Your survival in the cow-calf business will be dependent on your ability to switch paradigms (horses). The old-horse paradigm is the result of a time when land was unbelievably cheap – at least by today’s standards. It is also the result of cheap feed and cheap fuel. Gasoline could be purchased for 25 cents per gallon in the early 1970s. Labor was cheap – and equipment was cheap. The old-horse way of doing things made sense 40 to 50 years ago. Unfortunately,
Your survival in the cow-calf business will be dependent on your ability to switch paradigms (horses). The old-horse paradigm is the result of a time when land was unbelievably cheap – at least by today’s standards. It is also the result of cheap feed and cheap fuel. Gasoline could be purchased for 25 cents per gallon in the early 1970s. Labor was cheap – and equipment was cheap. The old-horse way of doing things made sense 40 to 50 years ago. Unfortunately, that era is over – and it ain’t coming back!
While most cow-calf producers are slowly going out of business, many PCC Customers have more than doubled their profits. They are two to four times more profitable than all of their neighbors. They are operating under a totally different paradigm than their neighbors. People who have an open mind will always find it easy to make the necessary changes in their operations. In contrast, those who refuse to think outside the box they have put themselves in will never be able to keep up with the times. They will continue to ride the same old horse until the horse falls over dead.
Most of us have one or two winter coats. Sometimes we wear more than one coat at the same time. Winter is a time of shorter days and colder temperatures. Unless you live in the tropics, you need to wear a coat most of the time during the winter months.
God created cattle to have a summer hair coat and a winter hair coat. That allows them to survive temperature extremes from 40 below zero to 120 degrees.
I’ve seen lots and lots of calves born – in every season of the year – but I have NEVER seen a calf born with a winter hair coat.
Most of us have one or two winter coats. Sometimes we wear more than one coat at the same time. Winter is a time of shorter days and colder temperatures. Unless you live in the tropics, you need to wear a coat most of the time during the winter months.
God created cattle to have a summer hair coat and a winter hair coat. That allows them to survive temperature extremes from 40 below zero to 120 degrees.
I’ve seen lots and lots of calves born – in every season of the year – but I have NEVER seen a calf born with a winter hair coat. No matter how cold it is, all calves are born with a summer hair coat. Folks, what does that tell you about when your calving season should be?
I recently scanned through an article in an ag publication in which a seedstock producer said, “I inherited early calving from my dad.” He starts calving in December. On cold days, he keeps his entire cowherd bedded down indoors. Folks, you don’t have to calve in the winter just because that is the way it has always been done. Some traditions don’t make sense and need to be abandoned.
My experience has taught me that we can actually wean more total pounds of calves when we calve in May – even though our individual weaning weights have been slightly reduced. How can that be? We have much less death loss.
Many cow-calf producers think it is sacrilegious to not ear tag calves at birth. Most do it because they have always done it. Several years ago, the PCC Discussion Group came up with several “Kooky Notions” that the members used to have. Ear tagging calves at birth was one of those kooky notions. I’m sure many subscribers are saying, “What’s wrong with tagging calves at birth?”
To begin with, each and every one of your cows knows which calf is hers – withoutan ear tag.
Many cow-calf producers think it is sacrilegious to not ear tag calves at birth. Most do it because they have always done it. Several years ago, the PCC Discussion Group came up with several “Kooky Notions” that the members used to have. Ear tagging calves at birth was one of those kooky notions. I’m sure many subscribers are saying, “What’s wrong with tagging calves at birth?”
To begin with, each and every one of your cows knows which calf is hers – withoutan ear tag. If you are a commercial rancher (not raising registered cattle), you are NOT getting paid to ear tag your calves. I am not against putting identification ear tags in every animal – but it can be done when the calves are run through a chute for vaccinations, etc. It does not have to be done within a few hours after birth.
There are at least four problems with ear tagging calves at birth. First and foremost, it is dangerous. Every year we hear about someone being seriously injured or killed while trying to tag a newborn calf. How would you feel if someone in your family got hurt while tagging a newborn calf?
