I retired from dairy after 42 years, and have been cash cropping for 2 years now, but… I knew I still needed to have a few cattle. So I have 15 black cows and a bull. Chopped 11 acres of corn silage and make a few hundred round bales of hay. My wife and I enjoy watching and feeding the cows, and watching the calves running around. It’s nice t dairy but it’s still cattle. We had 104 tie stalls, all Jerseys. I think you will enjoy your new cattle herd, and they will fill a place in your life, that we cattle farmers can’t explain, lol. Best of luck with this new venture!
I personally think livestock is good for kids. It teaches them responsibility. I’m currently 55, but back in my twenties I was a single full time father and I worked full time as a heavy equipment field mechanic and farmed a couple hundred acres of wheat. I had my young children riding in the combine and tractors. I still remember my 4-5 year old daughter asking me when we were going home. I had a lot of plates spinning and it was pretty tough. I also remember they would drink the water can dry!lol. Looking back, I’m not sure if I made the right decision to farm with young children needing quality time with me and having a regular childhood. But that’s hindsight. But by us having 25-30 head of cattle they did enjoy them and the baby calves. Now I have grandchildren who love to be around the cattle. It makes for great memories.
First piece of equipment I bought was a really nice 336 on a retirement sale, ended up selling it about 5 years later when I bought a 359 Pete. Good luck to your kids with the new venture, they’ll be full bore in 5 years or it will be over with sports the focus.
The six principles of soil health-includes bringing grazing animals back on the farm. I think you’re gonna do well. Thanks for sharing your plans with us!
Sorry to hear that you had so much trouble with the stray voltage. That is so devastating to have to deal with. Really takes the fun out of it. I’ve always liked the head to head stall barn setup.
Thanks for the interesting video Ryan. Was very enjoyable. Well, you caught me off guard on this one. Never thought I would see you back into cattle. Totally enjoyed your video about what you have been up too getting ready for the cattle. Lots of fixing to the buildings and lot of equipment that you will need. Is good for your buildings because they are getting fixed up. Most of the equipment you have purchased looks like nice pieces for the size of operation you need. Your wife sounds like possibly she is not as ready for the cattle as you are. Make sure you get her in the mix on this project. Very nice lady. I feel she sees the value for the kids. And that is the main reason for this project, the kids. The daughter you had in the video is really anxious for this project to get going. And that is great. Her involvement is key Dad!!!!!!!! Four head of cattle will be a great start. Something tells me you and your daughter will soon be expanding that number. Hang on mom-ha!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Ryan for the video and explaining your new project. I know you will make it work for your daughter. Take care. The Iowa farm boy. Steve
Livestock is good for the soul. Having the kids taking on those responsibilities with turn them into people who operate on a higher level than their peers. They hold those responsibilities at such a high value that tend to stay out of trouble. Good luck with this new venture. I raise holstein steers for freezer beef, have 30 Romney sheep, turkey and broilers on pasture. Enough ear corn for feed, and about 4000 square bales of hay. There will be a good opportunity for your kids to direct market beef to your friends and neighbors.
Thanks for sharing the video Ryan. Awesome to see your exciting news and yes sir livestock helps children with responsibilities. Glad it is helping with your Daughters anxiety. Nice older equipment. I had a 479 years ago and I had a 488 I bought later and I had them both at the same time before I went to the discbine and I always thought the 479 cut a little bit better than the 488. Good luck with your cattle.
Nice to see a Farmall 856 there. 50+ year old tractor ready to go to work another 25+ for your next generation of farmers. You won’t see that kind of longevity from the new tractors. 😮😊
Only went without cattle about 8 years in my lifetime...........every so often there is a day here and there you question yourself why, but 90% of the time I could not imagine life without them. I don't think my boy and nephew could handle not having them, if gives them structure in life. Although I don't miss small squares too much, with that said those two are looking for a baler to peddle hay, I will keep dumping rounds out myself.
This reminds me of some fool I know that has the same name as me! Kids want livestock and I bought a 327 and a kicker rack and a couple 258 rakes this year. I'm not sure who's having more fun with it me or the kids!
We raise goats in Iowa. It started with one born in the kill pen at the sales barn. Now we have 50. Our daughter is 9 and loves her goats. And I'm like Ryan, it gives me a reason to have equipment and on Easter Sunday I pulled a Deere 672 dolly wheel rake 4 hours to my job. Work 12 hours then pull it the rest of the way home. I then bought a Super C Farmall for the kids to learn how to drive. The factory I work at has a lot of farmers. So everyone understands that sometimes you work your shift then cut hay all day and don't get much sleep. I'd much rather spend time looking over a hood than staring at a slot machine at Diamond Joes.😅
I retired from dairy after 42 years, and have been cash cropping for 2 years now, but… I knew I still needed to have a few cattle. So I have 15 black cows and a bull. Chopped 11 acres of corn silage and make a few hundred round bales of hay. My wife and I enjoy watching and feeding the cows, and watching the calves running around. It’s nice t dairy but it’s still cattle. We had 104 tie stalls, all Jerseys. I think you will enjoy your new cattle herd, and they will fill a place in your life, that we cattle farmers can’t explain, lol. Best of luck with this new venture!
