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  1. The Big Cowhuna

    Opinions on alfalfa stand management

    I usually rotate mine, but it can be time-consuming and perhaps unnecessary, so I'm considering leaving things alone since a good stand can last for a few years. I originally chose to rotate my stand often because I thought it would increase my yield and protect against autotoxicity, but then I...
  2. The Big Cowhuna

    Puzzle help

    I'm working a puzzle that doesn't have the answers in the back. I tried googling for the answer, but it wasn't any help. So, what word means to strengthen or support. It's a seven-letter word, so buttress won't work, which is what I originally thought it would be. Any help is much...
  3. The Big Cowhuna

    Dangerous, but lucrative?

    Would you ever consider raising some exotic creatures that were dangerous, but also highly lucrative? My son has his eye on the cassowary bird. Their beautiful eggs can go for thousands of dollars and their baby chicks are worth even more. The bird is also deadly. Would you consider taking...
  4. The Big Cowhuna

    Automation systems

    The pandemic made me realize just how quickly my workforce could be here one day and gone the next. Even though I'm not running a large operation, I still can't do it all alone. I've been skeptical in the past, but I think it's time for me to look into automation. So if you've incorporated...
  5. The Big Cowhuna

    Rising feed prices

    How have you adapted to the rising prices in livestock feed? I'm surprised at how everything has shot up. Even the producers who raise their livestock on cheap corn in feedlots have been grumbling about how expensive it's becoming.
  6. The Big Cowhuna

    Rebreeding Angus

    At what age do you think it's best to stop rebreeding Angus? I have a some with a strong genetic line that have never had problems with gestation or calving. They also calve early which is one reason that I've kept them. They're getting older though, so I'm wondering when it's time to call it...
  7. The Big Cowhuna

    What's your weather like?

    In my part of Texas we're experiencing big swings. It's hot, it's cold, it's rainy, it's windy, it's sunny - the weather is all over the place from one hour to the next. Or at least that's how it feels. My sinuses hate it. Some parts of Texas have seen a ton of snow. What's your weather...
  8. The Big Cowhuna

    Carrot-fed beef

    Remember when carrot-fed cows were supposed to take over grass-fed cows as the next big thing in beef? A diet of carrots was said to produce beef with the most perfect marbling affect and mouthfeel. Did that trend ever take off? It didn't in my area. I find the idea interesting, but I'm not...
  9. The Big Cowhuna

    Raising Holsteins for beef?

    Holsteins are a breed of dairy cattle, but I ran into a guy who raises them on his ranch for beef. The two biggest selling points for him were the excellent marbling of the meat and the docile nature of Holsteins. What do you guys think? Is there a demand in the market for this type of meat?
  10. The Big Cowhuna

    Any plans to ring in 2021?

    We don't usually do anything to ring in the new year around here. I'm kind of in the mood to celebrate the beginning of 2021 though. The last year has been so rough, that 2021 just feels like a new beginning. How will you celebrate it?
  11. The Big Cowhuna

    Pasturing all livestock

    Am I the only one here who just turns all the critters out? We drive the cattle towards certain areas with our ATVs (sometimes horses),but they all go out to pasture. I'm a rancher and I can't say that I've ever had a problem with the goats or chickens bothering my cattle or vice versa. I...
  12. The Big Cowhuna

    Christmas bonus

    Are you paying out bonuses this year? Are they common in your sector of the agriculture industry and the area you live in? I planned to pay the usual bonus, but now I'm considering topping them up because of the coronavirus which made their work significantly more difficult. What are you...
  13. The Big Cowhuna

    Better than hip clamps

    My neighbor has some dairy cows, and I help him when they fall. It doesn't often happen, but it's a production when it does. I think hip clamps have to be one of the worst ways to lift cattle. By the time you get the cow up and undone, the cow is either trying to escape, which can cause further...
  14. The Big Cowhuna

    Solar vs. gas vs. battery-powered generators

    It's been a long time since I needed a new generator and did some comparison shopping. Back then, gas-powered generators were the way to go if you needed a long run time and lots of kick. Have solar-powered generators and battery-powered generators improved enough to be incorporated on ranches...
  15. The Big Cowhuna

    Testing feed

    Do you ever have your feed tested to make sure it contains the proper nutrients? I haven't done it and don't even know where you'd start. Do you send it off to a lab? I didn't realize it was a thing until I read about it.
  16. The Big Cowhuna

    Industry changes for COVID-19

    How have you guys changed things up in order to keep your business going through the pandemic? I didn't think it would drag on this long, so I feel like I'm still catching up to those of you who were smarter and made better choices.
  17. The Big Cowhuna

    Calving Season

    How is your breeding and calving season coming along so far? Hopefully all herds represented on this board are doing well. I prefer a spring-summer calving season. Do any of you producers operate in the fall instead when calves are weaned and sold at their seasonal high selling price?
  18. The Big Cowhuna

    Duckweed for forage

    I attended a discussion today at my local county extension. The topic was about growing different types of forage for livestock. I knew most of the plants that were mentioned by the expert until she got to duckweed. It's the green stuff that grows pretty quickly on ponds and lakes. It can...
  19. The Big Cowhuna

    Adding sheep to cattle operation

    I have some livestock for family use and to sell here and there, but my main operation is running a cattle ranch. I do pretty good, but this coronavirus has me very nervous and I'm thinking about adding a flock of sheep to my herd of cattle which will include multi-species grazing. I know this...
  20. The Big Cowhuna

    Hedging your bets?

    Today it's the coronavirus, but tomorrow it might be something else. Have you all considered hedging your bets when it comes to livestock so that one disaster won't wipe out your income stream? I went all in on cattle and I'm beginning to rethink that strategy. I have other livestock, but...
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