Been watching your channel for a while, did y’all buy an existing farm? How did y’all get started(chickens)? Trying to get advice on getting in the chicken business as well as expand cow calf operation.
We both bought existing farms. Eric actually owned a different farm prior to the one he has now. Originally both of our farms were one farm. Eric's uncle built the chicken houses in the early 90's. It was later split up into 2 4 house farms. Eric bought half about 15 years ago and then I bought the other half in 2015. Eric grew up on a farm with chicken houses. I am a first generation farmer so it was new to me. I worked with Eric some prior to buying my farm so he kinda helped me get started in it. As for getting into the business, make sure if you do you don't overpay for a farm. The chicken business is getting harder and harder financially. The pay has not kept up with the inflation. As far as the cattle business, you can't control the market but you have a lot more control with your cattle, how they are raised, how they are sold etc. I recommend just starting small and growing your herd that way.
Another good video, I thought I heard Eric mention An ADG of almost 3# was just Ok, what would be a good number on an animal that size, also be sure (I may have missed it) and mention a follow up on the "Embargo"
3.5 pounds per day would be great but it’s hard to obtain in this heat. 2.25 to 3 is about all we can ask for right now. They’re on plentiful grass, free choice hay and 10 pounds per head per day of grain.
You need to get you a Gallagher fault finder to test the hot wire. good grief, you're going to get yourself real good one day. That cyclops will make you ache in the joints for a hot minute, haha.
I remember when the market fell out in 75. I was at the sale barn with a load that dropped down to pennies on the pound. I “no-sale’d” the bid and pushed them through again. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much more the second time. It crushed me financially. The point is, I understand making the decision.
It's a tough decision to make. Sometimes it works out for the best, and other times it does not. We had several steers in a feedlot out west right when covid hit. They were about 2 weeks from slaughter and the. market took a hit. Luckily we got them sold before it dropped too much, but you never know when something like that can unexpectedly rock the market. Even if the market goes up more in the coming weeks or months I think we will still be pleased with our decision.
"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit"... should be taught to all kids at a young age! Nothing wrong with leaving a little meat on the bone for others, esp if you're content with the decision you made. Nice work!
And I love the saying "you get what you get and don't pitch a fit". Unfortunately, this world has gotten very soft, entitled and spoiled and people aren't willing to do the work to get ahead. If you can't make it in the US, you can't make it anywhere, so just go look in the mirror and blame what you see.
We both work very hard to make sure our families are raised with the same values we were raised on. Church, prayer, manners, respect etc... It's definitely a work in progress, still looking forward to the day when my kids automatically say Yes Sir or Yes Ma'am. I know it'll be worth it though.
Most people will say someone is "LUCKY" that's mainly because success if usually disguised as hard work and most will work harder at avoiding it than embracing a challenge😪😉
