Cattle business

Stephen Newell · May 21, 2017

The cattle business must be better this year. I've lived in the country in north Texas for more than 30 years and the ranchers have only had a few cows. This year all of them seem to have hundreds. I even saw them herding cows on horseback a few weeks ago. This is something I've never seen.

donjr · May 21, 2017

Herding them on horseback is for when they get out again........

in-too-deep · May 21, 2017

Better than last year...and probably better than next year.

redforlife · May 21, 2017

Well, I can't speak for the last 30 years in your area, but I know that a few years ago the cattle people in your area had to reduce numbers because of drout and lack of hay. Just the last year or 2 they have started getting their numbers back. Not suprizing to me they have more now than they use to, but I am only speaking of recent years.

Tx Jim · May 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 20:45:12 05/21/17) I even saw them herding cows on horseback a few weeks ago. This is something I've never seen.

Cattle have been herded by people on horseback for a long time. I herded/penned cattle on horseback many times for many yrs before I became disabled.

Pair-a-dice farm · May 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 21:45:12 05/21/17) The cattle business must be better this year. I've lived in the country in north Texas for more than 30 years and the ranchers have only had a few cows. This year all of them seem to have hundreds. I even saw them herding cows on horseback a few weeks ago. This is something I've never seen.

Prices are a little better and the outlook is greener. I see more using horses around here too. After last year we can't afford gas for the four wheeler.

Texasmark1 · May 22, 2017

More than once I wished I had a horse to chase cows. Seems they have a second nature. They know exactly what you want them to do and do just the opposite....especially calves. We have a small group of professional for hire cowboys around here that can be called on to help in a roundup. Just recently 400 acres sold near me and I heard it took 15 cowboys to round them all up and get them trailered. The county sheriff has a mounted posse for parades and for assistance when needed, like an auto accident where animals are loose.

Tx Jim · May 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 06:25:12 05/22/17) Just recently 400 acres sold near me and I heard it took 15 cowboys to round them all up and get them trailered. The county sheriff has a mounted posse for parades and for assistance when needed, like an auto accident where animals are loose.

Those 15 cowboys must have been inexperienced in gathering cows in a pasture or some very,very brushy pasture. In the past I've helped pen some very wild cattle on some very large brushy pasture with only 5 more experienced cowboys & myself.

dcarp · May 22, 2017

Simple equation, more rain & more grass ='s more cows.

Dick2 · May 22, 2017

Where did they buy the cows from? Certainly not AZ or NM. Ranches here sold down their herds several years ago and haven't had enough rain since to restock the range.

Bob in SD · May 22, 2017

[i:654c4848f0]More than once I wished I had a horse to chase cows. [b:654c4848f0]Seems they have a second nature. They know exactly what you want them to do and do just the opposite[/b:654c4848f0]....[/i:654c4848f0]

Funny, that's always been my experience with [i:654c4848f0]horses[/i:654c4848f0]

Billy Shafer · May 22, 2017

I have noticed that in my part of Texas. More cows and some bulls have been very busy. Calves are every where.

BarnyardEngineering · May 22, 2017

That's just dandy. Prices are up so let's flood the market with beef and force it right down again.

Swear to God farmers are their own worst enemy.

jddrawbar · May 22, 2017

Thinking about all the replies......one thing I haven't seen in many yrs. is a cattle drive. I can remember driving grandpa's cattle from pasture to pasture down the roads. One pasture was about 7 miles away and we moved them back an forth every yr. Mom has photos of me when I was 4 on my first drive (71 now). So, I've been dealing with cattle for many yrs. We used dogs for yrs. and when cattle are dog trained they will work pretty well. I would rather leave the cowboys at home and do all the penning by myself. No fuss, no hollering, no horses, no bull whips, bring in the cowboys after they are penned. Train your cows to come when called & they work pretty darn easy.

ss55 · May 22, 2017

Yeah, it seems whenever commodity prices rise to profitable levels the result is either over production or the inputs get bid up high enough to wipe out the profits.

Texasmark1 · May 22, 2017

I wouldn't have one on the place really. If things were that bad I'd hire the cowboy. Money well spent.

flying H · May 22, 2017

Yep. Spend some time around them and give them some range cubes once in a while and they will follow much easier than drive. I walk mine back and forth to a pasture only a mile from home but its a mud road and not much traffic. The way people drive anymore you cant walk em too far or you could have a bad situation real quick..

Cattle business

Stephen Newell

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donjr

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in-too-deep

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redforlife

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Tx Jim

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Pair-a-dice farm

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Texasmark1

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Tx Jim

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dcarp

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Dick2

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Bob in SD

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Billy Shafer

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BarnyardEngineering

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jddrawbar

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ss55

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Texasmark1

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flying H

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