The Feeding Tractor and The Feeder Calves

Today the calves grow up, graduating from just calves to feeder calves. We get them fed, then look at supplements to help them grow, analyzing the costs and advantages.
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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.

[@sandy1653]

Until I started watching your channel, I never really realized how narrow margins are for you and your colleagues in the farming industry. Thanks for putting out such interesting content.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you for watching Sandy - Mike

[@petermavus4131]

All those mouths to feed to feed your family takes nerves of steel....you deserve success in this effort

[@TheChubbyDoe]

I appreciate your honesty about taking risks and the worry that comes with it.

[@judybiamonte3099]

LOL Twisted Sister just perfect

[@codyarnold4299]

Made this gamble before and have done well hope y’all have the same success.

[@OurWyomingLife]

That does help, thanks Cody - Mike

[@Laurie_Tinsley]

We are actually doing the same thing. Waiting a little bit longer for the calves to grow more before taking them to auction. Hope it turns out well for all of us.

[@frankirwin2377]

Here's an idea that should get some attention Mike. Consumers pay extra for grass fed beef in the super markets . You have your store on site. Advertise custom fed beef to the consumer. The consumer comes in selects their calf, team with a local meat processor and then they pickup their packaged beef for home use. Safeway grocery stores use to offer a half beef for sale. You get your better price and your customers get a break eliminating several middle men. .

[@brandeissports3436]

That was funny. Twisted Sister Quote!

[@WanderlustmanC]

I love this channel because you're smart, you think outside the box and also because you respect the animals.

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Excellent

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you sir -Mike

[@gryhze]

There's that old saying: "everyone wants a piece of your (in this case) hide." Ranching and farming despite the technology available, is still a gamble ... each and every year. Things can go peachy keen and one 10 minute hailstorm can make things go south. Thanks for allowing us an opportunity to share your experience.

[@vinceclarke7511]

Keep breaking the mold guys, you are taking a stand for all independent ranchers and farmers across the country.

[@paulthomas2236]

Good luck as always thanks Mike i think of you as a friend

[@melissacurtin7192]

This video reminds me of the small cattle operation my family had for years . Some years we made a little money and other years not. Hope your gamble with the Feeders pays off.

[@colingeorgeh]

I pray that your plan will succeed and I believe it will. God bless you and your family.

[@hades-fs5ze]

one of the greatest episodes I like it and I like the feeding how it is working thank you mike

[@messianichebrewshawnkawcak1550]

Praying for you and your family in this endeavor. God bless.

[@benjaminrowe4171]

Thanks for the honesty in your videos. I love you KZbin channel it has helped me with my own decisions on starting with cattle.

[@jimmyjolly4184]

Good luck my prayers are with you and all ranchers and farmers especially the little guys like y'all. May God Bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and Christmas and far beyond

[@Ellenllee]

Fantastic educational video! You guys never disappoint :).I am crossing all fingers and toes for you and your family to thrive,and prosper on your ranch.

[@kevinrick04]

Enjoyed your video and gives me something to talk about with my grandfather since we are behind selling our calves this season. This video really shines a light on what real farming is about, pray you make enough to keep the farm running another year and the family fed.

[@lionsresourcefulness5033]

Sounds like a good direction this year. Be patient. We’ll be praying

[@susanchamblee2549]

Y’all will do it Mike...!!! We all know you’re a bit nervous but it’s a great plan and IT IS GOING TO WORK!!! Hold fast my friend...🤗

[@Garrettito6671]

I hope the market holds up and maybe even improves when y’all sell your calves. This year is rough for most ranchers but I’m glad y’all have a plan and I hope it works out. Great video as always

[@ptrevino7684]

Thanks Mike good vlog...👍👍

[@stokesjo82]

Love the videos and the education!

[@earlenepeterson8065]

Thanks again for raising my endorphins! Your ranch reminds me of my teen years. My godfather grieved over every lost cow or calf. He worked 6-7 days a week at least 10 hrs and many days more. It was a grand Sunday that he would take the boat to the canyon and all the youth in our church would ski. He loved it too. Take heart you and Robin will come through this.

