Went to my banker today...

[freewheat]

Things do not look good for me. I never
thought it may come to this. As I watch
these high prices pass me by, and fear
to price any new crop due to saturation
of the soil.

While guys on here complain as they pre-
buy this and pre-buy that, and while
some think multiple year weather crap
farmers should have a good 'ol 200
dollar margin for agrivation. I think
I'm off of here for a while. It is
really too heartbreaking to visit
anymore.

I may be ok to seed again, but I really
am not sure. My heart is heavy, for I am
a farmer. A good farmer, I think, but
one dealt an impossible hand of weather
crap this small pocket has endured.
other guys with old money are ok, but us
young guys with no old money are in
trouble. Too bad the only guy I know
around like that is me. I need to talk
to someone, but I fear here also no one
will understand.

Sorry to complain, I just feel beaten
right now, and any advice would be fine.

Things may change depending on a bit of
juggling of the finances, but for now it
sucks...

[silverback]

No job or lifestyle choice, like farming sometimes is, is worth that kind of depression or stress. You sound like you have enough smarts about you to make a living doing whatever you want, but mother nature never seems to favor the ones that really need it.

Would it be possible to rent the farm out to someone for a few years while you take a break to do something else? What about some combination of rent and crop share?

[riders2010]

My heart goes out to you sincerely, and your family!!!!

What is the reason your farm can not go on? Is it because you managed poorly or were dealt a hand of shit weather beyond your control? While you think about that, be thinking of all those other young guys like you that live in the areas of good margins 95% because of good weather that could not seed this year, or seeded with a shit crop resulting and there it is the 200 margin, no worries because why? Are they smarter than you? Do they deserve the practically free 200 margin more than you? Your family will suffer you having to go off to work or moving etc. will their families? the only move the margin boys may be making is which condo in Mexico and which one is gonna buy your and my land from the repo bankers?

Without any grain in the bin is it the Wheat Board Fault?

But you obviously have the passion the farmer spirit, but like so many others is near broken.......like my own!!!

Question is do you love this occupation like no other? No matter what other job you do there will be tough times. Throwing up your hands and going to get another job boy that sounds great doesn't it, well it is not that easy things will happen wherever you go, will any other job be worth fighting for then more than your farm?

I would not raise a whisper of a word if there was no program for anyone then fine that's the way it is, but for frick sakes man when others are getting a free bonus gift government sponsored just because the sun shone and the rain came perfect for the last 5 years on their area of land and you don't qualify for anything of help because of things out of your control?

Don't give up if you truly have the passion there is a movement growing but so many are beaten down as you and I, but I am not gonna go down without a fight while some are getting freebees and my family is sufferring not a fck'n chance.

All you other families out there that are in these areas of desperation, don't sit back and think it is you, That's what the assholes want you to think so you give up, brainwash you and society. In the areas of multiple year disaster with no margin get together, we in our area are organizing, it takes time but talk to your neighbors, we are getting business informed about how the agristability program works or who it works for they are coming on side.

Should our government be doing studies as to why there are no young farmers or should they know already and be actually supporting the ones with the heart, spirit, and farm experience to keep going?

Don't take this as anything other than support for you and your family freewheat! all the best!!!

[riders2010]

And I must add if people in the flooded out areas east central and north east do not qualify for the what is it called agri recovery where other programs do not meet the losses there is something wrong here,
WHERE THE HELL IS THE PROGRAM? 30 dollars what did that cover fck all!

Cattlemen and grain farmers in those areas get together! you know it and businesses in the area know it!

[SASKFARMER3]

Hang in their and keep your head up. Find a decent financial planner or Debt mediator. No BS guy just a decent guy. Have them look at your situation. Take ASSETS and your Debt. Go to other lenders I know it sucks but hey the local one is tough. You think your the only one their calling into the office. FRUCK some of the Biggest neighbors are so far in hawk that your debt problems look minute. Their very quietly keeping a heads up.
Maybe you might have to rent some out. Go work for neighbor or work off farm. Get a plan get a plan. Some times just talking to someone other than your immediate family or your bank is way better. Its a non bias view of the farm. Some of the shit they will tell you will ps you off but some will maybe just save the farm.
Give up on expecting any thing out of any Fed or Prov program. Its all smoke and Mirrors. Once you have come to that reality you can move ahead.
Also the old adage your Darkest days are just before Dawn.
Good luck man and hang in their its going to be one long winter. Take care.

