I love your honesty. The life of a farmer is not easy nor for the faint of heart. Long hours, every day. Saturday and Sunday are not days off. Keep up the good work
First and foremost, you will always have naysayers in general, so too those who don;t understand the hardship and sacrifices that Our Wyoming Life endure, go stick it somewhere the sun don't shine. For those of us that support Mike and Erin, we stand behind you in watching you make these great videos, honest and heartfelt, learning how to solve or use mathematics again, (in all honesty, I am learning again) a refresher course from back in the day. So in closing, I know the Ranch will survive, the livestock will get fed, the videos will keep coming, God Bless and thank you for another lesson in calculations.
Understand that as your channel grows you can expect more and more trolls. Just ignore them. Don't even acknowledge them. In other words "Don't feed the trolls". Love your videos ....I myself am hoping to move to Wyoming in the next 5 years.
As a homesteader, I can't thank you enough for your top notch quality videos and total transparency. I think too many people in the farming, ranching, homesteading, etc world today are needlessly harsh towards one another. An eagerness to help is one thing, it's another thing entirely to trash someone for not doing something the way they would do it. Keep a positive outlook, ignore the naysayers, and keep on keeping on. Love your videos, they are totally unique, usually very informative, and always entertaining!
I have experienced the same type of comments directed at me when my stepfather died and I took over the ranch. Here's what he told me in one of our conversations before he passed. He always believed that kids should spend time outside the ranch (at another farm or ranch) before returning and taking things over. This was because it was great to see the differences and operations and situations. What he meant by this I can't exactly say 100% but, when I started taking things over he encouraged me to start doing things the way I would do them. As in what worked for me. You too my friend need to hear those same words. Everyone out there on the outside looking in is going to tell you you're doing it wrong. Just keep doing what you think is right. If your deceased family didn't think you could do it, they wouldn't have let you take over. Remember that, and hang in there! Lots of prayers your direction!
Hang in there Mike! I am a cow-calf operator in Virginia and been dealing with drought the last 2~3 months. Almost to point of feeding now which would mean buying hay for winter. Finally starting raining Sunday - praise the Lord. Most folks just don’t realize the number of variables out of the farmer / ranchers control. Takes a strong constitution and tons of faith. Love the videos and keep the faith!
Series is only getting better. Production quality is top notch from a bedroom. The honesty and humbleness makes me thankful to be apart of this community since the first few subscribers. I just know 1million sub's is on the horizon. The content is just to good. We're behind you two pushing you forward. Keep going.
We fight the same struggle you do across the Atlantic! In Sweden we got about 20 % of a regular hay-harvest but we keep on going and will never give up! Watching you guys every early morning with the coffee in my hand gets me and us started! Keep up the good work and I'm sure you will make it just like you always do!!
Hey Mike I'm in the same boat, but I've researched how to improve my meadows through being more of a soil scientist through necessity. I have read Jim Gerrishs books "Management -Intensive Grazing" and "Kick The Hay Habit" and for a health care professional it makes sense. I've leaned hard on my faith and family made some changes and have brought some major changes. 1 synchronize your calving to fit the grass you have and thus the demand of your cows make the grafe curve when your grass is at its peak. 2 Look at what your soils need through soil sampling and thus adding through plant production what your soils need. 3 Change is good base on science and faith. If your neighbors aren't talking about you and how crazy they believe you are and how certain methods just won't work where your at then you know your moving forward. PLEASE embrace change its the hardest step in the whole process. The next step is attend a Gabe Brown seminar, I'll be there. Also Google Gabe Brown and again a lot of good information that a person can apply, some of the change comes slower than others but it does work, knowledge is power. I've lived in Gillette during my health care journey and know some of your challenges, but from one Wyomingite to another stay strong.
Hang in there bud, been doing this for 35 years and it doesn't get any easier, but at the end of the day you can look back and know you did your best with the cards you were dealt. Have a drink relax and thank the good Lord for being a part of the best industry there is.Good wishes from Texas
Feast or famine...here in Maryland we are in nonstop rain, flooding and ruined farm crops. My husband & I were small business owners, retail stores that we owned and worked every shift, as did our kids. It is a non stop stressful never ending treadmill and I so sympathize with you. You have weather to accommodate...we had to face 9/11, a war economy and a recession. You and your wife are a team...and you are smart, capable and up to the challenge. Sending prayers of strength and success to you🙏🏻
Bravery can be measured in many ways, one way I measure it, is by how honest and upfront someone is about something when they really don’t have to be. You show a great deal of strength and integrity on your videos and I would like to thank you for that. It is something I don’t see much of anymore and I am happy to see it still exists and is still being taught to the next generation. Thank you.
Mike I think you just educated a lot of non farmers and non ranchers as to the mathematics behind farming and ranching looking at inputs and output cost great video keep up the good job and don't let the trolls get to you
God bless you and your family you are GREAT Patriots I pray that everything works out for your operation its great to know that there are still people in America like you guys.
Mike and Erin....I grew up on a farm and I know a bit about what you are going thru...my dad farmed and my heart aches for you right now! My dad used to say "life is full of choices...easy ones and hard ones" know that I appreciate your candor with us and not trying to make everything "rosey" that just isn't real life! Sooo... right now you have my thoughts and prayers! I will watch as many ads as I can😁keep your chins up and remember your blessings!!!
Thank you Debra, by sugar coating things I dont think we are doing any favors to anyone but real life is what it is. We adapt, we overcome. Thanks - Mike
Welcome to ranching Mike. We have 2 sale barns here. Both are selling big numbers of cattle for this time of year. A few ranchers are trucking cattle to adjoining states where they have had rain. It is a cycle one must work through the best one can. PRAY.
This is an older video, so I hope you get the chance to see this comment. I have been binge watching your videos for the past few weeks and came across this one. I really saw the urgency in your thoughts. I see now your still holding strong. I would hope it's because of all the love you and your wife have for your land and it's future. Great video. I'll always support you any way I can. Thanks for all the education you already provided me. As a city guy, waiting a few more years to retire, I hope to live out the rest with my family on our own small homestead. Your videos teach allot.. thanks
Mike and Erin I watch you guys ever week and I love what you do! I know the traditions you explained may go against what you just shared. But I thank you for your honesty. Here is why, my dream is to live the ranch life and with out your insight I wouldn't know some of the something you have shared over the years. So I thank you for the good and the bad! So I say, Gilbert would be proud of you guys for your resilience in the truff times! keep up the good work and continue to uphold the ranching legacy of our great country! Much to you and your family!
Mike your opening is The main reason I love this channel and your family! your honesty. you share with us what it is like and from someone who has NO idea what running a ranch is like I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate your videos. I really enjoy them and know the time and effort that goes into them. ignore the trolls keep doing what is good for you and your family. huge hugs from down under.
Mike I found this show by accident, but it has become very addictive. Love watching my sister and her family live in Duckwater NV. They are ranchers on a homestead from back in the early 40s. They have struggled and grew over the last 80 years. My nephew and niece look to be about your age. They are hay ranchers as well as cattle. Love your show
I'm far away from all you do, but feel sick hearing about your tough time. I really do. Also, I'll never understand why non-ranchers & farmers have problems seeing the direct connection with you all. If ranchers suffer, so do us all. I do understand first hand tough financial times all the way through bankruptcy. However, I've found that strong willed and determined people survive and ultimately do well. I have no doubt that you are like that. Thanks for being so open.
Thank you, its not easy to be this open but i do believe it is worth it. So many people never see, or see and dont care. We need an agricultural revolution. - Mike
Mike I was raised in southeast Kansas and my grandfather was a rancher. I'm in my late 60's now and I never stop thinking about the life that my grandfather shared with us grandkids. I spent most of life in Seattle, it nice that you are willing to share your life with us. Good luck and thank you. PS let it rain.
Thank you for being open and honest with everyone about the financial stresses that those with cows have to endure. Even those with a handful of cows still go through some of the same types of hardships. Hopefully this opens peoples eyes a little bit.
People that are not from Wyoming have no idea how rough of a life it really is. Its my home, the place I was born and raised. But its not for lightweights... you have to be a hearty soul to thrive there. Thank you for all you do Mike... will definitely be helping you out any way I can...thanks for the breakdown on costs and maybe waking up some people to how running a farm/ranch really is...
Thanks for opening yourselves up for all to see. You give us a perspective of ranch life that we can see nowhere else. It is fun to dream of owning a ranch and live the ranching life but it is a business. Tough decisions need to be made to survive. I know you will make the correct decisions to keep it all going. Looking forward to it all. Thanks again for the great videos.
I can honestly say that I always thought farming would be hard work but be a very worthwhile and honest choice to make in life. You have shown that this is the case. You have also shown that it takes a special type of person to do what you do....I am not that person! Thank you for opening up about farm life. As I am sure you already know the Sun will still rise in the East tomorrow. Thank you again.
