Tag: costs (Page 2 of 2)

Are better times ahead for 2023?

December 30, 2022 /

Are better times ahead for 2023?2023 is right around the corner. With the current year ending, we are drawn to look back and reflect. As the new year approaches it brings with it the promise of things getting better than what we have experienced.

This year has certainly brought challenges to not just producers but everyone. The continued drought forced many to liquidate their herds at unseen rates. The record-high inflation made it more difficult for people to purchase even necessities. And to top it off the conflict in Ukraine ended up causing inputs like fertilizer to increase to astronomical levels.

I suppose we should spin all of the challenges we have faced into something positive. Just as a calm sea never makes a skilled sailor, stable markets never make a skilled producer. It is in dealing with challenges that we are able to expand our skills and improve. That being said can things finally turn around for us going into 2023? Here are 4 things to look at that could possibly answer that for us.

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5 ways to reduce winter feed costs

December 10, 2022 /

5 ways to reduce winter feed costsAs sure as the turning of the world being in winter means having to buy feed. The reason for that is that during this time forages go dormant and provide less for animals. Though they do not like it producers have to buy supplements to feed their animals during this time.

The problem that happens during this time though is that most producers tend to spend too much money when buying feed. They just buy what they normally have without taking into consideration if it is really what they need at this time or not. The other side of that coin is that there are some producers who do not provide enough being content on going with the least cost. Unfortunately, neither option is the best.

When it comes to providing supplements the goal is to be the most efficient. You want to ensure that the animal’s nutritional needs are being met without breaking the bank. Skimping on nutrition can affect production as well as profitability.  But also you do not want to spend more money than you can get back. Here are 5 suggestions for reducing your overall feed costs without sacrificing production.

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Some simple ways to reduce your feed costs

June 9, 2022 /

some simple ways to reduce your feed costsHaving to feed supplements is necessary sometimes in cattle operations. That being said it is not something that most ranchers like to do. Feed costs remain the single largest expense for any cattle producer. The amount really depends on different things but it can easily be half of the total annual expenses.

As I said before to total amount that it can cost you depends on a few things. Things such as the time of year and the current forage conditions. In a drought situation, feed costs can total 70% of the total yearly costs.

Now you may be thinking that it is difficult to reduce feed costs without sacrificing overall production. There are some who have no problem with that but they are more “low-cost producers”. In order to be sustainable, the profitable producer knows that productivity is key to any successful operation.

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4 ways to reduce fertilizer costs that will actually make your life better

March 29, 2022 /

4 ways to reduce fertilizer costs that will actually make your life easierFertilizer costs have increased a lot over the last few decades, even more over the last year. An example of this is that nitrogen fertilizer has doubled in just the last 2 years. With the way things are going it is not looking it will change for the better any time soon.

The most expensive input in warm-season forage production is commercial fertilizer. Since this is a costly resource, we need to make use of it efficiently. This will ensure that the return on the investment can be optimized for the most profits.

I will tell you that when it comes to being efficient that does not mean being the “cheapest”. Going with the lowest cost in the long run can actually end up costing the most. Here are 4 ways that you can look to optimize what fertilizer that you put out while reducing forage production costs.

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5 ways to reduce feed costs that will actually make your life better

March 21, 2022 /

5 ways to reduce feed costs that will actually make your life betterFeed costs remain the single largest expense for any cattle producer. This expense can easily be half of the total annual expenses for a rancher.

Now that amount can vary depending on the time of year and depending on the forage conditions. In a drought situation feed costs can total 70% of the total yearly costs of raising cattle.

It may seem difficult to reduce feed costs without sacrificing production. There are some that would have no problem with that but the profitable producer knows that productivity is the key to a successful operation. But all is not lost, there are 5 steps that you can reduce feed costs without sacrificing productivity.

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How to reduce your feed costs

July 3, 2021 /

how to reduce your feed costsHaving to feed supplements is necessary sometimes in cattle operations. That being said it is not something that most ranchers like to do. Feed costs remain the single largest expense for any cattle producer. The amount really depends on different things but it can easily be half of the total annual expenses.

As I said before to total amount that it can cost you depends on a few things. Things such as the time of year and the current forage conditions. In a drought situation feed costs can total 70% of the total yearly costs.

Now you may be thinking that it is difficult to reduce feed costs without sacrificing overall production. There are some who have no problem with that but they are more “low cost producers”. In order to be sustainable the profitable producer knows that productivity is key to any successful operation.

Continue reading

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