So You Want To Be A Rancher?
October 4 2010
For the first time in many years the cattle market looks rosy and typical of that outlook is the fact that more than a few folks sitting on acreage are thinking they might like to pick up some beef cattle. Is that a good idea or a sure bet? I’m Susan Allen welcome to Open Range where we take a look at issues that impact our life in the est. Stay tuned because I’ll be back with one forage specialist’s take after the break .On an online beef blog, Larry Redmon a forage specialist from Texas who host workshops for ranching newbie’s thoughout the country likened the cattle business to a game of stud poker, you have to play with the cards you are dealt. ( Now I thought that was team roping) anyway. What Redmon means is too often people jump into livestock production whether that be horses cattle, sheep even buffalo without researching stocking rates, soils, soil fertility, weed and brush management, beef cattle selection, feeding strategies grazing management and importantly what end market to pursue. Head spinning? It should be. Novice livestock producers can find themselves in a heap of trouble without proper council and homework. On the positive side, in the cattle industry today a wealth of information exists both on the internet and through workshops and clinics. According to Mr. Redmon all newcomers need to do is ask simply the experts. Sometimes asking for help especially, when you’re an independent ranching sort of a person is the most difficult part of all. I’m Susan Allen