We followed up with a rancher that purchased an EZ Ration Processor in the summer of 2004. His ranch was a typical ranch with 180 cows and was in the top 5% of all the usual production benchmarks; weaning weight, breed back, low death loss. More than once his heifers out sold the steers because of their good genetics. They were purchased for replacements by neighbors. However, the bottom line wasn’t at all where it needed to be. When he purchased an EZ Ration Processor and a 6X6 truck to mount it on, he also increased his herd by 85 cows (47%). He was not only able to keep his cows but add to them through the drought when his neighbors were selling their cattle.

His cost for cake, grass, and hay per cow two years ago was $237 x 180hd equals $42,660 and he sold 170hd at an average of $605 which equals $102,850. $102,850 less $42,660 left $60,190 to pay expenses, service debt, and live on.

This past year his cost per cow for grass, hay, and the payment on his EZ Ration Processor and 6X6 truck was $244 x 265hd equals $64,660. He sold 252 calves at an average $705.75 which equals $177,849. $177,849 less $64,660 Equals $113,189. This year vs. two years ago equates an increase on the bottom line of $52,999. (The cost of feed and grass for 2006 also includes the payment on the EZ Ration Processor and the 6X6 truck.)

An increase of nearly $53,000 is huge and he was able to do it when everyone else had to sell down so he was able to take advantage of the higher markets. His decision was based on sound science. The grass has 3 to 4 times more nutritional value through the growing season than in the winter. The grazing experts tell use that through proper grazing management, you can actually improve the grass more by utilizing it through the growing season than the dormant season. So, he improved and better utilized his grass, because the EZ Ration Processor provided a total ration and no grass was required for filler through the winter.

The scientific reasons the EZ Ration Processor can feed the cattle so much cheaper are:

1 It processes the hay to a more desirable particle size than either ground hay or “as is” in the bale. Ground hay has typically too small of a particle and passes thru the rumen before all the nutrients can be digested out of it. Hay “as is” in the bale has typically too large of a particle size and cattle have to expend more energy just to break it down and utilize the nutrients out of it. Processing the hay alone can lower the total tonnage required by 20 to 30 %.

2 The EZ Ration Processor also has the patented ability to blend hays in any desired ratio while it is dispensing the feed. If you blend alfalfa with cheaper, lower quality CRP grass or milo stalks you can reduce the cost an additional 30 to 40% and the cattle actually do better on a more balanced ration.

3 Another huge advantage the EZ Ration Processor gives the producer is that he can change the mix on the go. He can feed several different classes of cattle and change the mix to fit all their different needs, dramatically increasing efficiency.

We are constantly told that, in order to improve, we need to think outside the box. The Beef Industry is a very traditional industry and we usually hold to our traditions with a fierce resilience. It is, however, worth noting that everything we now call “tradition” was at one point considered thinking outside the box by someone. Those early adapters that embraced sound science and logic and started the new trends that we now call “tradition”, in most cases, reaped the largest rewards.