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SW Wisconsin | I haven't got it all figured out, but some rules of thumb I use:
When buying a tool that you'll use again, buy the second most expensive option that will do the job. The most expensive is for showing off, cheaper you'll have to buy again.
Specifically dairy cattle:
Grass is cheap, good feed. Seasonal calving to maximize use of pasture is the way to go.
The nicest hay costs twice as much, the cows eat 50%more because it tastes good, and they won't make more than 20-30% more milk eating it.
I pay money to ship milk away from my farm. I get paid for fat and protein, and I get a dirty joke in the milk check every month about other solids. Fat and protein percent are the most heritable traits, and the most economically important.
I've got a truck I need to get running so I can do a little of my own hauling, but all my running around is in a 1997 Honda Accord that I bought for $1500 and gets 30 mpg. | |
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Re: Low cost producer tips