Mike - I love your candor and honesty. I fully understand the "back against the wall" not wanting to share but by your willingness to share the real workings of your life and ranch it speaks volumes as to the true value of ranchers and farmers and how tough the decisions can be. I learned hard, but did learn that it is community that helps and your viewers are now part of your community. I know I am and why I watch every episode and contribute when I can.
You and your family are an inspiring. We are just getting our small farm going and I can relate to your situation. Thank you for what you do and Keep your chin up.
We ranch in Missouri and deal with a host of issues as well. I admire what you guys are doing, you deal a lot of things a lot of other ranchers don’t! It is true that the “other guy” has it easy, but the truth is that each area of the country has it tough and we can all complain about something. I heard a guy down south complain about too much rain! Id kill for that in ne Missouri! I do however believe that you are in a particular area w not many breaks! Long cold winters, short, dry, and hot summers! I struggle to find the positives of western plains! You make it work and it’s entertaining to see you manage through it. Hay is very tight in MO as well. Good luck!
I feel your pain. Watching my dad growing up was hard. We had beef cattle. But, we were primarily a crop farm. We only had 11 acres of hay. And if we got 2 cuttings off that field it was a blessing. Usually it was 1 and done.
I've been around awhile and I've seen what your going through with many farms and it ranches. I know you have to look at things now as in you can't wait for the future to get but there is a chance things will get better. While your trying to fill in your needs we all here, will say some prayers and just maybe that future will end up a little brighter. Thanks for sharing and take care.
Mike, well made video that covers a very important issue. I have seen and heard the struggles of ranchers across the plains dealing with drought over the past several years. The options you have tossed about and math you have considered are things I've heard time and time again and I am so glad you have exposed this issue to people that don't see the direct implications of rising hay prices, have to sell of replacement heifers, disperse cowherds, move pasture due to water, or early wean their calves. Thanks again as always!
Thank you Jay, it amazes me how issues like this are just ignored or never talked about. Every rancher around here is in the same boat but if you ask they are doing just fine. - Mike
Hello mike, I know exactly what you are going through. I have 150 cows 3 bulls and a huge hay bill for the last 3 years. I am selling a 6330 tractor to pay for my hay I will be left with 2 tractors and hay equipment. I feel this is better than selling cows, that impacts the next 10 years when that happens
Thank you for being genuine, ranching isn't easy and sometimes decisions are tough. When my wife and I began our operation we were much like you and Erin, little experience and no idea how hard it was going to be. We have had a steep learning curve, and been forced to make some hard decisions. Each year we see the pieces slowly falling into place; there are setbacks, however there is steady progress. We began with only the ground, no livestock or equipment. Everything to this point has been built from the ground up. This life is hard but rewarding, and sometimes we just have to do the best we can with the available resources. I hope my question on your last video wasn't taken as a negative, certainly wasn't meant as such. I have a genuine interest in your operation, as I look for ideas and improvement for our operation. Keep working and things will come together.
Where I farm in sweden, we're experience the worst drougt ever recorded. We have about 1200 tons of 2400 needed and there is no more grass to cut and no chanses for a regrowth any more. Problem is that the slaughterhouse's are full and won't accept any more animals. Not helping is the nation wide fire ban that are drastically reduced the amount of beef consumed. (You are not allowed to use your barbeques) To make things almost comical worse is the 240$ cost per cattle to have them sent to inciniration. Witch you are obliged to do if you dont have enough feed to feed your or ifcattle and slaughterhouse's wont take them. Still its the best job in the world and if we help each other as farmers we will always pull through in the end. Thank you for sharing your hardships aswell. Its inspering to watch and makes me even more determined to overcome this drought without loosing the herd. I think its to important off a capital to sacrifice. Like you said, money in the bank is too easely spent. But cows keep people feed and provides labor and saliries to more people than my self. Long rabmle i know but this weigh heavily on me and this video of yours reminded me that we are not alone and that cheers me up!🙂
Don't know what you're doing? After watching a ton of your videos I never imagined what you have to know to do what you two do! I'm very impressed and I found this is a husband AND wife operation. Kudos!!
My farm is very small compared to you ranch, but I know what your going through. Keep up the good work. Keep your eyes open for solutions not promblems. As bad as it seems it could always be worse. Another great video. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Mike I like the way you put all your cards on the table so all of us can understand that farming has its ups and downs. My grandfather was a farmer and one year things got so rough he killed my aunt's pet pig. He didn't tell her but her brother did. I asked him years later and he said son you have to do what you have to do to survive.
You should do a segment on the options including a fodder system, the also pumps out micro greens all summer and hay all winter. You could then graze the hay fields like seven sons, mowing the next days strip and use electric fencing. Mob grazing doubles production. Add chickens 3 days behind the cattle and permaculture saves the day. I may be all wet as I dont know the expense to purchase a grow container 20 or 40 ft trailer or set up a room. Also Strauss Meats pay more for salad bar beef and contract. There organic brand is growing 15% a year. Richard Perkins is also a great resource on utube. I hope the announced farm subsidies also help save the lack of rainy day needs. All Utube channels sell clothing, pre sell pork, beef, chicken and ship it like many other retailers. Omaha steaks..
Hey Mike and Erin. First of all let me say great videos!! I'm a relatively new subscriber from Nebraska and I'm also a rancher/trucker. Don't sell the factory, just trim the corners (sell only enough old cows to keep a few extra hfr calves as they require about a quarter of the hay to winter and less summer grass to stretch fall grazing). We sold almost half the herd in 2012 and it was the worst decision we ever made, we've been 6 years getting back to the original numbers with lots of lean years in the meantime. One thing we do for our soil in the Sandhills is feed hay on our hay fields but never in the same spot twice, builds topsoil plus you can harrow out the manure. Love the videos and keep plugging along!
I don’t think I could handle the stress. Hard work, long ours, always fixing things, sure. While I know that no job is truly secure, keeping the farm alive year to year would keep me from it. Even if I did know what I was doing. Hang in there. I’m glad your TH-cam channel and patrons help.
I have a saying " Do your best and trust God to do the rest " ! Mike you may agree or you may not , either way it works for me ! At least for the last 67 years ! You all are in my prayers !!! Please be safe and God bless you and your family !!!!!!! Eddy ps . I know it's hard but try to ignore those who put you down ! They think it makes them big but it shows how small they are !!!!
Excellent tutorial on math and decisions. Enjoy your videos and the courage you have in opening up to the TH-cam community to "try" and educate us. Chose your path, move on and pay no attention to the haters.
Great to see that you are handling the ups and downs. I have work for myself for 33 years and 8 of these years I also worked a day job for someone else. It was not easy! But you will find a way. There will be a happy medium between the number of cows and the amount of grass your land will produce. Get your land to produce more and then you can increase the cows. The rain and weather as you know are something you can't control! If cattle ranching and farming was easy we would all be doing it! Farmers feed the people and people need to realize that farms can't exist without their support! Good luck! From Canada!!!
Have you checked Railway for that far away hay. If you figure it out. Maybe you could get it shipped cheap. Not to mention get enough. Usually more is cheaper. You could sell to neighbors. Life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Thank you for your honesty. Most of us are embarrassed or too proud to tell the truth about our finances and problems. You are real and I appreciate that. When I was younger I considered trying to make a go of it in Montana until I heard it took 22 acres per cow calf pair. I stayed in southwest Missouri where we are about 3.5 acres per pair. We too are very dry and I'm considering adjusting our stocking rate to 4 acres per pair. Maybe you will find less stress, more hay production and a better bottom line if you do sell a few cows this fall? Sometimes the hardest decisions turn out the best! Good Luck to you, and may the Lord shine his face upon you.
Do you ever drink Bourbon?🙂 Terrific video. More people need to know the truth about Ranching and cow-calf operations. You give it to us straight and from the heart. God bless you all.
Mike, I admit my heart is pounding as you share your dilemma as it struck so close to home. I was raised close to your ranch between Upton and Sundance Wyoming. We had to buy hay for a number of years and it was a crushing experience. I remember one thing my dad did after a bleak haying season to supplement the feed we had to buy. He planted sorghum straight on top of the hay stubble using minimum tillage. With a few late summer and fall rains It shot up and he left it standing for the cattle to graze on through the winter. Not sure if it would work for you but we watched our cattle laying among the stalks eating sorghum continuously.
You guys are awesome people. I love that you guys are open about ranching and the cost to do it. Please keep the videos coming. Hay in central Indiana is about 30 dollars for a 4x5 roll. So about 60 a ton the trucking is just unreal
MAIL CALL: Everyone put $ 2.00 in an envelope and send it to Mike and Erin. Address listed under SHOW MORE. That's pocket change ! Let's make this the biggest mail call ever !!!!!!
