@@HuzaifaKhan-ti1gq he’s just nasty! Try setting up a ‘Direct Co-Op’ with community members. That’s what I’d LOVE ❤️. I’m i Queensland, Australia. Our meat prices are terrible due to the ‘MIDDLEMAN’. Ellen Queensland, Australia.
@@Ellabobel Prices here in California are really high. Big company stores meats are not fresh and there prices are high. That's why I go to farmers markets or small community places where they sell fresh vegetables and fruits.
I grew up on our family farm here in Illinois, which was begun back around 1856. We had to sell it (about 500 acres: 250 in timber, and 250 tillable), to pay for my dad's care with dementia. I'm a preacher, and my brother is a doctor, so neither one of us was going to be able to carry it forward, and our 4 sisters' husbands had their own professions. Well, I remember my mom coming home from work (she was a receptionist at a big hospital in Springfield, IL, the state capital, and telling about her conversation with a non-farming lady. This woman told mom, "You farmers have it made." "What do you mean?" "Well, you have gas delivered to your big tank on the farm for free!" No joke - she actually thought that farmers got FREE GAS!! I heard that all my life, too: "Land rich; cash poor." You can't sell the land . . . you'd soon have no land to farm. Best wishes for getting through this drought. Praying for things to change around real soon!
Food for thought. I am going to share this with all on my contact list. Perhaps, if we all do that, it will open the eyes, and hearts, of more people. God bless you all, Mike, thank you for going through your own kind of hell, to feed a nation where so many don't care.
I hope those who offer the, "free hay" can see and understand what you are explaning and not be hurt or offended it. The Farm and Ranch Life has always occupied a place of tremendous concern in my heart. I have been connected to them through several different occupational endeavors and friends and family who have chosen that way of life. The problems and delimas of farms and ranches is a grave concern for whole population and needs serious support from all of us. Our prayers are always with you from my household.
most will, if it's explained to them clearly. A lot of people don't really understand the cost of long distance shipping until it's shown to them. After all, stuff coming out of China is still cheaper than stuff produced locally, despite the distances involved...
Mike always does a good job of explaining things like this to non-farmers/ranchers like me. I'm one of those that have thoughts abo1ut putting in a well and irrigating some of the hay fields, why not do this, why not do that, etc. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to their issues and it has all been thought of and analyzed many times. I'm glad he shared some ideas on how we can help not just him but other ranchers/farmers too. It's just a depressing time seeing them struggle, wish we could do more.
@@SnowManson The problem, especially in rain starved states, is that the underground aquifers must be replenished by rain fall that very slowly seeps through the layers of rock and soil. When we pump water from these aquifers at a much faster rate than they are able to fill back up they go dry. A vast area in the Midwest and West don't even have that many aquifers because it's a high desert. To top it off the environmental protection agencies are highly regulated and getting a permit to drill a well is quite a process as well as expensive and political. Besides you can't just drill anywhere and expect to hit water because it's not just limited to a precious amount of water but limited as to where you can find it. There's no easy solution and the economies of scale just isn't there for some things. One possible solution that would take governments of numerous states and the federal government to iron out and fund; would be a pipeline from possibly desalination plants from coastal states to the more arid areas. Sadly time is not on our side but if we never start we will never accomplish anything.
This happened last summer in Australia and led to the worst bushfires in years. We ran a fundraising campaign called buy a Bale where everyone was literally encouraged to donate enough money to buy at least 1 Bale but as many bales as a hey wanted. It led to many towns seeing convoys of fully laden hay trucks.
I have Farmer’s Market in my neighborhood twice a week and I always get my eggs, honey, fruits and vegetables there. I have started doing that ever since the COVID pandemic because they came even during the lockdown. I love the fact that it is outdoor snd I very much appreciated that they brought us fresh snd nutritious foods when we city people need them the most in fighting off the virus . I have since got into the habit of shopping at my local Farmer’s Market. Now with Mike’s message of supporting our farm and ranch industries, I will keep buying from them, I only wish we have more meat selection. I love beef and steak but I don’t seem to find them in my Farmer’s Market.
Just a thought, low sulfur coal is routinely shipped by train from north eastern Wyoming to Centralia WA to power the electric generating plant there. The empty cars come back to Wyoming. There is lots of hay available in the Centralia area. This year has been a very good hay season. Perhaps it might be possible to cheaply transport hay using the empty coal cars.
God bless. We are in a 20 year drought here north of Vegas. Im driving 240 miles to Arizona to buy hay for my animals that I can afford. Locally, the hay is $17 a bale. I pay $10 after fuel cost, truck maintenance. My little homestead has fewer to feed, but I feel you pain. We are all praying for rain.
@Jd 09 Yes. Even in a dessert, you can receive rain. Our precipitation normally measures 11 to 15 inches a year. Sadly we have had ,"no measurable precipitation", in over a year ... a first for us.
I tried farm direct eggs...omg the taste was 1000 fold better. Then I found out I could get unwashed eggs...even fresher. I can't eat eggs from the supermarket anymore..
I moved "to the country" and got chickens 6 years ago. It took a few months before they could lay eggs, but boy were they awesome. That first flock (except one Americauna) mostly died out or were eaten by local predators, but when one of those hens went broody, I put a bunch of chicks beneath her, and she raised the second generation. (She's the one still with us). Recently our flock of 8 birds was dropped to only 2, our bantam rooster and our 6 year old Americauna, so I went and bought 6 new chicks. it might be late summer before we start having new farm fresh eggs, but it's nice to anticipate. The grocery store eggs are an insipid mockery of what eggs should be. Just this week I upscaled --- not only getting the six chicks, but also getting some sheep. More than I really wanted, but those ten lambs that came with the 7 adult sheep.... I'm starting to wonder just how tasty they might be, and also how might I work with a neighbor who routinely goes hunting... see if he's willing, this fall, to work with me, spend a day processing three of the lambs in return he'd keep two (or something like that).