[@crazychickenladyhomestead6918]

We had the same conflict calling pigs weaners versus feeders...lol! We're just trying to plan out forage plots for the breeders and feeders. I still think you guys made the right move this year and we hope it works out very well! Changing a business model is always risky. Just creating one is difficult enough. However, you guys always make it work (with three kids). It's inspiring and I really appreciate the work you all put into it!

[@jaimeguerrero3634]

Hope everything works out for you and your family love your videos

[@14Marathons]

Good luck, Mike. Hope it pays off...All the best.

[@lindajarrett5078]

Thank you mike for sharing this video with us. Im hoping that this all works out for you. Look forward to the next video !

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Linda - Mike

[@johnsobaski3478]

Praying for you

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you John - Mike

[@digginz8603]

yay for new episodes!

[@lonniejacobs551]

i have long thought the makers and producers do not get enough for the product. good for you for activly doing something about it. i would pay more if it went to youguys.

[@peterkizer6163]

The quality of life just can't be beat (from a city-dweller), but as Sandy says below, the margins are "narrow." I can only hope the stress of trying to make ends meet doesn't overwhelm you. Do love your videos.

[@krisbaird5555]

Good video Mike i know the feeling its just one of those years

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yes it is Thanks Kris - Mike

[@mikea1893]

keep up the good fight man.

[@stevenkietzke5582]

Sounds like a good plan good luck

[@joanneganon7157]

We got your wind and snow, just so yah know your not alone! We pray it all works out for you. Jo Jo in VT 💕 😊

[@WPRJersey]

Great video Mike. Like the bagging manure idea. I just hope that your gamble pays off and that ranch payday is plentiful. Good luck, and we'll keep our prayers with you and we watch the progress over here on the east coast.

[@connortaylor9213]

Great vid mike I hope you have a great day and keep farming

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thats the plan ! Thanks - Mike

[@charleydan]

Best of luck in a new adventure.

[@jaystowater6746]

Great Video! Backgrounding feeder calves or stocker calves or weanling calves or whatever the producers prefers to call them is always an adventure to say the least! I'm glad you made the decision to let the cows graze instead of winter feeding already. Anytime the cows graze their own feed instead of you bringing feed to them you are saving money! ShowRite is great feed and the calves should love it! Markets this week looked pretty good with good calves fetching some hefty premiums! Weaned calves are just starting to show up slowly so be sure to keep your eyes out for their prices!

[@robert5109]

I have never been able to figure out why calves out west will bring 40 to 50 cents a pound more than our calves back here in Indiana. Right now calf prices for a #1 black calf 500-600 pounds here in Indiana is around $1.20 and the markets in the west seem to be around $1.60. We have lost money for years the only way we can do what we love is to have an other job to support having calves. Maybe its the trucking to the feed lots. Anyway I still love raising cattle I guess I have to just call it a hobby. Love your videos and your honesty. Good Luck hope it pays off.

[@jeremiahlackey1582]

Mike I’ve never sold my calves after weaning. I’ve always waited till early April here. That’s always worked better for me but I doubt our winters here in south central Kansas are as harsh as yours. I don’t know about your climate and I know it’s too late this year but here we can plant winter wheat to graze the calves on after weaning. They put on good weight and the cost is more affordable. Wishing you the best of luck with them.

[@thephotographicauditor6715]

Good luck with the plan, Mike!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@rgs4x]

Best of luck Mike!

[@brian6611]

Praying this works out for you keep up the good work

[@jmfarms3555]

I have been backgrounding calves for 20 years. My experience is 8 out of 10 years you do quite good. The 2 other years one you break even and one you loose money and should have sold them off the cow. But on average you come out ahead feeding calves. Can also pick and choose when you sell them instead of just selling them at same time every year.

[@SandraLThomas64]

That accelerator grain looked kinda tasty Thanks for the video. 😎

[@ryanlalley6489]

I think it's a good move Mike I feel it'll pay out in the end you do good work.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Definitely trying, :) Thanks - Mike

[@robertbidwell4541]

Awesome

[@robertallen9826]

You videos are great, I look forward to coming home after work and check out the videos that you have posted. Your video about what KZbin pays you was great. Leave it to some ass hat to draw you into a situation that no one really needs to know about. Keep doing a great job.