It astounds me the attitude the way average people look at the ag industry and simply take for granted the abundance of quality food that it produces you and all farmers and ranchers deserve much better in my opinion my small business is not related to the industry but I have close family in the industry and the level of dedication to your products goes unmatched Thank You to you and all ranchers and farmers
Mike I have always thought I should have been a farmer and rancher, that I have missed my calling if you will. As a little Utah boy I stayed on my uncle farm in Idaho for a few summers. ' I even almost bought a 2500 acres cattle ranch in Malad Idaho with a friend, with no clue if I could make it work or not, the experience being with my friend, who was raised in farming and Ranching outside of Burley, idaho. Well they call me no guts cattle Rancher now I didn't do it. Now I'm a old man, with not the health or the stamina to think about doing anything like farming or ranching. Now to the part of this story that effects you and your wonderful family. You have become a blessing in my life to learn vicariously through you the do's and the don't in Farming and Ranching. I have had a successful corporate life that has been monetarily rewarding that has treated me and my wife well for thirty years. prior to that I bailed from a career in the Printing business. but not feeling emotionally challenged, I jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. Having said that I have no regrets. As I started driving 18 wheeler for about five years thinking I would start my own business I hauled just about every thing including hay, having never worked harder for less. Seeing No way to strike it rich in the trucking business I quit that life. but still I live the dream and was involved hauling sprinkler pipe hay as I mentioned, delivering to many farms and ranches meeting some of the best people of my entire life. In closing I would say, now in the twilight years, you can't take any of that money with you, there are no U haul's behind the Hearst, however you can take all the memories and special relationship you had along the way. God Bless you and your family Thanks for allowing me to live my life through yours. It is a pleasure to meet you via youtube to see what a honest hard working many you are which is a testament to the lifestyle you live may well be a byproduct of this great life you are living.
The numbers you give most people can't comprehend, 500 tons = one million pounds of hay. No independent rancher or farmer ever goes into this thinking they'll get rich. It's more of a calling than a job. My father grew up on a cattle farm in Tennessee and he always said " Farmers are land rich and cash poor" I suspect its the same for ranchers. I spent the summer of my 14th year working on my uncles Kentucky farm, he raised some beef and grew tobacco. I have never worked so hard in my entire 58 years as I did that summer. Its easy to criticize or make a callus comment, I have to wonder how many of them would have the intestinal fortitude to walk into the situation you did and keep an operation like yours going. Keep up the fight.
Oshkoshdom, I to have a great deal of respect for them walking into this situation. However, I'm not a fan of fighting for the fight's sake. If changes need to be made to keep the family and operation together, then changes need to be made. I can't say what the best thing to do is here. No one who doesn't know the numbers can really know. All an outsider can do is watch, listen and hope that any suggestions they make are taken as constructive rather than critical.
Our family enjoys watching your videos after dinner. You inspire us to build our own ranch. My mom is interested in how you plan to teach your children how to carry out the different ranching responsibilities. We also live in Wyoming. You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!
Well its all by getting them used to it to start, they go out and work with me when they can, they find their own talents and run with them. Thanks a bunch - Mike
I know it does not matter, and can't help. However it kills me, I'm sitting on a grass field that hasn't been touched, this will be its third year untouched actually. I made hay on it when I was running my grandpas farm. It kills me to see such good ground, that easily made great hay, and 4 times a year sit there when good folks like you are desperate for the hay. I would gladly have offered you free use of the ground, had it been closer. Central Minnesota is just too far away unfortunately. Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy going along your journeys that you share with us. I gladly will continue to watch, especially those pesky advertisements so long as it keeps your family and ranch going.
Our Wyoming Life I tried to give the hay away the first year, I even offered to cut it. Who ever only had to take and bale it! I couldn't find any takers. The CRP program (conservation reserve program) is king around here. I was looking for more land 5 years ago and our local ag office told me the current ration for our county was for every acre of usable land, there was 2.3 acres in the CRP. I gave up on buying land because I would have to wait out what ever was left on 10yr contracts before I could even drive my truck across the land. I'm glad it was already in hay, I didnt have to prepare it to sit unused. I still have to keep the weeds down but that's not too bad.
Bill, if you have hay ground you can hay it. There's this thing called an auction. Since you don't appear to care how much you make on it, you just want it used, have it hayed, baled and delivered to an auction location that sells hay. You never know, you might even make money.
I like Cat's idea of each subscriber pitching in $2. 2x36K would put a dent in the expense for sure. I know I've received far more than $2 of enjoyment watching your videos. Maybe it will snowball! My contribution is headed your way.
As the sewage truck driver said when asked about his job "well some years I make money and others we just go through the MOTIONS!!!! Thanks for being honest about the fodder crisis Mike , you will get through this tough year and come out of it a little wiser and a little older , just tell your good lady the Cadillac will have to wait till next year. Best wishes from the UK. Ps we haven't had a drop of rain in two months!! DW
Mike, I am so intrigued by the totally different way of farming compared to Tennessee. I enjoy each of your videos, they are professionally done. Great job. We have been extremely blessed this year, I have already cut 2 cuttings and about to cut the 3rd cutting of hay. We are able to stock more cows per acre. Even tho, we have more rain, hay etc.. we have our own problems that we have to deal with, I hope that you and Erin and your family are more and more blessed to eliminate the burden of having to buy hay each year, I am sure that it would alleviate alot of stress and monetary problems... Good luck and Keep doing what you all are doing.. it is working.
You need a drink? Lol I had to crack open a bottle just to watch this lol. Possibly a few more acres of hay land, and more fertilizer mite pay off in the long run. Just a thought. Down here in Texas we use a rake and bailer set up. The rake and bailer are hooked together and it saves ass loads of money . A long pto shaft goes thru the middle of the rake, and you can rake and bale simultaneously, saving thousands on wear and tear, diesel, and man hours. You simply rake and bale at the same time. 👍👍👍👍👍
I have seen those they look pretty cool! Wonder how they corner? Just as it is in Texas fertilizer up here is a gamble, no rain and you just flushed a bunch of money down the tubes. Thanks David - Mike
In my decades of farming I only just heard of that this month. Sure would like to see it in operation and talk to somebody thats used it for a few seasons
Long wide corners, but it ain't hard to adapt. Using a John Deere bailer behind the rake is the ticket to success here. You don't have to weave left to right to make a perfect bale. You just feed the bailer rite down the middle, and you'll get a perfect bale every time. John Deere and vermeer are the only 2 bailers that you can use behind a rake in my opinion, otherwise you're gonna end up with a round bale that looks like a ball. 🤣
Awesome/ been there and know what you’re going thru; but you like I have something most will never know or see and that is a life of freedom because we enjoy/love what we do! Praying for you and yours knowing all WILL work out in the end. Love you guys and which I was closer as I’d love to help and share what I know. Texas is home for me!!
Hey Mike... I know that this is going to sound a bit strange but have you ever thought of letting folks adopt a cow for the time that they are on the ranch. Where we can sent a monthly amount and you send a photo or video to us of said cow. I do understand that it would be more work for you but it might work out in your favor... And yes I would adopt a cow...
Mike and Erin, best of luck to both of you and your family. Growing pains suck. Life sometimes does the same. Nothing in life is worth doing if you love to do it. Eventually it'll turn around. Tbe big picture is at the end of the year when everything is totaled and well. Hey no one said it'd be easy. Do what you love to do. That's all what matters. Its all yours, be proud and ignore the nah sayers. Again all the best. Albert Ps; I really enjoy your videos , its a true story about ranching. Love it. 🙂
Shit man . I am in a worst position than you . I have grapes and i lost everything this year from the too much rain. Thats the farmers life. Dont give up. Love from Greece.
Hey Mike! I`m new to the channel but from the very bottom of my heart, I must say that I love and appreciate what you guys are doing on the Ranch! I also thank you for being bold and honest enough to not only share your good times at your facility, but the tough times as well. That takes courage! Things may be tough at the moment, but as you have proven with each and every video, success is all about improvements and solutions! Thank you for another awesome video! Be Blessed!
To tell the true I debated doing this video, It really puts us out there in a way but a friend of mine helped me through it. I had him watch it before I posted it and his help got me off the fence about it, and I met him through this channel. We keep our head up and keep moving forward! - Mike
Your channel is broadcasting and shedding light on subjects and situations that many of us are curious about. This video, although it is a tough one, really helped shed some light on the truth of many matters that go into farming. In the classroom, (I`m an agricultural major) we learn about the benefits and positives of farming, but we never really hear about the negatives and the giants that are to be defeated. This video, even though it was out of your comfort zone, has really opened my eyes to some of those challenges and has provided an open and honest view into the life of farming. You`re passionate about what you do and I firmly believe that your hard work will NOT be in vain. Your efforts will pay off in the end! Stay positive, stay kind, and stay blessed!
