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Life changing decision

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IaGary

Well-known Member
Thinking of selling my cows.

Been taking care of those ladies for 34 years now.

I know there is no guarantee that corn will stay up but all my hay and pasture can also raise corn.

The wife and I would like to do a little more traveling. But I'm not comfortable leaving the cows to some one else to tend to when I'm gone.
I worry the whole time I'm gone and can't relax.

Fences need a lot of work.But that always is the case with livestock.

Might just cut back on numbers.I don't know?

What do you guys think?

Gary
 
sell them,used to have 300 aall time around in fat lot. none now and it is nice to be able to just leave when want.
 
My neighbor milked 100 or so for over 50 years, in my opinion, he's the farmers farmer, should have his name included in websters definition, ( along with all the others in this country, truly dedicated to farming).

Nothing but farming for years and years, I don't think he had seen too many places, ever been out of the state, or past nearby counties, for a long time, until the fire in '95, he got out of milking, but still raised them for re-sale until 2 years ago. He sold some land, got a F-350 and a real nice travel trailer, so he could finally have some vacation time and see a few places. I'll bet he wished he did it years ago, just that you can't take the farm out of the farmer, the dedication is something to admire that is for sure.
 
If you are ready!! Friend had dairy and raised beef. Of course he had grain and hay. At 68 his family talked him into selling off the cattle and leasing out the land. Took one short vacation to florida, one cruise that he took his whole family including grandkids on, and died. He told me every day he regretted "selling out". You have to decide. Best to you whichever way you decide. Bob
 
I remember back in the '60s my grandfather had a handful of cows, maybe four, that he milked. We lived in central Nebraska not more than three or four hours from them. In the six years we lived there my grandparents only came to visit two or three times because he would not let anyone milk them for him. He had many offers from relatives to milk the cows but never would. As a kid my feelings were hurt because of this. We all missed out on the building of relationships. After six years we moved to Tennesse, and of course all visits with grandparents were by us...
 
I know tire guy.

Been thinking the same thing about the numbers.

It is about the same whether there is 10 or 100.

But I may sell over 3 or 4 years for tax reasons.

That way if corn turns south, I still have a few and can increase if cattle prices are good.

Gary
 
sell 1/2 of them this tear and 1/2 mext year to ease your tax burden. sold all of our cows and hogs 10 years ago before the bottom droped out. thought we would miss the income but not much changed profit wise. have been grain farming since and taking 3 vacations a year. rented the ground out for next year, will wait and sell machinery in a couple years.
 
Dont know your age, health, or stuff like that, but the grass isnt always greener on the other side. If you get out of the cattle, and decide to go back into them, will you be money ahead? Just helped the neighbor load up all his breeding sows on Sunday. He's get out of it, because he had no corn crop (drought)and cant afford to buy feed, he's 64 and just had back surgery. I would say he wont get clear $1800 for the 20 with todays prices. I cant blame him, but if next spring his boy or son in law decide to get into the business and utilze that barn they'll never get them sows back for $1800. If you are making a good living on the cows and the crops, why not, as you said, hire someone for the care of the cows, you'll always worry a bit when your gone, but that will get easier as you go. I hire the previous owner and my pa to care for our breeder barn for the week we go to the cabin, still worry like heck even though the "help" has been doing it for 20+ years, but that week off really is nice, and after a few cold Miller's and the wife in a bikini, I relax.
 
I'll second what iowa_tire_guy said. If you cull as you suggested, over several years, try to get rid of the older ones and "trouble makers" first.

John
 
If you can put most or all of the money away for abit from selling the girls,you could maybe use it down the road to re-stock if you regret it.Up here in Canada with dairy,we have a pretty expensive quota system,and when you sell,the price of what you sell usually goes up enough in a few years,you are out forever.Many have sold and regreted it,but after taxes,loan pay outs,un resistable personal splurging,were just not able to afford to start up again.With beef,you have that option of getting out for abit,and re starting if you want.I don't know about your breeding stock,if you have valuable purebred pedrigeed cows,maybe you could do some e.t. work and freeze what you get,they you never ever loose your foundation,so long as they flush well and catch,and give you some heiffers.Best of luck,pd.
 
I don't think the decision is based on $. If having cattle is in your blood, you'll never be happy without them. You can go see the seven wonders of the world, come home, and find more meaning from being with your cattle. My brother still runs the family dairy farm. He has tried other persuits but nothing else finds such a place in his heart.

Glenn F.
 
I dunno about this corn bandwagon everybody wants to jump on. The problem is....the media has hyped all this bio-fuel nnalert as if there are ethanol plants on every corner just begging for corn and it taint so! Then when every farmer out there in the grain belt thinks he might make a dollar for a change.....they all get into corn and flood the market.....and the price drops. Then all the 'experts' will be touting beans or a wheat shortage and how the Russians want to buy a zillion tons but nobody has it because they all wanted in on the corn boom.

I don't blame a man for wanting freedom or for wanting to get ahead....in fact, I commend him for doing so. BUT, I still think diversification is the key to security and success....don't put all your eggs (corn?) in one basket.
 
That's a good idea of of stashing the cash to buy back in.

