On the Farm: Ranchers Staying Optimistic
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"We consider ourselves the first environmentalists. If abuse our animals and don`t take care of our ranchers, grasses and water, our animals won`t perform and we won`t be able to make any money,” says Jack Reich, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association President.
The beef industry competes against pork, turkey and chicken, and just like every other business, it`s hurting a bit from the recession.
"It`s like the national economy. It`s fallen on through to our business,” says Reich.
"It`s getting a little more challenging every year,” says Jason Zahn, a rancher near Towner.
Zahn cares for 550 head of cattle. Prices haven`t been the biggest problem for area ranchers over the last year, it`s been the weather. It started last year when there wasn`t a lot of hay to cut. Then winter came early and decided to stick around for six months. Some ranchers were buying hay from Canada for $75 per bale just to keep their cattle fed.
"Just about everybody was short or used up all their reserves,” says Zahn.
Some calves froze to death, others drowned. Immediately after the winter, a flood came. The worst thing for newborn calves is being born in wet conditions.
"It didn`t seem like it mattered if you calved early or late,” says Zahn.
Zahn lost cattle, but was one of the fortunate ones who didn`t have to buy extra hay. Good operators will survive, but there aren`t a lot of new, young ranchers. You almost need to be in a ranching family or have a retiring rancher help you out to get started with the costs.
"You need to love it,” says Reich.
With cattle numbers as low as they`ve been in 50 years in the U.S., and demand for steaks and protein still fairly high, the cattle industry is holding their own.
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