The Cost of Raising Pigs

From cost to profit, through production, to yield, to sales, on a small scale, today we break down our pig operation by the numbers, the real cost and profits and prices of our pork produced right here on the ranch.
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Our Wyoming Life
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Join us on our journey as we leave a life in corporate america to come back to Wyoming and help on the family ranch.
Our Wyoming Life features our Wyoming ranch and our ranch family. Giving you a look into the workings of ranching from raising cattle to raising and harvesting crops. Erin will join you weekly out of the garden, showing you how she helps provide for our family through growing produce and selling at local farmers markets, and Mike will take you along as he tends to the animals and land of ranch, from calving to fencing to planting and harvesting hay.
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Please watch: "Calving and Technology on the Ranch"
• Calving and Technology...
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[@craigschofield64]

Your living my dream, I would give my right arm to leave city life behind and go back to my roots unfortunately I am too old and crippled up to make that dream a reality. Leaving rural America as a young man was the biggest mistake of my life.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Keep your right arm please, you are more than welcome to live vicariously through us! Thank you - Mike

[@dj_ath]

Crazy Craig's RC's and 3d I've left the city and am about two years away from getting a ranch. It's gonna cost me everything to be broke. The numbers are scary. I'm not getting in it to get rich just to live in the country is good enough.

[@parkerfoy9707]

Ronald Swanson how are you able to do that without inheriting it or having a million dollars in the bank unless you are not buying farm able ground or not many acres

[@mommy2kdk]

@@parkerfoy9707 You don't have to have a ton of acreage to live the life. Check out Living Traditions Homestead. 15 acres, but don't use a lot of it yet.

[@diskgrind3410]

Same here. :( thanks for saying that.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Mike, the day you stop "goin' sideways" on us is the day I stop clicking on your videos! I admire your willingness to show how much you care.

[@OurWyomingLife]

haha, well thats good then. Thanks Jeanette - Mike

[@kaycox5555]

Wow - enlightening....actually, as a city slicker, I never realized what is essentially a small profit (which has to be done with any industry) is made off meats....and then one must consider the emotional factor of dealing with the same animals throughout the same process and all the hard work feeding, caring, cleaning, geez. Thank you.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Its always interesting, over the years we have realized we wouldnt do anything else. By choice anyway - Mike

[@kyb4206]

Do you like being a city slicker

[@josheternal]

@@OurWyomingLife it's interesting to see how police are raised before they get their badges

[@fragelicious]

Thanks for not holding back. God bless you and your beautiful family.

[@briankh1086]

I am so glad your video showed up on my recommended. Great job and a great breakdown. I didn’t grow up on a farm, always wanted to though, but I did grow up in a farming town. Me and my dad would always go to farmers markets, local dairy farms and local slaughter houses to buy all of our food. Had little use for grocery stores, he used to have a saying, “If you can shake the hand that feeds you, you are eating right”, which is the gospel truth. My dad was a chef, and we never had a bad meal, something I still carry with me to this day. I hear people locally complain about the price of fresh local food, and while my answer is rather long, the short of it is, if you think that’s expensive, try paying for the “diseases” you get from eating the garbage out of the grocery store. Thanks Mike, and GOD bless!

[@Ratlins9]

People like you are salt of the earth. You provide society with one of the most basic necessities for life, food. I hope your long days and hard work serves as a sense of accomplishment for you and your family because it is a noble profession.

[@dianneedwards2491]

He was right; your time is worth nothing but the reward is priceless.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks -Mike

[@djjammindave]

This is such a wonderful video. Presentation, verbiage, imagen, in short, you covered everything flawlessly and with such a mastery, I'm pretty sure your animals appreciate the time being in your homestead. Wish the best to you, and your beautiful family.

[@TheAndrealee01]

I really appreciate the time and effort you and your family are spending on making these videos. It's really re-educating me about "where is my food coming from" and showing the amount of work that goes into making good, edible food.

[@Gabbos]

I love, love, love these economic videos! I enjoy learning about everything ranch related, not just the hard labor stuff. The background stuff is just as important imho and I'm so glad that you're sharing it all!

[@OurWyomingLife]

I figured you would like this one. Thank you very much - Mike

[@JohnDoe-er4kh]

Mike, thank you for making these videos. I have always heard that there is not much profit from this business but I never really go to hear what the actual numbers produced. Your videos have been very valuable to me. It gives me perspective.