Thank you again for telling like it really is! Everyone I know is checking and double checking their herd to cull out their cows that are not calving and are not putting out good calves. At least you can find hay folks where I am at that in a good year sell extra hay that they bale are now trying to buy hay because the of not enough rain. You are not the only one with this problem thanks again for telling the story of what it is really like this year.
Is irrigation a possibility the land looks like you could use big overhead system. That travels in circles Maybe investing in a CDL and buy your own tractor trailer yourself and haul the hay.but like the old saying goes opinions are like a--holes everyone has one and most of them stink so good luck since I was raised on the farm I understand what you are talking about good luck and God bless
I wish I could irrigate, the only option we have is from wells and the state regulates that and its a no go. The truck thing I have though about but was actually talked out of it. I have a neighbor that did that, now he drives truck lol Thanks Dean - Mike
Fellow rancher from sky valley, Ga. It's amazing how flat the acreage is there. I always imagined mountainous ranges there. God bless, enjoy the videos
Thank you for "opening up" to the reality of farming/ranching life. Not easy but very rewarding if you can make it. I admire what you guys are doing! God bless!
The bulk of my cattle are less than a mile from the salt water on the Texas gulf coast...we had a record drought in 2011....had to feed hundreds of cows rice straw over the winter....not much food value but we made it. Last year had hurricane Harvey and had to run cattle down the road... lost about 12 when they ran up under a bridge and drown...so always a struggle.
Believe it or not everyone is haying everything around here just trying to get by. I did cut a neighbors place on shares for just a few bales. Thanks Bill - Mike
Our Wyoming Life If you can't find hay ground close by could you go farther away and hay ground. Even if its a 100 miles away to hay it and just pay land rent if any and trucking to get it home. It may save you some money. Also how do you divid pastures . Could you make smaller pastures run the cows through them faster and have a longer rest between for more grass growth. Leaving the pastures closer to home for last so you could graze later and use less hay. Just some ideas they may or may not work for you. Thanks for sharing with us.
Hans Herygers he said each truck can haul 22 tons , 44,000 lbs. each truck has a limit what they can legally haul 80,000 that’s with weight of cargo and truck and trailer. So there is about 6,000. Spare unless u can find a trucker to run outlaw style
Farming/Ranching is a tough gig. No matter how well you manage what is in your control there is Mother Nature to contend with. Some years are great and others not so great. On the ranch I live on the one herd bull dropped dead from a ruptured stomach last week. That was an unexpected expense that my step-uncle will have to absorb to maintain his herd. He will do it, just like you will overcome your hay issue. Please just delete the troll comments, you don't need them as you get along in your Wyoming Life.
I do not watch these videos in any order, but last night I saw a winter scene where you collected road kill deer off the roadside, something I did was to put all the dead animals I had I put under the midden I piled up all the muck as deep as possible and get the animal well covered the heat from the composting decomposes the body and when the muck is spread on the fields all the good bit of bones are smashed up and good fertiliser. It all helps with soil nutrition, and free fertiliser.
God bless you and your family! Ranching is hard... I love your videos, thank you for your allowing me to learn through you and help me to be a better rancher myself! ❤ keep on keeping on! And I'll keep y'all in my prayers!!
I would be considered a young kid and I own my own animals and won't even let my parents help because I bought them they are my responsibility, so not all "kids" are negative, this is my top ranching channel. And Mike there is so much untouched good hay grass here in Michigan I just wish I could send it all to you but still can't drive a semi. Sorry
Hang in there! As I’m sure you’ve learned by now things can turn around fast in the ranching world. I’m sure you’ve heard “things will be better next year”. I told my wife that for about 5 years and then one year, I was right! Have you thought about leasing hay ground? Then you wouldn’t have to buy hay or if you got a normal year you could sell the extra. That’s what I do but everyone’s situation is different (some of us actually know that!)
Thank you very much, we have been looking for some lease hay ground. As you can imagine everyone here is in the same boat, at least the southern part of the county. Everyone is haying everything they can! Erin just said that today, "next year will be better"- Mike
Our Wyoming Life You guys might be a good candidate for a Ranchworx aerator or something similar. They are supposed to increase yields pretty good on dry land hay or pasture. Might help water absorption and retention some. If you haven’t looked into them already check them out. Aer-way is another brand that makes them. They are pretty pricey though with no guarantee it will work in your situation but maybe worth a look.
I can understand the situation somewhat, this is going to be a tough year for farmers and ranchers. To add to the irony, I was watching this while working on the budget. You just about make enough to go again next year. Breaking even works fantastic for tax purposes, but is a tough equation to get anywhere.
good luck Mike and Erin,please God the weather works with you for a change rather than against you,your work ethic and determination will see you guys through,love and Prayers to you and your family.
I love your honesty. The life of a farmer is not easy nor for the faint of heart. Long hours, every day. Saturday and Sunday are not days off. Keep up the good work
Thanks Tom - Mike
First and foremost, you will always have naysayers in general, so too those who don;t understand the hardship and sacrifices that Our Wyoming Life endure, go stick it somewhere the sun don't shine. For those of us that support Mike and Erin, we stand behind you in watching you make these great videos, honest and heartfelt, learning how to solve or use mathematics again, (in all honesty, I am learning again) a refresher course from back in the day. So in closing, I know the Ranch will survive, the livestock will get fed, the videos will keep coming, God Bless and thank you for another lesson in calculations.
Thank you very much for your kind words! - Mike
Understand that as your channel grows you can expect more and more trolls. Just ignore them. Don't even acknowledge them. In other words "Don't feed the trolls". Love your videos ....I myself am hoping to move to Wyoming in the next 5 years.
haha, kill them with kindness is our motto. Cant wait to see you here! - Mike
Feed cows, not trolls.
I thought Wyoming was full?!? According to Blake it is!!!! LOL
As a homesteader, I can't thank you enough for your top notch quality videos and total transparency. I think too many people in the farming, ranching, homesteading, etc world today are needlessly harsh towards one another. An eagerness to help is one thing, it's another thing entirely to trash someone for not doing something the way they would do it. Keep a positive outlook, ignore the naysayers, and keep on keeping on. Love your videos, they are totally unique, usually very informative, and always entertaining!
I have experienced the same type of comments directed at me when my stepfather died and I took over the ranch. Here's what he told me in one of our conversations before he passed. He always believed that kids should spend time outside the ranch (at another farm or ranch) before returning and taking things over. This was because it was great to see the differences and operations and situations. What he meant by this I can't exactly say 100% but, when I started taking things over he encouraged me to start doing things the way I would do them. As in what worked for me. You too my friend need to hear those same words. Everyone out there on the outside looking in is going to tell you you're doing it wrong. Just keep doing what you think is right. If your deceased family didn't think you could do it, they wouldn't have let you take over. Remember that, and hang in there!
Lots of prayers your direction!
I think you are right, new ideas are always good! Thank you very much - Mike
Hang in there Mike!
I am a cow-calf operator in Virginia and been dealing with drought the last 2~3 months. Almost to point of feeding now which would mean buying hay for winter. Finally starting raining Sunday - praise the Lord. Most folks just don’t realize the number of variables out of the farmer / ranchers control. Takes a strong constitution and tons of faith.
Love the videos and keep the faith!
You are correct, glad you got that rain, I know its not enough to save things but it might help. Thanks - Mike
Series is only getting better. Production quality is top notch from a bedroom. The honesty and humbleness makes me thankful to be apart of this community since the first few subscribers. I just know 1million sub's is on the horizon. The content is just to good. We're behind you two pushing you forward. Keep going.
Thank you very much, love to still see you here 18 months later and still commenting. Very cool! - Mike
You nailed it!
We fight the same struggle you do across the Atlantic! In Sweden we got about 20 % of a regular hay-harvest but we keep on going and will never give up! Watching you guys every early morning with the coffee in my hand gets me and us started! Keep up the good work and I'm sure you will make it just like you always do!!
Thank you very much Niclas. Amazing how we can be so far apart yet live the same struggle. Thank you again - Mike
Wondering if you would ever host a ranch day? I'd absolutely pay for a tour of your ranch. You guys are doing great!
