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2007 Cattle Cycle, Basis Estimates, and Monthly Average Prices for Various Livestock Classes by Dan Childs and Job Springer
  Commentary on the cattle cycle and shrink, plus price and inventory graphs and a monthly average basis table.
 
2008 Farm Bill Details by Jeri Donnell
3 ratings:
  After much time and deliberation, H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 became law on May 22, 2008. A congressional news release urged the government to "ensure that the entire farm bill is enacted into law swiftly" after clerical errors occurred involving the trade title. The 5-year bill totaling approximately $300 billion is set to expire in 2012.
 
2008 Wheat: Harvest for Grain or Graze Out? by Jeri Donnell
5 ratings:
  Do high prices have you wondering what to do with this year's wheat crop? If so, now is a good time to consider your options.
 
A Backward Glance Forward by Fred Schmedt
  As I attempt to envision the future of agriculture and agricultural producers in Oklahoma and Texas – states and an industry I grew up in and have worked in for the past 33 years – numerous events come to mind that changed things rather dramatically.
 
A Few Thoughts on Taxes by Dan Childs
  Income tax is a topic that is perhaps fresh on everyone's mind during this time of year. Few people, if any, look forward to the process of getting information together and the trip to the tax preparer.
 
Ag Executive or Ex-Farmer/Rancher? by Fred Schmedt
  Management consultant Peter Drucker is credited with the statement, "The best way to predict the future is to create it." The agricultural executives of tomorrow will strive to create the future of their farm/ranch businesses by tying down prices of inputs and production as far in advance as possible. The ex-farmers and ex-ranchers of tomorrow will remember how much they used to enjoy driving a tractor and feeding the cows. And they will probably remember the anxiety they felt while holding out for the highest price.
 
Agricultural Economic Activity in Noble's Service Area Driven By Forage-Based Beef Production by Jon Biermacher
  A static (single year) view of economic production activities generated on farms and ranches by various agricultural industries in the Noble Foundation's 47-county service region.
 
An Editorial: America after September 11th by Dan Childs
  The national tragedy has many asking, "how do I manage for the future?"
 
Analysis of Stocker Cattle Profit by Fred Schmedt
  It is the time of year when most winter pasture stockers have been, or soon will be, sold. It (1998-99) was a good year. Pasture and cattle performance (ADG or average daily gain) across much of our service area was the best in several years.
 
Are You Doing the "Right Things" on Your Operation? by Dan Childs
  Management most often is your responsibility as owner/operator and primary decision-maker. You decide what are the right things to be doing in your operation. Here are a few items to think about to determine if you are doing the right things on your farm or ranch.
 
Assessing the Value of Pecan Trees by Dan Childs and Job Springer , Charles Rohla and Steve Upson
3 ratings:
  It is the intent of this publication to provide methodology that appraisers, tax preparers and other interested parties can use in determining the value of pecan trees.
 
Begin Succession Planning Now by Fred Schmedt
  It is estimated that up to 400 million acres of U.S. farmland will change hands in the next 20 years. Who will farm these acres? Who will farm or ranch on your acres?
 
Best of Times Still Have Challenges by Dan Childs
  The abundance of forage, combined with excellent cattle prices, has different repercussions for different operations. If you are predominantly a cow-calf producer, then you have to be concerned about a potentially higher-than-normal taxable income, and if you are a stocker operator, then you have to deal with much higher input costs.
 
Business Revolution in Agriculture by Dan Childs
  A brief review of the most common methods used to organize and manage a farm business: sole proprietorship, partnership, and the corporation.
 
Calves and Corn: Decisions, Decisions by Jeff Landgraf
  The price of corn should affect the price of cattle. Assuming all other variables remain constant, we expect an inverse relationship, meaning that lower corn prices should cause higher feeder cattle prices.
 
Cattle at the Crossroads by Fred Schmedt
  Random thoughts while wondering who will be the cattle-persons of the 21st century?
 
Cattle Cycle, Basis Estimates, and Monthly Average Prices for Various Livestock Classes by Dan Childs
  Commentary on the cattle cycle and shrink, plus price and inventory graphs and a monthly average basis table.
 
Cattle Markets, 2001 by Fred Schmedt
  As the end of 2001 approaches, it seems wise to reevaluate factors affecting the cattle industry.
 