[SASKFARMER3]

Simply put some of the in public eye wealthy farmers in our area with supposed old money owe our farm more in unpaid bills than the guys without a pot to ps in.

[agstar77]

Do some research on airplane engines amd get interest free money. Government puts 300 mill into Pratt and Whitney black hole, while they still have not repaid loans the Liberals gave them. Works out to 300 thou per job. How many people would you employ for 300 thou? Just shows where priorities are . Farmers go take a flying leap! Maybe you can get a grant for that. Sad! Totally inadequate insurance programs and disaster programs.

[furrowtickler]

By 2004 we were on our knees as well, not fun. Can it turn around - yes, will it ?????? We streamlined and made some changes, but from 2005 on we have had generaly good weather. Mother Nature is still the boss no matter what banker you see or how big/small, good or poor producer one may be. Good Luck with whatever the future brings, you deffineatly have had a shitty hand delt in your area.

[SASKFARMER3]

Good comments furrow can relate its not fun being their no sleep stomach turning then like a miracle the skies cleared and a few things went our way. Funny your right it doesn't matter what you do mother nature is still the boss. Again good luck freewheat.

[brian99]

I was where you were a while back. Terrible place to be. Bunch of bad stuff happened in a short time and I was hanging on by my fingernails. Don't really feel like going into specifics. Built this place from the ground up with my own sweat. The prospect of losing it was crushing. You've got some good advice, I'm not going there. The worst part is dealing with what's in your own head. That's the first hurdle. The banks may or may not let you keep going, that's out of your hands. Let that go if you can. Fight like hell keep it, if it makes sense. Things have a funny way of working out. Good luck.

[ado089]

Wow, that was hard to read knowing that with a turn in the grain prices I would have been in that situation this year. The combine never went under 6.5mph this fall so you can imagine how good my crop was. But what I learn't starting out with no backing was not an easy task. But here's what I learnt; have solid off farm income, that will keep your mortgage issuer happy. The less you can deal with FCC the better, they will throw up road blocks every chance they get, PHI, Scotia and TD will lend alomost anyone money. Third find that farmer in the area that always seems to get just as good of crop as the rest but only spends 75% of what the rest with fancy toys and big input budgets, pick his brain, these guys usualy have modest one or two man operations but have more wealth than farms 4 times their size. Finaly make a detailed plan, budget/forecast, lenders will be more inclined to lend money to someone that comes in with a 10 page buisness plan with detailed break downs of income and expense than someone that just walks in and asks for a $50k line of credit.

I hope this doesn't sound preachy, I feel your pain and as a young "new" farmer I've learnt alot of this the hard way in the last few years. Keep fighting, good luck buddy.

[btjadenlepp]

we have clients in similar situations.
they're holding on and i think they'll get
through next year. let us take a quick
look at your books and pencil out some
scenarios before you give up.

www.farmlinksolutions.ca

[burnt]

Just one thing to add - no matter what the outcome of your situation, it does NOT change your immense worth as a person. Don't tie your personal worth to your net worth - they are two separate things.

You are the most valuable part of your operation, no matter if your business fails altogether or succeeds beyond your wildest dreams.

You are NOT defined by the success or failure of your business - you are much, much more than that. Grab hold of that and take it to the bank and you will come out with your chin up. No matter what!

[hedgehog]

when your soil is so wet, will broadcasting seed work?
what about disc ploughing?
i have broadcast seed onto swamps before, it worked mostly.

[SASKFARMER3]

Canola we floated on in early June did very well it was so wet that day floater stuck every 15 min to 30. Harrowed the crap out of it then waited and sprayed. Did go 7lbs an acre on floated stuff. only problem green content is up a bit not problematic but up. you do what you have to do.