[@joefredette7253]

Best of luck Mike, seems like a popular move this year. My wife’s uncle is holding his steers until end of November to get a pay cheque, but feeding out heifers until the spring to really maximized his return. Myself I’m holding some heifers over to sell them as bred next fall to earn significantly more per cow. Good luck, and I’m sure it will all work out! Joe

[@garyzehr4445]

Hi Mike, I think you are headed in the right direction. This summer in New York you couldn't give a calf away. At Finger Lakes livestock exchange in Canandaigua they had 60calves that did not sell at there weekly sale! How would you like to be in that mess! Things have picked up some but not good. Thanks for keeping us informed and great videos!!!!!!!! THANK FOR!!! ¡!!!!!!!?!

[@OurWyomingLife]

oh wow, I couldnt imagine being in that boat. I know they say that if you arent happy with the price you can take them home, but I wonder how often that really happens :) - Mike

[@rodneywroten2994]

I hope it works out for you Mike you are a smart man

[@OurWyomingLife]

I'm trying, thanks Rodney - Mike

[@valh9858]

Mike - I know this might sound like a crazy idea to you but hear me out. I saw you dumping the bags of accelerator into the feeder. Is there a market in your area for manure for home gardeners? You could fill those bags with manure and sell them for anywhere from $2-5 per bag. I've seen this in my area, mostly with horse manure. The bags are already paid for, folks love that you are reusing/recycling, and home gardeners are always looking for quality manure. I have a large garden and it is a scramble every year to find a source of manure. Another source of revenue...Just my .02.

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is a really good idea. I like it, if I could just make the time for it. I need an extra day, somewhere between tuesday and wednesday would be great - Mike

[@Bill_N_ATX]

Our Wyoming Life , in the old days I’d say hire some high school kids but I’m not sure you could get kids to shovel sh*t for minimum wage any more.

[@ajskab99]

I bet you could make a bag holder and fill with the bucket of a skid steer or tractor.

[@munenex]

Not 2 cents worth. But potentially 2$ worth.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

I know that Old Man Hardee, my next door neighbor who was two days older than dirt when I was a kid, told me about when he was a kid growing in North Texas during the Depression, that they had to collect the dried up cow patties and stack them up for fuel for their fires. Trees were way too rare to cut up for burning and there was cow patties for miles. Not sure if that is carbon friendly or not but it kept them warm when those Blue Northers blew in. It gets damn cold in the Panhandle since there ain’t nothing between there and Canada but prairie and a few fence posts.

[@m.webber5118]

Hope the gamble pay off BIG! Really interesting to see, how your doing it. I do the same thing with my cattle but here In Iowa, what I do is kind of ... well totally different! Cool video thanks.

[@derekskinner9825]

Mike, my grandfather use to supplement our cattle with the leftover "mash" from the local brewers. It was a waste product for the brewery and they loved selling it. It's a fermented corn or grain product and packs on weight quickly. Just an idea. Also, if you decide to finish your beef yourself and sell I bet you could sell several 1/4 or 1/2 sides of beef to us fans. Best of luck. We have your back.

[@tcdollarman2010]

The winners are getting bigger lol

[@jwhitley101whitleyfarms9]

Mike it works don't worry about it preconditioned calves bring more always

[@LetsTalkGoats]

Love the video

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@brendahyslop6770]

I think I know what is happening in the beef market, and since you educated us on the COO (County of Origin), I ask serious questions now from whomever I get my beef from. Surprisingly, I am getting answers I don't like. Here is my story I will try to be brief. A homesteader/gardener I subscribe to "Roots and Refuge" at the end of her vlog one day had an endorsement for a company that sells pasture beef, and if you used her as a reference on a order you got a free turkey sooooo I ordered some and they only gave you a 5 minute time frame to make the order or the offer would be pulled. So without much research, trusting my homesteader I made a $185 combo pork/beef box. They did not give me delivery info so I got on the phone with them and it is a group of millennials in Boston that started this company, I asked them if this was American Beef several times and finally cornered them as to where there beef is born, raised, fattened, butchered. To my surprise they finally admitted to me that is is born and raised in Australia, then shipped over and butchered here! WOW WOW that dishonesty made me cancel the order, then I got the runaround that the order could not be cancelled.....finally I was able to get my money back. This all transpired from the order to the cancellation about 1 hour, however I did not get my money back in my account for about 3 days. Just a word of warning to anyone dealing with them the company name is "Butcher Box". Just thought you would like to know Mike, thanks as always for educating us of I would have been duped!

