

[jkvikefan]

Hornick, Iowa????? What is that supposed to mean? The ideal locale for a ranch?

For me, my dream operation is a grass-based one like we run now. A purebred seedstock herd that runs year round with our commercial herd. We are trying to increase the quality of our pastures, and the quantity, so we can graze year round. We'll reach that point next winter, which will put us closer to that ideal scenario.

I also want to start grazing other species, like hogs, chickens, and goats, which will come in time. We plan to run multiple breeds in our seedstock operation as well, although it will be small numbers of each.

As for THE ideal, as opposed to MY ideal, who can say? It's whatever works best for your own resource base on your ranch. If you have pasture where we are, it's alot different than planning things in Alabama. You have to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your ranch, then match the enterprises to the ranch. It makes things alot easier stress-wise, and money-wise.

If all I wanted to do was make a profit, I would custom graze other people's cattle at really high stock densities for 100-120 days. We could graze 500 yearlings for 120 days @ $1/day to gross $60,000, with very little expense, and spend the rest of the year visiting Rancher's.net Alumni. :lol:

Just a little joke ..There's no place like home!!

And by the way ........ Have you ever been there ?? That ground would support alot of cattle.

 

[harris25]

Thanks for all your replies. I currently run a cow calf operation and am located in Western Nebraska where it rains few and far between. I currently sell the calves in the fall and just worry about calving cows and picking genetics like you said. I was just wondering if owning the calves from gate to plate and finishing them out myself and direct marketing to customers would be a better option. Has anyone had success doing this? I currently own no farm ground but could buy the feed that I would need straight from the farmer close to cost.

 

[Doug Thorson]

Dad always said if you get your ranch just perfect, you just as well sell it because when you go out the next morning you will see something that needs changed!

 

[Clarencen]

Here is one suggestion: Start calving season May 1. 45 day calving period, Wean at 6 1/2 to 7 months. Wean winter to get at least 1# per day gain, ( you can't afford to keep them if they are not gaining). Summer on grass for 4 1/2 months. Sell or put in the feed lot.

With this system you could have less labor, but could utilize your winter time. Could use smaller cows. It would require less grain, have fewer cows so markets might not get as depresses, and you wouldn't have to calf in as much bad weather. And you would have some flexability if there is a drought or markets are unfavorable.

But why don't we do that?