Second, ear tagging calves at birth disrupts the bond between a momma cow and her newborn calf. This is a very critical time for a newborn calf. Any outside interference does more harm than good.
Third, ear tagging calves sets you up to keep records on individual animal performance which will keep you from maximizing sustainable profit per acre. For the past 50 years, the status quo beef industry has been enamored with increasing individual animal performance. This has created high-maintenance cattle that do not fit any environment outside of a feedlot. Consequently, the result of focusing on individual animal performance is reduced profits. I still believe most ranchers can double their profit per acre once they stop focusing on the wrong things.
Fourth, ear tagging calves at birth is very time consuming. It takes a whole lot more time than 30 to 60 seconds per calf. Tagging calves requires you to ride or drive to the cows and through the cows. If you don’t go at least twice a day, you will not be able to catch the calves. You must do this every day. Even if you have a short 45-day calving season, you will have at least 90 trips to and through the cows. Because tagging calves is time consuming, it will set the limit as to how many cows you can run. The most profitable ranches are running 500 to over 1000 cows per man. It would be impossible for these ranches to tag calves at birth. They spend their time (and money) on things that increase their profits.
The time and money most producers spend on things like keeping individual animal records and ear tagging calves at birth could be used to improve grazing management via fences and water development. This could easily double, triple or quadruple your profits per acre. You could be getting paid two or four times more for doing half as much work. You could create a very profitable, enjoyable and sustainable business for the next generation. You would have the time and the money to take the family on extensive vacations.
I am often drawn into discussing this “kooky notion” at my speaking engagements. Tagging calves at birth is a paradigm that most producers struggle to get away from. For every reason people have given me to justify why they tag calves at birth, I have always been able provide an alternative.
People say they need to have an easy way to pair up cows and calves when going to summer pasture. I suggest you move bred cows to summer pasture and allow them to calve in sync with nature on green grass. Bred cows are much easier to handle, haul or drive than pairs. All of the problems producers associate with calving will magically disappear when cows are calved in sync with nature. You do NOT have to be there to see every calf born! Also… any cattleman worth his salt can pair up cows and calves without ear tags.
Some might ask, “So how do we identify the cows that produce the dink calves?” That’s easy… after separating the cows and calves at weaning, sort off the dink calves. Turn those dink calves back out with the cows – and they will make a beeline to their mommas. Ride out and bring in the dink pairs to be sold.
Would you be able to calve 500+ cows by yourself if every calf had to be ear tagged at birth? No – but you could if you did not have to tag calves. Mark Bowman, a PCC customer in Western Nebraska, once told me about an encounter he had with his dad who was over 80 years old at the time. Mark was calving around 1200 cows in sync with nature. His dad said, “If I knew ranching could be this easy, I would still be doing it.”
Keep it Simple… Mankind has always been notorious for making simple things complicated. It doesn’t have to be that way. Ranching can be fun, easy andprofitable! If your ranch is NOT fun, easy andprofitable, then you can only blame yourself.
Did you know… that the average age of cow-calf producers is close to 60? That is nearing retirement age for most businesses. Why do you think the average age is so high? Could it be that traditional (status quo) ranching is NOT fun, easy or profitable enough for the next generation to consider it as an occupation?
Circumstances are where you are right now. You had no control over some of your circumstances. Circumstances of your birth and childhood, for example, are not the result of any choices you made. Other circumstances, however, are the consequence of choices you have made.
Choices are what you make happen to alter your circumstances. The choices or decisions you don’t make can have as much of an effect on your circumstances as the choices and decisions you do make.
Circumstances are where you are right now. You had no control over some of your circumstances. Circumstances of your birth and childhood, for example, are not the result of any choices you made. Other circumstances, however, are the consequence of choices you have made.
Choices are what you make happen to alter your circumstances. The choices or decisions you don’t make can have as much of an effect on your circumstances as the choices and decisions you do make.
Consequences are the result of your choices, or lack thereof. Consequences can be both good and bad – depending on the choices you made – or didn’t make.