[@rummy6015]

Arguably the most informative farming channel on youtube! Keep up the good work!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thats a big compliment Trav. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@warrehivesystem8191]

Thank you for this full farming and profit description.i see it is not easy and numbers are small comparing with other activities,but the pleasure of doing this is priceless

[@Koolguykai]

Amazing video as always! I really appreciate how your able to set up a camera and record all of this even with all the hard work your doing

[@OurWyomingLife]

Alot is done after kids go to bed, editing done into the night. Thanks for watching - mike

[@gulfmedic1]

out of all the farming channels i have watched this is the best no one else explained the financial aspect of what you do they just show the videos great channel

[@marcovelez942]

Definitely a big fan, love how well you articulate things. You express yourself in a way that not only sounds credible but heartfelt. It's funny cause I genuinely love your videos to the point that I've closed my eyes and imagined doing the same thing you and your family are doing and being happy... unfortunately my sad reality is that when I open my eyes I'm still working a regular job in Corporate America... but your videos allow me to dream and this is why I enjoy the content you put out. Keep up the good work 👌

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much Marco, quite the compliment. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@AJGreen-cn8kk]

I'm a bit late to your site, but, so glad I found you. Just went out to the freezer for pork chops for Sunday dinner and looked at them a little differently. As a "city slicker" who gets his food from the grocery store, thanks for putting a human face on what you do for the rest of us.

[@natehunsinger7037]

I love this channel. You bring viewers everything they wanna see

[@DJ-bh1ju]

Finally... a farmer who comes across with some real numbers... The rest of them on KZbin hint that they don't make much money but none give real numbers. Until you. Thank you.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you for watching -Mike

[@jgramsey]

Great breakdown, Mike! Thanks. I think a lot of folks are somewhat amazed at the economics of the ranch and it's great that you explain it all.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you John, its no secret but its good to see it all in one place. - Mike

[@edgar_desouza]

Just stumbled on to your channel recently after getting hooked on a couple of dairy farming channels in the US and in Canada a few months ago. It is fair to say that your presentations have gotten me hooked on to your channel now. I have subscribed to your channel and wish you and your family the best. I have started with your videos from two years ago in order to get some background on how and why you got started and will work my way up watching your videos through these past years to the present.

[@crazycoyote1738]

Straight forward and honest. I wish you guys a lot of success and blessings. Don’t give up.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

one of the best videos i have seen. your sober minded character is refreshing...people like are what you cannot buy...sincere, real, good folk! blessing!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@vascodagama7043]

Appreciate your openness and what you are doing.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching - Mike

[@CutandShoot5x5]

Love your vids Mike! You have a beautiful family and I pray y’all will continue to enjoy & be blessed by the lifestyle you’ve chosen!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, we truly are. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@brianhubbard7606]

Thank you. The emotions show and that's a good thing. Most people have no idea were or how their food get on the plate. God bless.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Brian - Mike

[@keersajuarez7768]

This is the best farming channel I have found. Thank you so much for all your information that you give!🙂

[@jfraz3570]

Thanks for the update long time ago I realized the cost of farming, ranching vs profit vs time. Only special people can take on that commitment. Proud to have stumbled on Your postings

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike

[@TheCondor300]

A good friend gave me some of his farm raised pork ribs... it was like night and day for quality... meaty and tender. I now will always try to support local farmers for meats, eggs and vegetables.

[@OurWyomingLife]

There is a difference. Thanks George - Mike

[@lostnation5348]

I enjoy the truthfulness. You don't sugar coat anything. I worked on a farm years ago. But gave it up as the long hours and short pay took a huge toll. I commend you for raising your family this way.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, it isnt easy but the payoffs are worth much more than money. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@cfredlees100]

Hi from costa rica. Our sustainable community and farm is the same sacrifice everyday. Hit me between the eye on this because I just came in from brining our first batch of hams. Decided to go even further from your/ our sales of meat concept. We are busy building a large smokehouse restaurant and butcher shop on farm. Being costa rica we will be providing farm tours and down home pulled pork BBQ with cowboy baked beans. We need the direct sales income not selling to local market live weight. No money in that. But i love to hear from your channel and learn too. Sometimes I get a tear in my eye knowing the struggle we both endure for this lifestyle. Sometime I see it in yours to!! God bless you Cliff

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, that is awesome all you do. Sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@d0gM3at]

