A Partial Business Proposal For A Cow/Calf/Hay Operation
My farm’s name is King Family Ranch, which is located at the mountains of Colorado. I have been operating my business for three years. Now, I am using mixed farming system to conduct my farm. I raise 350 acres of hay, and it can produce 875 tons of production each year. I also have 500 cows, so most of hay productions are used to feed my cows in winter. My cows usually calve in March-April, so I can sell weaned calves in October.
Mission Statement
“We are committed to being the leading provider of healthy cows and weaned calves in the domestic market. We swear that we observe every cow’s health conditions, and their living conditions. We will continue to improve our cow’s breed to upgrade their standard. Moreover, we also offer an ideal salary and free insurances for our industrious employees to remedy the tiring work.”
Vision Statement
“Providing the best cows and weaned calves in the U.S. with reasonable prices.”
Three Goals
By the end of 2017, I want to expand my business to 700 cows. Since my farm is not too big and cow need time to adapt new density, I think I can raise 200 more cows in my farm during the 2 years. More cows means more weaned calves, If I raise more cows, I can sell more weaned calves and get more money.
By the end of 2016, I want to raise my cow’s breed fertility, and get 500 weaned calves. Assume I will have 550 cows at the end of 2016, I hope I can get 500 weaned calves by strengthening the nutrition supply, preventing and curing barrenness, and keeping the observation of heat cows. Raising cow’s breed fertility is very important to me because I can earn $520 more from an extra weaned calf.
By the end of 2016, I want to find a cooperative partner, who can produce large bean curd residues. Bean curd residue is a kind of cheap feed. It has been used widely in Asian countries for hundreds of years. It is composed of protein, crude, fat, crude fiber, and carbohydrates, which are good for cow’s health. Therefore, we can add 10% bean curd residues to cow’s daily feeds. And since the U.S. has a lot of Tofu factories, but not too many farm use bean curd residue for their animal’s feed. The price of bean curd residue must cheaper than other normal feeds. If I find a cooperative partner to provide large bean curd residues to me, I can save a lot of money.
Strength:
1. I raise 350 acres of hay.
This is a strength because I don’t need care about the hay price, and my farm is totally self-sufficient in hay production. And I can keep my weaned calves stay longer in my farm to get more profits.
2. The mountains of Colorado is very beautiful.
This is a strength because a good scenery can attract employees, no one wants to work in a bad environment.
3. We sell weaned calves at October.
This is a strength because in the fall, weaned calves usually have a better market and higher price than the calves are sold at weaning.
Weaknesses:
1. Bad traffic environment.
This is a strength because my farm is built in the mountains of Colorado.
2. My parents are not support me.
This is a strength because my parents think girl should not work in a ranch or farm. It is too dirty and hard to find a boyfriend.
3. My business need full-time employees, and they need live on the farm for a long time.
This is a strength because not all people want to live with cows, and my farm is far from towns. Their lives must be boring.
Opportunities:
1. Selling weaned calves to international market
This is an opportunities because my weaned calves’ standard is higher than some countries’, if my price is reasonable, they will happy to buy my weaned calves to upgrade their cow’s breed.
2. Developing agri-tourism.
This is an opportunities because the mountains of Colorado are very beautiful. I only need to raise a little of different livestock and fruit trees to make my farm looks more abundant.
3. Low interest loan
This is an opportunities because USDA Service Center provide low interest loan for new farmers named Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans. It will helps me a lot.
Threats
1. Bad weather.
This is a threat because my cows are semi-free. Bad weather may cause they get sick, and it also reduce cow’s breed fertility.
2. Epidemic diseases.
This is a threat because cows living together. When one cow get sick, others will quickly be infected.
3. Market price falling down
This is a threat because market price closely related to my interest. When the price goes down, I will lose my money.
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