Cattle Prices 2006: What to Expect by Steve Swigert
  There are signs that the cattle cycle will be alive and well in 2006, with prices for all classes of cattle moving downward over the next few years. This price decline holds true to the cyclical nature of the cattle market.
 
Cattle Prices for 2001 by Steve Swigert
  The cattle cycle is alive and well in 2001, with prices for all classes of cattle moving upward over the last three years.
 
Cattle Producers Must Plan for Higher Corn Prices by Steve Swigert
  In fall and winter 2006, many folks wondered what the price of corn was going to do. Would it keep increasing? What was – and still is – causing it to go so high?
 
Cattle Situation and Analysis by Fred Schmedt
  The United States Department of Agriculture's annual inventory report, Cattle, released January 28, indicated that cattle herd liquidation continued during 1999. All-cattle and -calves inventory declined to 98.048 million head, 1.1 percent below that of a year ago, marking the fourth year in a row that cattle producers reduced the size of the U.S. herd.
 
Changes in Beef Production Post Dec. 23, 2003 by Dan Childs
  It is important for all of us to be strong proponents of the beef industry, promoting the strengths we enjoy such as a safe product and one that is tasty and good for us.
 
Comparison of Vehicle Gas, Repair Costs by Russ Gentry
  Have you ever been driving down the road and thought about what your vehicle is really costing in gas and repairs?
 
Consider These Factors When Deciding on a Feedyard by Steve Swigert
  The following are items that need to be compared and examined when selecting a feedyard: location, reputation, appearance, feed system, management, costs, financing and selling.
 
Coping with Volatility by Fred Schmedt
  To maintain profitable operations in today's volatile times all agricultural producers must remain flexible. They must delay final production decisions as they gather and assess information from throughout the world that affects the profitability of their enterprises.
 
Corn Prices May Provide a "Shock" to 2007 Cattle Markets by Scott Boyd
3 ratings:
  Some cattle producers may face difficulties in this year's market - receiving lower prices for calves while paying more for supplemental feed.
 
Corn Prices Shaping Up as Agriculture's Top Issue In 2007 by Dan Childs
  It appears that 2007 is stacking up to be an exciting year for U.S. agriculture. Some of these issues are very political and controversial, while others are the result of supply and demand relationships sometimes affected by a particular weather extreme.
 
Cost of Production by Steve Swigert
6 ratings:
  Between the autumns of 2006 and 2008, we have seen some real volatility in the cattle and grain markets. This condition has forced producers to reevaluate how they go about doing business. We have seen prices for corn double, and fertilizer and fuel triple.
 
Cow-Calf Economics Have Changed by Dan Childs
17 ratings:
  People who study change and its causes have observed that change is often caused by a disturbance. Production agriculture is in a period of rapid change, with an economic environment that many have never experienced. If the agricultural industry is changing, what has been the disturbance?
 
Deciding When to Cull Cows by Dan Childs
  Deciding when to cull cows from the herd and what time of the year to sell a cull cow can have a large impact on the profitability of your cow-calf enterprise.
 
Determining Cost of Gain by Dan Childs
  It is important to know what it costs to put on additional pounds and what the market is paying for the additional pounds.
 
Determining Cost of Production is Useful to Cattle Producers by Steve Swigert
  Since producers have little control over areas outside their ranches, focusing on management at the ranch level is essential – and determining your ranch's cost of production is helpful in making management decisions.
 
Determining Pecan Tree Values by Job Springer
  How much is a pecan tree worth? This question comes up often in Oklahoma and Texas, and can arise for several reasons. To help fill this information gap, several agricultural consultants at the Noble Foundation created a pecan valuation fact sheet entitled "Assessing the Value of Pecan Trees."
 
Does Conservation Farming Pay for Winter Forage Production? by Jon Biermacher and Chuck Coffey
3 ratings:
  Over the past two decades, winter forage producers have been asking researchers if conservation farming practices are more economical than conventional practices. Studies dating back to mid-1980 have sought answers to these questions.
 
Dollars & Common Sense by Mark Skiles
  A timely, costly, and many times mismanaged topic is winter feeding. I continually meet producers that have not heard of feeding their cows three days a week. Others have heard of it, but do not think it will work for them.
 
