You must first find a market, then raise the crop for it is a least cost manner. We chose direct marketing of Bison meat. We raise the smallest calves we can get or feed out bulls bought at a fair pric e on grass. Once you know your market, you develop a financial analysis based upon your selling price and work back from there. The third and fourth years of our analyses was eye-opening.
Cash flow is important.
If you can control your crop all the way to the retailer or consumer, you will make the highest profit and avoid the ups and downs of a market, while not just having one or two outlets for your crop. Online SF Magazine Copyright Meredith Corporation 1996. All rights reserved.