A couple weeks ago I made a trip to the sheep and goat auction. Prices were good, as they typically are at this time of year. People will sometimes ask me how to understand what’s going on at a livestock auction. This is a fairly common question for those who are just getting introduced to […]
Sale Barn 101: How to Navigate a Livestock Auction Read More »
Don’t Buy Cattle! Beef prices are at an all time high, and I’m not just talking about at the grocery store. Tight supply and steady demand have sent cattle prices at the sale barn soaring. In fact, prices are up about 18% over where they were just one year ago. Market analysts are saying that
How Sheep and Goats Beat Cattle on Costs, Stability, and Profits. Read More »
Imagine standing on your farm, watching your pasture-raised pigs roam freely under the sun. You’ve poured heart and sweat into raising animals the right way, free from factory farms. But in a world hooked on cheap supermarket meat, how do you get locals to choose your fresh cuts instead? The reward? A steady stream of
How To Market Your Direct To Consumer Farm Products: 5 Secrets For Success Read More »
At Plane View Farm, we’re building our farm business on only 20 acres. Starting a farm on just 20 acres might seem hard, but it is possible to grow a profitable and diverse farm with smart planning. Many small-scale farmers are proving that you don’t need hundreds of acres to farm for profit. Most small-scale
Small-Scale Farming: A Profitable, Sustainable Farming Model Read More »
If you look around at the price of land, it makes you wonder how anyone can afford a farm. There may still be a lot of big family farms around small farms are becoming more and more appealing to people. When I say small scale I am talking about acres. In my case I farm
How to Be a Cattle Farmer with Small Acreage Read More »
No matter the time of year, chances are you will need to feed your cows hay for various reasons. Building your own round bale feeder can be a game changer! It’s a low-cost way to cut waste, keep feed clean, and make sure your cattle stay healthy. Let’s dive into how to build a DIY
How to build a DIY Round Bale Feeder Read More »
Are you tired of expensive farm equipment? Building your own solutions can save a lot of money. A DIY feed bunk made from a 55-gallon drum is a perfect example. It’s cheap, customizable, and helps you feed your animals efficiently. This post provides a step-by-step guide on how to build a feed bunk for $40.00.
How to Build a Feed Bunk for $40 Read More »
One of the biggest mistakes that any farm enterprise can make is specialization. There are too many farmers in the US that only do one thing. Honestly, specialization in only one or two markets has only been a common practice for the last 50 or 60 years. Prior to that, a single farm would have
How To Avoid These Small Farm Mistakes Read More »
Droughts are part of farming and in my neck of the woods, the saying is that we’re only ever two weeks away from a drought. Things can change quickly, leaving even the most diligent unprepared. Last year we had a decent spring, a hot dry summer, and a really good fall. During the summer, many
How To Manage Livestock During A Drought Read More »
If you have ever worked with farm animals, you know how difficult it can be if they escape their fenced in area. You understand the panic of trying to wrangle them all back in. Speaking of fences, check out this post on how to build a high tensile electric fence. They usually never go the
How to Make Your Farm Animals Like You Read More »