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Post by JoshuaGA on May 8, 2012 16:36:59 GMT -5
Beef or pork. As it would seem my origional plans have more or less fallen through for the moment, I am trying to think up ways to replace income. Not a get rich deal by any means, I would just like to be able to generate a little more/extra income off this small farm. I have a 100 head finishing floor already in place I can use for hogs, needs about $1000 in repairs, otherwise it is a fairly clean slate. Opinions/Experiences you would care to share?
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Post by John SD on May 8, 2012 17:23:39 GMT -5
I sell beef on the hoof to a guy in MA who has family connections and inherited a ranch here. I raise him up a steer and he pays me something over market price for it. I deliver to the local locker plant. They kill and process and ship it on dry ice via air freight from Rapid City to Boston.
He is coming out to the ranch for the summer and will probably bring some of this beef with him so I can taste a sample. ;D It is a good 3 day drive.
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SMASH
Hired Hand
doo-rag dude
Posts: 197
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Post by SMASH on May 8, 2012 21:09:42 GMT -5
Several around me raise just a few calves and sell for freezer beef. Best beef I have had and a lot less expensive then store bought.
Problem is (from buyers side) you have to pay for it all up front and you need the freezer space. Other problem I had was, the guy I split a half a beef with was not always ready when I was, or when beef was.
Might take a year or two to get your clientele built.
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Post by swmnhay on May 10, 2012 9:29:14 GMT -5
I sell about 12 beef a yr.Whole,half or split side.I sell by hanging wt so the customer doesn't question my live wt.It is just more fair.And if taking more then one to the locker trips back and forth to elevator to wiegh.They pay processing.If any doubt make the leave $ at locker when they pick it up.
Just had a guy that has bought for yrs a 1/4 per yr and he wouldn't pay on the last one 3 yrs ago..I finally threatened him with small claims court and he payed.
It takes awhile to build up clients.100 hd would be alot.Could sell extra on open market?Sale barn?
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Post by kwestfarms on May 10, 2012 19:08:02 GMT -5
My son fed out a few every year.....had small cow-calf operation until would not stay in one Winter a couple back..drives truck for day job and it seemed every time he got to Ohio , would get a call..."cows are out " !! Second time it happened ......hauled all to the sale barn. Mainly just sold beef to a few friends. Would sell most of the calves in Spring...freshened the cows out late , June mostly. Now just cash crops like Dad!!! John
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Post by JoshuaGA on May 10, 2012 21:44:47 GMT -5
It takes awhile to build up clients.100 hd would be alot.Could sell extra on open market?Sale barn? Kinda one of the issues. I believe I know enough people to put a fair sized dent in 100 head of hogs, for that matter went through 2 steers in a year and 2 months by ourselves. Know a local weekender type sale barn that the owner could probably help me, rest is word of mouth type of deal. For that matter I ain't afraid of barbecuing a few a year, few of those BBQ and beer type of deals between the neighbors.   I am still sitting here doing more thinking than anything else at the moment, not sure just how or what way I end up going yet. Not going to have the chance to grow out and add more acres anywhere in the near future by the looks of it, I must not have the right name when it comes to renting land.  Honestly, don't have the option to walk away right now either with the chicken houses, nor do I really want too, I just want to get to the point where I can feel a bit more secure financially, at this point just not sure how I can do it. |
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Post by Ron/PA on Jun 4, 2012 14:51:10 GMT -5
Smaller scale, but we actually make more per pound selling roaster hogs in the 120-150 Lb range. Pig roasts are big around here and I've hooked up with a couple butcher shops and outfits that put on roasts.
We finish some, but we get premium price 'cause folks like the fact that they're fed "naturally" and don't get any additives they don't absolutely need.....
Please don't tell me the obvious, and NO I don't sell them that way, it's the way my customers view my operation.
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I am still sitting here doing more thinking than anything else at the moment, not sure just how or what way I end up going yet. Not going to have the chance to grow out and add more acres anywhere in the near future by the looks of it, I must not have the right name when it comes to renting land. 
Honestly, don't have the option to walk away right now either with the chicken houses, nor do I really want too, I just want to get to the point where I can feel a bit more secure financially, at this point just not sure how I can do it. 