Interesting ways to save money……..

[makar]

Actually that can be a costly bug unless you use a lot. But I'm a tool freak.

Cost dont matter if there is nothing to buy.

[Sheepwheat]

Going to try reloading my own ammo.

I do shotgun shells. Got a rifle reloading manual for Christmas from the kids. Looking forward to it..

[Happytrails]

re: saving money

I used to unplug about 4 livestock waterers at 9:30 or 10 AM and plugged them back in at 6. Saved 1/3 of the electricity for heating. But dont forget to turn them back on! Not sure if the current operator is maintaining the practice.

[shtferbrains]

I had some water bowls set up with heat tape in the lines underneath right up to the valve with no other heat underneath. Used a 250 watt sinking heater in the float box.

[woodland]

re: saving money

I used to unplug about 4 livestock waterers at 9:30 or 10 AM and plugged them back in at 6. Saved 1/3 of the electricity for heating. But dont forget to turn them back on! Not sure if the current operator is maintaining the practice.

If the waterers don’t have heaters there’s one less thing to spend on. 😎 Only have a single electric waterer for the sick pen on this place. Some ice chipping may be required on cold days with the tire waterers but most of it is the build up around the waterer. Got an axe in every vehicle and tractor that goes out to the cows all winter.

[woodland]

Can you buy selenium to mix in? Maybe you aren't in a deficient area?

And is the molasses the dry stuff, and assume its just for taste?

Ya the molasses is granular and just to improve consumption. It’s pretty expensive so I’ve actually been cutting back on it and consumption is still about right.

The selenium is in the trace mineral salt that I use so that’s covered. Just gotta see about getting phosphorus for the breeding mineral. Haven’t looked into that yet…………. I can get straight Rumensin or Bovatec by the bag as well which I start adding before calving to control coccidiosis.

[blackpowder]

I do shotgun shells. Got a rifle reloading manual for Christmas from the kids. Looking forward to it..

Careful.
For me next came the appetite for .5 or better MOA precision rifles, match grade pistols, hungry carbines and even a segue down everything historical including a Sharps and everything percussion. I can't buy factory long guns anymore lol. And good glass, Uffda! Oh well... Welcome to the club!

[sawfly1]

Electricity is the least of my problems
Seed treatment is snakeoil . Look around we have done fine with zero treatment.

[Guest]

In the old days
Worn out socks became mittens
Had only one bath a week, two if we picked stones all day
Breakfast was toast with powdered milk.
Oh and my dads hearing aid was on a party line

[GALAXIE500]

During harvest I dump some diatomaceous earth in the first load and last load going into the bin. I buy the stuff for cows not the stuff the chemical companies sell for 10 times the price.

Same here. Been doing that for ten years now with my grain at harvest.

My cost saving measure for my cow herd is feeding them square bales with my old 77 F150 4x4 feed truck. When you only have 60 cows you have a few more options. I do like rolling out round bales with my Kubota M108.

As far as the rest of the farm goes for saving money : Don't spend more than you make, and don't work for the machinery , grain , and chemical companies !