Simply profitable

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Charles Fletcher’s cow/calf operation near Columbia, Ky., may not be the fanciest one around. But that’s not his objective.

He’s more interested in the bottom line from his successful enterprise, which includes backgrounding calves and marketing them at a target weight of 800 pounds.

He keeps things simple by raising all of the forage and silage needed for the family operation, which totals 180 mother cows, and by having no outside labor for the cattle operation. This allows him to keep a tight rein on expenses.

Three herds make up that cow total; some of them are owned by his dad, James, who is semi-retired, and his son, Steven, who works off the farm. They, along with his wife, Claudette, help during busy times.

Operating close to the vest does not mean skimping on key inputs. “I buy good bulls; that’s the bottom line to profitable calves,” he reasons.

Conversely, he doesn’t care what color his cows are as long as they wean a heavy calf. “I don’t always cull a cow if she doesn’t wean a calf,” he notes. “It depends; if she loses a calf, especially through no fault of her own, I may keep her. But if she fails to conceive or raises a puny calf, she’s gone.”

Combining a selective zero-tolerance policy with a penchant for quality inputs carries over into his herd health, supplemental feeding and forage programs, too.

A little help from Southern States “I buy all of my livestock health products from Southern States,” he says. “They have the products and expertise to meet my needs.”

Fletcher is a loyal user of Southern States mineral products. He supplements with Mag-O-Min, which is formulated to guard against grass tetany, in spring and fall. He also uses Graze-N-Gain, which contains an additive that, according to studies, aides in combating foot rot and pinkeye during summer.

The supplements are especially beneficial when conditions are dry.

“They’re the only supplement brand I use,” he says. “I can buy cheaper mineral mixes, but you can’t beat the quality of the Southern States brand. When you look at the bag, you’ll find that Southern States has a higher quality mix.

“And my cattle just seem to prefer the Southern States mineral mix to other brands I’ve tried.”

Fletcher’s local Southern States dealer, is the main source for his supplies. These range from forage seed to mineral supplements and fencing materials.

“I like their products and the fact that they have knowledgeable people,” he explains.