Ranching is a popular career, hobby and retirement plan in Texas. Whether you’re a native Texan or looking to get away from your current lifestyle and start something new, find out what you need to maintain a Texas ranch. Consider the type of livestock you wish to have, how a 3-point hitch flail mower can save you time and hassle and how you can better prepare for the daily tasks of life on a ranch.
Do Your Research
Running a ranch takes more than it may appear. You may have a steep learning curve to overcome if you’ve never trimmed a horse’s nails, repaired a fence, herded cattle, or performed other chores around a ranch. Every successful rancher starts somewhere, so lacking knowledge doesn’t mean you can’t own a successful ranch. You’ll simply need to learn the ropes and rely on professional advice and assistance as you start. The skills take a fork in the road when choosing between being a starter valley rancher or a tiller. As it stands, Ranchers’ animal products are 20% more valuable compared to non-rancher. Tillers, on the other hand, boast 10% more profit from crops. You can already see the profit difference here.Ask about the best type of livestock in your area. Texas is a vast state, so what works well in one climate may be different across the state. Industries also change, so ask around to see what livestock and ranch style is performing well and an easy industry to break into.
Select the Ideal Property
Once you have your plan for your ranch in mind, it’s time to shop around for real estate. Most ranches are an entire quarter section or 160 acres. If you’re ranching as a hobby and don’t need many cattle, you can get by with less acreage. Plan around two acres per cow, but other livestock require less grazing space.You may need to tend to your property before buying cattle or other livestock. Building and repairing fences, clearing debris and other tasks are all in a day’s work for a rancher, so you’ll want a tractor or skid steer to help you prepare your property. Shop for skid steer grapple buckets for sale and other accessories to haul feed, fence materials and debris around your new property.
Use the Right Tools for the Job
A tractor is a timeless tool for any ranch, but many ranches in Texas are turning to skid steers for daily chores. Skid steers are surprisingly robust, manoeuvrable and affordable compared to full-size tractors. If you’re not planning on running a large operation or hauling massive loads, a skid steer may be more affordable and convenient.One great reason to consider a skid steer is its versatile attachments. Swap out the signature front bucket for forklift tines, a grapple bucket, a wood chipper, flail mower, or just about any other attachment you could need for hauling or maintaining your property.
