Sean and Kat Weinert are first generation ranchers, in Hettinger, ND. They own Lost Creek Cattle Company running 200 cows and 50 yearlings on 5,000 acres.  Aside from a commercial cow herd, they raise seed stock for Pharo Cattle Company®.  Starting from scratch with a job in town, they have sacrificed much, worked long hours, and seized every opportunity.  Here is some sound advice from the Weinerts for beginning ranchers:

Number one, just Do it.  Get started.  Once you own one critter you are ranching.  We started with three heifers. 

Look for land that is sitting idle, find a way to get it rented.  This has become easier with OnX.  

When you are just getting started your competitive advantage is your ability to be flexible.  It is easier for you to change with the circumstances than it is for larger operations.

Start by working with nature instead of against it.  Things like calving ease bulls, easy fleshing genetics and calving on green grass will make life easier.

Don’t focus on equipment.  Start with a few rolls of poly wire, step-in posts and a good solar charger.  Although there are a few pieces of equipment that eventually feel like a necessity on a ranch, we ranched for quite a few years without a pickup and stock trailer.  Save up for a skid steer with a bucket, forks, a post hole digger, a good pickup with a bale bed, and a trailer.  

Do business with integrity and honesty.  Always be willing to work and help out, listening more than you talk.

If your goal is to ranch full time, then use your job in town as a way to grow your business.  Your mornings and nights will be filled with working on YOUR business, your days will be filled with working IN SOMEONE ELSE’s.  This is the sacrifice you are signing up for.

Debt is a tool, like a hammer.  It can build a house or knock it down, depending on how you use it.  Learn about debt, don’t fear it.

Surround yourself with a community that will help lift you up.  There will be tough times and silly questions that must be asked.  For me it has been the positive minds of the PCC community.  

Spend money on education.  There are seminars of all kinds that can and will help you.

Keep in perspective where you are on your journey.  It’s OK to be different.  When everyone else is looking over the same side of the boat, it’s usually about to tip over.

Don’t spend time worrying about things you can’t control – like markets, blizzards, fire, flood, wind and rain.  Control the things that you can, i.e. calving seasons, types of livestock, grazing plans, what you spend money on.

Most importantly, have fun and make sure you take time for your family, what’s the point of all of it if you can’t share it with them? Thank you Sean and Kat!  All great advice for the beginning rancher.  I’ll see you next time on the Herd Quitter® Minute.