[AT] Drought in the southwest..

[Dean Vinson]

Cecil, I'm sorry to learn you've had to sell most of your herd, and more so to hear of such a tough overall situation.  Damn.  

Dean Vinson
Saint Paris, Ohio


-----Original Message-----
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> On Behalf Of Cecil Bearden
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 7:20 AM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: Re: [AT] Drought in the southwest..

Yesterday we hauled off most of my cow herd that I have worked 12 years to  build.  With hay at $100/bale for 4x5 round bales, supplemental feed was running $500/week,   no pasture available and no fall wheat pasture available,  I had no choice but to sell out. We may  be in the cattle business, but they are like pets to us.  We hauled 49 to the sale barn and kept 25, mostly my longhorns as they are the easiest kept,  and will not bring much at the  sales. Longhorn and Angus crosses make some of the best lean meat,  with a minimum of trim loss, the buyers still refuse to pay anything for them.    For 50 years I wanted to raise cattle my way, but had to go with my Father's wishes.  I managed to build a herd twice the size of what Dad ever had, but mother nature decided to shoot me down.  I used some intensive grazing procedures and incorporated wheat into the pastures and no-till farming, but when there is no water, and development takes away the available land, nothing works.

I only wish I had moved to my other farm after Dad died in '10, and got away from all these houses being built taking away any chance of renting.  The big farmers here are ruthless, most would cut their own mother's throat for 20 acres of land.  I guess I will  start selling off my "projects"I have accumulated for the last 40 years to get ready to sell out.  At my age starting over on a new place with 2 bad knees and a broken back is just not feasible.   No one to leave it to, but my wife's nephews who have never been any help...     I am sure this is one time they would show up at my funeral with a U-haul...

Sorry for the sad post, but I had to vent somewhere.

Cecil

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