Drought and Taxes by Fred Schmedt
  There are two different tax treatments that apply to weather-related sales in excess of normal business practice. One applies to draft, breeding or dairy animals that will be replaced within a two-year period. The other applies to all livestock and allows a one-year postponement of the reporting of the sales proceeds.
 
Drought, Economy Have Affected Cattle Cycle by Steve Swigert
  The cattle cycle has been extended due to three to four years of drought and the overall economy since 9/11/01. What does this mean for cattle producers?
 
Dynamic Agricultural Industry: What's on the Horizon? by Paul Joerger
  The agricultural marketplace is undergoing rapid change. Farmers and ranchers who invest in fully integrated systems have an opportunity to profit from current trends.
 
Early Weaning Economics by Dan Childs
  The lack of rain, high temperatures, grasshoppers and armyworms had an enormous detrimental effect on any kind of forage and crop production. Many drought management strategies were discussed throughout the summer in an effort for cattlemen to maintain livestock numbers. One of the strategies implemented on the Noble Foundation Red River Demonstration and Research Farm was to early wean the spring born calves on one of the cowherds.
 
Economic Programs Are Available For Drought Relief by Dan Childs
  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has acknowledged these extremes - effective July 27, 2006, all 77 counties in Oklahoma were designated as natural disaster areas. In addition, several counties in Texas have received the same designation. What does this mean to a cattle producer living in one of these counties?
 
Even An Up-trending Cattle Market Has Challenges by Dan Childs
  In today's cattle market, it is difficult to accurately define high cattle prices. How do you decide when to sell and when to buy – or even if to buy – or possibly to retain ownership?
 
Even With Record Cattle Prices, Value of Gain is Key by Dan Childs
  Even when cattle prices are at high levels, producers should consider the value of gain when making marketing decisions.
 
Farm Planning: An Overview by Fred Schmedt
  Successful farm planning begins with written goals including benchmarks for monitoring progress.
 
Farm Size Depends on Economic Factors by Paul Joerger
  Producers who want to earn their entire living from farming or ranching should calculate the volume of sales needed to meet their financial goals and fully employ their labor and management resources.
 
Farm Succession Planning is Critical by Fred Schmedt
  In the 2002 Census of Agriculture, the average age of mfarm operators was 55.3 years. Older farmers should spend time planning their retirement or succession plans.
 
Fertilizer Economics 101: Can You Afford to Fertilize? by Dan Childs
  As the current cattle cycle enters its second year, the outlook for cattle prices is in direct contrast to the outlook for energy costs. The higher costs/lower revenue squeeze will emphasize the need for efficient use of all inputs - especially fuel and fertilizer.
 
Financial Stress by Jim Schaffer
  There are probably many producers who are under financial strain because of drought, high hay cost, low cattle prices and low crop prices. Our advice would be to address your problem head-on. Admit you need help and go get it. If you need help from us, please call and let us know.
 
Find, Hire the Best by Paul Joerger
  Personnel are the most important asset of the farm or ranch business and should be viewed as investments, not expenses. Finding and hiring competent employees can be a long and arduous process, but it's extremely rewarding.
 
Future of Farming and Ranching: Creating a Vision and Mission and Setting Goals by Paul Joerger
  The longevity of farm and ranch operations can be determined partially by the manager's ability to develop a farm business plan, implement it, and monitor the outcome. The first step in developing the plan is to list the goals of the business. However, you should first devise the vision and mission statement to provide direction
 
Gain Price Differences: Steers Vs. Heifers by Cody Noble
  One problem every rancher faces is that steers' average daily gain is often higher than that of heifers, yet most ranchers charge a flat rate for gain. If you look at this situation from an economic standpoint, the rancher is not realizing as much revenue from heifers and therefore not achieving his maximum profit.
 
Give Yourself Credit for Knowing by Paul Joerger
  With the current level of interest rates, an astute business person should spend time "shopping for credit" to save on interest expense.
 
Good and Bad News for Beef Cattle Producers by Fred Schmedt
  Current cattle market trends carry both good and bad news for producers.
 
Happy Days are Here Again! by Mark Skiles
  Well, they are if you are in the cow/calf sector. The stocker and feedlot picture may not be so pretty, but, as in all things, we must each take our turn.
 
