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My past week in review~!

Angus Cattle Shower

Well-known member
Well, last Sunday, Canada day, was my last time on the boards in the past while, because I've been busy and had no computer. haha. That day I went to the local rodeo, demolition derby and fireworks with soem friends. After the demo derby, we decided to go to one of our biddies' place for supper. The derby ran till 8 and the fireworks were at ten. When we got to his place we we horsign around, shooting his bow, being guys haha. We realized that it was getting late so we tossed the BBQ onto the back of his truck... We had a barbacue during the fireworks... I bet we were the coolest people there, with a barbacue, cooler, AND all of us had cowboy hats on haha.
Monday was my birthday. I got to sleep till noon, got out of bed because as my brother put it when him and two of my buddies walked into my room, "Alex, the other two stooges are here to see you." We cut wood all day until dark, then we had my party haha. Dad had to spray and mom was in the city so they said I might as well have soem fun, got 20 or so people over had a bonfire and a good time. Got to bed at 4AM.
Tueasday me and the brother took the dirtbikes out for a tear. Went to ouy gravelpitts and I successfully, but accidentally landed a superman seat grab. Had the wind knocked out of me. Stupid dirt pile. I built fence the rest of the day.
Wednesday I baby sat all day, made a few phone calls and did some paperwork. I'm trying to see if I can start a farm from scratch, but all used equipment and break even within the first 6 years.
Thursday I mowed lawn, helped dad work on the sprayer, did some welding in the shop for him, did some welding for me, took bike apart to see why my back breaks were cutting in and out.
Friday it was 43 celsius. 38 in the shade. We had to move cattle around on the bikes again. I got mad and went to the house to find soemthing cooler to wear. I chopped the sleeves off my old practice jersey for hockey (You know you're a redneck when you drive a dirtbike down the grid road wearing a sleeveless hockey jerseyand a case of cola sticking out of the top of your backpack). That nigh tI went out with friends and hit two parties, talked with people I haven't seen in a while, did not drink anything but the ice water I brought along, it was too hot for anything else.
Yesterday we went to the city. Didn't accomplish what I needed to get done but I am going back tomorrow. I also managed to snap the engine mount and crack the nut holding my rear tire in place. Have to get them along with a new chein in the city tomorrow.
Today I'm in town with a computer, catching up and chillin'. haha

Good luck and God Bless
 

PPRM

Well-known member
ACS....Keep being a kid and keep posting. It hels us to smile and remember what that was like....

The starting a cattle ranch from scratch deal.....Folks will tell you you can't. If you listen to them, they will be right....I know two guys that have. Some of it is luck, but a lot of it is hard work and being tenacious. If you stick with it, you will be there when Luck knocks on your door. but enjoy the trip trying,

PPRM
 

Angus Cattle Shower

Well-known member
Well, I have it worked out a little better. As for people telling me I can't manage to do something, well, it doesn't realy bother me, like last week for example, Dad and I were on the bikes, and I got stuck in the mud (we were on some of our chemfollow) and when I got out he aid, "Alex, there is no possible way for you to get stuck worse then that. And I did. lol.


The lack of money being made in the cattle market right now would be a perfect time to get into the buisness, assuming that the expected market would rise and not drop again. You have tyo factor in a 10% death loss for the live stock, and a minimum of another 10% would assumingly be docked at market, if you were to start off with a bunch of good off colour heinz cows. Then there is fuel, hay, straw, medications, repairs to the structures and a whole lot more, quite the math equation., haha
 

PPRM

Well-known member
10% death loss.......Learn to keep them alive or better yet, learn how not o ill them and you'll do well...The three years I spent as a feedlot doctor has helped me a lot....I saay don't let them get ill in the first place....

As far as proving stuff that people say, "You can't do".....Focus on the smart things, not getting in worse hole, LOL,

Ranching seems complicated but is really simple....Don't overpay, but do get good cattle, good feed, good health program, good equipment and good advice...Of course, the only way to know you are getting any of that is to see the bad of them once in awhile, LOL.....

I have some ideas for younger guys in my area. Goes back to how most of the large sheep bands were built in Wallowa County in the early to mid part of last century...These families became cattlemen, my ideas include skipping the sheep part, LOL...

You do brighten our days with an ocasional smile,

We were young once, still are at heart,

PPRM
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
I'd say that was some wonderful advice, PPRM. So I will second what
you said.

Also, when we moved to Western Montana to a small place there,
people said we wouldn't be able to make it. One Basque woman,
who is/was a great friend gave me what I consider some of the best
advice I have ever had. Her advice was really quite simple:

She said, "They'll say you can't make it, but you can. When you make a little more, spend a little more. when you make a little less, spend a little less."
 

Angus Cattle Shower

Well-known member
Hey, I take pride in my getting stuck skills :p:p


I said 10% because of the probability it will be lower, BUT it will give me more leeway in the budget in case of a screw up... I gues what I am trying to say is assume your bills/death rate are going to be higher so you can plan it out better for what you can expect, and possibly be left with a little more cash.

If you would see me "In action" up here, you would be grinnin from ear to ear and then some when you see what I tend to pull off haha
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
Angus Cattle Shower said:
Thanks for the words of advice you two! I realize it will probally be 10 or so years until I can afford to start my own ranch but hey, I gotta start young lol

Start now, spend money on cattle instead of them damn gas burners and partying and then you will have some paid off cattle to support your fun habits. :)
 

PPRM

Well-known member
Maybe the best thing I did was three years in a feedlot. I think back to how I learned to read cattle, it has helped me a lot,

JB hit the nail on the head as well...If you can't give up a few things, you may never own anything but bills,



PPRM
 

Angus Cattle Shower

Well-known member
I don't have to spend money to party, just a bottle of pop or water and I'm good for the night haha.

As for the bikes, I think they are an investment.

They fit our operation better than horses, they are fuel efficient. They are reliable. They are amazing for moving cattle from pasture to pasture. They can get where quads can't. They are used alot for transportation from field to house in harvest, too.

And the sled.... well, it's cheaper than a girlfriend :p:p

This winter, I have a few head to sell.
1 Angus cow-lost her calf 2 years ina row
1 more angus cow-she's a mean one
1 Angus steer
1 Angus cross steer
1 Angus cross bull calf, will probally sell with cow #2

I'm planning on buying a few head of commercial cows with the money I hopefully make on these :D:D
 

Angus Cattle Shower

Well-known member
I don't know if these count or if I really gave them up, but here's my little list so far

Gave up a trip to Ottawa to help with seeding
Gave up 3 jobs to work on the farm
I am working n giving up going out on weekends
but most of the stuff I do doesn't cost anything, and I only go if all the work is ahead.
 
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