MANAGEMENT

The Southeast is home to more than 7.3 million beef cows (USDA 2018) and likely marketed more than 4.6 million feeder calves in 2018.

The 2018 production year came and went about as fast as a three-legged cat can cover up poop. Knowing and understanding the passing of time appears to accelerate as a person grows older and hopefully wiser, one also must understand time appears to pass much quicker during periods of prosperity than during periods of hardship.

Since the beginning of livestock production, the tablet has been the choice of farmers and ranchers, whether it is the caveman and his stone tablet, the 20th century cowboy and his paper tablet or today’s producer with their digital tablet.

I first taught about mission statements over 30 years ago. Over time, my thinking has continued to evolve and, hopefully, improve by including vision and values.

Knowing the right times to sell can help your bottom line. Analyzing the current cull cow market, slaughter trends and understanding the strained position processing plants are in can help producers make the right call on sale times.

Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett wrote in their hit song, “The Front Porch Song,” “I’ve known a whole lot of old bulls in my life, and their work is never done.”

It’s an appropriate sentiment, especially when going to the sale barn to buy a new sire. Understanding the importance of bull sale protocols, assessing your needs as a producer and keeping your financial goals in mind can make or break your day-to-day operation.