I will do that if I sell.

Gary
 
I'm facing the same thing career-wise. It's tough to use advice, because you won't know if it's the right decision until the morning after the cattle left. Good luck!
 
Gary, Been there done that. I kept the same family of cows (most born here n never been off the farm) for over 30 years and shipped them alllllll this fall so we can go to Texas or Florida in the winter cuz like you I couldnt rely on anyone watching them esp over the winter. FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS AFTER I got up each morning n looked down over the hill to see if they were here. Its only now I got out of that habit. I kinda will miss getting on the tractor in the deep snow n hearing them bawl when they heard it start runnin up to get the hay buttttt I dont miss the cold n wet n esp the muddddddddd when it was nasty.

But if you wanna travel its what you gotta do so we did it n no regrets now I reckon lol

best Wishes

John T
 
A little OT but still true;

Everybody is in favor of PROGRESS, but if it involves radical change, forget it!

Don't envy the position you are in but sooner or later...??

Polkwing
 
Not a dairy man, but I have a neighbor who is the stereotypically hardscrabble PA farmer. Hes 75 or so now, and only runs a dry cow, calf cow operation. He trades a calf for bull service once a year or so, pastures anything not usable for fields, growsx a little corn and makes hay. He seems happy to have the daily operation of the farm (couldn't get away from it anyhow), yet can travel a little with someone to feed some rounds or squares. I'm not sure if he makes money, but its his way of "getting out."
 
IaGary;

Because of health concerns I had to sell out. It was hard to do but the right thing to do. We retired from trying to farm and moved to the south of NM. Dont have to cut firewood,shovel snow or go out on a cold winters night to check cows. This was six years ago.

What ever you decide, good Luck.

steveormary
 
The bad aspect of farming and ranching is that it's a gamble. You never know what the maket is going to do. You might make money this year and then next year have to spend it on feed and such. I have been around cattle all my life(now 67). Had a cow to almost kill me and I began to change my mind about them. I have trimed my herds down some. Don't have as many to have to take care of. Got rid of all the young ones and kept the old cows. Smartest thing I ever did. Last year it was dry, no grass down here, had no choice but sell cows. I would suggest reducing your herd and open up some more land for the corn. Then sit back and watch the market for a couple of years before going off the deep in. Check with the FAA in your area for young help.
Just my nickel's worth.
Good luck........
 
If you are banking on ethanol, I would give it more thought. GM has already announced that they are moving away from it and I think it is inevitable that they all will.
 
I know just what you mean. I'm in the same boat. Sold the dairy cattle four years ago and the party lasted a week.I increased the size of the beef herd to around 80 and went to finishing the calves out. Had to hire somebody to do chores in June while the whole family went to Kentucky to a wedding. Went back down in July and left the critters with the boys to take care of. By then the pastures were so far gone,I had a miserable time,worrying about them getting out. My cousin got rid of the last of his a year ago,I kind of felt sad about that. Told him if I didn't have those cows to take care of I'd feel like I was just waiting to die. As frustrating as they are though sometimes,and grain prices what they are,I have to wonder why I'm going out in the cold everyday to take care of 'em.Not to mention the hassle in calving season. Not an answer for you,but I just figure when the time comes to get rid of 'em,it'll be like the dairy cows,I'll just know it's time.
 
My next door neighbor loaded out all his cows on Saturday. Didn't even know he was thinking of selling until the trucks pulled out loaded. Went over to plow snow for him Sunday morning and he couldn't even talk about it. Eyes just welled up and lump in throat was to thick to talk.
Be sure this is the right decision before you take the plunge. He did manage to say we wishes he had never made the deal.
 
if it was me they would be gone!!! O wait you are me got rid of them 20 years ago and never look back best thing i ever did way more to life then them da- cows
 
Gary, it is your decision, but a cow will never loose money unless she dies or quits having calves. Folks have to eat. Surely you don't think corn prices will stay high. Look back before you back up. I plan to keep my cows as my retirement. Even if I have to give someone half the calves to tend them in my old age.
 
Gary, I got rid of mine 3yrs ago. It was a gut wrenching decision. Been taking care of the same herd for 30 yrs. I cried when the last of them left. Kept all the equipment just in case, i wanted to get back into. I have to admit that i haven't missed fighting ice and mud. Been spending alot of time away from home because i finally can, and got to know my wife again. Best of luck to you, i know how tough a decision this is.
 
Pack them up, send them away and learn to live a little. Every holiday I went back home we were always messing around with the hogs or cattle. They were money makers but the work load was endless. When dad became 62 the aminals left shortly afterwards. He passed away eight years later but in the interim the holidays were a much more enjoyable.
 
If you don't like 'em anymore send 'em down the road. I had about thirty of them and a full time job. I was using all my vacation time making hay. One year I said enough and away they went and I don't miss them.
I think cattle is a young man's job. Some day one will hurt you.
 