Have You Made Your Marketing Plans for the Fall? by Steve Swigert
  If you're a cow-calf producer and your spring calves are grazing with their mothers, there is no time like the present to begin making plans for how you are going to market those calves this fall.
 
Higher Costs and Lower Sales in 2008 by Steve Swigert
14 ratings:
  Since the fall of 2006, producers have experienced dramatic increases in production costs, especially grains, by-product feeds, fertilizer and fuels. Also, calf prices have seen a significant drop. The way in which producers do business may have changed forever; it has at least for the short term.
 
How Do You Compare With Your Competitors? by Steve Swigert
  No, I'm not talking about the chicken or the pork guys. It's the other cow-calf producers in your area, in the states of Oklahoma or Texas, the United States and even in foreign countries.
 
How Do You Make Decisions? by Steve Swigert
  Every farm or ranch has some type of information system – the quality of the information gathered by a system only has value if it is used to make decisions.
 
How Does Value of Gain Affect What You Can Pay for a Bull? by Steve Swigert
11 ratings:
  The price of corn in late 2007 is in the $3+ range, with little evidence that it might go down. Therefore, if live cattle prices stay near current levels, producers can expect the value of gain to stay near the current level of $.90-$1/cwt.
 
How Much Did She Make Me? by Job Springer
12 ratings:
  With weaning just finishing up for spring calving cow herds, it brings the end of the first phase of production for a bovine. During this time, revenues are returned to the cow and, likewise, the costs.
 
How to Position for Tomorrow and Beyond by Paul Joerger
  Farm and ranch business managers should consider conducting a situational analysis to assess the firm's readiness to face challenges and potential changes.
 
Icy Tax Issues by Dan Childs
  Some pecan producers have asked whether you can deduct a loss for ice-damaged trees on your tax return. First, you need to determine whether the trees have a tax basis.
 
Improve Time Management on Your Cow-Calf Operation by Jeri Donnell
8 ratings:
  In tough economic times, many people become overwhelmed with things they have little control over such as high prices for feed, fuel and fertilizer. Although those things are important, perhaps it is time to focus your attention on things you can influence, such as operational efficiency and time management.
 
Improved Cattle Profits May Increase Tax Liabilities by Dan Childs
  When times are good and profits abound, we have to share with Uncle Sam – and often his share can be substantial.
 
In Drought, Consider the Economics of Options When Dealing With Cattle by Job Springer
  Pastures are quickly burning up due to the heat and dry conditions, resulting in ranchers quickly running out of grazeable pasture that provides the necessary energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Since the drought is covering such a large area, accessible supplemental hay and available rental pasture is not abundant in nearby areas.
 
Invest In the Future of Your Operation by Fred Schmedt
  It appears that through the combination of high prices and ample grass, your cow herds have truly become "cash cows." In the business world, cash cows are products that generate a steady, dependable flow of cash.
 
Is Fertilizer Too High to Buy? by Dan Childs and Jagadeesh Mosali and David Annis
19 ratings:
  As we write this in mid-2008, fertilizer prices have reached all-time highs. How did we get to these price levels and how does an agricultural producer make sound economic decisions in this environment?
 
Is It Time to Buy More Cows? by Dan Childs
16 ratings:
  The abundance of forage, mild temperatures and strong cattle prices have many cow-calf producers wondering if it is time to increase their cow herd numbers.
 
Is My Water Well Going Dry? by Scott Landgraf
  Certainly some aquifers do have limited water and now is the time to determine those characteristics. Running a simple pump test will provide facts about the well for future planning.
 
It's important to be knowledgeable of the U.S. cattle inventory by Dan Childs
  If you are in the business of growing grass and selling it through cattle, you should be interested in knowing what is happening to cattle numbers in the United States. Each year in January and July the USDA publishes an estimate of what they believe to be the cattle inventory as of the first of that month.
 
Leverage is a Concept and an Opportunity by Fred Schmedt
  The use of other people's money, called "leverage," is a tool that agricultural producers can and should use to harvest increased profits.
 
Machinery Considerations by Fred Schmedt
  Arriving at the proper complement of machinery and equipment for each farm and ranch operation involves the analysis of a number of factors.
 
Management Functions Are Essential to Successful Farm Businesses by Paul Joerger
  The quality of the decisions made by management is an important component in determining the longevity of the business.
 
