at least as of today 
I tend to get a bit on the stressed-out, anxious, gotta-do-something! side...doesn't help in situations like this.
I went to see a commodities broker this morning on the off chance that I could find some protection in a hedge. Day late and a dollar short. A put that would have cost $600 on Monday, cost $6000 today, but you couldn't get one anyways. I don't think that will change in the near future. Really kicking myself for putting off that visit to the commodity guy...never again! I did know better.
After that, I started getting mad. I tried to guard against this. I switched to soybean meal only a long time ago. My cattle have not EVER eaten a bit of animal protein....well, some of my cows may have since I have not owned them all their life, but NONE of my calves have ever had it.
The "market" doesn't care about that. We all know the "market" is Tyson and Cargill and I decided that they can just kiss my.....calf? hehehe.
I REFUSE to take a beating on my calves. To someone who is afraid of eating beef or spooked by the mad cow (I do believe the supply is pretty darn safe and would not hesitate to eat a steak from wally world, except mine are so much better tasting) my cattle are more valuable. I took the initiative to do the right thing and I WILL be rewarded for that!!!!
My plan is to find a buyer somewhere who appreciates what I've done. Whether I have to sell them all one at a time, or can find someone who is willing to pay for safe cattle in a lot...I will find those buyers. If I have to feed them out, I will. The bank will simply have to remain patient or I will offer to deliver straight to the lobby of the bank. I do think they will be understanding and I do think the government will step in, if necessary. Our government is much more sympathetic to farmers than Canada's (from what I've heard anyways).
So that's my idea today. Since it's xmas eve and I REFUSE to let this stupid cow ruin my xmas...I'm going to quit thinking about it until the 26th, turn the news off and go spike the eggnog.
Jena
I tend to get a bit on the stressed-out, anxious, gotta-do-something! side...doesn't help in situations like this.
I went to see a commodities broker this morning on the off chance that I could find some protection in a hedge. Day late and a dollar short. A put that would have cost $600 on Monday, cost $6000 today, but you couldn't get one anyways. I don't think that will change in the near future. Really kicking myself for putting off that visit to the commodity guy...never again! I did know better.
After that, I started getting mad. I tried to guard against this. I switched to soybean meal only a long time ago. My cattle have not EVER eaten a bit of animal protein....well, some of my cows may have since I have not owned them all their life, but NONE of my calves have ever had it.
The "market" doesn't care about that. We all know the "market" is Tyson and Cargill and I decided that they can just kiss my.....calf? hehehe.
I REFUSE to take a beating on my calves. To someone who is afraid of eating beef or spooked by the mad cow (I do believe the supply is pretty darn safe and would not hesitate to eat a steak from wally world, except mine are so much better tasting) my cattle are more valuable. I took the initiative to do the right thing and I WILL be rewarded for that!!!!
My plan is to find a buyer somewhere who appreciates what I've done. Whether I have to sell them all one at a time, or can find someone who is willing to pay for safe cattle in a lot...I will find those buyers. If I have to feed them out, I will. The bank will simply have to remain patient or I will offer to deliver straight to the lobby of the bank. I do think they will be understanding and I do think the government will step in, if necessary. Our government is much more sympathetic to farmers than Canada's (from what I've heard anyways).
So that's my idea today. Since it's xmas eve and I REFUSE to let this stupid cow ruin my xmas...I'm going to quit thinking about it until the 26th, turn the news off and go spike the eggnog.
Jena