M&M feedyard

A step toward the next step

When I was with foodservice distributors a couple weeks, ago I heard somebody ask: “Well then, why doesn’t every rancher own their cattle through the feedyard?”

To that guy it seemed like a logical step, building relationships and gathering information.

But then we brought up all the reasons why making the leap to retained ownership is hard. The flow of capital and tax reasons. The unknowns and risk versus the comfort of the familiar and a sure thing.

That got me thinking about one time when I was chatting with a rancher and he said, “You know, I wouldn’t mind trying to work with a feedlot, but I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Myth: There is no information out there for folks who want to try feeding cattle for the first time.

Fact: There are resources and you don’t even have to look that far to find them.

Dozens of land-grant universities have fact sheets like this and this. For a fee, Cattle-Fax offers a wealth of information on the subject.

We think it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. You might want to test the waters with a university-sponsored feedout program. (Get a pretty comprehensive list of those here.)

On our website we offer tips and a printable checklist to help navigate the feeding waters the first time around.

Feeders are not scary people. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions.

But if that’s not your research style, you could take on the role of the reporter: ask.

I’ve found every feeder I’ve ever dealt with to be one of the “good guys.” They’ll help you understand the options, the risk, and ultimately the possible reward.

If you want a little one-on-one coaching contact somebody on our team, because as you probably know by now, we’re all about building relationships.

How’s that for some information?

May your bottom line be filled with black ink,

~Miranda

You may also like

Texas Ranch Received CAB Ambassador Award

Texas Ranch Received CAB Ambassador Award

Visitors to 2 Bar C Ranch near Luling, Texas, often describe the quiet first. That peace reflects low-stress cattle care, seedstock bred for the whole beef chain and a family that opens its gates, earning the 2026 CAB Ambassador Award.

Built For the Long Haul

Built For the Long Haul

Thirty-one inches of rain in 48 hours tested Biltmore Estate’s 130-year commitment to remain a profitable, working agricultural estate. Through Hurricane Helene recovery and high-quality Angus genetics, Biltmore stewards its land, livestock and community, earning the 2026 CAB Sustainability Award.

Jett Stream to Prime

Jett Stream to Prime

In the Oklahoma Panhandle, four generations built a herd defined not by the odds against it, but by standards never lowered. That commitment drove decades of genetic and management improvements, taking Jett Ranch from struggling to reach Prime to more than 70% Prime today, and earned the ranch the 2026 CAB Commercial Commitment to Excellence award.