End of an Era

[mulepackin]

At least for us. I am a 4th generation Montanan. My great grandparents homesteaded here in the late 1800s. Started mining coal and then ranching. On Sun. at 10:00 a.m. we will be liquidating our cattle. We have never not had cattle around. Even though I don't make my primary living on the ranch, I still view myself in this light, and keep around 25 head that I run with our main bunch of 250 to 300 head. I guess this is just a sign of the current economy, the difficulties involved in running an operation like this, and I suppose, my fear of trying to make it work in the face of all this. My dad is 72, and even though I help out all I can, and we have hired hands, it just isn't in the cards. I'm hoping we can continue to run a lower overhead operation after the dust settles, but for now the main herd is going. It will be weird not calving out cows this winter. So just kinda feeling sorry for myself here tonight and had to get a little of it out.
__________________

 

[tasunkawitko]

oh, man, i am sorry to hear that, mule. i know the country you ranch in and it is too beautiful not to have cattle grazing on the hillsides. as a fellow montanan, i know how terrible this news is and how deep it cuts - and i also know that it must be absolutely the last option, or you wouldn't be doing it.

your family is in my prayers, my friend, and if you need anything, just let me know.

 

[bbally]

The main herd on the mountain at the hunting camp was sold three years ago. I know what you mean.... some things just don't produce the correct amount of money.

Chin up... you will get back into it when it makes monetary sense.

 

[stonebriar]

Mule -

Thanks for sharing. You shall always remain a Rancher & Cattleman at heart...

Stonebriar

 

[meateater]

I'm lost for words, has this country come to the point that hard working people cannot support themselves from property that has been paid for generations ago! I'll stop here before I express myself!

 

[pineywoods]

I'm sorry to hear that I'm sure it pains all of you to not be able to carry on the tradition for generations to come. It truly is sad that farmers and ranchers in the United States can't make a decent living doing what they've done forever. I hope at some point in the future you can get back into it.

 

[tasunkawitko]

if any of you folks want to get an idea of the beauty and history of the country that mulepackin' ranches in, please click this link to read an article that i wrote on a bull at an historic area ranch back in 2004:

http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum/fo...?TID=5170&PN=4

 

[mballi3011]

Man oh Man I'm sorry to hear that there Mule. Like everyone has say it hard to see an old tradition going away but it seems to be happening all over theses days. Sometimes I wish we could go back to the old days where you could just the guy ext store and we all took care of each other too.

 

[mulepackin]

Thanks for posting that TW. The Willow Creek Ranch is about 5 miles as the crow flies from our home place. That picture is looking east over the creek with the Highwood Mtns. on the right (south). We lease summer pasture just south of what you can see of the Highwoods in the painting. My uncle John (technically much older cousin) managed the Willow Creek Ranch from the 50's through the 60's. My brother and I night calved for them in the 70's and 80's. Very nice of you to post that up.

 

[tasunkawitko]

i'm sure you're familiar with the name jack hoover ~ i got to know him pretty well when i researched this article. spent some great time with him and consider him a great man. i think his grandfather would be pretty proud but at the same time would be pretty sad to see what's happening these daays to hard-working folks.

next time we're in the area, i'll be sure to let you know ~ would be honored to shake your hand.

 

[rdknb]

Mule I am very sorry to hear that. Remember you will always be a cattleman at heart

 

[desertlites]

so sorry to hear Mule-I heard at 1 time that Japan was buying up alot of cattle land in montana to raise the beef for asia?

 

[rivet]

Wow, Mule, so sorry that you have to go through this. It must be heartbreaking for you to see this happen and all that I can offer are prayers and a hope that things will become better.

 

[triplebq]

My this sounds like us . We sold 600 head due to health concerns of family . I miss the work but that is how others made a living . I just helped for free but now I get to mow over 1100 acres for free as I get time . I am soo sorry for your loss . My dad just turned 82 this past August and just gave up .

 

[waysideranch]

Sorry to hear. The ranching biz is tuff. Well wishes from Kansas.

 

[mudduck]

sorry to hear that mule
I'll tell you it not no better here in ms.

 

[jak757]

I couldn't come up with words that would express it better. Just as ranching has always been in your family, it will always been in you.

Life brings many changes. It's a never ending adventure.

 

[spoofer]

Sorry to hear.. Tough times everywhere. Most of the Dairy operations in Upstate NY are going belly-up as well. Pretty soon high milk $ meat prices?

 

[eman]

It's a damn shame When a man can't make a living .
Same thing is happening down here on the gulf coast.
Foreign seafood is being shipped into the U.S. at lowball prices and is putting our shrimpers and fishermen and all the associated buisinesses
out on the streets.
Last shrimp season the wholesaler was paying shrimpers .75 a lb .
I figured it cost around $1.36 a lb to start the boat and go shrimping????
Lot's of guys couldn't afford to start their boats. No shrimping = no money = boat getting repoed. Just one more step in the vicious cycle that is killing the Man who wants to work hard and provide for his family.

 

[rickw]

Bad times, for sure. Sorry to hear about your loss Mule, that really sucks.