As Mike said, “farm fresh” eggs from the store aren’t much, if any, better than regular eggs. Cage free just means they weren’t in the standard cage with two other hens that are about 2 x 2 x 1 foot tall. They are usually in a small caged enclosure, otherwise they take too much labor to work the chickens. The best eggs are the ones that are from hens who have been out eating bugs, grass, and whatever kitchen scraps you toss out. The yolks are much darker, and the whites are somewhat firmer than store bought eggs. Plus it just feels good to have your own chickens. If you didn’t know already, many communities do allow chickens inside the city limits. My town allows up to 6 hens. No roosters. But we are waiting until we move down to the farm before we start raising our own. We bought our neighbors next to our farm a dozen chicks to add to their flock as we knew they wanted more birds. In exchange, they give us loads of eggs every time we are down at the farm. Having good neighbors is priceless.
I wish there was something, anything I could do to help. I live in Laredo, Texas and we don't have any local farms selling eggs, produce etc. But on the 1st of the month when I get my Veterans disability check I will buy some jerky, and maybe a tshirt. I grew up on a small farm and know the heart ache of losing it all. I pretty much killed my father when it happened. So I'll pray for you and wish you well. I know with such a small herd losing 1 calf can hurt a lot.
Your thoughts are admirable. I think Mike is doing fine. Things could definitely be better for him, but if you hadn’t noticed, he remodeled his home and set up a studio. He acquired another Gater, built a greenhouse for his wife, the OWL Store space, multiple drones, a new generator, new RV in the driveway, and has numerous new toys around the farm. I believe they have non-farm income to get them through. I think a lot of his videos are created to show the effect for ranchers who earn a living exclusively from they land and don’t have the time to earn money on the side.
I have a ranch outside of tombstone az and we too are having a drought for the record books might even have to sell the whole herd. Couldn't have said it better, support from the community is much appreciated, nevertheless We will all get through our struggles. God Bless
You're absolutely right Mike on multiple things. I have horse farmers giving away free hay that got a little bit rained on. Bad for them, good for me. We must be resourceful. Stop buying Walmart meat. Go down the road to your local farmer. Ask him for beef, pork, chicken, eggs. You know where the meat came from. And, you're helping a neighbor. Me, Mike, whoever. Stop the large scale markets.
We stopped shopping at Wal-Mart decades ago...I was complaining to my dad that there were no more shoe stores or music stores in town and he said, "You can thank Wal-Mart for that!" That really made me think.
I wish you was Closer to us. I have helped many neighbors and many neighbor farmers have helped me you never know when it will your turn to need help. So if you see or hear that a neighbor needs help and you can you should.
Great video. As a Swedish immigrant here in the US I always wondered why the heck plain dirty potatoes are so expensive at the grocery stores? Looking at the price per pount for potatoes it is 4-6 times more expensive by weight........ But, if you buy potatoes in the shape of frozen bagged fries it is less than half the price per weight. Why is that? It has to be transported more, it has to be processed, packaged and still come out cheaper. Why?
Frozen and processed potatoes are not as fresh as what you usually find in the grocery. Selling them to processors for less still provides some income without just composting the old ones
Love the flag Mike. Being a retired A.F. ...active duty and reserve. I'm very proud of America, I'm not real fond of the bad, but I served for the good and bad. Didn't know that when I was young, but I learned. It means a lot to me that you'll hang in there. Why, because I'm also a farmer's and rancher's daughter. Hang in there this too shall pass and I'll hang with you'll till it does.
Mike, this may be your best video ever. You are an excellent presenter with clear easy to understand logic. Your suggestion of buying locally from local producers, local Farmer's Markets is a great one that will impact many in a positive way. Very nice job. Thanks much. Blessings to you, Erin and the family.
I really enjoy your thoughtfully-intentional scripting. It is really well done. Every video, & message, is very well done. You're an artist, & I truly appreciate what you're doing through your talents!
I grew up on a farm. Over the past year, I have been able to get eggs from a farm and fill my freezer with beef/pork from a different farmer. Also, I get maple syrup and honey from private producers. Find a local farmers market. You'll be surprised at the variety of products there. So worth it.
Great video and such awesome info. I hope everyone who sees this goes to a locally owned market to buy their meat and uses the farmers markets in their area. Still praying for rain in your area.
Wow what an excellent way to put it....spot on , I am a small farmer/beekeeper and I would like to say thankyou for this video. Supporting your local farmers will help keep you fed in the future. Praying for rain for you !
We don't stop to actually think about challenges, Mike's (ranchers/farmers) facing. Setting a table and the challenges of feeding growing populations, livelihood for farmers and protecting the environment. Here we have a family that is concerned with cultivating their produce and raising their animals in order to feed the population. Great cause to support and advocate for agriculture in the US
Been a subscriber for a while now and enjoy all your videos but this one is your most insightful one yet. THIS is the message that needs to get out. Go once a month and buy from a local producer. As you get to know them and see their gratitude for supporting them and friendliness you won't find at a chain store you will find yourself going back more then once a month. You get to know the family and you will be treated like family.. Not to mention the quality is so much better.
I have seen a lot of farms sale like this , but you know I am holding on ,I am handing mine down to another one to farm it and enjoy it , it was given to me I take pride in what I have .We are getting a lot of rain ,can't even get our hay cut right now, you are so right about making the pennies , food you get at the store does not taste like the food we grow , it's different and you can tell it once you eat it , thank you for the great video , I hope you get the rains you need ,
We are praying for y'all. It has rained every day here for the past week, & I'm begging God to send y'all some. We hope y'all can hang on, & make it through this drought! 🙏
Will be praying for you as well as all farmers/ranchers up here in this drought. I'm in sw MN and we're hurting, too. We buy our beef from a farmer and our eggs from a lady up the street from us. We also grow a garden and can everything we can get our hands on.
Mike, thank you for your continued effort to get the word out about the ranching and farming issues that are effecting our food delivery. Stay on that soap box it’s fine with me! I pray that you and others make it through this very difficult time! 🇺🇸
I remember about 1985 we had very bad drought in Georgia. farmers from all over the country sent Hay. The Railroads gave free shipping and CO-OPs across the country with rail sidings collected it and it was shipped to some of Georgia's state farmers Markets and then the state AG dept gave it out. it was a God send. My prayers are with y'all. You are a great voice for AG.
