Hidden Profit Source on the Ranch

In any farm or ranching business there are areas of hidden profit source that are difficult to peg with a dollar value. For example, how much do you value organic matter in your soil? How much is it costing you to keep equipment used for one job?

If you are a sustainable grass-based rancher living off the land, there are priceless resources that significantly contribute to your profit through dollars saved.

Here are some areas of hidden profit source and hidden resources that benefit the grass rancher.

Fertilizer through well distributed manure can enhance your soils health. When naturally distributed on pasture by livestock, urine and manure are tremendously valuable.

Many grass ranchers calculate how much they save on fertilizer each year and are pleasantly surprised with this area of hidden profit source. Also consider that a neighbour might be willing to pay you for use of your manure distributing livestock.

As well there is savings via not cleaning corrals each year. The rancher saves on time, money, equipment use and fuel and his land is healthier for it in the end.

Without the runoff from stockpiled manure and chemical fertilizers our water bodies are cleaner. Cleaner wetlands mean less chance of costly health issues via the water supply.

Soil Health. The very basis of life begins with soil health. Researchers have noted that our agricultural practices are stripping land of organic matter at an alarming rate. Utilizing animals in a managed grazing system returns valuable organic matter to the soil. This is turn supports better grazing for your animals and can potentially allow you to run more animals without addition land costs.

Improved grass stands lead to more diversity in the grasslands which leads to a smorgasbord or food choices for your animals. The increased plant diversity also enhances the soil water and mineral cycles. Improved water filtration and water quality leads to improved and sustained animal health. Improved mineral cycles in the land mean you save on mineral supplements in the tubs. And it only keeps getting better.

Those living on the land are tremendously fortunate to be able to harness the priceless and abundant potential of sun, wind and water in a myriad of ways.

It really is a matter of the mind. When you catch on to the idea of all the hidden profit sources available to you, you sort out what direction you need to turn in and you begin to see the concrete dollar profit at the end of the day.

Culling animals that do not work is a hidden profit source we don't like to think about too much. Culling animals is never a pleasant affair. Yet when you keep animals that do not fit the environment you invariably end up playing a game of catch up.

Bear in mind the cost of keeping open animals or animals that are ill thrift.

Animals that come up open (not pregnant) with or without good reason, still eat feed, receive routine treatment if any is administered, and they cost you the price of the offspring they did not have that year.

Ill thrift animals that don't measure up only serve to bring the rest of the flock down and you end up spending more time and doing more work for a few animals than you do for your whole flock.

Time and effort are a hidden profit source most of us willingly and sometimes justifiably sacrifice. Being aware of just how much we do so, will help us find a balance.

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