Management Information Systems by Steve Swigert
  The kind of information you have and how you use that information will determine the success of your operation. Please remember, the information gathered by any system only has value if it is used to make decisions.
 
Managing Cow Replacement during the Cattle Cycle by Steve Swigert
  Changing a beef herd's culling rate as the herd progresses through a ten-year cattle cycle can result in higher average net income for the complete cycle.
 
Managing Risk by Fred Schmedt
  Risk management increases value by decreasing the probability of financial distress and by assuring that funds, either equity or debt, are available when profitable investment opportunities arise.
 
Managing Your Operation by Mark Skiles
  Do you employ the same management in good and bad times and hope that there are enough good times to cover the bad? You may not be able to control the market or the weather, but you, and you alone, make the decisions that determine the efficiency of your operation.
 
Net Present Value Analysis Can Aid in Cattle Business Decision Making by Fred Schmedt
  An objective answer to the profit potential of cow-calf pairs purchased (or heifers retained) today can be arrived at by conducting a net present value analysis of the cost and income streams associated with owning cows for the next several years.
 
Net Worth Statement: Instructions and Forms by Dan Childs
  Helps farmers and ranchers gain clear, accurate information about their operations through keeping track of net worth.
 
New Demand for Beef Creates a Niche for New Products by Laura Robbins
  For the first time in twenty years, we have seen an increase in beef demand, as measured by a combination of increased beef consumption and consumer spending. New product development helps revitalize beef demand in the long run.
 
New Farm Bill Has Tax Implications by Dan Childs
  Any time there is money received by a taxpayer engaged in the business of farming from a government program, there are generally income tax implications for the payment(s) received.
 
New Research Economist Will Enhance Ag Division's R&D Projects by Jon Biermacher
  The new research economist's job is to help Ag Division scientists and specialists design experiments that will provide the necessary data useful in determining the economic feasibility of alternative systems and technologies developed by the Noble Foundation.
 
Now May Be the Time to Refinance by Fred Schmedt
  Timing is very important in agriculture — there are occasions where one week's difference in time of planting, harvesting or selling means the difference between a "good" year and a "bad" year.
 
Now's the Time to Measure Financial Progress by Paul Joerger
  The end of the calendar business year is a good time to perform a financial analysis of your farm or ranch business.
 
Of markets, cycles, booms and busts, feasts and faminies... by Fred Schmedt
  Someday in the future we may look back and think the opening paragraph of Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities sums up the situation facing production agriculture in the mid 1990's.
 
Operating Costs of ATVs Vary Widely by Russ Gentry
  The Noble Foundation now has four years of data on the its fleet of ATVs. Here's a look at what it costs to operate these units.
 
Pilot Program Offers Price Insurance for Feeder Cattle by Fred Schmedt
  The USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced a pilot program that will extend insurance protection to cow-calf and stocker cattle producers in Texas and Oklahoma.
 
Planning to Succeed by Paul Joerger
  Farming without a business plan is like hauling products from coast to coast without a road map. What is involved in creating a business plan for an agricultural operation?
 
Producers Can Reduce Costs by Fred Schmedt
  I believe management factors have a more significant impact on yields and beef production today than does the weather.
 
Profit or Loss by Steve Swigert
  Tax information does not measure the profitability or financial position of a business. How does a producer document an operation's true financial performance?
 
Profit Potential in Wheat for Grain by Eddie Funderburg and Dustin Oswald
5 ratings:
  Since it looks like wheat may be $8 per bushel at harvest in 2009, many producers are considering planting it strictly for grain. This can be profitable in some situations with good management, cost control and high yields. Unfortunately, costs have increased at a very fast pace and have diminished profit margins.
 
Profiting from Risk by Paul Joerger
  Having a risk management plan can reduce risk within the operation, transfer risk outside the operation and build the farm business's capacity to bear risk.
 
Questions, Answers? & Common Sense by Mark Skiles
  Here we go again! Number one 500 pound steer calves are bringing $100 cwt and producers are paying $950 for quality bred heifers. Whether producers are paying too much is beside the point. These $950 bred heifers are priced on today's calf market.
 
Ranching Information on the Web by Steve Swigert
  Resources on the Internet for ranchers.
 
