Ranch life is the real American Dream. It gathers heritage, tradition and living outdoors into a package many dream of and some actually grasp. What does it take to walk through the gate? It all depends on many factors that need to be considered before you “saddle up”. For one, how big a ranch and what do you want to raise? The bigger the “spread” the more help you’ll need. Cowboys don’t make much but they do like to eat and occasionally go into town: you have to pay them. Cattle need food and care and fencing, how many cows and what breed are important questions. Horses are more labor-intensive and what breed? Watch the markets and see what’s selling where, and for how much.
There are tax issues per county as well as options for tax support with the right paperwork. Water rights are critical so read all documents about how the water is provided. Fights have broken out over this issue. Maintenance is critical to safety and good neighbors (especially fences). Hay prices in certain regions have doubled and tripled, get to know who is the hay provider and develop the best relationship and plan ahead. Last, but not least: know how things work, have power backup (use solar and wind), be ready to put in long hard hours and be tired. You’ll never regret it.