Herd Quitter® Blog
We Believe
Success is much more than just a matter of luck. Success begins with a desire to succeed. It requires thinking, planning and goal setting. It requires diligence and dedication. Success requires hard work. Perhaps most of all, success requires us to take personal...
Beef Industrial Complex
I’ve mentioned the Beef Industrial Complex (BIC) a few times. Basically, it’s the packer and feeder strangle-hold on the cow-calf producers. It seems to bleed over into everything from the mainstream genetics that are being forced on the farmers and ranchers to the...
Seems a Little Early
I look in on a couple of internet discussion forums just to see what status quo producers are thinking and doing. Over the weekend, one discussion group started a thread on “Fly Control.” Really? That seems a little early. I usually don’t hear much talk about fly...
How Much Would You Pay?
How much would you pay for a cow you don’t like? For example, how much would you pay for a cow that is too tall, or too hard keeping, etc., etc.? $2500? $3000? $3500? Why would you even consider purchasing a cow you don’t like? I just looked at a recent market report...
We Believe
It is much better to be proactive than reactive. The difference between being proactive and reactive can be compared to the difference between fire prevention and frantically running around putting out fires. Being proactive will require us to think and plan ahead —...
Calving Season
It’s finally spring and our cows are just starting to calve. This is my favorite time of year. The temperatures make it feel like we are summer calving this year! We haven’t dropped below freezing for a couple of weeks now. We aren’t due to start calving until the...
Grass Efficiency
If you are producing your own replacement heifers, then grass efficiency may be the most important trait to select for when purchasing bulls. What is grass efficiency? Johan Zietsman, a very astute rancher and consultant from Zimbabwe, says, “Grass-efficient animals...
Get Out While the Getting is Good
In the last two PCC Updates, I discussed a major Turning Point that cow-calf producers are going to be confronted with. What has worked so well for the last 20 years will not work for the next 20 years. Most producers are headed for a train wreck – and don’t know it....
We Believe
Some people don’t want to change, no matter how unhappy and/or unsatisfied they are. Sad, but true. There is evidence of this all around us. Quote Worth Re-Quoting “The path of least resistance is the path of the loser.” ~ H.G. Wells
Turning Point
I believe the cow-calf segment of the beef industry is at a major Turning Point. Those who are the quickest to adapt and change will be in the driver’s seat. Those who are the slowest to change will be left behind or run over. Why do I believe the cow-calf segment of...