I can't do it.

InvalidID · #1 04/22/12, 04:10 PM

I had every intention of staying out of the beef business. I was going to just turn over all the calves with exceptions for a few friends and family because of the high prices, but I just can't do it.

Too many people calling me asking if they can get on the list this fall. Too many people wanting grass fed hippie beef. Lots of them willing to pay more than I think is fair, but what's really stopping me? What's really tugging at my soul? Lots of working folks like that I sold some (not a lot, and I had quite a bit of help) beef for around market prices. I feel like they deserve a quality piece of meat and I know I can provide it.

I might be in the wrong business here. I'd make more money if I just raised some calves and turned them over for the quick (and hassle free nearly) money. And I will turn some over of course! But my heart is getting in the way of my wallet here...

Anyone else had this problem before? How did you settle it?

G. Seddon · #2 04/22/12, 04:59 PM

Sorry, I'm just not certain what your hesitation is....have you formed an attachment to the calves? If so, I fully empathize; it's very difficult to load up an animal that gets on the trailer willingly when you know where he's going and he doesn't. My rationale is that a steer has a shorter life than most but I know that here, he has a good life, plenty to eat, vet care if needed, companionship, etc. I should not be a meat-eater because I love every animal raised here. My way of coping is to sell steers at weaning to those who will, hopefully, care for them well and "finish" them as they choose.

Or are you feeling bad about charging a lot of $ for the beef? If so, visit the grocery store and see what the price of ground beef is. Beef is expensive, and beef that is raised in a non-feedlot situation is worth it.

If I've misinterpreted your post, I apologize!

unregistered168043 · #3 04/22/12, 05:21 PM

This may be a little off your topic but;When you say 'turn them over', you mean bring them to the cattle market/auction? If so, is there a minimum amount of cattle you can sell there? I notice that they sell in lots of 15 or 20 here, can you just go to the market with 1 or 2 cows?

InvalidID · #4 04/22/12, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

Sorry, I'm just not certain what your hesitation is....have you formed an attachment to the calves? If so, I fully empathize; it's very difficult to load up an animal that gets on the trailer willingly when you know where he's going and he doesn't. My rationale is that a steer has a shorter life than most but I know that here, he has a good life, plenty to eat, vet care if needed, companionship, etc. I should not be a meat-eater because I love every animal raised here. My way of coping is to sell steers at weaning to those who will, hopefully, care for them well and "finish" them as they choose.

Or are you feeling bad about charging a lot of $ for the beef? If so, visit the grocery store and see what the price of ground beef is. Beef is expensive, and beef that is raised in a non-feedlot situation is worth it.

If I've misinterpreted your post, I apologize!

No, my problem is I'm not so willing to send them off to a feed lot to be fattened and marked up. That was my original plan, wean em and sell em. I'd make a decent profit and have almost none of the hassle of raising them and dealing with people.

But I feel like I should just fatten em on grass and sell em straight to the folks eating em. More hassle and more time invested, and lower turn over. It's becoming an obsession to try and get people good, affordable, quality food. That obsession is getting in the way of profits...

I guess it was more of a rant than anything else. I was wondering though if anyone else has had the same problem and ow they decided one way over the other. Make the quick buck and be glad of it, or make the slow money and enjoy the added satisfaction.

InvalidID · #5 04/22/12, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darntootin

This may be a little off your topic but;When you say 'turn them over', you mean bring them to the cattle market/auction? If so, is there a minimum amount of cattle you can sell there? I notice that they sell in lots of 15 or 20 here, can you just go to the market with 1 or 2 cows?

I think it depends on where you are. The local-ish auction to me you can sell 1 cow if it's all you've got to sell. It is a smaller yard though, so maybe that's the difference.

TroutRiver · #6 04/22/12, 05:34 PM

I'm also a little confused about what exactly your dilemma is. If I am interpreting your post the way you intended, then perhaps you have an outlook similar to our farm.

We sell our 100% grass fed, grass finished ground beef for $5/lb, which is about the same price as hamburger from the grocery store around here. Our steaks and specialty cuts are more pricey for the folks who have the money to spend and want their high end grass fed steaks, but our ground beef is affordable for anyone who can afford to buy beef from the grocery store.

With USDA slaughter and processing fees, we wouldn't make any money off our beef if we sold it all at grocery store prices, but selling ground beef cheap, and charging more for steaks and roasts is how we try to balance things out. It's what works for us.

InvalidID · #7 04/22/12, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroutRiver

I'm also a little confused about what exactly your dilemma is. If I am interpreting your post the way you intended, then perhaps you have an outlook similar to our farm.