Thank you for what you do,Willys farm aid is no joke,and thank you willy nelson for that.Everybody laughed at climate change,what ever the reason,it's getting hotter in the summers and weather patterns are changing.
During the summer we go to the local farmers market and have been doing so for 30 years. We know the "Real Farmers" it was first their parent and now their children that farm. They produce quality product. It is more than Safeway but it tastes better. In the winter we go south. From 2000 to 2013 we went to as a small town in Mexico and until 2010 we went to the local market to get our food as there were no big box grocery stores. In 2011 the big box store arrived and it destroyed the local market. We now go to Panama for the winter we buy from the local market and the food is good. We all need to do our part to support local producers.
Been there... Sell your cows off and bank the money. Get a job in town to pay the bills. When the drought ends buy some cows/heifers back and go on. Prices will go down as more people sell off their herds, so get it while it's good. There is no sense in buying expensive hay if the prices are going down. Concentrate on this hunting season and out state hunters and maybe leasing your pasture out to someone who is holding their cows. Expensive hay and lot's of it for low beef prices equals sell now. Buy some bred heifers in the early spring and if the drought continues get rid of the pairs when you run out of grass. Be glad you don't have any debt with the land or cattle, that's when things get really fun.
Find out the logistics on how to ship beef nationwide. That can save the ranch. OWL has plenty of fans and subscribers. Let the consumer pay the shipping. I know It’s going to be extremely hard but there’s a way to ship 📦
I've just done this gone down from 350 ewes to 150 ewes. Got a part time job in town paid some debt of and I'm much happier and less stress. My pride took a big hit in the beginning but long term it was the best thing I ever did.
Hmm he should have been prepared. Scientist have been saying droughts and harder farming conditions will be comming for decades. Why should we support someone who didn't think ahead
@@DrStoppel Uh, if you’re talking about me, I moved to a new home and instantly went to work to try and restore the land using proven environmentally regenerative, water conserving practices. I don’t need your help. If you’re talking about the creator of the video, he didn’t ask for your help either. And he clearly DID think ahead. He says in the video he has four miles of piping to a well, to care for the land and animals in his stewardship. He uses rotational grazing practices and raises his own food for his animals, which eliminates carbon emissions, and further captures carbon from the atmosphere and puts it back into the ground.
@@DrStoppel Most farmers know the weather is cyclical. There will be times of drought, and there may be times of too much rain. It's adjusting to the circumstances that's important, along with praying.
Thanks for the video Mike. The biggest issue is it not just that locally grown food tastes better, it's that it is so much more nutritious than massed produced food from chemically laden, worn out soil. People say they can't afford quality food, try getting sick and see what that costs. The cheapest thing anyone can do is to maintain their health. Buying locally grown organic and responsibly produced food is a great first step in taking control of your health, and it keeps your local farmers and ranchers going as well. Prayers for you, family and ranch, Mike.
I will definitely be buying locally from now on thanks to yall I have a most caught up to present day I am now 3 weeks behind so I'm almost there so happy I am almost there to present day I am so happy I ordered my beef jerky and already got it and it is awesome but of course I am so happy I found your channel and I'm learning so much can't wait till I fully caught up present day
If we in Southeast Texas get a small hurricane or a nice rain producing Tropical Storm I'll pray it heads your way hopefully before we get flooded like we did with Harvey.
You have hit on very true points. There are many farmers or ranchers that are more than willing to sell directly to the consumer. We buy a half of a half of beef each year. Yes the first time is the most difficult due to the upfront cost but it cost less in the long term. We have better tasting meat also. Great job of explaining the hidden cost involved with buying the hay. An idea maybe set up a go fund farmers. Yes it would be very difficult to manage to make sure it doesn’t get abused
thank you for bringing the prospective of a business man into the prospective of a man that with a ranch to run and the final dollar cost and struggles facing each day to pay bills and feed family. Land is everything but is also the daily struggle to have the funds at the end of each year to pay its taxes to avoid losing the precious land while taking in count all the daily expenses that it takes to keep that precious land. Most people just see someone with lots of land, but do not known the struggles it takes to keep it all. Thank you for having videos such as your 30/30 program that allows someone to see a bit of what you as a rancher goes through and the lack of sleep you endure to save a calf because its the money making of the ranch.
here in south Mississippi we have the polar opposite problem of rain and harvesting hay that you have....our problem is that it started raining in early June and hasn't stopped since for more than 2 days at a time which is not enough time to cut, cure and bale hay. our hay fields are currently very over mature and the grass is started dying back, it will be a lower quality hay when we do get to bale it (one day soon i hope) so the grass can start growing again for a second cutting (we normally get 3 cuttings a year off our hay fields). Good luck Mike
Since I began watching you, I’ve started buying from my local farmers market. Goodness, what a difference in flavor. I would encourage everyone who watches “OWL” to shop at your local farmers market-and make a difference!
My grandfather was a dairy farmer, until the prices he could sell for became so low he had to quit. Luckily, it was time to retire anyway but....... I know of your issues.
@@DrStoppel Small farms are being pushed out of business. Not because of capitalism per say, more so by big government and bureaucrats. I can't sell my beef in stores. Walmart won't distribute me. I must sell to local people. To get to that level, I must have certified USDA, BQA, meat. I must have an inspected farm. Vet records. All things costing money, which I would need to expand to cover the cost. Regulations put it by the capitalist winners. But lobbying or setting kick backs to those writing the rules. It's like laying down land mines behind you. If it was a free market, small farms could compete. But, the regulations make them void by design.
What you've been discussing is so important! I've been sharing your videos on Facebook. So many people aren't aware of the importance of supporting those who raise or grow the food we eat. Keep talking!
I get as much as I can locally. There is a local vegetable stand we go to every week in the summer. The owner grows the most delicious vegetables! We get locally grown beef. So much better than anything I can get in the store. I love shopping local. I love supporting farmers and ranchers like you!