You can’t go back in time to alter your circumstances. You can, however, change your future circumstances. The decisions you make (or don’t make) will have a profound effect on your future and the future of your family business. This is a responsibility that should not be ignored or taken lightly. Your kids and grandkids are hoping you make the right choices. Don’t be afraid to take control of your future.
Several major meat packing plants have had to reduce production capacity because workers are being infected with the coronavirus. It is believed that much of the transfer of this virus takes place when workers get together after work. One packing plant in Colorado has 6000 workers that speak 23 different languages. I’m sure it is difficult to get some of the workers to understand the importance of social distancing.
When production capacity at the packing plants is reduced,
Several major meat packing plants have had to reduce production capacity because workers are being infected with the coronavirus. It is believed that much of the transfer of this virus takes place when workers get together after work. One packing plant in Colorado has 6000 workers that speak 23 different languages. I’m sure it is difficult to get some of the workers to understand the importance of social distancing.
When production capacity at the packing plants is reduced, a bottleneck is created. Fewer and fewer cattle are able to be slaughtered when they should be. That creates a buildup of cattle – which will lower cattle prices all the way back to the cow-calf sector of the beef industry. It will also create a shortage of beef in the grocery stores – which will cause beef prices to increase.
Beef producers need to carefully consider their options. I know of several producers who have decided to hold on to their calves and/or yearlings – thinking the market will improve. The cattle market WILL improve – but I don’t know if it will improve soon enough to do any good for those holding onto their calves and yearlings. If you don’t have the grass to support extra cattle, your situation will just go from bad to worse.
Calves, feeders and cull cows are still being sold at local auction barns across the nation. Considering the circumstances, I believe the prices are very respectable. What if the market gets worse before it gets better? I think there is a high probability of that happening. As Bud Williams once said, “You will never go broke having too much money or too much grass – but going broke is easy if you have too many cattle at the wrong time.”
Believe it or not… many producers are currently receiving record-high prices for their cattle. Pharo Cattle Company has many customers who produce and market grass-fed beef. All of the grass-fed beef producers I have visited with tell me business is booming as never before. They are selling all they can produce at premium prices. Some are aggressively looking for new sources of cattle with the right genetics.
If success was easy, everyone would be remarkably successful. Unfortunately, very few people can be classified as remarkably successful. Success, however, does appear to be very easy for some people – but if you look closer, you will discover that those people make things happen.
They see opportunities that most people miss. They are not afraid to step outside their comfort zone. They are not afraid to try what others say cannot be done. They may experience a few failures,
If success was easy, everyone would be remarkably successful. Unfortunately, very few people can be classified as remarkably successful. Success, however, does appear to be very easy for some people – but if you look closer, you will discover that those people make things happen.
They see opportunities that most people miss. They are not afraid to step outside their comfort zone. They are not afraid to try what others say cannot be done. They may experience a few failures, but they never allow failure to slow them down. They quickly learn from their mistakes and push forward.
We sold 427 low-maintenance, grass-developed bulls in our three spring bull sales for an average price of $5777 – with a range of $2500 to $16,100. Below is a brief analysis of our three sales. Calving ease, fleshing ability, disposition, overall rating and grass efficiency were evaluated and scored using our unique 5-star system. In this system, 5-star is the best and 1-star is the worst.
We sold 427 low-maintenance, grass-developed bulls in our three spring bull sales for an average price of $5777 – with a range of $2500 to $16,100. Below is a brief analysis of our three sales. Calving ease, fleshing ability, disposition, overall rating and grass efficiency were evaluated and scored using our unique 5-star system. In this system, 5-star is the best and 1-star is the worst.
The beef industry’s incessant selection for more frame, more growth and more milk has created tall, slab-sided, flat-muscled, hard-keeping bulls that resemble solid-colored Holstein steers. Where’s the BEEF?
Pharo Cattle Company has thick, easy-fleshing bulls that can BEEF-UP your cattle, as well as your profits. We’re not going to cheat you on pounds. We are just gonna put those pounds in a different package – a package with extra thickness and muscle.