[@OurWyomingLife]

wow, that is amazing. Doesn't surprise me much though. Good job on the due diligence! You Rock - Mike

[@Tommy-vh7xj]

Its a great idea mike best of luck with it im sure it will work out

[@Harvesttimebluegrassgospel]

Biggest shock to me is the price of your feed. In our area a equivalent bag of feed would be about $9.89 per 50 lb bag. You wouldn’t think there would be that much of difference from Kentucky to Wyoming and to a lot of people it sounds minimal but I know you know just how much of a difference that can make. Good luck with your feeders I have done this method for about 5 years now and I have seen a increase in profits.

[@jasonmcbride2111]

Good luck 👍 Hope this pays off for the ranch & family.. I’m sitting on a few calf’s my self. The price in N.C. only 99/1.20 at this time They may just end up in the deep freezer.

[@IH100]

Great video Mike!

[@cajunnathan4586]

You should get more in the Spring! Feedlots are looking for hefy good size calves in the spring? I think you made the Correct Move! The general reasons why the prices are down in the fall are that 1) Everyone are flooding the sales barn with calves. 2) Most buyers don’t want to over winter calves, they would rather wait until spring even if they have to pay a higher price. I really hope you WIN! I’m pulling for you!

[@OurWyomingLife]

well we will see if we make it that long, thats a stretch Thansk - Mike

[@cajunnathan4586]

I’m Betting on MIKE!

[@bcpfarmandtrucking6560]

Kinda doing the same thing here in Saskatchewan...my steers sold ok...2.10 for an average weight of 587...our heafers on the other hand 550lbs and the buyers offered us 1.80 to 1.85 a pound...heafers are all at home and on feed.

[@leytonrohlk6773]

We have the same creep feeder and we find it works good when we pick it up with the bale spear.

[@tammysarrazin7078]

minus 1 cel. feels like minus 6 cel. and on a snow squall warning /watch up to 40 cm of snow by friday so yeah a bit cold here right now .........i think you will pull through all the hard work hugsssss from Ontario Canada

[@OurWyomingLife]

brrrr :) - Mike

[@jayunruh6694]

Looks like nice hay in the calf pen! Good luck!

[@harveyhelms7130]

Hey Mike hope you do well with the calf feeding hope they bring good profit for you and your family 👍

[@sawdustandsweat1750]

Mike I don't know how long you want to wait to sell your feeders but here in Pennsylvania I'm hearing the beef market is gonna come back in the next 3 months. Sometime around December or January. Prayers for you and your family to make it through and to get a good dollar for your feeders

[@johnowen6507]

Price discovery happens at local sale barns. I hope you can find a niche to surpass market price. Tough year to sell calves that’s for sure. The calves look good. Take care guys!

[@sharonspivey7913]

Mike...lifting up prayers for a successful plan...😎🐂

[@CC-xk6cp]

Hi again MIKE! You know what they say if you don't try you'll never know! Think it's a good plan and worth the try. You can feed them as good or way better then someone else! As I questioned before Mike could you have your own small sale online or at the ranch? That way you'd also save transport charges too. I'm quite sure online could be a great option. Hope that nasty wind will be kinder to you but it is Wyoming you know lol!! Hang in there and thx as always Mike. Hi to Erin too...

[@feelnrite]

I wean and feed my calves here and have for several years. I get two rounds of shots in them and this adds value to them and gives you more options on where you can sell them. I put them on loads with others as they get big enough and they go to feedlots. I feed a commodity feed for 188.88 a ton now. They get about 8-9 pounds per head per day with hay and free choice mineral. I buy in bulk and put in gravity flow wagons then feed with buckets carried out on a 4 wheeler, twice a day. I take steers to about 850-900 and heifers to about 750+. If I still sold through a sale barn I could not make it.