Ranching Information on the Web by Steve Swigert
  It seems time is the limiting factor for most producers, whether they want to explore new ideas and try new production practices or maybe just spend more time with their family. The Web provides us with many opportunities to gather information or place orders conveniently and quickly from the comfort of our home or office.
 
Recordkeeping Can Uncover Hidden Profits, Costs by Scott Boyd
  If you really want to be more efficient with your current enterprises, you need more detail than how the farm or ranch did as a whole.
 
Retained Ownership - Is It for You? by Steve Swigert
  Several factors must be taken into account to determine if retained ownership is the correct option for a given cattle operation.
 
Retaining Ownership – Is It For You? by Steve Swigert
  Retained ownership involves the participation in the next sector of the cattle production. In other words, if you are a cow-calf producer, you retain ownership in your cattle through the stocker phase and if you are stocker operator, you retain ownership in the feedlot phase.
 
Rising Costs Will Affect Break-Evens on Cow-Calf Enterprises by Scott Boyd
  Cow-calf producers have seen interest rates and energy, fertilizer, freight, corn and hay prices increase over the past few years. There doesn't seem to be any relief in the immediate future. As cost per cow increases, so do break-even prices for weaned calves. How sensitive are the break-evens to fluctuations in costs? What can producers do to improve their operations?
 
Risky Business: Bermudagrass Fertilization by Jeff Ball and Dan Childs
  Applying nitrogen to bermudagrass can improve forage quality and productivity. Land managers must decide if the expense is worth the potential reward.
 
Rules for Deducting the Business Use of Your Vehicle by Dan Childs
10 ratings:
  When a vehicle is used in a trade or business, the expenses to own and operate the vehicle are deductible in most situations. It is common, however, for vehicles to be driven for both business and personal use. In this case, the business owner must divide these expenses, usually by miles driven for each purpose.
 
Shrink Can be Managed by Steve Swigert
  Many factors are involved in weight loss, or "shrink," of cattle during the marketing process. Shrink is the difference between the animal's body weight prior to sale handling and the actual sale weight.
 
Solutions to Turbulent Times for Agricultural Producers by Job Springer
3 ratings:
  The stock market is not the only investment that has fallen in value during 2008 - the agricultural commodities markets have, too. Many agricultural producers across the United States are feeling the pinch from falling commodity prices. Because of the current downturn in these markets, it has become more important than ever for agricultural producers to manage their price risks.
 
Strategic Planning by Fred Schmedt
  The times are changing in American agriculture. The new farm program with the acronym FAIR will impact all of agriculture, not just the major program crops. Genetically engineered plants and their companion chemicals will change the cost structure and yield potential of crop production.
 
Stretch Your Input Dollars by Eddie Funderburg
  December can be a fairly slow month regarding soil and crops issues, and it may be a good time to plan your strategy for the use of fertilizer and herbicides in 2006.
 
Succession Planning: Who's Next? by Paul Joerger
  With the average age of farmers and ranchers at 60 years, the time is ripe for many to plan for the succession of their businesses.
 
Supply Side of Cattle Market Looks Good by Fred Schmedt
  Beef demand is high and cattle inventories declined in 2002 for the seventh straight year.
 
Tax and Program Assistance for Drought and Wildfire Victims by Dan Childs
  When an unexpected wildfire blazes through a property, it generally leaves behind the charred ashes of grass, trees, fences and possibly buildings. Landowners will immediately think of the loss in value the wildfire has created, but, in the eyes of the IRS, is there a deductible loss?
 
Tax Considerations When Buying or Selling a Farm by Dan Childs
  The cost of buying or selling a farm can be overshadowed by decisions that postpone the payment of income taxes.
 
Technology and the New Millennium by Steve Swigert
  Today, there are many sites on the Internet that will provide you with much needed information. To help you use this technology, I have listed a few of my favorite web sites below and a brief description of each.
 
Tend to Business by Dan Childs
  Tending to business must be done for a different purpose than just to satisfy government. It must be done to provide us as farm managers with much needed information to use in making good management decisions.
 
The 'Nuts' and Bolts of Retained Ownership by Dan Childs
  Retained ownership is a concept that goes beyond cattle – the Noble Foundation retained ownership of pecans harvested last year and obtained higher prices because of it.
 