Make plans to visit a Pharo Cattle Company cowherd.
The beef industry’s incessant selection for more frame, more growth and more milk has created tall, slab-sided, flat-muscled, hard-keeping bulls that resemble solid-colored Holstein steers. Where’s the BEEF?
Pharo Cattle Company has thick, easy-fleshing bulls that can BEEF-UP your cattle, as well as your profits. We’re not going to cheat you on pounds. We are just gonna put those pounds in a different package – a package with extra thickness and muscle.
Make plans to visit a Pharo Cattle Company cowherd. We have cowherds in 12 different states. We will show you the BEEF. Our thickness and fleshing ability have been bred in – NOT fed in. We are always glad to give visitors a ranch tour.
Our 30th Annual Colorado Bull Sale is behind us. We were hoping to spend our 30th Anniversary with 200+ people at the sale barn in Burlington, Colorado. However, that wasn’t meant to be – so we made the best of the situation and had some fun.
As we did with our Missouri and Texas sales, we conducted this sale as a virtual auction from our living room. This week, we decided to mask-up.
Our 30th Annual Colorado Bull Sale is behind us. We were hoping to spend our 30th Anniversary with 200+ people at the sale barn in Burlington, Colorado. However, that wasn’t meant to be – so we made the best of the situation and had some fun.
As we did with our Missouri and Texas sales, we conducted this sale as a virtual auction from our living room. This week, we decided to mask-up. Most of the PCC Crew were wearing bandanas and wild rags as face masks. We also decided to add a Red, White and Blue theme to this event.
We had 245 Stay-At-Home bidders registered for our Colorado Bull Sale – from 24 different states. We sold 204 bulls in a little over two hours for an average price of $6330 – with a range of $3500 to $15,000. There were no funny-money bulls! These bulls were sold into 18 different states.
Top Five States…
Kansas 35 bulls
Colorado 28 bulls
Wyoming 24 bulls
Nebraska 20 bulls
North Dakota 20 bulls
The demand for PCC Solar Bulls is obviously much greater than the supply! Many customers are anxiously looking forward to our upcoming Price-Rollback Sale. Stay tuned… we will provide more information in the near future.
For the past month, I have been blessed with at least one phone call per day from a cow-calf producer who is literally ready to set the world on fire! Most of these producers are 35 to 55 years of age. They have successfully broken away from the old, outdated paradigm that is focused on increasing production per cow (bragging rights). They finally came to the realization that this paradigm (horse) was slowly killing their business.
For the past month, I have been blessed with at least one phone call per day from a cow-calf producer who is literally ready to set the world on fire! Most of these producers are 35 to 55 years of age. They have successfully broken away from the old, outdated paradigm that is focused on increasing production per cow (bragging rights). They finally came to the realization that this paradigm (horse) was slowly killing their business.
They are changing horses on the run! They are excited about taking the first steps required to be two to five times more profitable than all of their neighbors. They are building a business that can be passed on to the next generation – and the one after that. They know that if they don’t change horses, they will eventually go broke – forcing their kids and grandkids to get jobs in the city.
We have been selling bulls for 30 years – but we have never experienced this type of mass movement before. It’s about time! These producers have seen the writing on the wall. They are finished with breakeven ranching. It’s unfortunate that a few of them had to leave the family farm or ranch they grew up on to change horses. Change comes mighty slowly in agriculture – especially for the older generation.
The driving force behind our program is the desire to help cow-calf producers make their business as profitable, enjoyable and sustainable as possible. That’s what wakes us up in the morning. That’s what keeps us going. Once you see and understand what is possible, it’s impossible not to share those possibilities with all who will listen. The future of most family farms and ranches will be dependent on their ability to think outside the status quo herd.
We have been selling bulls for 30 years… and counting.
The driving force behind our program is the desire to help cow-calf producers make their business as profitable, enjoyable and sustainable as possible. That’s what wakes us up in the morning. That’s what keeps us going. Once you see and understand what is possible, it’s impossible not to share those possibilities with all who will listen. The future of most family farms and ranches will be dependent on their ability to think outside the status quo herd.
