I love bass fishing. I hate the problems and stress that come with boat ownership. I’ve owned a nice bass boat and it very nearly ruined my fishing fun. The same can be said of farm equipment and toys in consideration of ranching.

Grazing cattle and growing soil health and grass can be very profitable. Profits head south when equipment and toys are brought in on the ownership side. In our part of the country a list includes:

Addictions to pills, smoking weeds, vehicles, diesel fuel and fumes, fresh plowed soil, and freshly mown grass are all real and must be addressed if life is to be long, healthy, and enjoyable in the cattle business. The addictions can be overcome. The desire remains as does our weakness. Our job is to eliminate the killers. Toys and equipment are killers.

The late Harlan Rogers and his family were and still are major players in the cattle business in Mississippi and Texas (RogersBarHR.com). Harlan used to say that a major problem and expense with equipment and toys was the need to be constantly finding jobs to justify ownership. He also remarked that most of the work was unnecessary. I agree.

Necessary items or equipment I have purchased and actually use include: