Distance to pasture

[highyields]

With the disapperance in pasture/range land across the corn belt, I was wonder how far other guys drive to get cows to grass?  

I was looking at purchasing a CRP tract 40 miles away,  Think thats too far?   

[k-289]

I t would depend on the neighboring folks ---any one close by that has cattle or not --- in our area you defiantly what to know who is next across the fence so you can retain your stock in case of bulls upending the fence or a situation alike --- 40 miles  X .50 cents a mile  X 2 for travel expenses minimum ---

[sw363535]

Neighbor with a small cow herd was out looking for stalks to pasture today.  Something to get him buy till grass after corn stalks.

I couldn't help but think about the multitude of corn stalk and fodder bales sitting in huge stock piles within 25 miles all headed for an alcohol plant.

[Shaggy98]

Out here in the sticks we've got grass coming out of our ears. Maybe in a year or two I could say green grass, been brown for a couple years. I've got access to about 1000 acres of family owned grass and not a single cow, someone slap me, what the hell is wrong with me.

[buckfarmer]

Shaggy, I'm in a similar situation to a smaller extent. Plenty of grass that isn't good for anything else. Cows are a real pain in the butt, and knees, and back, and shoulder, and foot, and hip and....... Every time I think about getting back into cattle I remind myself of all my acks and pains from my younger years handling cattle. The worst, most scary one hasn't really left any lasting effects. Had a 800 lb hiefer gore my arm with a small horn before butting my chin. Knocked me out and left my arm bleeding and hurting like nothing I have ever experienced.

[k-289]

sw  -  cellulose plant is located some where close to you   ?

[Shaggy98]

I understand buck, but every time I don't think about getting back in the cattle business I remember I won't be able to leave my day job. That's my dilemma, of the farm job or cattle. I'm going with the cattle, just as soon as we get the grass to growing again. Already making plans for a feed pile, hopefully this fall or next winter.

[sw363535]

Yep 289, 

We are close to a county that is building one now.

In an area that figures 25+ acres per pair-----------  In dry years we did not need the competition for forage.

[sw363535]

Shaggy that is a tough question for a lot of folks.  An off the farm job pays a bit better than it used to.  And when you figure the number of head of cows it will take to replace that income and benefits ------------------- well------------------- I can just see how hard a move that might be.  Cows just need so much asset value to maintain.

[Shaggy98]

I understand where your coming from SW and thanks for the post. I've really got the whole puzzle in place with exception of the cattle themselves. Grass, feeding pens and all supporting equipment, land to grow forage and even a spreader for manure removal. Just waiting for the right time to drop that last piece in place. Being debt free makes the decision a lot easier, and I will pay cash for a small herd of cattle and build it up from there. Yep you guessed it, maintaining my debt free posture.