We have been selling bulls for 30 years… and counting. We have helped thousands of cow-calf producers put more fun and profit into their business. Many of our customers are two to four times more profitable than all of their neighbors. They have the ability to thrive even during the worst of times.
The one thing we cannot understand, however, is why so many cow-calf producers refuse to even think about doing anything different. It’s as though they would rather fail doing what they have always done than succeed if success requires change. Why are they satisfied with working so hard just to break even?
If you are ready to change horses… then we want to help you make the necessary changes. We want to help you take the Ten Steps to Double Your Profits. We want to provide the ultra-low-input, grass-based genetics you will need to prosper in the future. You need to produce cows that fit your environment, instead of artificially changing the environment to fit your cows.
As a new PCC Customer, we will introduce you to the PCC Discussion Group. Many believe having access to this unique group of world-renown experts in profitable, regenerative and sustainable agriculture is worth much more than the cost of a PCC bull. This group of Herd Quitters can provide the information and the advice you will need to be profitable when all of your neighbors are struggling just to stay in business.
We do much more than just sell bulls. We provide a program and a way of thinking that are focused on helping you make your business as profitable, enjoyable and sustainable as possible. We always keep your next generation in mind. Our ultra-low-input bulls are just one part of this program.
We continue to be excited! While the coronavirus pandemic has most people hiding in the corner of their bedroom watching the news, we have been witnessing what appears to be a mass movement of cow-calf producers toward a better way of life. In preparation for our spring bull sales, we have visited with hundreds of cow-calf producers who are totally excited about replacing their old, sick horse (paradigm) with a fresh, new horse.
The future will always look bright for those who are willing to change with the times.
We continue to be excited! While the coronavirus pandemic has most people hiding in the corner of their bedroom watching the news, we have been witnessing what appears to be a mass movement of cow-calf producers toward a better way of life. In preparation for our spring bull sales, we have visited with hundreds of cow-calf producers who are totally excited about replacing their old, sick horse (paradigm) with a fresh, new horse.
The future will always look bright for those who are willing to change with the times. People who have an open mind will continue to learn. Therefore, they will find it easy to make the necessary changes in their operation. In contrast, those who refuse to think or to look outside the box (paradigm) they have put themselves in will never be able to keep up with the times. They will continue to ride the same old horse until the horse falls over dead.
Our first-ever Virtual Bull Sale went off without a hitch. It was strange not to have 200+ people in the seats. Last year, we served lunch to 288 people at our Missouri Bull Sale. Nearly all the seats were full. This year, the entire Missouri Bull Sale took place in our living room.
We had 155 Stay-At-Home bidders from 26 different states. We sold 145 bulls in less than two hours for an average price of $5250 – with a range of $2500 to $13,000.
Our first-ever Virtual Bull Sale went off without a hitch. It was strange not to have 200+ people in the seats. Last year, we served lunch to 288 people at our Missouri Bull Sale. Nearly all the seats were full. This year, the entire Missouri Bull Sale took place in our living room.
We had 155 Stay-At-Home bidders from 26 different states. We sold 145 bulls in less than two hours for an average price of $5250 – with a range of $2500 to $13,000. These bulls were sold into 20 different states. We had two no-sell bulls, but both were sold before the sale was over. We also sold 8 private treaty bulls after the sell for an average price of $2550.
Top Five States…
Missouri 39 bulls
Texas 19 bulls
Oklahoma 19 bulls
Arkansas 15 bulls
Kansas 11 bulls
Considering what you hear on the news, there was a tremendous amount of optimism leading up to this sale. Hundreds of cow-calf producers are wanting to “change horses.” They are excited about the future. Their families are excited about the future. While most people can only see doom and gloom, these people see opportunities to advance.