👍 Thanks for sharing all this information. I grew up on a farm. There were enough times I would hear Dad and farming relatives talk about various things. At times it sounded like worry. He eventually sold and went as a security guard at a military base. He was retired army. I pray you have a blessed summer. Be well. 🙌🙌👍🙏☝️❤️
Hey Mike!! I don’t have any hay to offer you that you could come get out I could bring to you. I am saddened to see the land there where you all have had no rain for so long. But I can offer you one thing today, and that is prayer, prayer changes things. I am praying for you and your family. Praying the lord send you rain to improve the grass for your herd and to be able to have hay for the farm. Love watching your channel, love every video that you put out each week. Praying for you and yours, asking the lord to send down the rain he did it back then and he can do it again.
Bless Wyoming and all other places that really need the rain right now. As someone who’s looking to start our own farm, this is educational to us and I will put this advice to work in our life as well as spreading word. Shared the link to my Snapchat since it’s the only social media I have atm. God bless from Tennessee!
That’s why I’m working a 9/5 desk job..to keep the farm in the family.Once your land and equipment is sold,it’s gone forever. Also: looking to buy a quarter cow from local farm for the fall.Super high quality from local farm,and it’s only 40 miles away.. Think about how much fuel is burned to get the beef from your grocery that imports ..could have been as far away as Brazil or even Australia…
I have a small homestead and this year with the expected hay shortage I offered my pasture to 3 different ranchers. The last one accepted my offer and it made 14 bales of round hay. I would like to think there are some happy cows out there. If we get some rain there will be a second cutting.
Hey Mike one thing that I do is go and buy from the local farmers market and our grocery store is family own and they buy from local farmers. Every little bit helps todays farmers are slowly dying off one by one. Who knows what the future holds for them😔 so whats next for OWL keep up the good work and see you in the next video🤔🌧🌱🤠
Certainly good suggestions Mike. We all have farms and ranches that could benefit from consumers buying direct on their local level. We do hope some hay producers can help out in your area. The whole West is experiencing some level of drouth. Blessings
Well said, Mike. Your message needs to be spoken by many people in order to have an effect. I hope others follow in your footsteps. We are fortunate here in south Texas to have many local farmers and ranchers and we try to frequent their markets as much as possible. Ranchers and farmers are a valuable resource for the country and we as consumers need to make certain that they survive.
I live in upstate NY and we have dairy farms and Amish everywhere. Dairy farms and cattle farms are closing at a record pace. I raise cattle and its terrible and prices have been for many years now. All the family farms are disappearing at a record pace. Even the Amish are giving up on Dairy as milk contracts are being canceled. Its truly sad whats happening here in America with farmers. The only good thing is we have more water than we ever need.
Thank you for the VLOG. One thing consumers can do is write there elected officials expressing their concerns about the world of farming. One item of concern is point of origin. We get snow peas from China because they cost less than grown locally. My wife and I purchased a million dollars worth of farm land so her nephews could grow the farm that has been in her family for over 120 years. We make 2.5% return on our investment. Free enterprise s nice; but it gets rid of small. If farmers and consumers were to lobby for marketing boards to regulate items there would be no over or under supply and all the producers would receive a fair price. A $15 a pound streak would see a good portion go the farmer not the middle man.
Hi Mike,,Erin and your entire gang! I'm so very sorry about your situation!! I lie in a former agricultural area of New York state a rural central New York County where once there was nearly 1000 family dairy farms now there is less then 2/3s less due tuehe state not caring ad fighting for the prices and the DEC, yes here are more crayfish in the steams but at a very high price!!! New York state was once the 2cd leading dairy producer in the nation! Heart breaking!! Let's flip it I used to binge sailing vlogs idk if me purging those is binging a ranch vlog lol but for real pray all the ranchers and farmers in the west get relief soon
As a small farmer I gained much respect for you today. Spot on, we need support from our communities.
You are completely correct sir. Farmers/Ranchers need respect and help in America 🇺🇸
Hmm have you tried pulling your bootstraps
@@DrStoppel I don't get what you mean by that. Can you explain?
@@HuzaifaKhan-ti1gq he’s just nasty! Try setting up a ‘Direct Co-Op’ with community members. That’s what I’d LOVE ❤️. I’m i Queensland, Australia. Our meat prices are terrible due to the ‘MIDDLEMAN’.
Ellen Queensland, Australia.
@@Ellabobel Prices here in California are really high. Big company stores meats are not fresh and there prices are high. That's why I go to farmers markets or small community places where they sell fresh vegetables and fruits.
I grew up on our family farm here in Illinois, which was begun back around 1856. We had to sell it (about 500 acres: 250 in timber, and 250 tillable), to pay for my dad's care with dementia. I'm a preacher, and my brother is a doctor, so neither one of us was going to be able to carry it forward, and our 4 sisters' husbands had their own professions. Well, I remember my mom coming home from work (she was a receptionist at a big hospital in Springfield, IL, the state capital, and telling about her conversation with a non-farming lady. This woman told mom, "You farmers have it made." "What do you mean?" "Well, you have gas delivered to your big tank on the farm for free!" No joke - she actually thought that farmers got FREE GAS!! I heard that all my life, too: "Land rich; cash poor." You can't sell the land . . . you'd soon have no land to farm. Best wishes for getting through this drought. Praying for things to change around real soon!
Food for thought. I am going to share this with all on my contact list. Perhaps, if we all do that, it will open the eyes, and hearts, of more people. God bless you all, Mike, thank you for going through your own kind of hell, to feed a nation where so many don't care.
I like your mensage. Stay safe and in action. Good luck from Brazil/Curitiba.
Mike, you are my hero. As an ex-farmer I know your pain and hope people not of the farm community listen and understand. Bless you for all you do.
Hey Mike, please stay on your soapbox! Well put and thanks for the clear statement on the reality of farming and buying local.
I hope those who offer the, "free hay" can see and understand what you are explaning and not be hurt or offended it. The Farm and Ranch Life has always occupied a place of tremendous concern in my heart. I have been connected to them through several different occupational endeavors and friends and family who have chosen that way of life. The problems and delimas of farms and ranches is a grave concern for whole population and needs serious support from all of us. Our prayers are always with you from my household.
most will, if it's explained to them clearly.