I love this video. In fact I enjoy all your videos about ranching because of your open and frank nature with regards to the financial and profession related realities of being a rancher. Your videos are very informative and eye opening. Also in my opinion, you display a level of down to earth honesty, humility and humanity which resonates with me in a way that displays how much you truly seem to love and value your chosen path in life. With that being said, I would also like to state that I can only admire what you do at the end of the day. The reason being is that I get a sense that there is a freedom of sorts that is carved out by your own determination and hard work as a rancher. This freedom seems to be hidden underneath all those harsh responsibilities and realities you must endure and so it does not seem automatically apparent to the initial viewer when you are getting down to the brass tacks of the ranching business in most of your videos. It is a freedom that I feel is somehow not present for those of us (mainly myself) who feel trapped in the figuratively gilded and comfortable urban rat cage of city life and a typical 9-5 work and commute grind.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, we dont think it needs to be sugar coated. It is what it is and although we do get some slack for it we decided long ago to just put it out there. The freedom is hard to express, you are responsible for alot but at the same time, being able to do what you do makes it very therapeutic. Thank you - Mike

[@terribethreed8464]

It was a very good tutorial Mike. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this for us.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much for watching :) - Mike

[@mikeh7708]

As usual, well made video. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Most people have no idea what ranch, farm life is like or how close you are to not making a profit. And you are right, your time counts for nothing. Part of the down side of country life, but you can't forget all the up side. After you move away from it it is something that really sticks with you and (I) miss. : ) God bless you and your family.

[@OurWyomingLife]

The upside always out weighs the down. Thank you very much - Mike

[@hkharryfunk]

This is by far the best answer I have ever received for a question :D . Mike, you are a legend!

[@OurWyomingLife]

I figured you might like that. It was a good question, cant leave it laying! - Mike

[@K9COP282]

MIKE, You're completing you goal with this video and a LOT MORE!!! GREAT VIDEO, MY MAN.. Keep em coming!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

You got it lol .. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@glenkitzman3119]

Really appreciate the transparency of operations. Keep the videos coming Mike.

[@barrettthompson5363]

Excellent video. Your honest look at ranch life empowers other small farmers to forge ahead.

[@chuckallen9778]

Mike, you and your wife are hard working folks and that is what it takes to make it in the ranch life and you will make it if you keep working hard as you do. I was raised as a farmer, actually a custom alfalfa harvester, I know the work required to make a go of it. I wish you well my friend.

[@CharlieParker1959]

you more than complete your goal you are one of the most enjoyable to watch informative channels on KZbin...God bless you and your family my friend.....

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Charlie, always love your comments. Thank you for watching - Mike

[@sunw80]

I really appreciate when you make videos talking about your cost and profits.

[@j.c.anderson877]

Dear sir, Thank you so Mich for sharing. The way you describe your love for your land and what it means for your family, reminds me of the way my grandfather and great grandfather spoke of their land. My great-grandfather was a share cropper in VA and spent his whole life saving to purchase a large tract of land for his family of 14. I grew up in Baltimore City and I could never understand why anyone would want all that land and work. Now at 37 I am done with the corporate life and would love privacy, land, gardens, animals etc. My wife and I have learned a lot from your videos. Hopefully in a few years we will be ready for a new adventure Thanks again!!

[@jerrybeaver9212]

This honest look at your ranch is why your channel is my favorite Mike (that and my love for Wyoming) I look forward to every video you and Erin put out. Blessing to the ranch and your family from the beautiful north Georgia mountains -Jerry

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Jerry, have you ever visited Wyoming ? - Mike

[@jerrybeaver9212]

Yes I have Mike, My wife and I both retired in 2013 and the first place we went was Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons, the next year a cruise to Alaska, then last year we went to Glacier National park. We hope Jackson Hole sometime this year, we love Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado, three of the most beautiful places on earth (not counting the beautiful North Georgia mountains of course)-Jerry

[@OurWyomingLife]

Well if you ever come though you are more than welcome! Thanks

[@jerrybeaver9212]

Thank you my friend, and if you ever make it to Georgia you are more than welcome in my home -Jerry

[@tinybigbus1873]

Now I understand the foreclosure pending banner hanging on the wall. Thank you the detailed break down.

[@koryleague8833]

Greatly appreciate this video mike. Makes a person think. Keep up the good work

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much Kory - Mike

[@jonathanking6546]

Thank you for your honesty.

[@brandeissports3436]

I really enjoyed the educational lesson. I appreciate your time in doing videos as well as your concern for raising animals correctly. As my father did as well.