Visualize, if you will, an old cowpoke riding an old plug horse that stumbles along at a very slow pace with its head just a foot off the ground. I believe the cowpoke in this image represents a lot of today’s cow-calf producers – perhaps most of today’s cow-calf producers. The old horse represents an outdated paradigm that will not allow the producer to be profitable. If the producer doesn’t change horses, he will eventually go out of business, or be forced to subsidize his unprofitable business.
Visualize, if you will, an old cowpoke riding an old plug horse that stumbles along at a very slow pace with its head just a foot off the ground. I believe the cowpoke in this image represents a lot of today’s cow-calf producers – perhaps most of today’s cow-calf producers. The old horse represents an outdated paradigm that will not allow the producer to be profitable. If the producer doesn’t change horses, he will eventually go out of business, or be forced to subsidize his unprofitable business.
I don’t know how many cow-calf producers I have visited with in the past week – but it is a large number. I have been on the phone most of 10 to 12 hours every day. For the first time ever, over half of the producers I have visited with are in the process of changing horses. They see the light and they are very excited about the future. Most of these producers are age 30 to 50. They know that if they don’t change horses, they will eventually go broke – forcing their kids to get jobs in the city.
I really get pumped up visiting with these producers because they are pumped up. They are excited about taking the first few steps of the Ten Steps to Double Your Profits. They all wish they had started sooner. I assure them that in just a few years, they will be two to four times more profitable than all of their neighbors. It’s unfortunate that some of these producers had to leave the family farm or ranch to change horses. Change comes mighty slowly in agriculture – especially for the older generation.
Life is like riding a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. For most of us, life is exciting and thrilling. It is seldom dull and boring. Life is what we make it.
In the last two months, however, the roller coaster has been picking up speed. While this is terrifying to some, it is exhilarating to others. Life is what we make it. While some see nothing but problems, others see opportunities. If you have been watching the news with the proper attitude,
Life is like riding a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. For most of us, life is exciting and thrilling. It is seldom dull and boring. Life is what we make it.
In the last two months, however, the roller coaster has been picking up speed. While this is terrifying to some, it is exhilarating to others. Life is what we make it. While some see nothing but problems, others see opportunities. If you have been watching the news with the proper attitude, you have seen several examples of this in all walks of life.
While many businesses are closing their doors, others are taking advantage of the situation – in a good way. When this coronavirus event is behind us, they will be in a better position than they were three months ago. Life is what we make it. There have always been more opportunities to advance during tough times than during good times.
Those of us in agriculture are the least affected by this coronavirus outbreak. Social distancing has always been a way of life for us. We have no reason to close our businesses. For the most part, it is business as usual for us. While a few may be hiding in the corner of their bedroom, the rest of us are making plans for a better future. Life is what we make it.
When this so-called “pandemic” is over, some producers will continue to be slowly going out of business. Others, on the other hand, will be better off than they were prior to this so-called “pandemic.” What’s the difference? Life is what we make it. Pharo Cattle Company is here to encourage you and to help you make the best of a bad situation.
People hate change! Nowhere is this more prevalent than in agriculture. It seems to take years for people in agriculture to make simple changes – even though they know the change will be for their own good. I must confess that I too am reluctant to change. I may not hate change as much as most people, but it still makes me uncomfortable.
I read a neat little Seth Godin book entitled Tribes.
People hate change! Nowhere is this more prevalent than in agriculture. It seems to take years for people in agriculture to make simple changes – even though they know the change will be for their own good. I must confess that I too am reluctant to change. I may not hate change as much as most people, but it still makes me uncomfortable.
I read a neat little Seth Godin book entitled Tribes. In this book, Seth spends a considerable amount of time discussing the status quo and its fear of change. He believes change is inevitable. I don’t think anyone can argue with that. Change is a normal and necessary part of life and business – and the sooner we embrace it, the better off we will be.
Seth says, “By the time you realize your corner of the world is ready for change, it’s almost always too late. It’s definitely not too early.” Mr. Godin goes on to say, “There may be a small price to pay for being too early, but there will be a huge penalty for being too late.” This concept was discussed in depth in the leadoff article of our Winter 2020 Newsletter. The Early Adaptors will always be very successful, while the Laggards will continue to fall by the wayside. Which are you?
After much deliberation, we decided we should try having a bull sale – without actually having a bull sale. Is that possible? Yep! We plan to sell a combined total of over 500 bulls in Missouri, Texas and Colorado – without hauling the bulls to town and without gathering up a crowd of people at a sale barn.
Much changed last week in reference to the coronavirus outbreak. The craziness got crazier – and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
After much deliberation, we decided we should try having a bull sale – without actually having a bull sale. Is that possible? Yep! We plan to sell a combined total of over 500 bulls in Missouri, Texas and Colorado – without hauling the bulls to town and without gathering up a crowd of people at a sale barn.
Much changed last week in reference to the coronavirus outbreak. The craziness got crazier – and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. We are concerned about the health and wellbeing of our customers. We also want to do our part in slowing down the spread of this virus. With that in mind, we decided the most prudent thing for us to do was to not bring hundreds of people together at each of our sale locations.
We will not have physical bull sales in Missouri, Texas and Colorado. We will have remote sales instead. Social distancing is the only way to slow down the spread of COVID-19. That is why nearly all professional sporting events have been canceled. That is why schools and universities are shutting their doors. That is why the Houston Stock Show and Rodeo was cancelled. That is why airlines are cancelling flights – and that is why Pharo Cattle Company will host three remote bull sales this spring.
This is very exciting! Since so many of our bulls are purchased by customers who use one of our three Stay-At-Home options, we have been discussing this option for several years. Until now, however, we have never had a good enough reason to give it a try. Everyone, including the bulls, should benefit from this unique format. We still have a few details to work out – but we do not see any major problems.
News, around the world, has been focused on the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Therefore, we thought we should share some of our thoughts from a little different perspective. Although serious in nature, I think we can agree the mainstream media has blown this thing way out of proportion. Unfortunately, the reason for some of this seems to be political in nature.
News, around the world, has been focused on the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Therefore, we thought we should share some of our thoughts from a little different perspective. Although serious in nature, I think we can agree the mainstream media has blown this thing way out of proportion. Unfortunately, the reason for some of this seems to be political in nature.
I must admit, though, that I had some concerns about my recent trip to Australia via LAX in Los Angeles. I did not wear a mask – but I did follow standard protocol to avoid contracting an infectious disease. Along with taking vitamins C and D, I was careful about what I touched and I washed my hands frequently. They say the incubation period for COVID-19 is five to 12 days. One week from today will mark the twelfth day since my return to the US. Stay tuned.
The end is in sight. It looks as though new cases of COVID-19 have peaked in China and are now decreasing – following the classic bell curve. Recoveries continue to increase. The same thing will eventually take place in other parts of the world. COVID-19, like all flu bugs, likes cold weather. Therefore, as the weather warms up in the northern hemisphere, we should see fewer and fewer new cases.
I have been a little surprised at the effect COVID-19 has had on worldwide markets. This, I think, is partially the result of the news being sensationalized and politicized by the mainstream media. Understandably, it is also the result of a decrease in travel and other activities. The fact that most of the world relies on parts and/or products that are “Made in China” is another reason the markets are hurting. There is a lesson to be learned here. We should never allow our wellbeing to be dependent on things (or countries) that are totally out of our control.
As you have probably noticed… cattle prices have been indirectly affected by COVID-19. Right or wrong, they seem to be responding to the uncertainty of the stock markets. Had it not been for the coronavirus outbreak, I’m pretty sure we would be seeing higher and higher cattle prices. Once the dust settles, this setback in cattle prices will soon pass. Beef exports for 2020 are expected to be at record-high levels. Beef supply has peaked and will soon be decreasing – while domestic demand for beef remains strong. A decrease in supply combined with an increase in demand will always create higher prices.
If you are a cow-calf producer, there is a valuable take-home lesson hidden in this discussion on the latest coronavirus outbreak. That lesson is that cattle prices can be negatively affected by many outside factors and events that we have absolutely no control over. Some of these effects are temporary, while others can last a long time. The only producers who can weather these storms are those who have very low production costs, as well as very low breakeven prices.
