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Post by sigurdur on Jan 23, 2014 15:08:51 GMT
That time of year to look at the SH crops, as well as conditions in the NH.
Potential threat to wheat in Great Plains, but that is pretty normal talk.
Other areas?
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Post by sigurdur on Jan 23, 2014 20:00:56 GMT
Right now, global food production looks on track to set all kinda of surplus production records.
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Post by sigurdur on Jan 31, 2014 18:19:32 GMT
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently reported that beef prices were at record highs, while U.S. herds are at a 60-year low and not likely to improve anytime soon. In the most recent cattle inventory, released a year ago, the USDA reported there were 89.3 million head of cattle on U.S. farms and ranches as of Jan. 1, 2012. That was the lowest January inventory of cattle and calves since 1952, when the stock stood at 88.1 million, and it was well off the 94 million on farms in 2010. It’s expected to be lower yet when the latest numbers come out Jan. 31. www.marketwatch.com/story/8-food-trends-of-2014-2014-01-30?link=mw_story_kioskSig: Maybe time to add some cattle, a hearty breed, to the farm? I have penciled it out. When prices on commodities were higher, cattle didn't work. Now that commodities are in a free fall...and look to stay depressed for some time.......they might? Takes a lot of equipment to raise cattle tho, and I don't currently own any. The work part wouldn't be any different than present, so that isn't an issue.
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Post by flearider on Jan 31, 2014 22:38:18 GMT
tie into that vet bill the damage they would do to farming land .. cost to transport slaughter fees .. tax ... just stick with potatoes .. always needed ..well here they are we eat loads for some reason .. baby pots or jersey royals .. yummy
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Post by sigurdur on Jan 31, 2014 22:42:06 GMT
Haying Equipment, which is not cheap. Cattle.....which right now are REALLY not cheap. $2,000 for a decent bred heifer.
To achieve a workable size herd would take $250,000 minimum.
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Post by sigurdur on Feb 1, 2014 3:23:14 GMT
Angus has done a good job of selling that breed. It actually isn't the best breed of beef cow. Simmental is now considered better as they gain faster.
There are lots of cows near where I farm. Notice......near. The flat land that I farm normally produces enough income that cattle are not an option.
Low commodity prices can change that tho.
My Bro-in-laws run cattle. Rocky land etc.
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Post by glennkoks on Feb 2, 2014 15:07:58 GMT
Haying Equipment, which is not cheap. Cattle.....which right now are REALLY not cheap. $2,000 for a decent bred heifer. To achieve a workable size herd would take $250,000 minimum. sigurdur, I know alot of people in the oilfield that run small herds of cattle to get the agricultural tax exemption and to a man they all tell me that it is a break even at best. To actually "make" money you need to get a rather sizeable herd that would come at a substantial cost. It may be a good time to think about investing in a breeding stock though. I'm doing my best to bring up barley prices for you farmers up there!
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Post by sigurdur on Feb 2, 2014 16:29:42 GMT
Thanks for the help with the barley Glenn......
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Post by sigurdur on Feb 2, 2014 16:52:14 GMT
I have a good friend who is a Cattleman. He switched from Angus to Simmental about 15 years ago.
Has spring calves that weight 900lbs by the 1st of the year.
The "Choice" cutouts of Simmental now exceed those of Angus, so on a carcass weight/price he makes more money if he finishes them. This year he sold his calves for over $2.00 a lb to a feeder. The collapse of the corn/DDG market allows that to be profitable.
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Post by sigurdur on Feb 2, 2014 17:20:01 GMT
Yep..then you have fencing/building...etc....etc....
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Post by glennkoks on Feb 2, 2014 17:23:17 GMT
sigurdur,
I am on the wagon until a lose 20 pounds so my consumption of barley is down but I am still practicing with malting my own grains so I am contributing in that way. I'm even tossing around the idea of malting and roasting my own grains for both the home brewing and microbrewery business. I can't compete with Cargill but there is a fastly growing group of homebrewers nationwide that have increased the market for more exotic roasted malts. In addition smaller local malters are popping up nation wide to tap into that market.
I know you have not grown any barley in a while but every time we send our hands up there I get them to bring me back a load.
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Post by glennkoks on Feb 2, 2014 17:31:49 GMT
sigurdur, I know alot of people in the oilfield that run small herds of cattle to get the agricultural tax exemption and to a man they all tell me that it is a break even at best. To actually "make" money you need to get a rather sizeable herd that would come at a substantial cost. It may be a good time to think about investing in a breeding stock though. I'm doing my best to bring up barley prices for you farmers up there! It's legal to brew and distill here in WA. Code, As far as I am concerned the only lasting contribution to our society made by Jimmy Carter was him signing HR 1337 which legalized the homebrewing of beer and wine in 1978. Home distilling for personal use is still what I consider to be a "grey" area. However some Feds may not share my "liberal" interpretation of home distilling.
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Post by sigurdur on Feb 2, 2014 17:43:50 GMT
I was concerned that our Black Walnut Trees may not survive this winter. Just looked up their cold tolerance. Appears should still be ok.
We planted 2 many years ago that have become very beautiful. They are also producing 100+lbs of walnuts, which are a chore to open. A straight line wind 2 years ago really wrecked havoc on one of them. Broke 6" branches at the trunk. But it still survives, wind torn yet majestic.
My Grandson has a name for the fruit.....meatballs.....LOL.
Since the 2 survived, we have planted a few more. My kids retirement trees.
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Post by glennkoks on Feb 2, 2014 18:19:43 GMT
You would think if the tree's survive this winter they could survive any winter.
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Post by sigurdur on Feb 2, 2014 18:46:06 GMT
Glenn: This is a "normal" winter for these parts. Each winter for the past 10 or so has slowly been dropping to the longer term normal temps. It is just that we got to kinda like those warmer winter temps....ya know?
One thing for sure...it was a lot cheaper to stay warm when it was warmer.
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