Herd Quitter™ Blog
No Downside
As you know, the genetics that work best for the feeders and the packers do NOT work best on the ranch. They are too tall, too lean and too late-maturing. They grow and grow and continue to grow. They are way too big before they start putting on fat. This has...
Nearly One In Four
Someone shared an internet article with the PCC Discussion Group that was entitled “Nearly One-In-Four have Tried Meatless Fast Food.” This group loves to discuss things that most cow-calf producers would rather not acknowledge – much less talk about. That’s just...
Flavorless Beef
One month ago, we had a busload of farmers and stockman from Argentina stop by PCC Headquarters for a visit. I have heard from a few of them since they returned home. If you are a beef producer, the following email from Pen Gunningham should will give you...
The Dreaded Horn Fly
Many of the problems we encounter in the cow-calf business have a genetic factor. Genetic selection is the only way to provide a permanent solution to many of our problems. Horn flies are no exception. It doesn’t take a genius to...
Replacing the Monkey –
The PCC Discussion Group recently had a very interesting discussion that tied in very well with the “Woe is Me” article in last week’s PCC Update. While most people know what they should do, very few actually follow through. Why is that? What prevents most...
Food for Thought
The following quote has been attributed to Thomas Edison. I think it speaks volumes about the status quo’s herd-mentality way of thinking – or lack thereof. "Five percent of the people think; ten percent of the people think they think; and the other eighty-five...
Sitting on the Fence
I have reason to believe many who are reading this are sitting on the fence. They know they need to make the transition from high-input, break-even ranching to low-input, high-profit ranching – but they are reluctant to get off the fence and make it happen. Some...
Making the Transition
The most gratifying part of my job is hearing from people who made the transition from high-input, break-even ranching to low-input, high-profit ranching. I receive emails on a weekly basis from those who are so glad they made the transition when they did. Most...
Resistance to Change –
People hate change! Nowhere is this more prevalent than in agriculture. It seems to take years for people in agriculture to make simple changes – even though they know the change will be for their own good. I must confess that I too am reluctant to change. I...
How Big is Big Enough?
According to the USDA Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, the average Angus, Red Angus and Hereford cow in America weighs over 1,400 pounds. WOW! The status quo seedstock industry has successfully out-Simmentalled the Simmentals. ...