<font color="green"> I can't help but wonder why some ranchers are still in business raising other breeds. </font>
Bird it's a matter of simple economics. Most don't put in the time to ultrasound their cattle, to have their cattle graded, keep accurate records like as soon as a calf is born weighing it and then weighing at predetermined times to determine your growth rates and be able to produce those records. Then backing it up with the scientific tests to prove what you're saying. etc, etc. All of this takes time and effort. But you are rewarded at the pay window. For instance we have several contracts with restaurant buyers. Go get a t-bone at Flying J truck stop and then go and get one at a top quality steakhouse. You know the difference. Those restaurants only buy the top beef in the country. Last round of calves that didn't make the high grade went to the regular cattle sale. They brought $1.42/lb for 500-700 lb weight. The ones bought commercially we got $2.63/lb, almost double. It's the difference between buying a Ford Escort and buying a Ford Mustang. Ford Escort is perfectly fine car to get you from point a to b. But if you want to enjoy the ride a little more get a Mustang GT. Same with the cattle. Different grades for different uses.
Cost of startup is the same issue, economics. To buy an escort not alot of money. To get into a Mustang GT you're looking at double or triple the price. You can buy a bred grade heifer on average 900-1200 dollars. Registered angus is going to be 3000-5000 dollars. It just all depends on where you want to play and which market you want to cater to.
One other thing I forgot to mention is climate. Angus and the good beef they are capable of producing are best suited for good grass, grain fed, and proper supplementation. Other breeds, especially the brangus, crossed herefords, etc. are better suited for the deserts of texas, new mexico, and the owyhee's of idaho, nevada, and oregon. You can still raise a good animal for butcher but you can't control all of the variables like you can at a place like Iowa where grass is plentiful. And the cattle do better in the hot, dry temps.