A lot of people don't really understand the cost of long distance shipping until it's shown to them.
After all, stuff coming out of China is still cheaper than stuff produced locally, despite the distances involved...
Mike always does a good job of explaining things like this to non-farmers/ranchers like me. I'm one of those that have thoughts abo1ut putting in a well and irrigating some of the hay fields, why not do this, why not do that, etc. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to their issues and it has all been thought of and analyzed many times. I'm glad he shared some ideas on how we can help not just him but other ranchers/farmers too. It's just a depressing time seeing them struggle, wish we could do more.
@@SnowManson The problem, especially in rain starved states, is that the underground aquifers must be replenished by rain fall that very slowly seeps through the layers of rock and soil. When we pump water from these aquifers at a much faster rate than they are able to fill back up they go dry. A vast area in the Midwest and West don't even have that many aquifers because it's a high desert. To top it off the environmental protection agencies are highly regulated and getting a permit to drill a well is quite a process as well as expensive and political. Besides you can't just drill anywhere and expect to hit water because it's not just limited to a precious amount of water but limited as to where you can find it. There's no easy solution and the economies of scale just isn't there for some things. One possible solution that would take governments of numerous states and the federal government to iron out and fund; would be a pipeline from possibly desalination plants from coastal states to the more arid areas. Sadly time is not on our side but if we never start we will never accomplish anything.
This happened last summer in Australia and led to the worst bushfires in years. We ran a fundraising campaign called buy a Bale where everyone was literally encouraged to donate enough money to buy at least 1 Bale but as many bales as a hey wanted. It led to many towns seeing convoys of fully laden hay trucks.
I have Farmer’s Market in my neighborhood twice a week and I always get my eggs, honey, fruits and vegetables there. I have started doing that ever since the COVID pandemic because they came even during the lockdown. I love the fact that it is outdoor snd I very much appreciated that they brought us fresh snd nutritious foods when we city people need them the most in fighting off the virus . I have since got into the habit of shopping at my local Farmer’s Market. Now with Mike’s message of supporting our farm and ranch industries, I will keep buying from them, I only wish we have more meat selection. I love beef and steak but I don’t seem to find them in my Farmer’s Market.
Just a thought, low sulfur coal is routinely shipped by train from north eastern Wyoming to Centralia WA to power the electric generating plant there. The empty cars come back to Wyoming. There is lots of hay available in the Centralia area. This year has been a very good hay season. Perhaps it might be possible to cheaply transport hay using the empty coal cars.
That’s a great idea! We have a lot of ranches here in Gillette and empty trains coming to town.
Prayers for you guys and all Farmers and Ranchers struggling right now!
God bless. We are in a 20 year drought here north of Vegas. Im driving 240 miles to Arizona to buy hay for my animals that I can afford. Locally, the hay is $17 a bale. I pay $10 after fuel cost, truck maintenance. My little homestead has fewer to feed, but I feel you pain. We are all praying for rain.
@Jd 09 Yes. Even in a dessert, you can receive rain. Our precipitation normally measures 11 to 15 inches a year. Sadly we have had ,"no measurable precipitation", in over a year ... a first for us.
Although we've had some wet winters, here in california were going for 10 years of continous drought. This year it hardly rained
I tried farm direct eggs...omg the taste was 1000 fold better. Then I found out I could get unwashed eggs...even fresher. I can't eat eggs from the supermarket anymore..
I moved "to the country" and got chickens 6 years ago. It took a few months before they could lay eggs, but boy were they awesome. That first flock (except one Americauna) mostly died out or were eaten by local predators, but when one of those hens went broody, I put a bunch of chicks beneath her, and she raised the second generation. (She's the one still with us). Recently our flock of 8 birds was dropped to only 2, our bantam rooster and our 6 year old Americauna, so I went and bought 6 new chicks. it might be late summer before we start having new farm fresh eggs, but it's nice to anticipate. The grocery store eggs are an insipid mockery of what eggs should be.
Just this week I upscaled --- not only getting the six chicks, but also getting some sheep. More than I really wanted, but those ten lambs that came with the 7 adult sheep.... I'm starting to wonder just how tasty they might be, and also how might I work with a neighbor who routinely goes hunting... see if he's willing, this fall, to work with me, spend a day processing three of the lambs in return he'd keep two (or something like that).
@@LadyLithias start learning to proses the sheep your self and then you keep all of them for your self
@@true5188 Yes, I may see if the neighbor will show/teach me the first time, etc. However I just don't eat that much meat.
As Mike said, “farm fresh” eggs from the store aren’t much, if any, better than regular eggs. Cage free just means they weren’t in the standard cage with two other hens that are about 2 x 2 x 1 foot tall. They are usually in a small caged enclosure, otherwise they take too much labor to work the chickens.
The best eggs are the ones that are from hens who have been out eating bugs, grass, and whatever kitchen scraps you toss out. The yolks are much darker, and the whites are somewhat firmer than store bought eggs. Plus it just feels good to have your own chickens. If you didn’t know already, many communities do allow chickens inside the city limits. My town allows up to 6 hens. No roosters. But we are waiting until we move down to the farm before we start raising our own. We bought our neighbors next to our farm a dozen chicks to add to their flock as we knew they wanted more birds. In exchange, they give us loads of eggs every time we are down at the farm. Having good neighbors is priceless.
Find a local farmer like my self to buy your beef and pork from. I raise beef it is so much better than store bought mass produced meats.
I wish there was something, anything I could do to help. I live in Laredo, Texas and we don't have any local farms selling eggs, produce etc. But on the 1st of the month when I get my Veterans disability check I will buy some jerky, and maybe a tshirt. I grew up on a small farm and know the heart ache of losing it all. I pretty much killed my father when it happened. So I'll pray for you and wish you well. I know with such a small herd losing 1 calf can hurt a lot.
Your thoughts are admirable. I think Mike is doing fine. Things could definitely be better for him, but if you hadn’t noticed, he remodeled his home and set up a studio. He acquired another Gater, built a greenhouse for his wife, the OWL Store space, multiple drones, a new generator, new RV in the driveway, and has numerous new toys around the farm. I believe they have non-farm income to get them through. I think a lot of his videos are created to show the effect for ranchers who earn a living exclusively from they land and don’t have the time to earn money on the side.
