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Southern U.S. ranching ??s

ranchland said:
Thanks for all your input. I was more concerned on how the cattle handle the heat/humidity than myself personally. As Texasbred said we have the luxury of AC, I know what you mean even in Northern Montana about leaving the vehicles running with the AC on, most all of our machinery now has AC. Far cry from the old days. Same here in the winter when it gets to -40 - 50 below zero, downright unbearable. But we make do. Cattle sure the heck struggle to maintain weight then as well. I guess I was trying to analyze it from a financial picture with the biggest benefit being not have to put as much hay up. We spend all summer haying so we can spend all winter feeding it. ??? Always envied those that are able to graze close to year round. On the subject of being able to find grass to rent or possibly buy, are there in areas of the country that have excess grass that isn't being used? I'm sure the answer is probably no where, but when I travel across the Midwest and south it seems that there are parcels of pasture that don't appear to be grazed at all for some reason. Anyway enough rambling, just some thoughts.
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I participate in a blog called HayTalk from time to time. Several members in the Kentucky area claim that they historically can't find customers for their hay, consequently they are selling it at cost of production or less. I suggest you look at that situation. My suggestions to them have been to find animals to feed their cheap feed to for themselves...but with the price of animals these days most folks find lack of capital an entry barrier. Maybe you have the opportunity to partner or share gain there?
 
loomixguy said:
Not to mention that whatever grain prices are, the tillers of the soil continue to tear up pastures as fast as they can. The old soil conservation practices (terraces, waterways, etc.) are now a thing of the past. After another dust bowl there will be another soil bank program and a lot of the marginal and poor farm ground will be planted to grass once again...at taxpayer expense.
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And "you" will be there with the "Loomix". :wink: :lol2:
 
Humidity....It will kick your rear end. My wife and I moved to her homeland of Iowa 4 yrs ago from western SD. I am still trying to get accustomed to the humidity. That being said, feed is never a shortage here as they bed with feed(stalks). That is part of the trade off for humidity. Don't forget that some Bos influence on Angus (Red or Black) work well in those climates. Surprised we haven't seen that influence this far north yet other than feeders that buy them in the summer as feedyard replacements. They certainly take our feed and humidity and do well
 
Red Roan said:
Humidity....It will kick your rear end. My wife and I moved to her homeland of Iowa 4 yrs ago from western SD. I am still trying to get accustomed to the humidity. That being said, feed is never a shortage here as they bed with feed(stalks). That is part of the trade off for humidity. Don't forget that some Bos influence on Angus (Red or Black) work well in those climates. Surprised we haven't seen that influence this far north yet other than feeders that buy them in the summer as feedyard replacements. They certainly take our feed and humidity and do well
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currently 86 degrees and humidity 85%. Rained this morning and now you can't breathe. Its rough
 
Born and raised in Oklahoma and there's no way I would move from Montana or any of the northern states to Oklahoma! Lots of good advice in the posts above but mainly the heat and humidity is terrible here! I know it's rougher in Texas and the southern states to the east. My son has lived in Denver for the past 5-6 years and he will never move back here. It's funny when he comes down during Thanksgiving and spends time in a deer stand he can't stand the cold damp mornings because of the humidity...he claims it feels a lot colder here than in Colorado.
As said above pasture for lease is almost impossible to find and that includes hay meadows! We have been in a bad drought for over two years even though we have been getting some rain but no pond filling rain. You also have to consider the severe storms we deal with almost every year...Tornados! Recent years we have been having bad ice storms and some heavy snow but I would rather have snow than ice it sucks to have no power for several days and most of your trees shredded.
I know of several people here that talk about wishing they could afford to move north to get away from our hot summers.
 
We are also. In fact, no ball drinkers left on any of the places here around home. All tires or Cobbetts.
 
MO STOCKER said:
We are also. In fact, no ball drinkers left on any of the places here around home. All tires or Cobbetts.
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tires here. Been a long time since I was on your place. Need to make a trip some day. I'm sure a lot has changed.
 

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