New calf

1648nc · Oct 10, 2015

This probably isn't much to some of you producers, but this is the first calf born on this farm in probably 25 years or better. My granddaddy had cattle when I was young, and after that we always bought calves to raise to kill but never had anymore cow calf type thing going on. I just moved back after buying my aunt and uncle's house 4 years ago and started cleaning up old fence and pasture, bought a couple calves to kill to eat. Then last year when they were gone I bought a few heifers to breed, then ended up buying a bull. I still have alot of fencing to do and cleaning up to do but it's all starting to be worth it now. Most people wouldn't even mess with the land we have, it's hilly, narrow and a pain to fence and keep up, but I enjoy it and I enjoy knowing I'm keeping something going my grandaddy did. I'm 34 now so I'm getting a little bit of a late start but I'm trying to do everything without going in debt to do it. And I'm not really doing it for the money anyway, I like working, and you have to enjoy this to even think about doing it, the money will just be a bonus.

Bird · Oct 10, 2015

Congratulations! Sounds to me as if you have a good plan for your future.

ultrarunner · Oct 10, 2015

Sounds cool...

Trying to get my brother to do the same on some hilly property where cattle were raised a long time ago...

His main worry is fencing... said if one got out it could be a lawsuit... then again... he is in California.

1648nc · Oct 10, 2015

ultrarunner said:
Sounds cool...

Trying to get my brother to do the same on some hilly property where cattle were raised a long time ago...

His main worry is fencing... said if one got out it could be a lawsuit... then again... he is in California.

I'd be worried out there too, the insurance is probably higher than the profit lol. Around here as long as the roadside fencing is very good, the sides and backsides don't have to be really awesome generally speaking.

ultrarunner · Oct 10, 2015

Good to know... he does have county road frontage... that fence is OK

Down one side of the ranch is a creed about 10 to 20 feet steep down... never has been any fencing on the creek side... also poison oak!

1648nc · Oct 10, 2015

ultrarunner said:
Good to know... he does have county road frontage... that fence is OK

Down one side of the ranch is a creed about 10 to 20 feet steep down... never has been any fencing on the creek side... also poison oak!

Until a cousin bought the property about 10 years ago, my great uncle never had a fence on the creek side of his place, and he had cattle for 40 years or more, never lost one as far as i know. Of course it helps when its nothing but trees across the creek from him. If it had been grass or corn or beans, they would have ventured out im sure.

Thomas · Oct 10, 2015

Good on you for following your dream :thumbsup: we all are pulling for you.

Jstpssng · Oct 10, 2015

1648nc said:
This probably isn't much to some of you producers, but this is the first calf born on this farm in probably 25 years or better. My granddaddy had cattle when I was young, and after that we always bought calves to raise to kill but never had anymore cow calf type thing going on. I just moved back after buying my aunt and uncle's house 4 years ago and started cleaning up old fence and pasture, bought a couple calves to kill to eat. Then last year when they were gone I bought a few heifers to breed, then ended up buying a bull. I still have alot of fencing to do and cleaning up to do but it's all starting to be worth it now. Most people wouldn't even mess with the land we have, it's hilly, narrow and a pain to fence and keep up, but I enjoy it and I enjoy knowing I'm keeping something going my grandaddy did. I'm 34 now so I'm getting a little bit of a late start but I'm trying to do everything without going in debt to do it. And I'm not really doing it for the money anyway, I like working, and you have to enjoy this to even think about doing it, the money will just be a bonus.

If you're getting a late start, then at 56 I'm in trouble. :laughing: It sounds like you have a good plan, and while getting started without debt will be a little slower you so always own what you have and when you do grow it will be yours, not the bank's.

1648nc · Oct 10, 2015

Jstpssng said:
If you're getting a late start, then at 56 I'm in trouble. :laughing: It sounds like you have a good plan, and while getting started without debt will be a little slower you so always own what you have and when you do grow it will be yours, not the bank's.

It's tough when my old equipment breaks and such when all the indebted folks are still going, but the only piece of farm equipment i have a payment on is my tractor, so i just think about that and grin and keep on going. My grandaddy died from cancer last year and he got everything he had with blood sweat and tears and i'll be hard headed and do it the same way lol.

Jstpssng · Oct 10, 2015

1648nc said:
It's tough when my old equipment breaks and such when all the indebted folks are still going, but the only piece of farm equipment i have a payment on is my tractor, so i just think about that and grin and keep on going. My grandaddy died from cancer last year and he got everything he had with blood sweat and tears and i'll be hard headed and do it the same way lol.

Think of all of the money you're saving in interest; next time you work on something, remind yourself that it's just like paying yourself.