We need more farmers this is some scary stuff and im glad ur bringing this all to light for people to see and realize
I have a ranch outside of tombstone az and we too are having a drought for the record books might even have to sell the whole herd. Couldn't have said it better, support from the community is much appreciated, nevertheless We will all get through our struggles. God Bless
I’m a city slicker. This show is very important to me. I feel for you very much. You’re an inspiration to all.
You're absolutely right Mike on multiple things.
I have horse farmers giving away free hay that got a little bit rained on. Bad for them, good for me. We must be resourceful.
Stop buying Walmart meat. Go down the road to your local farmer. Ask him for beef, pork, chicken, eggs. You know where the meat came from. And, you're helping a neighbor. Me, Mike, whoever. Stop the large scale markets.
We stopped shopping at Wal-Mart decades ago...I was complaining to my dad that there were no more shoe stores or music stores in town and he said, "You can thank Wal-Mart for that!" That really made me think.
I wish you was Closer to us. I have helped many neighbors and many neighbor farmers have helped me you never know when it will your turn to need help. So if you see or hear that a neighbor needs help and you can you should.
Great video.
As a Swedish immigrant here in the US I always wondered why the heck plain dirty potatoes are so expensive at the grocery stores?
Looking at the price per pount for potatoes it is 4-6 times more expensive by weight........ But, if you buy potatoes in the shape of frozen bagged fries it is less than half the price per weight.
Why is that? It has to be transported more, it has to be processed, packaged and still come out cheaper. Why?
The manufacturer has screwed the growers down to a low price, then everyone up the lines adds their percentage or cut for just selling it.
Frozen and processed potatoes are not as fresh as what you usually find in the grocery. Selling them to processors for less still provides some income without just composting the old ones
Great video Mike!!!! Thank you for all of your hard work.
Love the flag Mike. Being a retired A.F. ...active duty and reserve. I'm very proud of America, I'm not real fond of the bad, but I served for the good and bad. Didn't know that when I was young, but I learned. It means a lot to me that you'll hang in there. Why, because I'm also a farmer's and rancher's daughter. Hang in there this too shall pass and I'll hang with you'll till it does.
Mike, this may be your best video ever. You are an excellent presenter with clear easy to understand logic. Your suggestion of buying locally from local producers, local Farmer's Markets is a great one that will impact many in a positive way. Very nice job. Thanks much. Blessings to you, Erin and the family.
Thank you mike for all your wisdom and advice, I know many of us appreciate it.
This is probably the most emotionally filled posting you've done, or at least I've seen. It's hard for me to watch. Thanks so much for making this.
I really enjoy your thoughtfully-intentional scripting. It is really well done. Every video, & message, is very well done. You're an artist, & I truly appreciate what you're doing through your talents!
I grew up on a farm. Over the past year, I have been able to get eggs from a farm and fill my freezer with beef/pork from a different farmer. Also, I get maple syrup and honey from private producers. Find a local farmers market. You'll be surprised at the variety of products there. So worth it.
Yes, I LOVE veggies, fruits, and eggs from farmers market. I get them every week
Great video and such awesome info. I hope everyone who sees this goes to a locally owned market to buy their meat and uses the farmers markets in their area.
Still praying for rain in your area.
Wow what an excellent way to put it....spot on , I am a small farmer/beekeeper and I would like to say thankyou for this video. Supporting your local farmers will help keep you fed in the future. Praying for rain for you !
We don't stop to actually think about challenges, Mike's (ranchers/farmers) facing. Setting a table and the challenges of feeding growing populations, livelihood for farmers and protecting the environment. Here we have a family that is concerned with cultivating their produce and raising their animals in order to feed the population. Great cause to support and advocate for agriculture in the US
Been a subscriber for a while now and enjoy all your videos but this one is your most insightful one yet. THIS is the message that needs to get out. Go once a month and buy from a local producer. As you get to know them and see their gratitude for supporting them and friendliness you won't find at a chain store you will find yourself going back more then once a month. You get to know the family and you will be treated like family.. Not to mention the quality is so much better.
I live in Casper not to far away from you hope the blessing of rain lately helped your ranch god is good
I have seen a lot of farms sale like this , but you know I am holding on ,I am handing mine down to another one to farm it and enjoy it , it was given to me I take pride in what I have .We are getting a lot of rain ,can't even get our hay cut right now, you are so right about making the pennies , food you get at the store does not taste like the food we grow , it's different and you can tell it once you eat it , thank you for the great video , I hope you get the rains you need ,
good video man good job hang in there
We are praying for y'all. It has rained every day here for the past week, & I'm begging God to send y'all some. We hope y'all can hang on, & make it through this drought! 🙏
God bless you your family and every American farmer
this is the best show i have seen in helping others thankyou
Received my order of jerky today. Very happy with it. Husband loves all the flavors!! Thanks!
Will be praying for you as well as all farmers/ranchers up here in this drought. I'm in sw MN and we're hurting, too. We buy our beef from a farmer and our eggs from a lady up the street from us. We also grow a garden and can everything we can get our hands on.
Mike, thank you for your continued effort to get the word out about the ranching and farming issues that are effecting our food delivery. Stay on that soap box it’s fine with me! I pray that you and others make it through this very difficult time! 🇺🇸
Mike, it’s been already a a week and you guys are in our prayers. Hope some rain is on your way
I remember about 1985 we had very bad drought in Georgia. farmers from all over the country sent Hay. The Railroads gave free shipping and CO-OPs across the country with rail sidings collected it and it was shipped to some of Georgia's state farmers Markets and then the state AG dept gave it out. it was a God send. My prayers are with y'all. You are a great voice for AG.
Thank you for what you do,Willys farm aid is no joke,and thank you willy nelson for that.Everybody laughed at climate change,what ever the reason,it's getting hotter in the summers and weather patterns are changing.