[@grahamdeere9475]

Mike, thank you for your thorough explanation of numbers and the process behind the pork. Good to see we're on a similar track with our production as well! Could you please make a similar video for the cost of raising the steers? Thanks!

[@OurWyomingLife]

I can do that. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@pb8970]

Excellent video. Loved the numbers breakdown details. Thank you.

[@debbieedwards5093]

I could listen to you speak and teach for hours.....😊

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Debbie:)

[@soouyang]

thanks for sharing Mike, that was great...enjoyed it..and felt it too...nice work...

[@australiainfelix7307]

The numbers are interesting. Thanks. May God bless you and your family, and may you continue to prosper.

[@junialstudios]

Such clear explanations. You’re incredible, Mike!

[@miguelperaza1666]

Nice video well explained, thanks mike for sharing all the process to get done , a lot people don’t know how the meat get to the table . God bless all your family

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Miguel, you are right but hopefully we are changing that little by little. - Mike

[@tcrasey]

This was very good, you have a way of explaining it that anyone can understand.

[@aaronperkins3890]

Another great video from you guys, your channel is the best and is my Favorite KZbin Channel. When I only have time to watch a few videos I always watch yours first. It also helps me to justify raising alot of our own food even though it costs me more than buying it at the store sometimes.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Aaron, very kind words. Growing and raising your own food is very rewarding! - Mike

[@floridag8rfan]

I told you last week that video was one of the best you've done, but now I see I need to make some room in the top five. Did you get a little choked up there at the end, or was that my imagination? I'd hate to think I was the only one that got a little dust in my eyes. The emotional involvement is real; this is important stuff that too few appreciate.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Haha, I kinda have to wonder if you do have a top 5. That might make an interesting video or something. Top 5 as voted by you guys. hmmm. Thanks for the idea and of course thanks for watching - Mike

[@ronniepate4315]

I just found you guy's. I been watching your video's. Thank's for showing the day to day of working a ranch. God Bless.

[@stevenleipzig]

Thank you for opening up like this Mike.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Steven, I do feel if you want people to understand it you have to give them some background. :) - Mike

[@ThriftyTruckers]

Appreciate the detailed numbers and video. Thank you for your dedication. We live in Florida and if we lived closer I️ would be buying meat off you.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, my pleasure - Mike

[@emmacarpenter1941]

Thank you so much for your video. I love that you and your wife did not come from a ranching background. We hope to start our farm in the next couple years (hopefully less) and while my husband has some experience in farming I do not but it's a dream I'm willing to commit to!

[@johnmurphy8259]

Great video Mike you also have to take in the cost of electricity to run your freezers to store the pork. It is great to see you and Erin take things to heart. You can really tell you two love what you are doing and three beautiful children. We are having smoked pork chops for supper tonight can white.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Theres that too, I didnt even think about electricity, of course that cost is shared by beef as well. Hope your pork chops are delicioius! - Mike

[@robc1342]

Excellent spokesman for ranching. Thank you.

[@Randango]

Really enjoy the videos. Cool to see a way of life that most people have forgotten about.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Josh - Mike

[@amabdall]

20 seconds in I smashed that like. These people deserve all our support

[@USCGCoasttoast]

We just got two feeder pigs almost four weeks ago.You do get to love these little piggies.

[@steve647my]

You are doing the same thing that I wanted to do. I have had dreams of living on a ranch. You are doing what you are doing because you love it. It is great for the kids and a feeling of personal satisfaction by doing what you do.You are right about knowing where it came from and how it is raised and processed. Farm markets are fun to go to and a great place for the kids to meet other kids.Great Video's!! Until your next video remember " Watch the heifers,They can surprise you at any time"

[@OurWyomingLife]

They can be sneaky. Thank you very much for the kind words and thanks for watching - Mike

[@falcon9158]

Very interesting! Thanks for doing what you do and sharing these videos with us

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Luke and thanks for watching - Mike

[@haiyanqu698]

Thanks so much for showing the journey, very interesting and educational!!

[@arthall688]

Thanks Mike, very informative.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you for watching Art, we really appreciate it - Mike

[@42thgamer80]

Thanks for all the good information!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching - Mike

[@jimmiecrackedcorn3251]

Mike and Erin. Do you all miss the corporate life? Thanks for all the info, extremely helpful. Solid love and for what your doing, and wish you and your family the best of health.

