Just "Rich" Ranchers

While scrolling through Facebook not too long ago, I came across a comment that simply stated, "Well, they're just rich ranchers."

I hate that phrase and resent the bad notion that comes with it. I've heard it used many times from people who aren't familiar with our lifestyle and don't understand the financial complexities of an agricultural operation. I suppose movies and tv shows skew the public perception of who we really are because our lifestyle creates an interesting narrative. Don't get me wrong, there is no doubt some ranches do very well for themselves, and it shows, but we are only seeing the surface. We don't see the financial hardships that come from running a business that is also a family legacy or making decisions that could give huge gains or losses. Anything from lower prices for calves in the fall to the unexpected high dollar purchase of a much-needed tractor makes running a successful business that much more challenging. Even while we get a larger paycheck in the fall, our operating expenses and the nature of our business lends for more money to be spent and made. For the majority of us, we aren't necessarily rich by popular standards, but we do find ourselves rich by other means and opportunistic to find a way to make ends meet.

Since 1889 my family, like many, saw an opportunity to create a good life by raising cattle and over the years have also created a successful business. The value of the dollar, as well as the cost of doing business, has changed substantially over the years yet our consumers are lead to believe we make a lot of money. Let me put it into some perspective quickly...Currently, a heifer calf is going for $1.31 per pound or $131 per hundredweight at our local sale barn. If she weighs 500 pounds, you will get $655 for one animal. We have to consider our cost to keep that animal alive from when it was born to the time it is sold at the sale barn. Such things like feed, mineral, vaccine, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)/Forest Service leases, cost of trucking, and more need to be considered. Once you figure the cost of keeping the animal healthy and happy to what you actually make, the return on this investment is usually small depending on the market. For instance, the swather needed a new tire that was quoted at about $600. This happens to be about the same amount we would get on one heifer calf right currently. Around our operation, we start equating the cost of various things by the number of calves we would need to sell to buy the item. It humbles you and creates a more frugal business each year.

I suppose saying we are "rich" shouldn't bother me as much as it does because I know what we are rich in and I'm thankful for the type of lifestyle I live. It still bothers me to hear that phrase, so hear me out. We are rich in land that has been worked for and paid off over many generations, rich in family and friends that help on a moment's notice, and sometimes not even when asked, we are rich in experiences that come from living and working on the land and viewing wildlife daily. We are rich because we get to raise our daughter to respect and love this land, our animals, and our lifestyle as the next generation. We get to live a simple life working and living in God's county and for that, I'm thankful and know am rich beyond measure.

I hope this opens your eyes a bit to how we live and gives you a sense of curiosity to learn more about our lives. We want you to care because we are raising a valuable product that many people enjoy...BEEF! I can say the same about those in the sheep, hog, poultry, and crop industries as well. Get to know your local farmer and rancher, they are local historians and advocates for your community. Let's bridge the gap and get to know each other and become rich in friendship.