Ranchers like Jonas, who spends about five days a month in Boca Raton, Fla., pursuing his legal work, are a relatively new and growing part of the Montana landscape.
For some, livestock is a hobby. For others, such as Jonas, the cattle hold some business potential. His investments so far have been significant. He put in a new corral and hay barn, and he feeds his cattle organic oats and flaxseed. He even traveled to Italy for a Piedmontese stock show. Yet with only 29 head, his earnings potential remains minuscule.
This just shows the growing trend in Montana land and cattle business. Part time landowners that run cattle as a hobby more than a business. I wish I had a job that I could spend 5 days a month at and then play with my little ranch as a sideline.
From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:
Rancher- one who owns or works on a ranch.
Ranch- 1 : a large farm for raising horses, beef cattle, or sheep 2 : a farm or area devoted to a particular specialty
While the idea that this guy is a rancher by what I am used to defining it by is funny, by these definitions, he does qualify as a rancher.
Don't get me wrong, if this is what the man wants to do and how he wants to spend his money, more power to him. As hard as it might seem for Montanans to understand, the large majority of cattle produced in the US come from "ranches" that are smaller than 50 head. I don't have the exact figures in front of me but something like over 70% of the cattle produced in the US come from premises that run less than 50 head total.
SO, what he is doing isn't that unusual but he sure is a different kind of rancher that's for sure. Kind of makes me laugh and cry. Montana's traditional rancher is going by the wayside for types like this. Passing of an era I guess.
Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem. Jiddu Krishnamurti
I thought you might like this quote -- I found it somewhere on the internet. Dunno who said it. But it's cute.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.
If you still remember him pass this on. If not join the majority and do nothing.
First off, kudos on a superb blog. As you well know, you're on a lot of people's short list, certainly mine. I haven't replied here before, and sort of to my horror I realize this may be my first reply on any MT blog, except New West which isn't exactly a blog, eh?
This "ranch" thing has caused me no small amusement over the years. We've had neighbors on eight and ten acres parcels calling their places "ranches" which I just don't see how anyone can say with a staight face. But hey, perhaps diversity is underrated.
My own ag history runs from dryland farming on the hi-line... ah, it's way too long a story for here, but the short version of the ag side of my story, at least, is at http://www.cowboyhvn.com/MTAugust05.htm
And God, no, I couldn't cut it as a blogger. I have enough trouble with a column a month!
But anyway, to my surprise, I've come to call the new operation the "Rockpile Ranch", which it damn sure is, although I'd have to call it a farm except for my failing for horses. And it really is a farm, but I bet we can agree that just doesn't have the same ring to it.
I still can't say it with a straight face, though.
What a fine blog you've got going here: you've made my short list for sure!
We have 12 acres near Lafayette, Indiana. I grew up on farms, and this was going to be my "hobby farm", much like the one you describe, as I was employed full time as a programmer when we bought the place and fixed it up.
A little over a year after we moved in, my job was shipped to Bangalore - I was replaced by a PhD in Computer Science who makes ~$13k US/year. I couldn't exactly do that here - it's against the minimum wage laws! So we ramped up the farm, selling Highland beef, and free range chickens and eggs direct to the consumer.
I like to tell folks that while I'm making 1/3rd the money I made as a coder, I'm 3 times happier, so it all works out, I guess. It's very hard to make a go of it on such a small acreage, but with a bit of creativity and a willingness to rearrange continually until a working formula is found, it can be done.
I've never called myself a "rancher" - I agree with you that "ranch" implies a lot bigger spread than I'll ever have here. And I resisted calling myself a farmer, until a neighbor referred to me as such. When asked why, and what had changed to transform from from "citified hobby cowboy" to farmer, he replied, "Well, your cattle busted down the fence and wandered about three miles down IN75, and you managed to get them back home without calling the sheriff - plus, everybody at the coop knows your first name and you wear a free hat from a trailer company..."
So I guess I've arrived.
I shall be reading your blog regularly.
Be well,
Dave H.