I was running rations on Cowbytes beef management program the other day, which is an interesting and important process around our ranch. Through proper feed testing and ration balancing I can correct and solve potential dietary deficiencies ahead of time and also have enough lead time to find least-cost solutions to one of our largest […] Read more
Managing yardage — The silent profit killer
Risk management and managing a farm
There are many aspects to consider to help ensure you'll have a successful operation
Most of us in agriculture are aware of the risks involved. Any biological system that makes long-term plans around both Mother Nature and human nature is bound to have challenges. Managing through these challenges can create some exciting times and opportunity. Grass Having grass is one of the best defences against risk in the cattle […] Read more
Four tools to create information
Here at our ranch, much like most other farms, we collect a lot of data and are still learning how to make use of it. We collect financial data, pasture data, DNA data, production data, data on our labour, BIXS carcass data and then we sort everything by enterprise. The question then becomes what to […] Read more
The era of collaborative competitors
The only new money that enters the beef production chain comes from the consumer. There are a couple of ways this can happen. The first, and I would propose the most positive way, is through product purchase. The second, and not quite as positive, is through tax dollars. Beef demand is based on price versus […] Read more
An appreciation for cow herd depreciation
Generally, one of the largest costs in any average cow-calf operation is cow herd depreciation, although it is often overlooked. Depreciation means the value of an asset goes down as you use it. In other words, as something wears out it has less potential future use. A good example is a baler. I see lots […] Read more
Shotgun approach to beef production missing the target
I was at Cattlemen’s Corral in Lloydminster a while ago and caught a good presentation from Anne Dunford, a long-time beef market specialist for many years with Canfax and now with Gateway Livestock. She had a very interesting series of slides with global beef cattle numbers, trends and markets. As Canadians we pride ourselves on […] Read more
Trit/oats seeding grazed three times
Trit/oats seeding grazed three times Summer pasture monitoring One of the areas we have been working on is monitoring our pastures/riparian zones and grazing progress. Because we operate a grazing operation we record animal unit grazing days as our measure of production (number of days per acre we graze a 1,000-pound animal equivalent). Because most […] Read more
Figuring the cost of winter-feeding options
We run a research farm. We are definitely not a “funded” organization, but we always have a series of experiments on the go. Our goal is always to find things that work for us to either reduce costs or add value. I think our track record has been pretty decent, but we have had a few busts […] Read more
Inch-deep and mile-wide management
One of the simplest and most profound statements I have heard that has affected my thoughts on management was made by Dr. Dave Daley at a Beef Improvement Conference a few years ago. He said in essence that farmers/ranchers have a knowledge base that is a mile wide and an inch deep, while scientists have […] Read more
Why the cow business is marginal
We are blessed to participate in this cow business, particularly at this time. My personal attraction to the beef business may come from my history and growing up with it, but the cow business is also one of the few businesses of which I am aware where the less work you do, the better money you […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