We are hoping to someday. Thank you very much - Mike
Hey Mike I'm in the same boat, but I've researched how to improve my meadows through being more of a soil scientist through necessity. I have read Jim Gerrishs books "Management -Intensive Grazing" and "Kick The Hay Habit" and for a health care professional it makes sense. I've leaned hard on my faith and family made some changes and have brought some major changes. 1 synchronize your calving to fit the grass you have and thus the demand of your cows make the grafe curve when your grass is at its peak. 2 Look at what your soils need through soil sampling and thus adding through plant production what your soils need. 3 Change is good base on science and faith. If your neighbors aren't talking about you and how crazy they believe you are and how certain methods just won't work where your at then you know your moving forward. PLEASE embrace change its the hardest step in the whole process. The next step is attend a Gabe Brown seminar, I'll be there. Also Google Gabe Brown and again a lot of good information that a person can apply, some of the change comes slower than others but it does work, knowledge is power. I've lived in Gillette during my health care journey and know some of your challenges, but from one Wyomingite to another stay strong.
Mike you have strong old school spirit. you will succeed.
Not much choice lol Thanks - Mike
Hang in there bud, been doing this for 35 years and it doesn't get any easier, but at the end of the day you can look back and know you did your best with the cards you were dealt. Have a drink relax and thank the good Lord for being a part of the best industry there is.Good wishes from Texas
Thank you very much ! - Mike
Feast or famine...here in Maryland we are in nonstop rain, flooding and ruined farm crops. My husband & I were small business owners, retail stores that we owned and worked every shift, as did our kids. It is a non stop stressful never ending treadmill and I so sympathize with you. You have weather to accommodate...we had to face 9/11, a war economy and a recession. You and your wife are a team...and you are smart, capable and up to the challenge. Sending prayers of strength and success to you🙏🏻
Thank you very much - Mike
Bravery can be measured in many ways, one way I measure it, is by how honest and upfront someone is about something when they really don’t have to be. You show a great deal of strength and integrity on your videos and I would like to thank you for that. It is something I don’t see much of anymore and I am happy to see it still exists and is still being taught to the next generation. Thank you.
Mike I think you just educated a lot of non farmers and non ranchers as to the mathematics behind farming and ranching looking at inputs and output cost great video keep up the good job and don't let the trolls get to you
Thank you :) - Mike
God bless you and your family you are GREAT Patriots I pray that everything works out for your operation its great to know that there are still people in America like you guys.
Thank you - Mike
Mike and Erin....I grew up on a farm and I know a bit about what you are going thru...my dad farmed and my heart aches for you right now! My dad used to say "life is full of choices...easy ones and hard ones" know that I appreciate your candor with us and not trying to make everything "rosey" that just isn't real life!
Sooo... right now you have my thoughts and prayers! I will watch as many ads as I can😁keep your chins up and remember your blessings!!!
Thank you Debra, by sugar coating things I dont think we are doing any favors to anyone but real life is what it is. We adapt, we overcome. Thanks - Mike
Welcome to ranching Mike. We have 2 sale barns here. Both are selling big numbers of cattle for this time of year. A few ranchers are trucking cattle to adjoining states where they have had rain.
It is a cycle one must work through the best one can.
PRAY.
Very true, thanks - Mike
I also respect you for putting your info out there and being real unlike most people, you educate tons of people including me, thanks Mike!
Thanks Sean, its not easy to do sometimes. :) - Mike
This is an older video, so I hope you get the chance to see this comment. I have been binge watching your videos for the past few weeks and came across this one. I really saw the urgency in your thoughts. I see now your still holding strong. I would hope it's because of all the love you and your wife have for your land and it's future. Great video. I'll always support you any way I can. Thanks for all the education you already provided me. As a city guy, waiting a few more years to retire, I hope to live out the rest with my family on our own small homestead. Your videos teach allot.. thanks
Thank you very much Will - Mike
Mike and Erin I watch you guys ever week and I love what you do! I know the traditions you explained may go against what you just shared. But I thank you for your honesty. Here is why, my dream is to live the ranch life and with out your insight I wouldn't know some of the something you have shared over the years. So I thank you for the good and the bad! So I say, Gilbert would be proud of you guys for your resilience in the truff times! keep up the good work and continue to uphold the ranching legacy of our great country! Much to you and your family!
Thank you very much Derrick, its not easy to break tradition. :) - Mike
Mike your opening is The main reason I love this channel and your family! your honesty. you share with us what it is like and from someone who has NO idea what running a ranch is like I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate your videos. I really enjoy them and know the time and effort that goes into them. ignore the trolls keep doing what is good for you and your family. huge hugs from down under.
Thank you Anna :) - Mike
I'm praying for you both, you have done a great job and HE will reward you. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much - Mike
Mike I found this show by accident, but it has become very addictive. Love watching my sister and her family live in Duckwater NV. They are ranchers on a homestead from back in the early 40s. They have struggled and grew over the last 80 years. My nephew and niece look to be about your age. They are hay ranchers as well as cattle. Love your show
I'm far away from all you do, but feel sick hearing about your tough time. I really do. Also, I'll never understand why non-ranchers & farmers have problems seeing the direct connection with you all. If ranchers suffer, so do us all. I do understand first hand tough financial times all the way through bankruptcy. However, I've found that strong willed and determined people survive and ultimately do well. I have no doubt that you are like that. Thanks for being so open.
Thank you, its not easy to be this open but i do believe it is worth it. So many people never see, or see and dont care. We need an agricultural revolution. - Mike
Amen to that brother!
Mike
I was raised in southeast Kansas and my grandfather was a rancher. I'm in my late 60's now and I never stop thinking about the life that my grandfather shared with us grandkids. I spent most of life in Seattle, it nice that you are willing to share your life with us. Good luck and thank you.
PS let it rain.
Thank you for being open and honest with everyone about the financial stresses that those with cows have to endure. Even those with a handful of cows still go through some of the same types of hardships. Hopefully this opens peoples eyes a little bit.
HAY! Ryan how are ya. This City boy's eyes have been opened wide! You guys with livestock, crops etc get alot of respect from me!
Not always rainbows and sunshine. Thanks - Mike
People that are not from Wyoming have no idea how rough of a life it really is. Its my home, the place I was born and raised. But its not for lightweights... you have to be a hearty soul to thrive there. Thank you for all you do Mike... will definitely be helping you out any way I can...thanks for the breakdown on costs and maybe waking up some people to how running a farm/ranch really is...
Thanks for opening yourselves up for all to see. You give us a perspective of ranch life that we can see nowhere else. It is fun to dream of owning a ranch and live the ranching life but it is a business. Tough decisions need to be made to survive. I know you will make the correct decisions to keep it all going. Looking forward to it all. Thanks again for the great videos.
Thank you very much - Mike
I can honestly say that I always thought farming would be hard work but be a very worthwhile and honest choice to make in life. You have shown that this is the case. You have also shown that it takes a special type of person to do what you do....I am not that person! Thank you for opening up about farm life.
As I am sure you already know the Sun will still rise in the East tomorrow.
Thank you again.
Thank you Justin, you are right the sun will rise, cows will eat and life will move on. :) - Mike
Most informative farming blog on TH-cam... Its a credit to you...
Thank you Ross! - Mike
Mike - I love your candor and honesty. I fully understand the "back against the wall" not wanting to share but by your willingness to share the real workings of your life and ranch it speaks volumes as to the true value of ranchers and farmers and how tough the decisions can be. I learned hard, but did learn that it is community that helps and your viewers are now part of your community. I know I am and why I watch every episode and contribute when I can.
Thank you so much, we have really built something here and I am proud to be a part of it! - Mike
You and your family are an inspiring. We are just getting our small farm going and I can relate to your situation. Thank you for what you do and Keep your chin up.
Thank you very much - Mike
Your story is a story of every farmer I know. Its a never ending struggle to get by. Many years they pay just to farm.
Love the channel keep doing what you're doing!
Thank you for taking us inside the Ranch. Bless you and your family for your chosen occupations.
Thank you very much for coming along! - Mike
We ranch in Missouri and deal with a host of issues as well. I admire what you guys are doing, you deal a lot of things a lot of other ranchers don’t! It is true that the “other guy” has it easy, but the truth is that each area of the country has it tough and we can all complain about something. I heard a guy down south complain about too much rain! Id kill for that in ne Missouri! I do however believe that you are in a particular area w not many breaks! Long cold winters, short, dry, and hot summers! I struggle to find the positives of western plains! You make it work and it’s entertaining to see you manage through it. Hay is very tight in MO as well. Good luck!
I agree, everyone has issues, none of them are ever easy but the amazing thing is when we get through them! Thanks Rich - Mike
I feel your pain. Watching my dad growing up was hard. We had beef cattle. But, we were primarily a crop farm. We only had 11 acres of hay. And if we got 2 cuttings off that field it was a blessing. Usually it was 1 and done.
I've been around awhile and I've seen what your going through with many farms and it ranches. I know you have to look at things now as in you can't wait for the future to get but there is a chance things will get better. While your trying to fill in your needs we all here, will say some prayers and just maybe that future will end up a little brighter. Thanks for sharing and take care.