Corn prices are about to go back down. This year 20% more corn was grown than last year in the United States, and supply is now exceeding demand.
You have quite a few retirment options, you could sell out entirely, even the real estate, and move into one of those swanky Florida retirment parks, get you a golf cart to ride around on, play golf daily, etc.... Some of those parks will allow you to keep a motor home for touring the countryside at your leisure. If you got a home in a gated community you could then be pretty much free to leave for months at a time and not have to worry about your place. The downside is you would have to give up everything you have now, I don't know as you could even keep a tractor, and those parks all have very close neighbors living on maybe 1/8 of an acre. You can't own very much to live in one of those parks, in fact, its kinda rare that those folks own more than 1 car. In the park I visited you pay a lot rent and own your home, which would be a pre fab home of a select manufacturer to match all the other homes in the park, lot rent was $350 a month and included lawn mowing. Basically the upside of living in one of these parks is they are pretty safe, and would allow you to be able to travel around freely, the downside is you would have to sacrifice all your material possesions and give up an awful lot compared to what you have now. Also, with the home owners association rules, you couldn't work on much of anything either if you are a tinkerer, they were the type that had small garages, with very little or no tools in them and absolutly no junk or extra stuff. Everything was kept looking like the pages of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
 
My uncle had to sell most of his cows a couple years ago, whent from arund 100 head to 12 head. Just kep his best heffers and his two best bulls. been on cruchas since he was 14 and still runs a good caving operation.
 
Yeah I agree with these guys, don't be afraid to loosen your life up a little bit and just sell your cows.

Hey, then again, you could start off with a few calves again in a few years if you miss it!

Just get rid of them, Gary, if it's on your mind.

Enjoy some scenery for a bit.

:-)
 
Gary I have done the 'sell the cow' thing' and always end buying them back and wish i had kept them. As someone here says unless they die they will always make you money. Think about it long and hard before you do. How about agist them somewhere, have a good holiday and then bring them home again when your done drivin.
 
Gary,the worst decision I ever made.Sold out 18 months ago.Some of the old cows had never been off this place.They were my Grandads first string.Wished a gozillion times I never done it.All the trouble and long nites are worth it.Just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck

Bigun

P.S.
Pray alot about it before you make a decision.
 
Gary, I have been thinking today about this post. Although I loved farming and doing most of the jobs I did, I never had more satisfaction than going to the pasture on a summer evening and checking the cows. Just something about being there with them, riding through the herd and checking them. Used to do it for neighbors for pay although I would have done it for free. My point is, and others have said, if you are a cattleman at heart then you may never be complete without some cows around.
 
Gary I'm about in the same place I'm 64 and havn't been out of the cow business since I was 9 ,I don't have the luxury of going to corn, I could go back into wheat on some ground,but that broke me once. the cows have been good to me thru thick and thin.
My daughter and son in law have cows and small feedlot in SE Wyo.I think we'll just move the cows closer them,we would then be able to watch the grandkids growup, I'm more tied to the cows than the land.The kids will need more cows in a few years and they could gradually take over.
 
Gary, I was where where you now back in the summer of 97. At the tail-end of the draught that started 18 months prior. There comes a point when all you have done just isn't enough. After a lot of Prayer, Tears, and Sleepless nights the decision was made to sell out.
In the end, pasture rent,ever increasing, the 18 months of NO rain,,,,No new grass, water shortages, and all, overall cost of D.O.B. with PCA. Initial purchase of cattle etc., etc,. All worked together to the same end, selling apart of something that I loved to do, and Identified me as Me!.
I am glad I did what I needed to do, Got out from under a ton of debt, It gave me the time to do other things more important like, time to be Dad!
You can still sell those cows...for now, God will still be making Good Cows, in the future if you decided to get back in. For now you can rebuild fences, improve your place so when the times comes to get back in your holding facilities will be one less thing to worry about. You might decided to look at a different livestock to raise like, Yearling cattle on winter wheat & corn stalks Buy in the summer, hold them till Feb or March then sell. So there is no permanent livestock on the place, but income is still constant in your operation. OR You could channge to Goats or Sheep.
OBTW a Mama goat won't head hunt you when you get too close to their baby, like a waspy cow will!!!
So Gary it isn't the end of the world, thought it might seem so for now. Take care, I will; pray for you and your at this time to help make the right decision the Lord would want for you.
Later,
John A.
 
Even though I have never raised cows myself, we have had some on our place years ago when I was a little squirt. Pastured for a neighbor. There is something that calms the soul watching them out in the pasture that I can"t explain. I had cousins run dairy for more years that I am old. They always had worrys when we would all go on a fishing/camping trip for a couple weeks, and had a different kind of stress when they got back home. When they sold out you could tell they missed it, but you couldn"t talk them into doing it again. They got the travel bug and even bought a place in Florida for the winter. Plus he has time to work on old tractors now and has a nice stable full! I once had a decision to make that was a biggy and sat down and made a list of the pros and cons of what I was doing. It helped make a decision I could live with. Good luck with what you decide.
 
John T,

I read a previous post and understand that you have knowledge regarding a legal survey. I could not figure out how to begin a new topic on here (my first time on the site and the forum) so I would appreciate it greatly if you could start a new topic in response or better yet, email me at

[email protected]

and I could ask you a few questions on this subject. I would greatly appreciate your help in this matter and I am in Indiana.

Thanks
 
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