Management
research done on your ranch. So, remember
that results only demonstrate tendencies and
not the exact results you should expect.
11.
When considering changes in practices
or amounts of inputs, do a good cost/benefit
analysis. It is easy to be led into spending more
than the additional return. You might ask how
much more can I spend on 100 cows to get
three more pregnant? Or, will the cost of 5
more pounds of weaning weight be less value
when I take the price slide into account?
12.
Reduce overheads as much as possible.
(Be tough on yourself.) Then constantly work
at improving three ratios--acres per cow, cows
per person and fed feed vs. grazed feed. These
ratios have tremendous economic leverage.
Often these ratios can be improved with
simple changes in structure, organization
or procedure with little additional cost.
13.
Calve in sync with nature or know,
economically, why you don’t. Learn what “in
sync with nature” is for your location and the
consequences for departing from that. This is a
lesson that continues to come home to me. When I
get very far out of the optimum time, I pay a price.
14.
Be a life-long learner. A ranch is a place
where knowledge from many disciplines
converges. Scientists and ranchers keep learning
and advancing. For us to be competitive and good,
we must learn. I have two university degrees and
most of my education has come since acquiring
those degrees—and I had good grades.
15.
Become a good observer of everything
around you—land, soil, pasture conditions,
livestock, wildlife, birds, insects, people,
the interactions of all these and their
response to changes in climate. Then take
notes of what you have observed. Our
memories aren’t good enough. LT
This article was reprinted with permission
from the BEEF Magazine.