Thank you very much Mark, means alot to us! - Mike
Mike, well made video that covers a very important issue. I have seen and heard the struggles of ranchers across the plains dealing with drought over the past several years. The options you have tossed about and math you have considered are things I've heard time and time again and I am so glad you have exposed this issue to people that don't see the direct implications of rising hay prices, have to sell of replacement heifers, disperse cowherds, move pasture due to water, or early wean their calves. Thanks again as always!
Thank you Jay, it amazes me how issues like this are just ignored or never talked about. Every rancher around here is in the same boat but if you ask they are doing just fine. - Mike
Hello mike, I know exactly what you are going through. I have 150 cows 3 bulls and a huge hay bill for the last 3 years. I am selling a 6330 tractor to pay for my hay I will be left with 2 tractors and hay equipment. I feel this is better than selling cows, that impacts the next 10 years when that happens
I hear ya, we tossed that idea around too. Heck we are tossing alot of ideas lol Thanks Tony - Mike
Thank you for being genuine, ranching isn't easy and sometimes decisions are tough. When my wife and I began our operation we were much like you and Erin, little experience and no idea how hard it was going to be. We have had a steep learning curve, and been forced to make some hard decisions. Each year we see the pieces slowly falling into place; there are setbacks, however there is steady progress. We began with only the ground, no livestock or equipment. Everything to this point has been built from the ground up. This life is hard but rewarding, and sometimes we just have to do the best we can with the available resources. I hope my question on your last video wasn't taken as a negative, certainly wasn't meant as such. I have a genuine interest in your operation, as I look for ideas and improvement for our operation. Keep working and things will come together.
Thank you very much, we all started somewhere and we all can help each other. No problem at all. Retention time is a killer for us. :) - Mike
Where I farm in sweden, we're experience the worst drougt ever recorded. We have about 1200 tons of 2400 needed and there is no more grass to cut and no chanses for a regrowth any more. Problem is that the slaughterhouse's are full and won't accept any more animals. Not helping is the nation wide fire ban that are drastically reduced the amount of beef consumed. (You are not allowed to use your barbeques)
To make things almost comical worse is the 240$ cost per cattle to have them sent to inciniration. Witch you are obliged to do if you dont have enough feed to feed your or ifcattle and slaughterhouse's wont take them.
Still its the best job in the world and if we help each other as farmers we will always pull through in the end.
Thank you for sharing your hardships aswell. Its inspering to watch and makes me even more determined to overcome this drought without loosing the herd. I think its to important off a capital to sacrifice. Like you said, money in the bank is too easely spent. But cows keep people feed and provides labor and saliries to more people than my self.
Long rabmle i know but this weigh heavily on me and this video of yours reminded me that we are not alone and that cheers me up!🙂
wow, that is wild. The only way to do it is to overcome and move forward. Thank you so much for sharing! - Mike
Having to pay to incinerate live animals instead of sending to slaughter at even reduced prices.....Id be suicidal. Good luck to you
Don't know what you're doing? After watching a ton of your videos I never imagined what you have to know to do what you two do! I'm very impressed and I found this is a husband AND wife operation. Kudos!!
My farm is very small compared to you ranch, but I know what your going through. Keep up the good work. Keep your eyes open for solutions not promblems. As bad as it seems it could always be worse. Another great video. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
It can always be worse, we will persavere! Thanks - Mike
Gerrald Farms
We will adapt,improvise and overcome
daniel juarez that’s what we have to do, if we want to keep going👍🏻
Mike I like the way you put all your cards on the table so all of us can understand that farming has its ups and downs. My grandfather was a farmer and one year things got so rough he killed my aunt's pet pig. He didn't tell her but her brother did. I asked him years later and he said son you have to do what you have to do to survive.
You should do a segment on the options including a fodder system, the also pumps out micro greens all summer and hay all winter. You could then graze the hay fields like seven sons, mowing the next days strip and use electric fencing. Mob grazing doubles production. Add chickens 3 days behind the cattle and permaculture saves the day. I may be all wet as I dont know the expense to purchase a grow container 20 or 40 ft trailer or set up a room. Also Strauss Meats pay more for salad bar beef and contract. There organic brand is growing 15% a year. Richard Perkins is also a great resource on utube. I hope the announced farm subsidies also help save the lack of rainy day needs. All Utube channels sell clothing, pre sell pork, beef, chicken and ship it like many other retailers. Omaha steaks..
Thanks for the great ideas! - Mike
Hey Mike and Erin. First of all let me say great videos!! I'm a relatively new subscriber from Nebraska and I'm also a rancher/trucker. Don't sell the factory, just trim the corners (sell only enough old cows to keep a few extra hfr calves as they require about a quarter of the hay to winter and less summer grass to stretch fall grazing). We sold almost half the herd in 2012 and it was the worst decision we ever made, we've been 6 years getting back to the original numbers with lots of lean years in the meantime. One thing we do for our soil in the Sandhills is feed hay on our hay fields but never in the same spot twice, builds topsoil plus you can harrow out the manure. Love the videos and keep plugging along!
I love that idea, and I think it would help us immensely! Thank you so much! - Mike
I don’t think I could handle the stress. Hard work, long ours, always fixing things, sure. While I know that no job is truly secure, keeping the farm alive year to year would keep me from it. Even if I did know what I was doing. Hang in there. I’m glad your TH-cam channel and patrons help.
Thank you, stress is there everyday. I guess you just learn to live with it. Thanks Jesse - Mike
Thanks for sharing your life. So many people take Beef for granted. Thanks again
That they do, thank you - Mike
I have a saying " Do your best and trust God to do the rest " ! Mike you may agree or you may not , either way it works for me ! At least for the last 67 years ! You all are in my prayers !!! Please be safe and God bless you and your family !!!!!!! Eddy ps . I know it's hard but try to ignore those who put you down ! They think it makes them big but it shows how small they are !!!!
We couldnt agree with you more! Thanks - Mike
Excellent tutorial on math and decisions. Enjoy your videos and the courage you have in opening up to the TH-cam community to "try" and educate us. Chose your path, move on and pay no attention to the haters.
Thats the goal, put our head down and keep running. Thanks - Mike
Morning to the project list, hi Mackenzie, morning Grace, morning Erin have yourselves a wonderful day today great to be here. 🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂
Thank you Athea!! - Mike
Our Wyoming Life you're welcome 🐂🐂🐂🐂
Great to see that you are handling the ups and downs. I have work for myself for 33 years and 8 of these years I also worked a day job for someone else. It was not easy! But you will find a way. There will be a happy medium between the number of cows and the amount of grass your land will produce. Get your land to produce more and then you can increase the cows. The rain and weather as you know are something you can't control! If cattle ranching and farming was easy we would all be doing it! Farmers feed the people and people need to realize that farms can't exist without their support! Good luck! From Canada!!!
Have you checked Railway for that far away hay. If you figure it out. Maybe you could get it shipped cheap. Not to mention get enough. Usually more is cheaper. You could sell to neighbors. Life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Very true, thank you very much - Mike
This could be a good idea for more than a few farmers and ranchers. Even Farm and Garden stores could do well this way.
Thank you for your honesty. Most of us are embarrassed or too proud to tell the truth about our finances and problems. You are real and I appreciate that. When I was younger I considered trying to make a go of it in Montana until I heard it took 22 acres per cow calf pair. I stayed in southwest Missouri where we are about 3.5 acres per pair. We too are very dry and I'm considering adjusting our stocking rate to 4 acres per pair. Maybe you will find less stress, more hay production and a better bottom line if you do sell a few cows this fall? Sometimes the hardest decisions turn out the best! Good Luck to you, and may the Lord shine his face upon you.
Thank you Randy, I really appreciate it. - Mike
Do you ever drink Bourbon?🙂 Terrific video. More people need to know the truth about Ranching and cow-calf operations. You give it to us straight and from the heart. God bless you all.
I dont mind bourbon, the good stuff is too rich for my blood though lol Thanks Fiona - Mike
Mike, I admit my heart is pounding as you share your dilemma as it struck so close to home. I was raised close to your ranch between Upton and Sundance Wyoming. We had to buy hay for a number of years and it was a crushing experience. I remember one thing my dad did after a bleak haying season to supplement the feed we had to buy. He planted sorghum straight on top of the hay stubble using minimum tillage. With a few late summer and fall rains It shot up and he left it standing for the cattle to graze on through the winter. Not sure if it would work for you but we watched our cattle laying among the stalks eating sorghum continuously.
