IMO: We need a medium size economy, i.e., no humongus, double/triple entity businesses and not too many eensy-teensy businesses.

I'd prefer a balance of small to medium size enterprises with at least 10% to 20% in each tier. My thinking is that no one business get too powerful (ala Amazon/Google) and that no single business can have a significant impact on the economy if it goes belly up (ala GM/Chrysler).

But, then again, what do I know: I just been around longer than dirt and have seen, and survived, a lot Bovine Fecal Matter.

Ralph

 

When you read that article it makes one want to think how bad do you want to farm. We were at a Growers meeting the other day and when the speaker said in this area over the years they often talked about what one had to do to make it in these times be more efficient higher yields with lower inputs higher yields with higher-quality higher production was more animals and yet higher efficiency. He went on to say most farmers in this area have achieved at and yet it's still not enough... he said you're doing everything right and now we're back at the table to tell you the only way you're going to make it if you increased your operational sizes by about * 5... I wake up some mornings and I think they could actually do you a favor by saying anybody that knows less than a thousand cows you're no longer needed you might as well just quit anybody that Farms less than three thousand acres you're no longer needed you might as well just quit... if that is wha

 

I stopped over at a neighbor dairy farm this past weekend, they are a couple of brothers (and one son), that milk a small herd and cash crop. They farm about 1500 acres total. Seems that they only ship around 6,000# of milk every other day, so no one wants to haul their milk to the dairy processing plant. The nearest plant is 25 miles away, the closest other dairy farm (also small like them) is 10 miles from their farm. Being their hauler dropped them, they were forced to dump 10 days worth of milk (all the profits?, if there was any) down the drain.

I find it amazing that at their size, they are considered 'small', but form the hauler's perspective, who wants to make 8-10 stops to fill your truck, when you can just do 1 (or maybe 2)?

When my Dad quit the dairy (I retired from milking and got a much better paying job), a lot of years ago, we were only shipping 1,200# - 1,500# every two days, we probably couldn't get a hauler to even beep at us while driving by today.

The brother's found another hauler, who is in his late 70's, I couldn't help myself and ask "Do you have a longer range plan for hauling your milk?" Their answer was "yes, retire, before he dies", which works for the two brothers, the son is a long ways from SS benefits, however. BTW, they are the last dairy farm in my township.

Larry

 

I realize I am only a tiny farmer and will not go bankrupt or become rich from my farming. I also realize farming is long term operation and change is not easy to do in many areas in short time cycles. However think farmers are wise not to be drawn into thinking they are the only business that faces the need to make both short and long term changes in their business model.

Many if not all industries have faced issue after issue to maintain being profitable. Some industries have totally failed as we saw with NAFTA. It is dangerous to be led in thinking only farming faces serious issues. Other industries have faced them and have found ways to still be profitable and even more profitable. Look at other industries for ideas that may improve your operation.

One big advantage I think farming has over many industries is the need for food is an increasing need. No way am I saying it is easy nor saying all will make it. As in any industry some will grow and some will fail but the reasons they fail will be varied. One advantage farming has over many industries is you often can try a change on small scale to find out the real affect of it before making a full scale change.

 

I realize I am only a tiny farmer and will not go bankrupt or become rich from my farming. I also realize farming is long term operation and change is not easy to do in many areas in short time cycles. However think farmers are wise not to be drawn into thinking they are the only business that faces the need to make both short and long term changes in their business model.

Many if not all industries have faced issue after issue to maintain being profitable. Some industries have totally failed as we saw with NAFTA. It is dangerous to be led in thinking only farming faces serious issues. Other industries have faced them and have found ways to still be profitable and even more profitable. Look at other industries for ideas that may improve your operation.

One big advantage I think farming has over many industries is the need for food is an increasing need. No way am I saying it is easy nor saying all will make it. As in any industry some will grow and some will fail but the reasons they fail will be varied. One advantage farming has over many industries is you often can try a change on small scale to find out the real affect of it before making a full scale change.

I think one thing that makes the transition difficult even though farmers in this area know it's over for this area in the short-term future.. Farms are huge money pits. Real estate taxes and insurance and building maintenance and maintenance to the land and maintaining all the equipment.. a lot of it involves costly upkeep whether you use it or not.. I agree change is necessary

 

6000 lb every other day . . . 40 cows? That’s not even small. More like tiny? Unfortunately. My brother has 125 cows, even that’s awful small any more. But he does alright for himself with it. The industry is rapidly heading toward fewer larger operations, like hogs and poultry have. Some point to illegal labor as being the driving force behind the consolidation but that’s a gross oversimplification. There is a confluence of factors that are at play here.

 

I met a lady in North Carolina two or three years back who had a very small dairy, less than ten cows I believe is correct. Not sure all the details but short is they were selling it direct as I think as, "not for humans" as it was not pasteurized. If I remember correctly she had people travel hour or more for it. In today's world of all kind of regulation there is also all kind's of demands for more natural food. We are seeing local small producers of some items seem to be doing reasonably well.

 

https://www.agweb.com/mobile/article/i-states-suffer-more-than-60-loss-of-income/