The Beef Industry by Dan Childs
  For the last 130 years, cattle production cycles have been predictable. A production cycle usually lasts from nine to eleven years. Where are we in the cycle?
 
The Business Side of Agriculture by Dan Childs
  What is the single most important factor influencing the profitability of your farming or ranching operation? If several people were asked this question there would probably be several different answers given.
 
The Concept of Operating Leverage by Fred Schmedt
  Like financial leverage, operating leverage magnifies results, making gains look better and losses look worse. Both operating and financial leverage increase risks because they make returns less predictable over time.
 
The Future, Agriculture & You by Fred Schmedt
  Agricultural producers face an operational environment that literally changes daily. Farmers relying on production agriculture for their income are being forced to adopt an industrialized approach to stay in business.
 
The Impact of Higher Input Costs on Profitability by Job Springer
  The cattle industry has changed with increased feed, fertilizer and fuel. Have you been saying cattle industry is being turned upside down or are you seeing a new perspective?
 
The Ins and Outs of Deducting the Business Use of Your Vehicle by Dan Childs
  When you use a car or truck in your business, whether it is production agriculture or selling and installing air conditioners, what options do you have to deduct the costs incurred in owning and operating the vehicle?
 
The Message Behind the Jan. 1, 2008 Cattle Inventory by Job Springer
8 ratings:
  The highly anticipated cattle inventory report has been released for 2008. The numbers reflect decisions made by individual ranchers throughout 2007 and the previous couple of years.
 
The New Farm Bill: Something for Everyone by Dan Childs
  On May 1, the House of Representatives passed a new farm bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 8, and President Bush signed it into law on May 13, 2002. The new farm bill denotes a complete change in philosophy from the 1996 Farm Bill, and many of the details are not public and are yet to be decided by USDA. However, this article summarizes some of the highlights of the new bill.
 
Things to Know Before Buying a Ranch by John Winder
  Owning a farm or ranch can be a rewarding experience. Fresh air and rural living are extremely appealing. However, there are pitfalls awaiting the unsuspecting buyer. These can turn the rural living experience into a nightmare! This guide is designed to make buyers aware of potential problems before buying property.
 
To Fertilize, or Not: Is There Really Any Question? by Fred Schmedt
  Since most producers need to maintain or increase production to maintain their standard of living and stay in business, decisions to cut back on nitrogen fertilizer usage are often difficult to justify.
 
To Know Risk is to Know Profit ... No Risk = No Profit by Paul Joerger
  Preparing a risk management plan each year will allow you to review the risks associated with your farm or ranch.
 
Tort Reform Helps Oklahoma Landowners by Paul Joerger
  The "Oklahoma Limitation of Liability for Farming and Ranching Land Act" is designed to encourage landowners to make their farming and ranching land available for outdoor recreational purposes, and it limits the participating landowners' liability to persons entering on or using the land for such recreational purposes.
 
Understanding Tax Basis by Dan Childs
  The basis one has in capital assets affects how much tax he or she will owe. There can be substantial tax savings with proper planning.
 
Understanding the Mexican Cattle Industry by Dan Childs
  Why have Mexican cattle been attractive to United States cattlemen? There could be several answers to this question. However, I think the two most popular answers are that Mexican calves are generally thin and healthy.
 
Unit Cost of Production by Steve Swigert
  Three factors determine the economic profitability of producing calves: calf prices, bred and cull animal prices, and unit cost of production. Prices are primarily determined by market factors. Unit cost of production, on the other hand, is under your direct control.
 
USDA Programs Offer Source, Age Verification of Cattle by Steve Swigert
  Now that the Japanese market has reopened to U.S. beef, there is increasing demand for source- and age-verified cattle. Source and age verification must be documented and verified through a recognized United States Department of Agriculture program.
 
Use Price Slides to Develop a Competitive Market Price by Job Springer
  The use of a price slide reduces risk in forward contracting and creates the framework for a competitive market price.
 
Use Technology Now to Benefit Your Operation by Steve Swigert
  While the computer's use as a financial record-keeping tool will continue to be my emphasis, there are other opportunities for the use of the computer, particularly through the Internet.
 
Value of Gain is Worth Knowing by Paul Joerger
  The value of each pound of gain is an important economic factor for operators to consider before buying stockers.
 