In the city I live in there is a farmers market and I am going to start buying from them
alot are resellers that will go buy in bulk at the store and call themselves "farmers"
During the summer we go to the local farmers market and have been doing so for 30 years. We know the "Real Farmers" it was first their parent and now their children that farm. They produce quality product. It is more than Safeway but it tastes better. In the winter we go south. From 2000 to 2013 we went to as a small town in Mexico and until 2010 we went to the local market to get our food as there were no big box grocery stores. In 2011 the big box store arrived and it destroyed the local market. We now go to Panama for the winter we buy from the local market and the food is good. We all need to do our part to support local producers.
Mike, this might be your best video. You are right. Everyone needs to buy local.
Been there... Sell your cows off and bank the money. Get a job in town to pay the bills. When the drought ends buy some cows/heifers back and go on. Prices will go down as more people sell off their herds, so get it while it's good. There is no sense in buying expensive hay if the prices are going down. Concentrate on this hunting season and out state hunters and maybe leasing your pasture out to someone who is holding their cows. Expensive hay and lot's of it for low beef prices equals sell now. Buy some bred heifers in the early spring and if the drought continues get rid of the pairs when you run out of grass. Be glad you don't have any debt with the land or cattle, that's when things get really fun.
Find out the logistics on how to ship beef nationwide. That can save the ranch. OWL has plenty of fans and subscribers. Let the consumer pay the shipping. I know It’s going to be extremely hard but there’s a way to ship 📦
I've just done this gone down from 350 ewes to 150 ewes. Got a part time job in town paid some debt of and I'm much happier and less stress. My pride took a big hit in the beginning but long term it was the best thing I ever did.
@@robaw1 wonderful!
Great video !
Hope you get some rain out there soon.
In our part of NE we have been blessed with great moisture.
Hang in there.
Love you guys Mike. Prayers. XOX
I’m glad you shared this! You can plant thousands of pounds of cover crop seed, but if there’s no water, that’s just money down the toilet.
Hmm he should have been prepared. Scientist have been saying droughts and harder farming conditions will be comming for decades. Why should we support someone who didn't think ahead
@@DrStoppel Uh, if you’re talking about me, I moved to a new home and instantly went to work to try and restore the land using proven environmentally regenerative, water conserving practices. I don’t need your help. If you’re talking about the creator of the video, he didn’t ask for your help either. And he clearly DID think ahead. He says in the video he has four miles of piping to a well, to care for the land and animals in his stewardship. He uses rotational grazing practices and raises his own food for his animals, which eliminates carbon emissions, and further captures carbon from the atmosphere and puts it back into the ground.
@@makeitkate3240 Good answer, Kate!! 👍
@@DrStoppel Most farmers know the weather is cyclical. There will be times of drought, and there may be times of too much rain. It's adjusting to the circumstances that's important, along with praying.
Praying for all farmers
Simply put ........Thanks Mike.
Thanks for the video Mike. The biggest issue is it not just that locally grown food tastes better, it's that it is so much more nutritious than massed produced food from chemically laden, worn out soil. People say they can't afford quality food, try getting sick and see what that costs. The cheapest thing anyone can do is to maintain their health. Buying locally grown organic and responsibly produced food is a great first step in taking control of your health, and it keeps your local farmers and ranchers going as well. Prayers for you, family and ranch, Mike.
Thank you for your love of ranching
I will definitely be buying locally from now on thanks to yall I have a most caught up to present day I am now 3 weeks behind so I'm almost there so happy I am almost there to present day I am so happy I ordered my beef jerky and already got it and it is awesome but of course I am so happy I found your channel and I'm learning so much can't wait till I fully caught up present day
In our area we have local farmers markets that set up in different areas most days of the week it is a great way to support local farmers
Thank you
Praying God sends you rain... God Bless the Farmer.
Lol you're gonna circle back to it. I have every confidence you will. Some don't. Thanks
If we in Southeast Texas get a small hurricane or a nice rain producing Tropical Storm I'll pray it heads your way hopefully before we get flooded like we did with Harvey.
You have hit on very true points. There are many farmers or ranchers that are more than willing to sell directly to the consumer. We buy a half of a half of beef each year. Yes the first time is the most difficult due to the upfront cost but it cost less in the long term. We have better tasting meat also. Great job of explaining the hidden cost involved with buying the hay. An idea maybe set up a go fund farmers. Yes it would be very difficult to manage to make sure it doesn’t get abused
Hello Mike from Brazil/Curitiba. GOD bless you always.
thank you for bringing the prospective of a business man into the prospective of a man that with a ranch to run and the final dollar cost and struggles facing each day to pay bills and feed family. Land is everything but is also the daily struggle to have the funds at the end of each year to pay its taxes to avoid losing the precious land while taking in count all the daily expenses that it takes to keep that precious land. Most people just see someone with lots of land, but do not known the struggles it takes to keep it all. Thank you for having videos such as your 30/30 program that allows someone to see a bit of what you as a rancher goes through and the lack of sleep you endure to save a calf because its the money making of the ranch.
I hope you do well in the future. Praying for your family and future
Good message Mike.
I bought your jerkie for a friend for his birthday. SOOOOO good.!!!!! It is amazing!!!
Hope things get better always next year .
here in south Mississippi we have the polar opposite problem of rain and harvesting hay that you have....our problem is that it started raining in early June and hasn't stopped since for more than 2 days at a time which is not enough time to cut, cure and bale hay. our hay fields are currently very over mature and the grass is started dying back, it will be a lower quality hay when we do get to bale it (one day soon i hope) so the grass can start growing again for a second cutting (we normally get 3 cuttings a year off our hay fields). Good luck Mike
Since I began watching you, I’ve started buying from my local farmers market. Goodness, what a difference in flavor.
I would encourage everyone who watches “OWL” to shop at your local farmers market-and make a difference!
Keeping you guys and all independent farmers/ranchers in my thoughts and prayers ❤️
What an awesome video. Hopefully, this gets more people thinking... realistically. God bless
My grandfather was a dairy farmer, until the prices he could sell for became so low he had to quit. Luckily, it was time to retire anyway but.......
I know of your issues.
