Herd Quitter™ Blog
The Monkey Story
This is a story I used to share in several of my presentations. It makes a point that most cattlemen need to hear. First, you start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a...
Top Ten Reasons to Keep that Cow One More Year
10. To cull her, you’d have to catch her first. 9. She was your dad’s first 4-H project. 8. If there were an EPD for wrecking mineral feeders, she’d be a trait leader. 7. She’s been in the spring herd and the fall herd several times each — you just can’t buy that...
The Bear Track
Five-year-old Braylee Pharo talked Grammy Deanna into going for a walk in the woods near our mountain cabin. When they returned, they showed me a picture of a track in the snow. In excitement, I exclaimed, “That looks like a bear...
Seven Simple Rules to Live By
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up your present. What others think of you is none of your business. Time heals almost everything; give it time. Don’t judge or compare yourself to others; you have no idea what their journey is all about. Stop thinking too...
The Elusive 1100-Pound Cow
I have visited with thousands of cow-calf producers all over North America. With very few exceptions, these producers are all looking for the same type of momma cow. They say they want an efficient, 1100-pound cow that can wean at least 50% of her own weight for...
A Penny Saved
According to the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), the cost of producing a calf has increased from $384 in 2000 to $883 in 2014. WOW… it way more than doubled in just 14 years. Keep in mind, though, that this is an average cost of production. Some...
Results for Both Fall Sales
We sold 315 low-maintenance, grass-developed PCC Solar Bulls in our two fall bull sales for an average price of $4908. It has been a long two weeks for everyone at PCC Headquarters. We feel as though we have been running a marathon. We hope to share more sale...
The Up-Periscope Syndrome
A periscope is a very handy instrument used to observe activity above the water’s surface from a submerged submarine. When the command “up periscope” is given the periscope is raised for use. Once in place, it has the ability to swivel around for surveillance in...
Threat or Opportunity
A few days ago, I shared an article with the PCC Discussion Group that summarized a recent survey of agricultural bank presidents and CEOs. Those bankers expect a substantial increase in foreclosures for the next five years – due to what they refer to as a “slumping...
More Cows for More Years
In preparation for our fall bull sales, we have visited with hundreds of PCC customers. Most have used their PCC bulls for more years than they ever thought possible. One customer purchased three PCC Solar Bulls in the fall of 2008. These bulls are still going...