"A Well moderated board that is a benevolent dictatorship, not a democracy" In business since June 16, 2010
I always enjoyed the old thread. It interesting to see what farmers do in different parts of the country. Your just getting the year started and locally they have corn up 2ft or so.
Just as many openers to work on with an air seeder vs a conventional. And no air tubes to get plugged with dead, rotten mice. And no hyd leaks into seed tubes that take a fire hose to clean out. Things I wish I didn't know for $200 please.Greyson
Harlan, here's an issue that I've been wondering about. It's been in the news and concerns the fact that farmers are fighting with the big equipment monopolies to get access to repair information. What's happening on that front, and are you affected by it in any major way?For those not aware of the issue, see the linked articles below.https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-04-23/u-s-farmers-need-a-better-way-to-fix-their-tractorshttps://www.wired.com/2015/02/new-high-tech-farm-equipment-nightmare-farmers/There are some grassroots efforts on the legislative front to address the rights of farmers to fix their own equipment, but I haven't heard much lately.If you feel this issue is inappropriate for this thread, feel free to move it into a separate section --
GF, as to the Right to repair issues of the manufacturers, if that doesn't get sorted out, look for lots of small farmers to get bought up by the big ones.
Quote from: fatfillup on April 29, 2019, 12:36:39 PM GF, as to the Right to repair issues of the manufacturers, if that doesn't get sorted out, look for lots of small farmers to get bought up by the big ones. i am not sure if small farmers are the only ones getting pinched there. downtime is downtime and it hurts no matter how big or small. that is one reason that older equipment is holding its value. it is generally lower tech and honestly can be fixed by anyone. it requires no def, no regeneration and no computers with brand specific connectors and software to diagnose.a bigger problem may be lack of equipment. i am finding it more difficult to find equipment that fits the size of my operation. used equipment usually comes from larger farms and is too big for smaller farms to use when it is traded in.
Quote from: skfarmer on April 29, 2019, 01:09:38 PMQuote from: fatfillup on April 29, 2019, 12:36:39 PM GF, as to the Right to repair issues of the manufacturers, if that doesn't get sorted out, look for lots of small farmers to get bought up by the big ones. i am not sure if small farmers are the only ones getting pinched there. downtime is downtime and it hurts no matter how big or small. that is one reason that older equipment is holding its value. it is generally lower tech and honestly can be fixed by anyone. it requires no def, no regeneration and no computers with brand specific connectors and software to diagnose.a bigger problem may be lack of equipment. i am finding it more difficult to find equipment that fits the size of my operation. used equipment usually comes from larger farms and is too big for smaller farms to use when it is traded in.Ding ding!! Some of the 20-30 year old tractors in the 250-300 hp range are actually going up in price. Dad and I went to find some bigger hp a couple of years ago and I was very surprised in equipment prices. We wound up buying a 55 Cat like SK's that was pretty much trashed inside, after a summers full of work and $10,000 in parts we now have a very nice machine that has vastly improved productivity and we can work on it.
Quote from: highland512 on May 06, 2019, 07:57:25 AMQuote from: skfarmer on April 29, 2019, 01:09:38 PMQuote from: fatfillup on April 29, 2019, 12:36:39 PM GF, as to the Right to repair issues of the manufacturers, if that doesn't get sorted out, look for lots of small farmers to get bought up by the big ones. i am not sure if small farmers are the only ones getting pinched there. downtime is downtime and it hurts no matter how big or small. that is one reason that older equipment is holding its value. it is generally lower tech and honestly can be fixed by anyone. it requires no def, no regeneration and no computers with brand specific connectors and software to diagnose.a bigger problem may be lack of equipment. i am finding it more difficult to find equipment that fits the size of my operation. used equipment usually comes from larger farms and is too big for smaller farms to use when it is traded in.Ding ding!! Some of the 20-30 year old tractors in the 250-300 hp range are actually going up in price. Dad and I went to find some bigger hp a couple of years ago and I was very surprised in equipment prices. We wound up buying a 55 Cat like SK's that was pretty much trashed inside, after a summers full of work and $10,000 in parts we now have a very nice machine that has vastly improved productivity and we can work on it. Highland -- Are they going up in price because of the fact that you can still work on them and don't have restrictions put on them by the manufacturers?
New tracks this winter
Anyone see what boxcar magnums and 50/55 series deeres are bringing lately!
a good sign when the trucks get empty and you have to refill the seed trucks.
hi elroy!
Just the other day I was driving to town and traffic came to a halt. There were loose cows and calves on the road.One day as a friend and I were driving through the dairy farms in Chino CA after flying his Stearman he asked me if I thought the cows were as bored as they look.
Sk, did you used to complain about the steers to your Dad or did he just do most of the work for them? I would certainly keep them if for no other reason then you know where your meat comes from
Wow -- good luck Harlan. Have a happy holiday and put this season behind you ASAP. It's tough to be a farmer these days. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/theyre-trying-wipe-us-off-181648150.html
They are trying to wipe out small business period. Not sure how any farmer makes it today. If you sat down and figured it out most probably make less than minimum wage. They just work 7 days a week to make up for it. The rural way of life is slowing dying. Maine is a perfect example of it