Added your channel to my patreon account. If I did the math right I am sponsoring 4.8% of the annual hay requirements for a single cow :-)
Wow, that is awesome. and a great way to look at it. Thank you so much - Mike
You guys are awesome people. I love that you guys are open about ranching and the cost to do it. Please keep the videos coming. Hay in central Indiana is about 30 dollars for a 4x5 roll. So about 60 a ton the trucking is just unreal
Wow yes it is! thanks cody - Mike
MAIL CALL: Everyone put $ 2.00 in an envelope and send it to Mike and Erin. Address listed under SHOW MORE. That's pocket change ! Let's make this the biggest mail call ever !!!!!!
I like that idea! We could also include a card for Graces B-day!
wow! Thanks Cat I'm at a loss for words - Mike
Great idea, I will do it.
Where is the address?
It astounds me the attitude the way average people look at the ag industry and simply take for granted the abundance of quality food that it produces you and all farmers and ranchers deserve much better in my opinion my small business is not related to the industry but I have close family in the industry and the level of dedication to your products goes unmatched Thank You to you and all ranchers and farmers
Blessings to you all...
Thank you very much - Mike
I her you mike . We just brought 14 tons of grain to feed sheep at $460 per ton game changer . Winter here no RAIN .keep going
Thats all you can do, keep moving forward - Mike
I've never known a happy rich guy. There is always a gift in the darkness.
No one here will ever be rich lol - Mike
Mike I have always thought I should have been a farmer and rancher, that I have missed my calling if you will. As a little Utah boy I stayed on my uncle farm in Idaho for a few summers. '
I even almost bought a 2500 acres cattle ranch in Malad Idaho with a friend, with no clue if I could make it work or not, the experience being with my friend, who was raised in farming and Ranching outside of Burley, idaho. Well they call me no guts cattle Rancher now I didn't do it. Now I'm a old man, with not the health or the stamina to think about doing anything like farming or ranching.
Now to the part of this story that effects you and your wonderful family. You have become a blessing in my life to learn vicariously through you the do's and the don't in Farming and Ranching. I have had a successful corporate life that has been monetarily rewarding that has treated me and my wife well for thirty years. prior to that I bailed from a career in the Printing business. but not feeling emotionally challenged, I jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. Having said that I have no regrets. As I started driving 18 wheeler for about five years thinking I would start my own business I hauled just about every thing including hay, having never worked harder for less. Seeing No way to strike it rich in the trucking business I quit that life. but still I live the dream and was involved hauling sprinkler pipe hay as I mentioned, delivering to many farms and ranches meeting some of the best people of my entire life. In closing I would say, now in the twilight years, you can't take any of that money with you, there are no U haul's behind the Hearst, however you can take all the memories and special relationship you had along the way. God Bless you and your family Thanks for allowing me to live my life through yours. It is a pleasure to meet you via youtube to see what a honest hard working many you are which is a testament to the lifestyle you live may well be a byproduct of this great life you are living.
Thank you so much for your kind words :) - Mike
The numbers you give most people can't comprehend, 500 tons = one million pounds of hay.
No independent rancher or farmer ever goes into this thinking they'll get rich. It's more of a calling than a job.
My father grew up on a cattle farm in Tennessee and he always said " Farmers are land rich and cash poor" I suspect its the same for ranchers.
I spent the summer of my 14th year working on my uncles Kentucky farm, he raised some beef and grew tobacco.
I have never worked so hard in my entire 58 years as I did that summer.
Its easy to criticize or make a callus comment, I have to wonder how many of them would have the intestinal fortitude to walk into the situation you did and keep an operation like yours going.
Keep up the fight.
Thank you very much, all is true but we move forward and keep our heads up. Thanks - Mike
Oshkoshdom, I to have a great deal of respect for them walking into this situation. However, I'm not a fan of fighting for the fight's sake. If changes need to be made to keep the family and operation together, then changes need to be made. I can't say what the best thing to do is here. No one who doesn't know the numbers can really know. All an outsider can do is watch, listen and hope that any suggestions they make are taken as constructive rather than critical.
Our family enjoys watching your videos after dinner. You inspire us to build our own ranch. My mom is interested in how you plan to teach your children how to carry out the different ranching responsibilities. We also live in Wyoming. You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!
Well its all by getting them used to it to start, they go out and work with me when they can, they find their own talents and run with them. Thanks a bunch - Mike
I know it does not matter, and can't help. However it kills me, I'm sitting on a grass field that hasn't been touched, this will be its third year untouched actually. I made hay on it when I was running my grandpas farm. It kills me to see such good ground, that easily made great hay, and 4 times a year sit there when good folks like you are desperate for the hay. I would gladly have offered you free use of the ground, had it been closer. Central Minnesota is just too far away unfortunately.
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy going along your journeys that you share with us. I gladly will continue to watch, especially those pesky advertisements so long as it keeps your family and ranch going.
That is a shame. I'm surprised no one wants to cut it. I'm sure someone could use it. Thank you very much - Mike
Our Wyoming Life I tried to give the hay away the first year, I even offered to cut it. Who ever only had to take and bale it! I couldn't find any takers. The CRP program (conservation reserve program) is king around here. I was looking for more land 5 years ago and our local ag office told me the current ration for our county was for every acre of usable land, there was 2.3 acres in the CRP. I gave up on buying land because I would have to wait out what ever was left on 10yr contracts before I could even drive my truck across the land. I'm glad it was already in hay, I didnt have to prepare it to sit unused. I still have to keep the weeds down but that's not too bad.
Bill, if you have hay ground you can hay it. There's this thing called an auction. Since you don't appear to care how much you make on it, you just want it used, have it hayed, baled and delivered to an auction location that sells hay. You never know, you might even make money.
There's a sale in Sauk Centre, MN
Cokato MN
Hutchinson, MN
Litchfield, MN
aCycloneSteve I haven't seen very good prices for auction hay so far. If I hauled it to sauk center I would for sure be losing money.
I'll simply say thanks for taking us along for the ride Mike & Erin. Keep the old stiff upper lip and carry on, it'll all come good in the end.
That is does. Thanks - Mike
I like Cat's idea of each subscriber pitching in $2. 2x36K would put a dent in the expense for sure. I know I've received far more than $2 of enjoyment watching your videos. Maybe it will snowball! My contribution is headed your way.
Thank you Mark! - Mike
As the sewage truck driver said when asked about his job "well some years I make money and others we just go through the MOTIONS!!!!
Thanks for being honest about the fodder crisis Mike , you will get through this tough year and come out of it a little wiser and a little older , just tell your good lady the Cadillac will have to wait till next year. Best wishes from the UK. Ps we haven't had a drop of rain in two months!!
DW
Life has a way of working itself out. Keep the wheels spinning and good things will come from it ;-)
That is does! You keep moving forward - Mike
Mike, I am so intrigued by the totally different way of farming compared to Tennessee. I enjoy each of your videos, they are professionally done. Great job. We have been extremely blessed this year, I have already cut 2 cuttings and about to cut the 3rd cutting of hay. We are able to stock more cows per acre. Even tho, we have more rain, hay etc.. we have our own problems that we have to deal with, I hope that you and Erin and your family are more and more blessed to eliminate the burden of having to buy hay each year, I am sure that it would alleviate alot of stress and monetary problems... Good luck and Keep doing what you all are doing.. it is working.
Oh yea, every one has issues thats for sure. I dont think it matters where you are. Thank you Travis - Mike
You need a drink? Lol I had to crack open a bottle just to watch this lol. Possibly a few more acres of hay land, and more fertilizer mite pay off in the long run. Just a thought. Down here in Texas we use a rake and bailer set up. The rake and bailer are hooked together and it saves ass loads of money . A long pto shaft goes thru the middle of the rake, and you can rake and bale simultaneously, saving thousands on wear and tear, diesel, and man hours. You simply rake and bale at the same time. 👍👍👍👍👍
I have seen those they look pretty cool! Wonder how they corner? Just as it is in Texas fertilizer up here is a gamble, no rain and you just flushed a bunch of money down the tubes. Thanks David - Mike
In my decades of farming I only just heard of that this month. Sure would like to see it in operation and talk to somebody thats used it for a few seasons
Long wide corners, but it ain't hard to adapt. Using a John Deere bailer behind the rake is the ticket to success here. You don't have to weave left to right to make a perfect bale. You just feed the bailer rite down the middle, and you'll get a perfect bale every time. John Deere and vermeer are the only 2 bailers that you can use behind a rake in my opinion, otherwise you're gonna end up with a round bale that looks like a ball. 🤣
Brian what would you like to know? I use this setup that I'm speaking of. What questions do you have?
I found a TH-cam Channel called "North Texas Hay" he uses a set up like you describe.
I’m from Mexico my father is a rancher and I know well about caws I appreciate you keep it going you will be succeed
If i had the land and the hay I would donate it to our Wyoming Life just because it would be a honor to help out in a such small small way
Thank you so much John - Mike
Awesome/ been there and know what you’re going thru; but you like I have something most will never know or see and that is a life of freedom because we enjoy/love what we do! Praying for you and yours knowing all WILL work out in the end. Love you guys and which I was closer as I’d love to help and share what I know. Texas is home for me!!
