I don’t want to come across as a “know it all’ because I still have a lot to learn when it comes to the deer farming industry. However, I just wanted to raise a few points.
First, the prices are down and many farms are hurting and that’s unfortunate. However, we are not “entitled” to anything such as past prices for shooters, feed, etc.
It’s a free market and things will fluctuate depending on supply and demand. Drought and the fact that we put our food in our vehicles are a couple factors that affect our feed prices. Better genetics and more choices are a couple factors that affect the deer prices.
However, rather than be discouraged or disgruntled, adapt and overcome! Instead of complaining about how the industry has passed you up, why don’t you start breeding with better genetics to bring your herd up? You wouldn’t expect to win a NASCAR race with a car from the 70’s or 80’s so why would you expect the deer farming industry to be frozen in time? Remember…it’s a buyer’s market so now is the time to increase the genetics in your herd.
As far as excluding new farmers…weren’t you a new deer farmer at one time? I believe if you research, plan, and implement a well thought out strategy you can succeed in any industry, including this one. Try to be the best at whatever you do. If you go into it thinking “I’d like to be a mediocre deer farmer”, you may not profit from your investment as much as you would like. Perhaps, you should consider having them as a hobby rather than a business.
Although experience is invaluable, it doesn’t automatically make you the “best” deer farmer. I believe a new farmer with a great work ethic can become successful in our industry if he/she is willing to research the industry prior to starting, visit and talk to experienced deer farmers, attend sales/auctions to learn the in’s and out’s of the business, network with other successful deer farmers, attend informational meetings, and join their State’s Deer Farming organizations, etc.
This was not targeted at any individual on here; I just think sometimes we feel sorry for ourselves rather than seeking out solutions to our problems.
Lastly, we all complain from time to time, me included. However, one thing we are “entitled” to, is our opinion.
