I will be running a survey this fall/winter of hay producers. What's something you'd really like to know about how other producers operate? What info would be valuable to you?
Lynn
Posted 24 May 2018 - 03:04 PM
I will be running a survey this fall/winter of hay producers. What's something you'd really like to know about how other producers operate? What info would be valuable to you?
Lynn
Posted 24 May 2018 - 05:25 PM
Posted 24 May 2018 - 07:40 PM
The "burning question" (and one to which I'm not sure I'll get an honest answer on) "do you actually make money doing this crazy business?"
I thought it should be phrased "How much money do you lose?"
Like I always said "The less I farm the more money I make..."
Posted 24 May 2018 - 09:58 PM
Posted 25 May 2018 - 05:18 AM
My questions would be:
1) What do you see for the future of farming?
2) What effects of autonomous vehicle development will be on farming?
3) What do you think the future holds for family farms?
4) Do you believe the federal government a) supports small farmers, placates small farmers, c) supports BTOs, d) doesn't really care about farmers, big or small.
5) Do you believe that a) farming is headed in a) a positive direction, about the same, c) into the dumper?
6) Do you believe that the USA is headed in a) a positive direction, about the same, c) into the dumper?
6a) How have you prepared for your answer above?
6b) What year do you expect your answer to become reality?
Ooops, I can already see that my biases for the future are showing up in my questions.
Ralph
Ralph
Posted 25 May 2018 - 05:24 AM
Posted 25 May 2018 - 07:53 AM
Posted 25 May 2018 - 08:41 AM
Posted 25 May 2018 - 12:50 PM
What was the biggest change you made in your operation the last 5 years? How did you measure it's effectiveness?
What is the next change you are contemplating in your hay operation (within 5 years)?
Has your production plateau yet? If not what is holding it back?
Do you think the alfalfa 'check off' is working or not? Are you for or against it?
To dawgs point, if a rich uncle left you a pile of $$ would you expand? (I'd ask why also, but the honest answer probably wouldn't be given, but a little humor might be nice).
My one cent so far.
Larry
Posted 25 May 2018 - 12:58 PM
Posted 25 May 2018 - 09:50 PM
Government could care less about us little guys, we just don't have deep enough pockets.
I think in general that the economy is going to pick up. It is still a bit slow here in Wyoming, but we are usually two years behind the east and west coast. I still think there are people that are looking for a good job. I recently had a guy that quit me in the middle of a drywall job, but he has to quit because his body can no longer do it anymore. I posted that I was looking for help on several of the local facebook groups and in three hours I had about a dozen responses.
As far as what is going to happen to the family farm, I don't really know. I am afraid that the government is going to regulate us out of business. Only the big guys can keep up with all those regulations.
Posted 26 May 2018 - 06:51 PM
One question:
If you could go back in time, would you chose to farm again?
Yes!
Ralph
Posted 26 May 2018 - 08:56 PM
One question:
If you could go back in time, would you chose to farm again?
Posted 26 May 2018 - 09:25 PM
Since I came from a family that was not involved in farming I did not know what I was getting myself into......had I known what I know now I probably would not have. I don't regret going into farming though......just not so sure I would do it over again.One question:
If you could go back in time, would you chose to farm again?
Posted 26 May 2018 - 10:08 PM
Posted 27 May 2018 - 05:47 AM
One question:
If you could go back in time, would you chose to farm again?
I tried to quit once . Yes I would choose to farm again.
Posted 27 May 2018 - 06:01 AM
No you are still a real farmer. You just may not need it for keeping your sanity.Since I came from a family that was not involved in farming I did not know what I was getting myself into......had I known what I know now I probably would not have. I don't regret going into farming though......just not so sure I would do it over again.
I do love farming and will continue to farm as long as it works out financially for me. But the minute my operation would cease to be a financially viable operation I won't hesitate to give it up. I refuse to farm just to break even and barely be able cover my living expenses.....I recently had my eyes opened to how many farms operate like that. I guess that kind of makes me not a real farmer.
Hayden
Posted 27 May 2018 - 06:20 AM
If I could start over again I would probably not farm but ranch. Move to a less humid environment, and less crowded, get a little irrigated ground to grow feed, cowboy and run beef.
And thank my Lord for the Western skies.....but, I wussed out when I was 21 years old when she was beckoning me. I have regretted that most of my life, but it was not in the cards or it would have happened.
"What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun."
Eccl. 1:9
Regards, Mike
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