Herd Quitter Blog
The Hottest Topic –
Every summer, the hottest topic within the beef industry is Fly Control. Since flies have become resistant to nearly all of the toxic chemicals that were created to control them, fly problems have done nothing but get worse over the last 40-plus years. Every year, everyone is frantically looking for the latest toxic chemical to control their ever-increasing fly problems.
Pest and Parasite Control –
The push is on to discuss and advertise pest and parasite control within the beef industry. Unfortunately, it is always the same old thing. No one within the status quo beef industry is willing to think beyond the heavy use of toxic chemicals. One advertisement said,...
Early Adopter or Laggard?
Are you an Early Adopter or a Laggard? If you have not yet realized the status quo cow-calf business is NOT working, then you will most likely be among the Laggards. Success in this business will depend on your ability to change with the times. Those who do not change...
Dollars to Donuts
As a form of entertainment, I like to thumb through beef publications looking at bull sale advertisements. With almost no exceptions, bull suppliers continue to be focused on nothing but helping you increase pounds per cow (bragging rights). That’s the only game they know. Some, however, appear to understand there are problems associated with this approach – but they are unable to switch directions.
The Aha Moment…
Over the years, the illustration below provided the “Aha Moment” hundreds of cow-calf producers needed to STOP focusing on increasing pounds per animal (bragging rights) and START focusing on increasing pounds per acre (profit). Year in and year...
Spring 2021 Newsletter
Crazy Times in a Crazy World — By Kit Pharo I have inhabited this world for most of seven decades — and I do not remember a time as crazy as the current times! Just when I think the world can’t get any crazier, it does! I wonder what my grandparents would think if...
Big-Calf Syndrome – It Can Be Fatal
No, this is not an ailment that affects big calves. This is an ailment that affects ranchers who believe they must produce big calves to be profitable. Big calves are not always profitable. In fact, small calves are almost always...
Buyer Beware –
All of the beef publications I receive are still jammed full – cover to cover – with bull sale advertisements. You will quickly notice that nearly all of the bulls being offered have been bred and selected to help you increase your production per cow...
Q and A –
Question: I’m sure you have explained this before. Why are your bulls able to cover more cows than bulls coming out of other programs? Also, I am wondering how many cows you recommend putting with a bull. Answer: The fact that our bulls can...
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...