Thank you very much Dennis ! - Mike
Hey Mike... I know that this is going to sound a bit strange but have you ever thought of letting folks adopt a cow for the time that they are on the ranch. Where we can sent a monthly amount and you send a photo or video to us of said cow. I do understand that it would be more work for you but it might work out in your favor... And yes I would adopt a cow...
We have thought of that. We could even do it through Patreon. Thanks - Mike
Someone brought this up on the last Ranch Talk. I think it's a great idea! I'd definitely adopt one!
Mike and Erin, best of luck to both of you and your family. Growing pains suck. Life sometimes does the same. Nothing in life is worth doing if you love to do it. Eventually it'll turn around. Tbe big picture is at the end of the year when everything is totaled and well. Hey no one said it'd be easy.
Do what you love to do. That's all what matters. Its all yours, be proud and ignore the nah sayers.
Again all the best.
Albert
Ps; I really enjoy your videos , its a true story about ranching. Love it. 🙂
Thank you Albert! You are very correct ! - Mike
Shit man . I am in a worst position than you . I have grapes and i lost everything this year from the too much rain.
Thats the farmers life. Dont give up. Love from Greece.
Wow, that is horrible, sorry to hear it. Thanks for sharing and heres to all the best. - Mike
Hey Mike! I`m new to the channel but from the very bottom of my heart, I must say that I love and appreciate what you guys are doing on the Ranch! I also thank you for being bold and honest enough to not only share your good times at your facility, but the tough times as well. That takes courage! Things may be tough at the moment, but as you have proven with each and every video, success is all about improvements and solutions! Thank you for another awesome video! Be Blessed!
To tell the true I debated doing this video, It really puts us out there in a way but a friend of mine helped me through it. I had him watch it before I posted it and his help got me off the fence about it, and I met him through this channel. We keep our head up and keep moving forward! - Mike
Your channel is broadcasting and shedding light on subjects and situations that many of us are curious about. This video, although it is a tough one, really helped shed some light on the truth of many matters that go into farming. In the classroom, (I`m an agricultural major) we learn about the benefits and positives of farming, but we never really hear about the negatives and the giants that are to be defeated. This video, even though it was out of your comfort zone, has really opened my eyes to some of those challenges and has provided an open and honest view into the life of farming. You`re passionate about what you do and I firmly believe that your hard work will NOT be in vain. Your efforts will pay off in the end! Stay positive, stay kind, and stay blessed!
Do the best you can. All will work out in the end. Unfortunately math doesn't lie. Best wishes !!!
Thanks Joe - Mike
Thank you again for telling like it really is! Everyone I know is checking and double checking their herd to cull out their cows that are not calving and are not putting out good calves. At least you can find hay folks where I am at that in a good year sell extra hay that they bale are now trying to buy hay because the of not enough rain. You are not the only one with this problem thanks again for telling the story of what it is really like this year.
You are correct, this problem is everywhere. Thank you very much - Mike
Is irrigation a possibility the land looks like you could use big overhead system. That travels in circles Maybe investing in a CDL and buy your own tractor trailer yourself and haul the hay.but like the old saying goes opinions are like a--holes everyone has one and most of them stink so good luck since I was raised on the farm I understand what you are talking about good luck and God bless
I wish I could irrigate, the only option we have is from wells and the state regulates that and its a no go. The truck thing I have though about but was actually talked out of it. I have a neighbor that did that, now he drives truck lol Thanks Dean - Mike
Fellow rancher from sky valley, Ga. It's amazing how flat the acreage is there. I always imagined mountainous ranges there. God bless, enjoy the videos
I just gave at Patreon, I hope over a few months I can help pay for a round bail. :)
Thank you very much Patrick. It does mean a lot to us! -Mike
Thank you for "opening up" to the reality of farming/ranching life. Not easy but very rewarding if you can make it. I admire what you guys are doing! God bless!
Thank you Dan - Mike
no idea how you dry land ranchers make it during dry times up in eastern Montana we need to irrigate to make it
I wish we had some irrigation. Could really use it. Thanks - Mike
Im guessing that they would like that option
The bulk of my cattle are less than a mile from the salt water on the Texas gulf coast...we had a record drought in 2011....had to feed hundreds of cows rice straw over the winter....not much food value but we made it. Last year had hurricane Harvey and had to run cattle down the road... lost about 12 when they ran up under a bridge and drown...so always a struggle.
oh wow, thank you for sharing. Its never easy. - Mike
There is no other land you can cut for hay ? Even a neighbor with a field setting ?
Believe it or not everyone is haying everything around here just trying to get by. I did cut a neighbors place on shares for just a few bales. Thanks Bill - Mike
I would keep hunting . Driving around everywhere looking and even posting around town. I would search hard to not sell any of the herd.Good luck.
Our Wyoming Life If you can't find hay ground close by could you go farther away and hay ground. Even if its a 100 miles away to hay it and just pay land rent if any and trucking to get it home. It may save you some money. Also how do you divid pastures . Could you make smaller pastures run the cows through them faster and have a longer rest between for more grass growth. Leaving the pastures closer to home for last so you could graze later and use less hay. Just some ideas they may or may not work for you. Thanks for sharing with us.
Our Wyoming Life Also wondering if big square bales would let you get the max tonnage per truck load.
Hans Herygers he said each truck can haul 22 tons , 44,000 lbs. each truck has a limit what they can legally haul 80,000 that’s with weight of cargo and truck and trailer. So there is about 6,000. Spare unless u can find a trucker to run outlaw style
thanks for putting food on our table, wish the folks, like you, who produce food - got payed better for it.
We do what we do and make the best of it. Thanks Lonnie - Mike
Farming/Ranching is a tough gig. No matter how well you manage what is in your control there is Mother Nature to contend with. Some years are great and others not so great. On the ranch I live on the one herd bull dropped dead from a ruptured stomach last week. That was an unexpected expense that my step-uncle will have to absorb to maintain his herd. He will do it, just like you will overcome your hay issue. Please just delete the troll comments, you don't need them as you get along in your Wyoming Life.
Thank you Sarah. you are right - Mike
I do not watch these videos in any order, but last night I saw a winter scene where you collected road kill deer off the roadside, something I did was to put all the dead animals I had I put under the midden I piled up all the muck as deep as possible and get the animal well covered the heat from the composting decomposes the body and when the muck is spread on the fields all the good bit of bones are smashed up and good fertiliser. It all helps with soil nutrition, and free fertiliser.
any way to contact you may have some leads on hay?
Our email is ourwylife@gmail.com Thankyou - Mike
God bless you and your family! Ranching is hard... I love your videos, thank you for your allowing me to learn through you and help me to be a better rancher myself! ❤ keep on keeping on! And I'll keep y'all in my prayers!!
Thank you very much for watching, it does mean the world to us that people want to be connected. :)- MIke
Lots of negative comments come from young kids. Just let them talk. And jealousy among adults runs rampant.
I agree, Thank you very much - Mike
I would be considered a young kid and I own my own animals and won't even let my parents help because I bought them they are my responsibility, so not all "kids" are negative, this is my top ranching channel. And Mike there is so much untouched good hay grass here in Michigan I just wish I could send it all to you but still can't drive a semi. Sorry
Hang in there! As I’m sure you’ve learned by now things can turn around fast in the ranching world. I’m sure you’ve heard “things will be better next year”. I told my wife that for about 5 years and then one year, I was right! Have you thought about leasing hay ground? Then you wouldn’t have to buy hay or if you got a normal year you could sell the extra. That’s what I do but everyone’s situation is different (some of us actually know that!)
Thank you very much, we have been looking for some lease hay ground. As you can imagine everyone here is in the same boat, at least the southern part of the county. Everyone is haying everything they can! Erin just said that today, "next year will be better"- Mike
Our Wyoming Life
You guys might be a good candidate for a Ranchworx aerator or something similar. They are supposed to increase yields pretty good on dry land hay or pasture. Might help water absorption and retention some. If you haven’t looked into them already check them out. Aer-way is another brand that makes them. They are pretty pricey though with no guarantee it will work in your situation but maybe worth a look.
I can understand the situation somewhat, this is going to be a tough year for farmers and ranchers. To add to the irony, I was watching this while working on the budget. You just about make enough to go again next year. Breaking even works fantastic for tax purposes, but is a tough equation to get anywhere.
That is good timing! Thank you very much, Breaking even is good :) - Mike
good luck Mike and Erin,please God the weather works with you for a change rather than against you,your work ethic and determination will see you guys through,love and Prayers to you and your family.
Thank you very much - Mike