What About This Fall? by Mark Skiles
  The purpose of this article is not to project fall calf prices, but it is food for thought. Decreasing the cost of production or increasing the projected selling price will increase the maximum purchase price.
 
What Are You Going to Do With Your Calves? by Bo Baggett
  If you have not already decided what you are going to do with your spring-born calves, now is an excellent time to start thinking. As of this writing, cattle prices have been strong, but there is always a danger that prices may level off or even drop.
 
What Are You Planning To Do With Your Spring Calves? by Mark Skiles
  October. It's right around the corner. This is the time of year that most of you will sell your spring calves. Between now and then, most cow/calf producers will pray for rain and complain about the market. As we all know, in an election year either the Republicans or the Democrats are the reason for the drought.
 
What Can You do to Reduce Production Costs? by Steve Swigert
  Unless you have already determined that you are a low-cost producer, or plan to sell your cows in the next two or three years, looking at ways to reduce cost should be important.
 
What does the "Value of gain" mean? by Steve Swigert
5 ratings:
  For cattle producers, value of gain is the net value after the price slide of light to heavy cattle has been calculated.
 
What Goes Up Will Come Down ... by Fred Schmedt
  It may be the understatement of the century to say that recent cattle markets have been unprecedented  but be assured, prices will come down.
 
What Is Likely to Affect Hay Prices in the Fall of 2007? by Job Springer
7 ratings:
  The market price of hay varies substantially from year to year, making it extremely difficult to determine its price in the future. Fundamental economics tell us that the future price of a particular good will be determined by expected supply and expected demand.
 
What to Do About Replacement Cows by Steve Swigert
  Should you be retaining heifers this fall or trying to buy bred cows or bred heifers?
 
What to Do With the Wheat Crop? by Scott Boyd
  Assuming the region has received sufficient moisture between now and February to allow a wheat crop to develop this spring, several options are available to a producer with a wheat crop – start thinking about the economics of graze-out versus harvest for grain.
 
What's the Value of Pregnancy Testing Beef Cows? by Jon Biermacher
  There are several components to a successful cow-calf management strategy - among them should be an effective strategy for culling unproductive cows from the herd.
 
Which came First ... the Cow or the Beef? by Fred Schmedt
  This thought-provoking cattle version of the old chicken-and-egg adage come to mind when looking back to the Jan. 1, 2002, cattle inventories and outlook forecasts.
 
Which Enterprise is Making You the Most Money? by Steve Swigert
  When you evaluate each of your enterprises, do you look at how much gross income they bring in or do you look at the amount of money left over after you have paid your bills? I would strongly encourage you to use your net income or money left over at the end of year to begin analyzing the viability of each of your enterprises.
 
Which Replacement Female Option is Right for You? by Dan Childs
  Cow-calf producers across the United States are increasing the size of their cow herds. One indication of herd rebuilding is the ratio of female (cow plus heifer) slaughter to steer slaughter.
 
Who Is a Good Tax Preparer? by Dan Childs
  One should employ the services of a competent tax preparer who is knowledgeable of the sections of the tax code that pertain to agriculture. Finding the right preparer can be somewhat of a challenge, however.
 
Who is Going to Get the Bulk of Your Estate? by Steve Swigert
  Ill-advised or misguided action – or complete inaction – may allow taxes and probate to take a large portion of your estate and allow someone else to determine how your estate is distributed.
 
Why Financial Statements? by Dan Childs
  It is time consuming and often painful to prepare financial statements. A financial look at the business at a given point in time reveals the financial health of the business at that time. Analyze them and use them to detect early signs of financial stress so appropriate strategies can be implemented to ensure the long-term survival of the farm.
 
Winter Feed Costs by Steve Swigert
  As this winter comes to an end, have you considered what it cost you to feed your cows this winter? In most operations, the highest annual cost per cow is for feed.
 
Winter Pasture-Stocker Enterprises Made Impressive Impact on Profitability by Fred Schmedt
  During the 1996-97 season, returns to margin operators as measured by 'value of gain' have been the largest since 1990 and near the best of all time.
 
Your Farm Economy by Steve Swigert
  I realize that many of you will produce at a loss for 1998, but at what level and how that loss affects your balance sheet is a very important factor to the continued health of your operation.
 

 
         
       
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