Newest arrival, I think there is a message on his forehead. 

Quote from: Possum on May 27, 2023, 05:19:10 PMNewest arrival, I think there is a message on his forehead. 

Steer or breeder?

Quote from: Solar on May 27, 2023, 05:48:48 PMSteer or breeder?

Only 12 hours old. We're going to let him decide if he/she wants to become a heifer.     

The mother had horns so probably not a breeder as I suspect he will also. Not too many around here want horns on their bulls. Actually, not that many castrating anymore, prices are down and the "operation" really does not up the price that much. I sell when they hit around 12 to 14 months, so there is not that much difference in weight. 

Quote from: Possum on May 27, 2023, 05:57:10 PMOnly 12 hours old. We're going to let him decide if he/she wants to become a heifer.     

The mother had horns so probably not a breeder as I suspect he will also. Not too many around here want horns on their bulls. Actually, not that many castrating anymore, prices are down and the "operation" really does not up the price that much. I sell when they hit around 12 to 14 months, so there is not that much difference in weight. 

So not for personal use, just a few extra bucks?
Is it really worth the trouble in the end, I mean do you really make all that much?

Quote from: Solar on May 27, 2023, 08:41:14 PMSo not for personal use, just a few extra bucks?
Is it really worth the trouble in the end, I mean do you really make all that much?

Good question. What makes it worth it is the savings in property tax. Land is way over rated, to the point of being crazy.
There are two ways to rate tax owed, what the land would go for on the market, or by the amount one could make agriculturally. Guess which amount is the lowest, by far. We're saving about 14,000 in taxes on the 45 acres we own where we live and are leasing another 120 acres for additional grazing, so saving that owner far more. When the tax laws were written, land was cheap, one could buy land and make a living off of it. Those days are gone.
Some counties are already changing their tax exemptions, it's all about money, government just can not get enough of it.

 Last year with the drought we lost money, had to buy too much feed under bideneconomics. Rain is much better this year, what hay I raise should get me through without buying for 150 a bale. Last year, everything the cows ate, was bought.  Should make a profit this year,  but "should" don't always do what it should. Anyway, if it pays all the taxes and what insurance we have to buy, I'll be ok with it. Hell, taxes and insurance are the two biggest expenses we have. 

I don't want it to sound like it is just a tax purpose, but i guess reality is I do not want to lose the agricultural exemption and do not want to lease out the pasture, for the time being anyway, that day will come. Even the church will tell you, as people lose their exemptions the collection plate gets lighter. Anyway, long as I can, I enjoy it, can make some at it, and can save on taxes. And watch where I step.

And if beef prices continue to rise, we will start processing, at least we will know what we're eating. Pretty much everything else comes out of the garden.

Quote from: Possum on May 28, 2023, 04:23:09 AMGood question. What makes it worth it is the savings in property tax. Land is way over rated, to the point of being crazy.
There are two ways to rate tax owed, what the land would go for on the market, or by the amount one could make agriculturally. Guess which amount is the lowest, by far. We're saving about 14,000 in taxes on the 45 acres we own where we live and are leasing another 120 acres for additional grazing, so saving that owner far more. When the tax laws were written, land was cheap, one could buy land and make a living off of it. Those days are gone.
Some counties are already changing their tax exemptions, it's all about money, government just can not get enough of it.

 Last year with the drought we lost money, had to buy too much feed under bideneconomics. Rain is much better this year, what hay I raise should get me through without buying for 150 a bale. Last year, everything the cows ate, was bought.  Should make a profit this year,  but "should" don't always do what it should. Anyway, if it pays all the taxes and what insurance we have to buy, I'll be ok with it. Hell, taxes and insurance are the two biggest expenses we have. 

I don't want it to sound like it is just a tax purpose, but i guess reality is I do not want to lose the agricultural exemption and do not want to lease out the pasture, for the time being anyway, that day will come. Even the church will tell you, as people lose their exemptions the collection plate gets lighter. Anyway, long as I can, I enjoy it, can make some at it, and can save on taxes. And watch where I step.

And if beef prices continue to rise, we will start processing, at least we will know what we're eating. Pretty much everything else comes out of the garden.

Fascinating! I didn't even consider the tax angle. Out here in Ca we have prop 13, the Jarvis Gann act, they can't fuckin touch us and it drives these commies fuckin nuts!
I tend to take it for granted, since it's been in use for so many decades, but they keep trying to break it down.

That's why I asked, I wondered if beef was paying a premium, or more of a pet thing just to mow the field.
Never even considered the tax angle.

Quote from: Solar on May 28, 2023, 06:21:13 AMFascinating! I didn't even consider the tax angle. Out here in Ca we have prop 13, the Jarvis Gann act, they can't fuckin touch us and it drives these commies fuckin nuts!
I tend to take it for granted, since it's been in use for so many decades, but they keep trying to break it down.

That's why I asked, I wondered if beef was paying a premium, or more of a pet thing just to mow the field.
Never even considered the tax angle.

We don't have an state income tax, so the state gets sales tax, and the rest get property tax. Schools are the biggie. Austin passed a 1.65 BILLION school budget. BILLION! And little Johnny still can not read. Kids get out of school with no idea of what the real world is about. But they know climate change. Bush screwed us. The hell of it, Austin is one of the fast growing cities and the school district in Austin is loosing students. But the budget keeps growing. NOBODY know where the money goes.

We're lucky, we are in the Lometa school district, high school was built in the 30's, has had upgrades but they don't waste money. Helps keep the tax rate lower. Big signs at every entrance, "Our teachers are trained and armed". So naturally the kids are well behaved.

Quote from: Possum on May 28, 2023, 08:32:33 AMWe don't have an state income tax, so the state gets sales tax, and the rest get property tax. Schools are the biggie. Austin passed a 1.65 BILLION school budget. BILLION! And little Johnny still can not read. Kids get out of school with no idea of what the real world is about. But they know climate change. Bush screwed us. The hell of it, Austin is one of the fast growing cities and the school district in Austin is loosing students. But the budget keeps growing. NOBODY know where the money goes.

We're lucky, we are in the Lometa school district, high school was built in the 30's, has had upgrades but they don't waste money. Helps keep the tax rate lower. Big signs at every entrance, "Our teachers are trained and armed". So naturally the kids are well behaved.

Ever noticed how the more money the left throws at an issue, the worst and bigger the problem gets?

Quote from: Solar on May 30, 2023, 06:13:41 AMEver noticed how the more money the left throws at an issue, the worst and bigger the problem gets?

It's so blatant. There are no audits, and millions spent. Austin is now the poster child for third world countries to learn how to run their sh-t holes.

Quote from: Solar on May 30, 2023, 06:13:41 AMEver noticed how the more money the left throws at an issue, the worst and bigger the problem gets?

So much wisdom in that one sentence. Or government schools are proof positive of the statement.

Quote from: supsalemgr on May 30, 2023, 08:39:45 AMSo much wisdom in that one sentence. Or government schools are proof positive of the statement.

Yeah, sadly it's true.
I bet no one can post one thing that Govt has done, that the free Mkt couldn't, or wasn't already doing better.