Glad you got some cattle personally hope you decide to have some dairy cattle
I personally think livestock is good for kids. It teaches them responsibility. I’m currently 55, but back in my twenties I was a single full time father and I worked full time as a heavy equipment field mechanic and farmed a couple hundred acres of wheat. I had my young children riding in the combine and tractors. I still remember my 4-5 year old daughter asking me when we were going home. I had a lot of plates spinning and it was pretty tough. I also remember they would drink the water can dry!lol. Looking back, I’m not sure if I made the right decision to farm with young children needing quality time with me and having a regular childhood. But that’s hindsight. But by us having 25-30 head of cattle they did enjoy them and the baby calves. Now I have grandchildren who love to be around the cattle. It makes for great memories.
First piece of equipment I bought was a really nice 336 on a retirement sale, ended up selling it about 5 years later when I bought a 359 Pete. Good luck to your kids with the new venture, they’ll be full bore in 5 years or it will be over with sports the focus.
May God Bless Your family during this new adventure. . .
The six principles of soil health-includes bringing grazing animals back on the farm. I think you’re gonna do well. Thanks for sharing your plans with us!
Wish I could have seen your barn in action back in the day. Glad your getting some cattle again
Sorry to hear that you had so much trouble with the stray voltage. That is so devastating to have to deal with. Really takes the fun out of it. I’ve always liked the head to head stall barn setup.
It’s going to be a great time with your kids, enjoy 👍🏻
Your wife seems real thrilled
About as excited as going to funeral
Thanks for the interesting video Ryan. Was very enjoyable.
Well, you caught me off guard on this one. Never thought I would see you back into cattle. Totally enjoyed your video about what you have been up too getting ready for the cattle. Lots of fixing to the buildings and lot of equipment that you will need. Is good for your buildings because they are getting fixed up. Most of the equipment you have purchased looks like nice pieces for the size of operation you need.
Your wife sounds like possibly she is not as ready for the cattle as you are. Make sure you get her in the mix on this project. Very nice lady. I feel she sees the value for the kids. And that is the main reason for this project, the kids.
The daughter you had in the video is really anxious for this project to get going. And that is great. Her involvement is key Dad!!!!!!!!
Four head of cattle will be a great start. Something tells me you and your daughter will soon be expanding that number. Hang on mom-ha!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Ryan for the video and explaining your new project. I know you will make it work for your daughter.
Take care.
The Iowa farm boy. Steve
Thanks for including the kidds....have patience with them...and let them say whatever is on there mind...❤
Nice video Ryan , your wife don’t seem to sure about this cattle thing😮
Livestock is good for the soul. Having the kids taking on those responsibilities with turn them into people who operate on a higher level than their peers. They hold those responsibilities at such a high value that tend to stay out of trouble. Good luck with this new venture. I raise holstein steers for freezer beef, have 30 Romney sheep, turkey and broilers on pasture. Enough ear corn for feed, and about 4000 square bales of hay. There will be a good opportunity for your kids to direct market beef to your friends and neighbors.
❤ the older equipment- good luck with the cows 🐄
Thanks for sharing the video Ryan. Awesome to see your exciting news and yes sir livestock helps children with responsibilities. Glad it is helping with your Daughters anxiety. Nice older equipment. I had a 479 years ago and I had a 488 I bought later and I had them both at the same time before I went to the discbine and I always thought the 479 cut a little bit better than the 488. Good luck with your cattle.
Ryan I still have my 56 NH rake after I quit farming. That 56 NH can run circles around any John Deere rake
Congrats on the cattle additions. Love your little interruption
Nice to see a Farmall 856 there. 50+ year old tractor ready to go to work another 25+ for your next generation of farmers. You won’t see that kind of longevity from the new tractors. 😮😊
What a nice video I’m excited for you and your family. I’m excited to watch u get started
I have 336 and a 9 ft john deere haybine and a New Holland rake great old equipment
Only went without cattle about 8 years in my lifetime...........every so often there is a day here and there you question yourself why, but 90% of the time I could not imagine life without them. I don't think my boy and nephew could handle not having them, if gives them structure in life. Although I don't miss small squares too much, with that said those two are looking for a baler to peddle hay, I will keep dumping rounds out myself.
This reminds me of some fool I know that has the same name as me! Kids want livestock and I bought a 327 and a kicker rack and a couple 258 rakes this year. I'm not sure who's having more fun with it me or the kids!
We raise goats in Iowa. It started with one born in the kill pen at the sales barn. Now we have 50. Our daughter is 9 and loves her goats. And I'm like Ryan, it gives me a reason to have equipment and on Easter Sunday I pulled a Deere 672 dolly wheel rake 4 hours to my job. Work 12 hours then pull it the rest of the way home. I then bought a Super C Farmall for the kids to learn how to drive. The factory I work at has a lot of farmers. So everyone understands that sometimes you work your shift then cut hay all day and don't get much sleep. I'd much rather spend time looking over a hood than staring at a slot machine at Diamond Joes.😅
Awesome video!
I think you’re more excited than your daughter 😂. I don’t blame ya I love fooling with cattle and I love baling small squares !👍
We've been grass feeding and finishing. Nothing better for my children than cows and making hay. we went to a rotary rake due to our heavy Ohio dew.
I cant wait to get live stock again on our farm. A few less twisted Ceas and the view would be more clear and appreciated
Should have kept all that equipment but that’s hind sight
What state are you in
WI
Sounds like you have 2 months of work to do in 2 weeks.
Nah
Thank God you didn't buy a John Deere 1209 or 1219 there junk
I had a 1219 for years. It never let me down
Hope you wont end up doing everything yourself again