New calf

[1648nc]

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]

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

 

[ultrarunner]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Jstpssng]

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]

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]

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.

 

[ultrarunner]

New is not always best... plenty of issues and frustrations with new equipment.

I tend to buy used and for cash... keeps me from getting in over my head and I've found buying right used might even appreciate over time...

That said... when I was looking for my little Kubota... there simply was nothing used around... so it wasn't that hard to make the decision to make my best deal new...

 

[1648nc]

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.

New is not always best... plenty of issues and frustrations with new equipment.

I tend to buy used and for cash... keeps me from getting in over my head and I've found buying right used might even appreciate over time...

That said... when I was looking for my little Kubota... there simply was nothing used around... so it wasn't that hard to make the decision to make my best deal new...

That's exactly how I ended up with my 1648, although it was demo from a hay day. That is the only new piece of equipment I own other than a tater plow. Used mower, tedder, take, baler, boxblade, auger, grain drill, disc, moldboard, planter, etc.

 

[ultrarunner]

Did you guys weather the storms of late?

Seems lots of property damage throughout the region...

Hope you are high and dry.

 

[1648nc]

Did you guys weather the storms of late?


Seems lots of property damage throughout the region...

Hope you are high and dry.

Yeah, most of the damage was in the lower end of sc. I'm at the foot of the nc mountains, if it gets to my house we are building an ark. I'm about a hundred and fifty vertical feet above the nearest creek. It's bad down in sc, I wish I had time off to go help those folks out.

 

[EddieWalker]

Congratulations. I'm still working on my fence line and hope to have cattle in a few years. I think I can relate a little to your first calf when our first horse was born here. Now we are looking forward to our second one in March!!!

 

[farmer2009]

Sounds like a good plan. Congrats on the first calf. Every year the first calf is a big deal. Here's our first one of the season.

 

[ultrarunner]

What are you guys using to fence in your livestock?

I hear from horse people barbed wire and t-post is a tragedy waiting to happen.

As a kid spending summers on my grandparents dairy farm... they only used a single strand of hot wire on temporary wooden posts to rotate pastures...

My brother is trying to decide how to fence in 40 acres...

 

[farmer2009]

My perimeter fence is mostly 2 strands of electric barb wire. I do have one fence that was here at purchase it's 4 strands of cold barbed wire and one of single strand electric barbed wire in the woods. Cross fences are mostly single strands of electric barbed wire. All electric fences are on t-post spaced about 30-35 feet I did use the occasional tree especially in the woods.

Many people don't like electric barbed wire because of the wires memory. I've only had cows out a handful of times. Once was they found a hole in the cold 4 strand fence. All calves. All other times I've forgotten to close the gate.

 

[ultrarunner]

Not sure I understand "Many people don't like electric barbed wire because of the wires memory"

 

[farmer2009]

Not sure I understand "Many people don't like electric barbed wire because of the wires memory"

The wire has a memory to it. It likes to recoil even after stretched. People say that energizing it alows one to become entangled in an electric fence. As the barbs grab. I was raised with it and know the possibilities. But haven't had any problems. As I shut off said fences to work on them. Some act like you can't turn one off.