We sell our 100% grass fed, grass finished ground beef for $5/lb, which is about the same price as hamburger from the grocery store around here. Our steaks and specialty cuts are more pricey for the folks who have the money to spend and want their high end grass fed steaks, but our ground beef is affordable for anyone who can afford to buy beef from the grocery store.

With USDA slaughter and processing fees, we wouldn't make any money off our beef if we sold it all at grocery store prices, but selling ground beef cheap, and charging more for steaks and roasts is how we try to balance things out. It's what works for us.

Not bad, I like it. I'm not set up right now to sell cuts but it is something to think about. Thanks.

rancher1913 · #8 04/22/12, 07:36 PM

yah we've been selling 7 to 8 hundred weights because we can get 12hundred dollars for them and only 14hundred as a fat in 6 more months. don't know how the feedlots can make it buying at these prices and selling for what they've been getting.

TNHermit · #9 04/22/12, 07:46 PM

Just take some meat to the local OWS group. you will feel better and you can write it off

InvalidID · #10 04/22/12, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNHermit

Just take some meat to the local OWS group. you will feel better and you can write it off

I don't wanna give it away! I did sell half to one of the Portland OWS organizers though...

TNHermit · #11 04/22/12, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

I don't wanna give it away! I did sell half to one of the Portland OWS organizers though...

LOL

My neighbor runs cattle. I think he has the same problem. he is always talkin how expensive hay is. He has 20 acres of grass but won't run any hay. Says that is to expensive. He got his timing off this year. Only had two while prices were high. Usually runs 20-30 head.

Waterwheel Farm · #12 04/22/12, 08:20 PM

Parts of your post I can relate with. However, and this is just my opinion which means nothing, but I don't think anybody "deserves" a quality piece of meat unless they deserve it. Thawing waterers, feeding when you'd rather be by the fire, losing a calf you really, really wanted to save. Skipping a movie and nice meal at Cracker Barrel so you'll have enough money to get extra hay in a bad year. Laying under the baler in 90 degree weather......THEY deserve a quality piece of meat. And my mom of course.

Nothing personal against anybody and I don't hold it against them, but when prices are low again, I know they won't be thinking how I'm making it. But I have to make myself think about those things to help me make good business decisions, otherwise I too can get swayed. I totally understand your struggle.

springvalley · #13 04/22/12, 10:30 PM

I`m with Waterwheel farm, I just wonder how many of my customers would stand by my side in case something happened. I work 365 days a year, no vacation, work holidays, birthdays, anniversary, and all they do is stop off and pick up their stuff, give me some cash and get back in their car and head back to town to take it easy. Don`t know if that is fair, but thats the way it is. > Thanks Marc

InvalidID · #14 04/22/12, 10:40 PM

I'm sure those people have jobs too though. I know a few of them that work hard for their money.

I do understand the other side as well though. I gotta get mine... I'm not suggesting I feel bad for selling them beef at a decent price. I'm saying I feel bad about the idea of sending my calves to a feed lot (which is easier for me) to then be sold to the same people at the same-ish price but as an inferior product.

I dunno, I'm sure I'll either get over it or figure something out.

springvalley · #15 04/22/12, 10:48 PM

I let my heart get in the way most of my life, if I didn`t I would be just like everyone else and be a big time grain farmer that heads to Florida or Texas when winter comes around. I figured up this spring what my cows and calves eat all year, and if I sold the grain and hay at the price it would bring on the market. I would be ahead if I got rid of the cows, and sold the feeed and then I could go on a vacation some place. > Thanks Marc

InvalidID · #16 04/22/12, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springvalley

I let my heart get in the way most of my life, if I didn`t I would be just like everyone else and be a big time grain farmer that heads to Florida or Texas when winter comes around. I figured up this spring what my cows and calves eat all year, and if I sold the grain and hay at the price it would bring on the market. I would be ahead if I got rid of the cows, and sold the feeed and then I could go on a vacation some place. > Thanks Marc

I'm glad to know it's not just me then...

Cheryl aka JM · #17 04/23/12, 08:14 AM

I don't do very many but the few I do fatten up and send off....I have discovered that all the work I did for a year or two raising the calf or the pig....well....it becomes less valuable when a good friend who has helped me out all year or a family member wants to buy the meat. I'd make more money if I stuck to my guns and sold it to a stranger for what it's worth and what I put into it, but when around time and everyones freezer is empty I get uncomfortable asking for what I know is an entire paycheck or two.

Now strangers~ Yeah I can charge them for my time and effort. But I only do a couple a year and seem to have more family and friends than I used to have! LOL!