You are ABSOLUTELY correct Mike. You guys should earn more money from selling cattle. Ranchers/Farmers need respect in 🇺🇸
Very well said!
It so breaks my heart to see a farm go to developers.
Everyday of the week.
Hmm damn capitalism
@@DrStoppel No.....not really. There is more to it than that.
@@Mike45-47Q really, please explain how people selling land for profit at risk of food shortages not being a direct link to capitalism.
@@DrStoppel Small farms are being pushed out of business. Not because of capitalism per say, more so by big government and bureaucrats. I can't sell my beef in stores. Walmart won't distribute me. I must sell to local people. To get to that level, I must have certified USDA, BQA, meat. I must have an inspected farm. Vet records. All things costing money, which I would need to expand to cover the cost. Regulations put it by the capitalist winners. But lobbying or setting kick backs to those writing the rules. It's like laying down land mines behind you. If it was a free market, small farms could compete. But, the regulations make them void by design.
Great video Mike, you said it best here.
What you've been discussing is so important! I've been sharing your videos on Facebook. So many people aren't aware of the importance of supporting those who raise or grow the food we eat. Keep talking!
I get as much as I can locally. There is a local vegetable stand we go to every week in the summer. The owner grows the most delicious vegetables! We get locally grown beef. So much better than anything I can get in the store. I love shopping local. I love supporting farmers and ranchers like you!
👍 Thanks for sharing all this information. I grew up on a farm. There were enough times I would hear Dad and farming relatives talk about various things. At times it sounded like worry. He eventually sold and went as a security guard at a military base. He was retired army. I pray you have a blessed summer.
Be well. 🙌🙌👍🙏☝️❤️
Exactly what happened to one of my uncles.
Hey Mike!! I don’t have any hay to offer you that you could come get out I could bring to you. I am saddened to see the land there where you all have had no rain for so long. But I can offer you one thing today, and that is prayer, prayer changes things. I am praying for you and your family. Praying the lord send you rain to improve the grass for your herd and to be able to have hay for the farm. Love watching your channel, love every video that you put out each week. Praying for you and yours, asking the lord to send down the rain he did it back then and he can do it again.
Prayers for you and all ranchers and farmers.
We most all came from farm homes at one time
Pray for those who carry on
As a rancher in New Mexico dealing with the same issues. Great video
Bless Wyoming and all other places that really need the rain right now. As someone who’s looking to start our own farm, this is educational to us and I will put this advice to work in our life as well as spreading word. Shared the link to my Snapchat since it’s the only social media I have atm. God bless from Tennessee!
Thanks for the information Mike. We love you.
That’s why I’m working a 9/5 desk job..to keep the farm in the family.Once your land and equipment is sold,it’s gone forever.
Also: looking to buy a quarter cow from local farm for the fall.Super high quality from local farm,and it’s only 40 miles away..
Think about how much fuel is burned to get the beef from your grocery that imports ..could have been as far away as Brazil or even Australia…
Well done. Great voice for farmers.
I have a small homestead and this year with the expected hay shortage I offered my pasture to 3 different ranchers. The last one accepted my offer and it made 14 bales of round hay. I would like to think there are some happy cows out there. If we get some rain there will be a second cutting.
Hey Mike one thing that I do is go and buy from the local farmers market and our grocery store is family own and they buy from local farmers. Every little bit helps todays farmers are slowly dying off one by one. Who knows what the future holds for them😔 so whats next for OWL keep up the good work and see you in the next video🤔🌧🌱🤠
Thank you for explaining this from another small operator explained very well
Great job Mike
Geoff Lawton is very good in the understanding of capturing of water in in dry climates
It's all about people over profit. Support your local farmers with sales and prayers! Aloha!
Certainly good suggestions Mike. We all have farms and ranches that could benefit from consumers buying direct on their local level. We do hope some hay producers can help out in your area. The whole West is experiencing some level of drouth. Blessings
We have to change this, prayers for you all!
Land rich, money poor. This is where the term " dirt poor " comes from.
Sad to hear the reality wish you and all the ranchers the best
Well said, Mike. Your message needs to be spoken by many people in order to have an effect. I hope others follow in your footsteps. We are fortunate here in south Texas to have many local farmers and ranchers and we try to frequent their markets as much as possible. Ranchers and farmers are a valuable resource for the country and we as consumers need to make certain that they survive.
I live in upstate NY and we have dairy farms and Amish everywhere. Dairy farms and cattle farms are closing at a record pace. I raise cattle and its terrible and prices have been for many years now. All the family farms are disappearing at a record pace. Even the Amish are giving up on Dairy as milk contracts are being canceled. Its truly sad whats happening here in America with farmers. The only good thing is we have more water than we ever need.
Im in ithaca
@@justanbaker8937 I'm in Fort Plain
@@justanbaker8937 is that ithica michigan
@@randysimon7633 new york
If contracts are being canceled where are dairy products coming from ? Maybe I’m afraid I asked 😒
Has anyone heard from this ranch been a week, I'm a little concerned...not being rude just a caring person
Thank you for the VLOG. One thing consumers can do is write there elected officials expressing their concerns about the world of farming. One item of concern is point of origin. We get snow peas from China because they cost less than grown locally. My wife and I purchased a million dollars worth of farm land so her nephews could grow the farm that has been in her family for over 120 years. We make 2.5% return on our investment. Free enterprise s nice; but it gets rid of small. If farmers and consumers were to lobby for marketing boards to regulate items there would be no over or under supply and all the producers would receive a fair price. A $15 a pound streak would see a good portion go the farmer not the middle man.
thanks Mike,
Hi Mike,,Erin and your entire gang! I'm so very sorry about your situation!! I lie in a former agricultural area of New York state a rural central New York County where once there was nearly 1000 family dairy farms now there is less then 2/3s less due tuehe state not caring ad fighting for the prices and the DEC, yes here are more crayfish in the steams but at a very high price!!! New York state was once the 2cd leading dairy producer in the nation! Heart breaking!! Let's flip it I used to binge sailing vlogs idk if me purging those is binging a ranch vlog lol but for real pray all the ranchers and farmers in the west get relief soon