Livestock Marketing School

[JoeDirt]

Has anyone ever been to one of Bud Williams 2 day livestock marketing schools?
There is one coming up in my area in June, I was thinking of attending but would like some opinions on it before I shell out the $500.
Here is a link to his site: http://www.budwilliamsmarketing.com
I would appreciate any feedback that anyone has on this program.

Thanks,
Joe

[travlnusa]

Please keep in mind that I have never been to his schools, or even heard of him.

With that in mind, after looking over his website, I would think large cow/calf and feedlot operations are where these classes are aimed at. That may or may not be you.

If you are a "small hobby" guy, there are lots of extention office classes that you can attend for $10-15 range and learn what you are looking for.

Consider what you are looking to learn. How many head are you marketing?

Worst case, do you have $500 to spend to pick up one or two nuggest of info?

If your operation looks to be on par as those on the web site, consider it.

If not, google until your fingers fall off. That is how I picked up most of what I know. Well, that and messing up on HUGE GRAND scales.

[postroad]

Why heck I'll fill your nogin with bullarky for way less than 500!

[Welshmom]

I have heard good things about Bud Williams, though I haven't ever seen or heard him in person.

If you raise cattle, it seems like a class like that that doesn't cost you more than about the price of one good calf is perhaps worth it, if it helps you make a profit.

Like others have said, you could go on making huge mistakes, and learning that way. How many less than $500 calves might you sell until you got it right?

[flaswampratt]

If the class is near you and you could negate the cost of an airline ticket I would jump on it.

I met him once at the Stockman's Grass Farmers Money Conference that was held in Jackson Miss. a couple of years ago.

Bud Williams grew up during the Depression in Idaho I believe, on his parent's ranch. They were able to survive and keep their ranch inspite of the hard times.

In the Ranching Community he is a well known and highy respected Guru of sorts concerning marketing and low stress livestock handling. He has a very no-nonsense approach to problem solving.

Bud likes to talk, and IMHO he is a bit full of himself, but as I said, JUMP on the opportunity if you can afford it. I suppose he is old enough and experienced enough to be able to be full of himself and get away with it.

He definately stresses thinking outside of the box, doing things differently because they make more sense, and about thinking things through. As people, we tend to over complicate things.

There will be guys and gals there that cowboy and ranch for a living, but I am sure there will be a bunch of small time producers there also.

I would encourage you to invest that $500 in yourself and your future!

BTW, Stockman Grass Farmer is an Excellent monthly magazine that has articles gallore geared toward the small time livestock producer with an emphasis on being Profitable.

Google it.



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[JoeDirt]

Thanks for all of the replies!
I talked to a couple of guys at the sale barn the other night that had been to the classes, both of them agreed that it was definitely worth the price.
The classes would only be about a 4 hour drive for me so I will probably attend. I have also thought about ordering the classes on dvd instead but not sure yet.

If anyone has any more info or opinions I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks again!