Hiya Cloyce,
 CO> Hay is very high this year since we received almost no rain between
 CO> October of last year and the 1st of July.
$6.75 is our "cheap" price for #1. The winter/spring price goes to about 7.25 
a bale.  All our hay needs irrigation, since this IS the desert (Mojave 
Desert, heck the end of the 20 mule team borax run is about 20 miles north of 
here on the other side of Edwards AFB). I hope to put in 40 acres or so of 
Alfalfa on the other property when we move. In talking with the local Alfalfa 
people 40 acres will provide enough #1 for our uses and sales of the leftover 
will more than cover the pumping expense for all the water. It also opens up 
some nice IRS tax breaks. The diesel to be put in for the irrigation system 
also provides for a nice source of power for any co-generation experiments. 
The labor will not involve any more hired help than we have now, so the only 
real expenses will be for capitol equipment and fuel. 
 CO> Combine high hay and feed costs with very low cattle prices and 
 CO> you can see why I'm getting out of the cattle business.
I can understand that. The "late" depression to hit CA in the end of the 
eighties and the resulting drop in Tennessee Walking Horse prices is why 
nothing has been bred here for a while. Getting a foal on the ground is not 
where you make money with TWH's, the money comes from the training. But the 
market is beginning to pick up so we have a couple great breedings planned 
for next year. We have 60 acres and are thinking of putting in a 5 acre 
boarding/training on the south end, with us and our horses on the north. The 
distance should keep our horses in better shape than the boarded ones with 
who knows what they might have.
 CO> I just can't see putting $200.00/ton cubes into $0.30/pound 
 CO> calves. :-( 
Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense this year at least.
Possible ways to save on power purchasing is why I am in here. If I can find 
some outdoor flood lamps like I found about 10 years ago, I should be able to 
provide most of the exterior lighting with PV's and batts. These lamps used 
two 15 watt tubes and with the reflrector gave about the same light as 150 
watts of tungstun would. I can't find the things any more though.
Regards,
   Gerry
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