[@jarrettgerber6527]

Hope everything works out

[@RiverbendBicycles]

Good luck.

[@altonriggs2352]

Mike..the numbers scare me too. So much work and stress for such a reward. Good luck.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Alton - Mike

[@blueeyephil]

Interesting. I'm feeding a few weanlings right now myself, but just a few. Prices are bad this year. I've seen that the heavier the calf the less per pound. Of course they do usually bring more in total. Hope that they bring you what you need above costs.

[@michaele5657]

Mike from Mike I like the way you're trying to move ranching to 2019. Mike from Idaho

[@michaelgregorich4835]

Trust in God thats all we really have.my prayer including you guys

[@jweaver7170]

Army saying "Identify analyze and overcome" good luck As always good years and then there are better years.

[@ernestdougherty3162]

Hold on as long as you can Mike good video

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - MIke

[@jwjco]

Hope works out , Erins mother is a wonderful person also .

[@andrewinbody4301]

Good luck son. "Remember we're all in this together and I'm pullin' for ya." -Red Green.

[@lindadanielson7849]

With that said it's hard not to giggle

[@timgilchrist3065]

I weaned my calves and of September, dry lotted for 30 days. Turned out on 12 acre pasture and booked to go to auction on December 3. Like you, I would like to make expenses.

[@southerndirt9589]

Awesome video I never knew the cost difference between Alabama and Wyoming hear good five by five rolls of hay are about $25 a roll bulk feed cost $180 a ton but also right now you can by nice bread cows at the stockyard for 550 to 600 a round

[@quiltgalsews]

We sell our calves from 450 to 500 lbs as feeder calves. In Texas 1000 lbs is next step to finish. So don’t understand unless you do differently.

[@timgilchrist3065]

I live in south east Iowa on the Missouri border. Tuesday calf sale at Memphis Missouri heavy 5s to light 6s were 148 to 155 with heifers having a 5 to 8 dollar slide. Selling mine December 3, hopefully weighing mid 6s. Hoping for a little upward trend by then. Lol

[@bamaboy6999]

Mike I hope your gamble pays off

[@washingtonsglobal735]

Holding out as long as we can with the calf's. Taking the product and making it work for the ranch is the most important part of ranching!!! 💪 Video Mike... Congrats on BTR getting monetized too... Superchat ready!!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

awesome, thanks a bunch - Mike

[@ardurbin2]

👍

[@ryanjohnson1265]

Calves....

[@washingtonsglobal735]

@@ryanjohnson1265 hahaha You got me there!!! Hey i wanted to know how many droplets of water does it take to fill a cup? Im convinced your love of detail and lack of relevancy makes you more then qualified to answer that question. 🤣🤣🤣

[@marksargent3774]

Hello Mike A couple things to help you save a little more $. Start looking at feed bunks. There is a lot of feed waste feeding hay without a bunk. Free feed grain can cause acidosis problems if your not careful. Normally I feed twice per day to keep the digestion process regular and build calves up to a total cereals ration. You may also find that there are going to be calves that hog the feed and others that won’t fight for it. Just a little more control on feed rations can save quite a bit of money. Great cast. Keep up the good work

[@jaredross8840]

Jared from Missouri Smart move on weaning your calves. The buyers would rather buy 45 day weaned over straight of the cow. Plus it normally pays to feed them. I'm doing the same with ours. Going to market them the first sale in December. Got a do all you can to maximize profit now days. I enjoy the videos. 👍

[@GrantTravels23]

Maybe consider making a straight feeding troff. Since you don't have the cows in with the calves, you don't need to guard the grain with that feeder and if you had it in a troff more calves can get an equal share.

[@mikehamilton3833]

Sold two 380lb bull calves this week, brought 1.30lb and one 350lb heifer brought 1.20lb here in North Texas. Have six more to sell. Good luck Mike on a good plan. I think you a good idea.

[@OurWyomingLife]

ouch, that hurts. wow, sorry Mike

[@fradlows6743]

good luck

[@bluemtnsman]

Looks like you folks have a sound route forward plotted. Here's hoping the path is mainly pot hole and obstruction free and the market treats you well