Because most PCC customers have been focused on increasing production per acre (profit) instead of on increasing production per cow (bragging rights), they have a breakeven price on the calves they produce that is less than half that of their neighbors. No matter how low calf prices go, they will continue to be profitable. I urge you to take this lesson to heart and start building a program that does not depend on high calf prices to be profitable.
There are a few bull marketers who are trying to mimic what Pharo Cattle Company says and does. We have no problem with that – but we encourage buyers to beware. I’m sure these bull marketers do some things right – but no one even comes close to doing all the things Pharo Cattle Company does right.
We have been selling bulls for 30 years…and counting.We have helped thousands of cow-calf producers put more fun and profit into their business.
There are a few bull marketers who are trying to mimic what Pharo Cattle Company says and does. We have no problem with that – but we encourage buyers to beware. I’m sure these bull marketers do some things right – but no one even comes close to doing all the things Pharo Cattle Company does right.
We have been selling bulls for 30 years…and counting.We have helped thousands of cow-calf producers put more fun and profit into their business. That has always been the driving force behind our business and lives. We encourage you to use the following Check List when you want to compare other bull programs to ours.
Does Your Seedstock Producer…
Treat his cows tougher than you treat your cows?
Refuse to make an excuse for a cow or give her a second chance?
Develop bulls slowly and naturally on forages – with nothing but starch-free supplements?
Evaluate and score bulls for disposition?
Evaluate and score bulls for hair coat and fly resistance?
Evaluate and score bulls for feet and leg conformation?
Evaluate and score bulls for preputial prolapse problems?
Evaluate and score bulls for fleshing ability, thickness, muscling, masculinity and overall rating?
Evaluate and score bulls for grass efficiency, maintenance requirements and longevity?
Provide an udder score for the bulls he sells?
Provide a One-Year Guarantee on the bulls he sells?
Guarantee bulls for calving ease?
Guarantee bulls to be free from genetic defects?
Provide ultrasound data on the bulls he sells for carcass traits?
Obtain a DNA profile on every bull he sells to increase the accuracy of the information he uses and shares?
Control internal and external parasites with genetics – instead of toxic chemicals?
Invite customers and non-customers to participate in bull evaluation days?
Provide a Quick Sort program that takes all the guesswork out of sorting bulls that meet your specific needs?
Bring in world-renown experts in profitable, sustainable and regenerative agriculture for five pre-sale meetings every year?
Use an honest, low-pressure Cowboy Auction to sell bulls?
Deliver bulls to over 60 delivery points across the nation?
Provide a one-of-a-kind online discussion group with many world-renowned experts for their customers?
Everything we dowe do with the good of our customers in mind. Most bull marketers would never even consider doing most of the 22 things listed above. We continue to be different for all the right reasons!
I recently received a call from a consultant who claimed to be working with several cow-calf producers in the southeast. This consultant was interested in helping his clients become profitable and wanted to know if Pharo Cattle Company could help.
I was surprised when this so-called “consultant” spent so much time explaining the importance of “topping the market” at local sale barns. He also placed emphasis on cattle with larger frames and higher growth. I began to wonder if he was consulting for feedyards or for cow-calf producers.
I recently received a call from a consultant who claimed to be working with several cow-calf producers in the southeast. This consultant was interested in helping his clients become profitable and wanted to know if Pharo Cattle Company could help.
I was surprised when this so-called “consultant” spent so much time explaining the importance of “topping the market” at local sale barns. He also placed emphasis on cattle with larger frames and higher growth. I began to wonder if he was consulting for feedyards or for cow-calf producers. It seemed as though he thought the price received at the local sale barn would determine the profitability of his clients.
Throughout the conversation… I couldn’t help but think of the graph shown below. For the past 30+ years, cow-calf producers have been chasing bragging rights and top-dollar bids at the local sale barns. That focus has resulted in producers topping the market – and losing money.
