30 replies to this topic

[swmnhay]

 

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

If every farmer thought that way no one would be farming.You just hope the good years out number the bad and you get ahead long term.Some years you hit home runs and other years you strike out.Markets,weather.politics and other unforeseen circumstances are all game changers and greatly effect bottom line.

[FarmerCline]

No you are still a real farmer. You just may not need it for keeping your sanity.

As long as I can still put my hands in the dirt and grow something I can keep my sanity. Been growing something since I could hardly walk. Had a huge exotic flower collection by the time I was 5 years old.

Hayden

[FarmerCline]

If every farmer thought that way no one would be farming.You just hope the good years out number the bad and you get ahead long term.Some years you hit home runs and other years you strike out.Markets,weather.politics and other unforeseen circumstances are all game changers and greatly effect bottom line.

That's why I said I guess it makes me not a real farmer. I know what your saying though and I think anytime you own your own business it's kind of that way.....my family owns a business so I know every year isn't going to be a good year. Farming just seems to have way more uncontrollable risk and losses than other businesses.

Recently a couple acquaintances I made said that they would continue to farm even if it meant having no money and living in the poor house. That's not me nor the lifestyle I want. I guess since I wasn't accustomed to that kind of lifestyle growing up I just see things from a different perspective.

Hayden

[Vol]

I don't know Hayden.....the only way I have seen folks quit ag was by old age. Once afflicted by the soil, you are forever joined at the hip. You may leave her temporarily, but you will return in due time.

 

Regards, Mike

[Tim/South]

 You may leave her temporarily, but you will return in due time.

 

Regards, Mike

Can be both a blessing and a curse.

 

It is the optimistic U.S. farmer that keeps the worlds best food affordably priced. 

[carcajou]

I have enjoyed it in this life but i would definitely choose a different life path the next time around.    Maybe a politician so i can retire early and fish and hunt most of my life.

[somedevildawg]

Can be both a blessing and a curse.
 
It is the optimistic U.S. farmer that keeps the worlds best food affordably priced.

And let's not forget the taxpayers

[hillside hay]

A big one that relates to me. Is there an effective way to control roving seeps? Seems the springs are good at avoiding the tile lines.

The answer hit me like a brick to the brain pan this morning while drinking coffee. Bigger equipment!! 40 ' cultivator and harrows should allow me to work the sides and stay out of them for the most part.

[Tx Jim]

Which way is faster to cover a field? Going back & forth OR round-n-round??  I vote round-n-round no matter the shape of the field unless one is row cropping. Cutting/raking & baling hay my equipment is not touching the crop for only a few seconds during turns.   Let the games begin. 

[rjmoses]

Which way is faster to cover a field? Going back & forth OR round-n-round??  I vote round-n-round no matter the shape of the field unless one is row cropping. Cutting/raking & baling hay my equipment is not touching the crop for only a few seconds during turns.   Let the games begin. 

Depends: Every field is a little different.  But the most efficient way is that the equipment is moving forward as fast as possible and processing the crop. 

 

If the equipment isn't moving forward--no crop is being processed.  If it is moving, but no crop is going through it--lost time. 

 

Simple formula; hard to achieve.

 

Ralph

[SVFHAY]

Mike, we think alike.

Hayden, more of us should have your attitude. I believe there's opportunity for each of us to do something special if we are just brave enough to let go of that anchor we cling to.