looks like beef prices are coming down...

My stomach is already aching from the thought of McDonalds.

Sadly, ground beef is one of those items that you pay whatever you have to. I only have so many ideas for chicken, and that's probably only half of the KFC menu alone!

We just butchered our last steer. 723 lbs of meat. I bought this one two years ago when it was three months old for $150. We inquired about another one four months ago and the farm said they wouldn't sell to us for awhile because they were getting $599 for day olds..... That is frigging crazy! Now the prices are better, so I agree that prices are coming down, but still not attractive enough for us yet. Guess the two pigs will have to do for now. Hoping for a couple of goats or sheep in a couple months, just to keep the meat flowing. If you have the space to do it this way I highly recommend it! It was hard financially the first time we did it but because we had stocked up on meat it was easier the next time. I challenge anyone to go to the store and buy 700 lbs of beef for under $500.

My step son has a herd of 55 cow-calf pairs. Yeah, he's really balling about the markets. What a baby...prices were so good for so long, now they are down and he's crying like a... Oh wait, so am I ... Never mind.

I'm sooooo old I remember when a day old calf was $15 or less. Mike

We raise hogs on the farm. One of the differences is that cattle are much less efficient than pigs. A pig will have less waste (Throw away) than a cow will. Pork is my preferred meat, but raising them is interesting.

A pig is basically a bowling ball with legs. Dumb, and they try to destroy everything. But, the bacon sure tastes good!

Originally Posted by bigburtchino

miked - .......and candy bars were a 5 cents or was it 3 cents?

Soda's or pop as we called them were a nickel from the machine. McDonalds hamburgers were $0.15 ea., perhaps that's why day old calves were so low in price. Mike

Originally Posted by matador

We raise hogs on the farm. One of the differences is that cattle are much less efficient than pigs. A pig will have less waste (Throw away) than a cow will. Pork is my preferred meat, but raising them is interesting.

A pig is basically a bowling ball with legs. Dumb, and they try to destroy everything. But, the bacon sure tastes good!

I have found I'd rather raise pigs as well. Cows are dumber I think. They will spread a bale of hay around then defecate or urinate on it and then it's ruined, they won't touch it. Pigs have one area they relieve themselves and don't waste any food at all. You're right, very efficient animals that grow rapidly and more bang for your buck!

We're a pretty small farm. But, we raise hogs as our only livestock (Other than a bunch of cats and 5 chickens). In our area, there are two hog farmers left, and we're the larger one. It's worked out to be a pretty good niche for us. It's a great way for us to use the grain at the ends of fields that isn't quite as nice. Since it can't be resold for much, it's basically free feed. We're just converting it into bacon!

I posted the picture of one of the first McDonald's as the place is a Southern California landmark, the fact that this restaurant survived is a testament to the McDonald brothers as they knew it was a place that should stay as is. They also wanted it to be a reminder to Ray Kroc, the man that the brothers sold one of the first franchises to. Mr Kroc would later take control of the company, making the McDonald brothers very wealthy, but nothing compared to what they should have made. When they sold to Mr. Kroc, there was two contracts, a written one and a verbal one, Mr. Kroc only honored the written one and not the "Gentleman's Agreement", that was more important to the brothers. They never allowed the corporation to make the image makeover to this place, a "little" reminder about integrity and honesty.

The building and it's "golden arches" are nice and historic, what is most significant to native Southern Cal. is the neon "Speedee sign" on the corner and can be seen for some distance at night. Way before "Ronald McDonald" as a corporate mascot, there was Speedee the hamburger mascot. He represented and stood for the "Speedee Service System" the innovation concept that the brothers invented and developed, Speedee put the "FAST" in fast-food. The McDonald brothers introduced Speedee and the Speedee Service System in 1948 way before Ronald McDonald the mass marketing system.

Rog - I thought of Taco Bell and McDonald's and your thread about lower beef prices as there is a connection or two. At the core to both companies was one key ingredient, BEEF or hamburger. The way they sold hamburger was the common denominator to both companies success. These companies made history and affected most of us in some way, then, now and for years to come. Probably influenced beef prices just a little too!

Interesting note about Glen Bell, one of his favorite interest was agriculture. A big supporter to 4-H clubs and in 1993 he opened "Bell Gardens" 115 acre working garden to teach students about growing the food we eat. Bell Gardens is located in Valley Center, Ca., a great place to visit if your in the San Diego area. A working garden, with a large produce and fruit selection, you can learn to grow,just about anything that can grow in some good dirt. They sell what they grow to sustain the garden, I always like to buy what ever is in season when I'm down there. There is also garden tours, hay rides, antique tractor displays and a very large "miniature railroad" that you can ride on. All free and one of Mr. Bells way to "gave back" to the community. He started this garden for students and all of us to remember, food just isn't at a fast-food place and it all starts with "DIRT".