Are you looking for avenues to re-invest in the ranch this year? First, know that not every year is as profitable as this year and sometimes profitability can be difficult to achieve. Thus, careful thought and allocation of profits is necessary to maintain a sustainable business in the future. Here are a few ideas for re-investment on the ranch.
Water- In most cases, water is the limiting factor for better grazing management. Improving water infrastructure can have cascading effects for grazing days, pasture utilization, and better animal health. Look into water infrastructure on dryland crop acres. This can increase grazing opportunities for crop residues, cover crops, or allow grazing annuals into the crop rotation.
Permanent perimeter fence- “Hey, your cows are out” is never a phrase any cattle producer wants to hear. A well-built perimeter fence can return a lot in terms of peace of mind. If electrified wire is included in the perimeter fence, it can serve as the power for rotational grazing subdivisions. Consider permanent fences that allow for multispecies grazing and wildlife traffic.
Calving pen- A safe, sturdy, user-friendly calving pen can be a lifesaver. Assisting a cow during calving is much easier and more rewarding when the facilities allow for user safety.
Working facilities- A functional, well planned working facility makes life better. General herd work, vaccinations, and other procedures are all more effectively and efficiently conducted with a good working facility. I prefer a squeeze chute and a bud box setup behind it, but there are several functional designs. Just as important as the design, spend time studying animal behavior and improving your stockmanship skills.
Scale- You cannot manage, what you do not measure. Being able to measure cattle weights is a crucial component of accomplishing your herd goals. The scale can tell a lot of truths and offers a metric to reference when making decisions on what genetics fit your environment. Knowing weights can aid in accurate decisions when determining stocking rate, income projections, and feed budgets.
Bulk feed storage- the ability to handle truckload quantities of commodities can significantly reduce the price. In the Midwest, by-product feeds in truckload quantities are generally the most economical supplemental feed. This can also aid in drought management and enterprise diversification. Feeding by-product feeds such as wet corn gluten feed, wet DDGs, soybean hulls, screenings, and other waste-stream feeds can create a competitive advantage.
Software- A new era of data collection and evaluation is upon us. From whole-herd management software to on-board feeding programs, to health monitoring systems, there are numerous programs to aid in improving cattle production and management. Virtual fencing and its software is appealing for increasing grazing efficiency and animal monitoring.
*Originally published in Progressive Cattle