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Wanted: Wisdom

B

bverellen

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Messages
325
Location
South Central Iowa
Me and my wife's goal is to get our family out of this rat race and start up a small stocker and/or cow calf operation. We are early to mid 40's, five daughters ages 5-21.

We've been working towards that end slowly, my wife still has a few years to go before she attains a teaching degree. I own a small but profitable welding business, and we have succeeded in getting over the first big hurdle, we are 100% out of debt, home, business, everything.

I'm running 17 head right now on a small lease, primarily to gain experience and purchase equipment as we go. I've attended Stockman Grass Farmer's Money conference and have read a number of books by Gordan Hazard, Alan Nation and the like.

With the economy as it is, It will most likely be a couple of years before my business would be in a position to sell, as well as our house.

In the mean time, I thought I might dig some new wells by getting some education. I'm wanting opinions on what type of classes you would recommend that would be helpful in running an outfit properly and profitably.

I'm not looking for a degree or such, but practical learning that actually applies to ranching and the business of such.

Please keep in mind that I have never attended any higher education, but I am a quick study and have started a successful business from scratch with no backing, and am not a stranger to hard work.

I value the opinions and experience on this board and am looking forward to your replies.

Best Regards.....

bart.

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I'm not a rancher but work everyday in the ranching and feeding world. So my ability to properly run a cow business is without question. No track record whatsoever.
My first thought would be to tell you to re-think that little hamlet of a town in the eastern Colorado rockies and find a place that is more suited to cows than people. Someplace with a nice mixture of grass and cropping for some year-round grazing availability and ready access to markets and feedlots.

I know, I just about told you to quit your religion, so that's not going to float with you. Just my 2 cents.

As far as education goes. I always thought I missed out on something in the area of finance or accounting, since I placed my emphasis on the animal and production side of things.

HP
 
Not to burst your dream bubble, but you sound like you have what most want - a good wife & family, out of debt, and doing things you enjoy. Expand on your knowledge and maybe grow on a cash basis with what you have and don't be drawn to "I want to be a cowboy". Just in any business today you must be a manager first. You'l figure it out. Good luck.
 
I highly recommend taking the Holistic Management course. My wife and I took it last Dec. and it was excellent. All you need to know will be on their site, to help you find a course in your area.

www.holisticmanagement.org

It's all about working with Mother Nature instead of trying to impose your system onto her. Yes, it teaches principles that you see in most "low-cost" farms and ranches, but from the sounds of it, that's the avenue you're looking towards.
 
Go to ranchmanagement.com and check out this week long school that teaches the basics of ranching for profit. Kind of a novel idea I know but if you decide to attend make sure you have an open mind, which you probably do since you are just getting started and don't have many traditional practices that you follow. Thinking outside the box and putting more emphasis on working smarter not harder.

They teach you not to get a lot of money tied up in capital purchases( land, equipment, vehicles, etc.) Another topic they stress is intensive range management, rest and rotation, and calving in sync with nature.

I have a BS in Animal Science but this course taught me a lot of practical common sense business principals that I never learned with a college degree.

Something to consider. Good luck!
 
PureCountry said:
I highly recommend taking the Holistic Management course. My wife and I took it last Dec. and it was excellent. All you need to know will be on their site, to help you find a course in your area.

www.holisticmanagement.org

It's all about working with Mother Nature instead of trying to impose your system onto her. Yes, it teaches principles that you see in most "low-cost" farms and ranches, but from the sounds of it, that's the avenue you're looking towards.
Click to expand...

I agree with Purecountry, Alan Savory taught me a great deal that helped me when I was starting up in the 70's, I kept my job with the veterinary department untill the business was paid off, I also had to diversify as the cattle only really began to support us when I began to export.
 

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