[@haskapalaska3988]

Appreciated your well spoken and in-depth look at raising pigs. Subscribed :)

[@bradschrandt154]

Thanks a lot for the video Mike! I have thought of raising a few hogs at different times and really wondered what the numbers looked like. There are quite a few overhead costs to consider, but I still may try it someday.

[@OurWyomingLife]

There are and it can get way more complicated than I made it in the video but it is doable. Thanks Brad - Mike

[@dub-dub4207]

Thanks for the video homeboy

[@diegobarragan1556]

Thanks for all that information. I like all your videos and advices. I really love life in the ranch.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Diego -Mike

[@tereseodonnell6989]

I used to add one bag of flaked corn to 4 bags pig food, flaked corn is a bit cheaper and its not much to change the protein -they love it, of course. They also love Taco Bell.

[@OurWyomingLife]

hahaha, Mackenzie figured out they like oreos too. Thats an expensive habit lol Thanks Terese - Mike

[@Warriorbob-im5py]

I learned a long time ago pigs will eat anything that plops into their pin, including people. I learned real quick to either not fall or to get up fast if I did.

[@stanleyluce901]

You do a great job . I have done much in my life of what your doing on the farm ----never much money ---better you than me ---good to teach the kids how to work .

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Stanley - Mike

[@dahak972]

Wow! Great breakdown, thanks!

[@cathypierce2294]

I feel ya! I raised and showed beef. swine and sheep for years. The hardest part was when it was time for them to go! I must admit we never ate any of them ourselves!! They where always sold to market. They really did become part of the family! Love the emotion, it makes you a better farmer/rancher. Keep up the great work!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Cathy, that means alot to us. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@diskgrind3410]

Thank you for your valuable time and knowledge.

[@waynegilchrist1596]

Oddly enough, very few people experience both the corporate and the ranch/farm life. Each has a different satisfaction level and for those in the know, there are no "ideals" in life but for the right mindset certain people reach a higher level of satisfaction. You seem to be one of them who's found his/her place and is well suited for ranch life. It's not easy in today's world to operate a successful business and ranching/farming as an owner/operator has seen a lot of people forced by circumstances to leave the business. In your case you seem to exude the confidence and mindset to succeed; I certainly hope so. Thanks for sharing your ranch life with us. Keep up the good ( and hard) work. Praying and pulling for you.

[@dantheruggedman5485]

Thank you for the video. Very educational.

[@DXWXMX44]

Mike you are a nice transplant to the ranch life - a ordinary rancher wouldn't probably have the communication skills to make these videos. In a similar way, I was a carpenter/remodeler for 53 years but not a book writer or video maker. I did get 25 tips published in Fine Homebuilding. This economic video about pigs was really interesting to me, clear and straightforward. I think it's a valuable thing you're doing - and if I'm not mistaken it looks like it's enjoyable and comes easy for you. Thanks.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Well, I wouldnt say its easy but we do enjoy it. Thank you very much - Mike

[@brentderksen]

Thanks for a break down. As always thanks for the entertainment, too!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Always, thank you! - Mike

[@georgewashington938]

I like how you present some detailed info / thank you

[@johnwilimczyk4188]

great info profits are always hard and slim but as you said you pamper your pigs great job and good fortune in the coming year

[@OurWyomingLife]

Every lit bit counts. Thanks John - Mike

[@bobkids009]

Very educational indeed.....! Well done Mike......!

[@AlexisHernandez-hv9dg]

God bless you Mike and your family

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Alexis - Mike

[@sokhathorng]

Nice video! Thank you for sharing!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@0johnirving162]

Very practical ...lots of lessons learned

[@timadams2042]

Good job Mike. Thanks for doing this!

[@josephspinozzi7427]

Wow very informative and emotional.. It doesn''t get easier just different. You guys are great!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Very true, thank you very much - Mike

[@jessicastults1599]

Thank u for making all these super informative videos! Keep it up.

[@courtneynicolaides2858]

Excellent explanation. Best of luck. Thank you.

[@ashisler]

Thank you for sharing. This is great.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike

[@cjwilson8884]

Awesome video ... Many blessings from our family to yours !!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@ICOWBOYIM]

Thanks for the pig insight I can relate to what ur saying. It's not to different from our pig production. It is a labor of love.....cowboy up 🤠

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching - Mike

[@fredjackson5316]

Great Information-Thanks

[@bobrbrt]

Wow very good presentation, much enjoyed thanks

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much Bob - Mike