Agriculture & Livestock Management

Agriculture Management - Despite agriculture being, in many ways, the backbone of the fabric of American society, family farms and ranches are disappearing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that 50% of those that have survived thus far are not profitable based on GAAP accounting standards. There are a host of reasons for this, most of them macro-economic in nature. Trade treaties with South American countries and Canada, increased agricultural production in other parts of the planet, land prices, huge profit margins that never seem to diminish for the middle man in agricultural goods distribution, and necessary but expensive and increasing environmental controls are all contributors. Ranches of the West views agriculture as a precious resource unto itself to be saved and protected. We also know that gone are the days when most agricultural operations can stand on their own. We have found that agriculture can best be protected, and in fact agricultural production enhanced, by agricultural operations employing sophisticated livestock management techniques and an overall strategy for resource, habitat, wildlife, fisheries and waterfowl resource enhancement and protection.

An overall strategy that often has proven successful includes increasing operational efficiency, revamping irrigation systems, changing rotations in crop base and, in many cases, cultivating for pasture rather than harvest. These steps all can play significant roles in improving agricultural bottom lines with attendant sweeping benefits in all other ranch/resource areas.

Livestock Management - Despite the romantic and hard working history and tradition of cattle ranching, moonlit campfires and calloused cowboy grips on whips ranging a herd, it is not always a cinch to be financially successful raising cattle. Unfortunately, many ranchers can get bogged down in cow numbers. It is not cows that are sold at auction, it is weight that is sold at auction; and we try to focus on maximizing weight gain, and increasing weight gain efficiency due to the integration of livestock management, plus a multi-faceted ranch management and operations plan geared toward stabilizing or increasing annual livestock revenues while decreasing livestock numbers. In addition to being a potential Livestock Management source of profit, livestock figures critically in the sale of pasture and hay and the attendant revenue streams to certain ranches, and we consider them to be a key component in overall resource management. Properly utilized and rotated, at the right times of year, cattle can have a significant beneficial impact upon wildlife forage conditions, weed control and maintaining the health of grass stands. Let's face it, despite the numbers, there remains a certain old west mystique -- an air of authenticity, if you will -- created for a ranch which has cattle ranching as one of its multifaceted operations, either of its own herd, or that of a lessee.

Consultants to and for Recreation and Agricultural Enterprises

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at fishinon@aol.com
Main Office: 406-842-7101
Fax: 406-842-7104
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Agriculture Management - Despite agriculture being, in many ways, the backbone of the fabric of American society, family farms and ranches are disappearing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that 50% of those that have survived thus far are not profitable based on GAAP accounting standards. There are a host of reasons for this, most of them macro-economic in nature. Trade treaties with South American countries and Canada, increased agricultural production in other parts of the planet, land prices, huge profit margins that never seem to diminish for the middle man in agricultural goods distribution, and necessary but expensive and increasing environmental controls are all contributors. Ranches of the West views agriculture as a precious resource unto itself to be saved and protected. We also know that gone are the days when most agricultural operations can stand on their own. We have found that agriculture can best be protected, and in fact agricultural production enhanced, by agricultural operations employing sophisticated livestock management techniques and an overall strategy for resource, habitat, wildlife, fisheries and waterfowl resource enhancement and protection.
An overall strategy that often has proven successful includes increasing operational efficiency, revamping irrigation systems, changing rotations in crop base and, in many cases, cultivating for pasture rather than harvest. These steps all can play significant roles in improving agricultural bottom lines with attendant sweeping benefits in all other ranch/resource areas.
Livestock Management - Despite the romantic and hard working history and tradition of cattle ranching, moonlit campfires and calloused cowboy grips on whips ranging a herd, it is not always a cinch to be financially successful raising cattle. Unfortunately, many ranchers can get bogged down in cow numbers. It is not cows that are sold at auction, it is weight that is sold at auction; and we try to focus on maximizing weight gain, and increasing weight gain efficiency due to the integration of livestock management, plus a multi-faceted ranch management and operations plan geared toward stabilizing or increasing annual livestock revenues while decreasing livestock numbers. In addition to being a potential source of profit, livestock figures critically in the sale of pasture and hay and the attendant revenue streams to certain ranches, and we consider them to be a key component in overall resource management. Properly utilized and rotated, at the right times of year, cattle can have a significant beneficial impact upon wildlife forage conditions, weed control and maintaining the health of grass stands. Let's face it, despite the numbers, there remains a certain old west mystique -- an air of authenticity, if you will -- created for a ranch which has cattle ranching as one of its multifaceted operations, either of its own herd, or that of a lessee.