Auctions sales

[Kodiak]

Just got the Ritchie Bros. and Kramer auction calendars in the mail last week. There are some very prominent Alberta and Saskatchewan farmers who have sales booked. What's up? Most of these farms are multi-generational and have significant holdings built up over decades. It must be difficult for them to see all that unwound. Or is it time to relax and enjoy a lifetime's rewards?

[Burbert]

Time ta relax, cash in and enjoy, while
all the greeedy neighbourhood framer punks
are trying to establish themselves. GOOD
TIME ta bail, cousin ya kin go on your own
terms, theys lined up ta get yer dirt, and
buy your old stuff........ Greed is good.

[farmaholic]

Sometimes I think the present generation doesn't realize or appreciate what the previous generations did and sacrificed to build a successful farm.

Things change.

Or someone is simply breaking the family curse.

Or someone is simply preserving what was built(capital) rather than watch it go down the shitter because someone else isn't willing to do what it takes.

[freewheat]

No kids wanting to farm? A big show in
iron, with a faked "doing well"
syndrome? Cashing in on current
ridiculous prices farmers are willing to
pay? Cancer? Brothers fighting? Sister
in laws arguing?
Young punk given everything, and would
rather fish and be lazy than farm. Young
punk given everything and squandered it
all away?

I had a neighbor sell out a few years
back. What looked like a smooth and well
run machine, was actually a facade of
rented machinery, 5 unpaid for leased
combines, several tractors of the same,
etc..

I guess what I am saying, is that in
spite of what an operation may look
like, it may be all a facade. It happens
all the time. Going concern farms in
reality are on a razors edge of
finance...

[vvalk]

What's with all the analysis? Can't a farm just
have an auction sale because they figure this is
the best time to sell their business?

[freewheat]

Good point vvalk, but the question was
asked.....

[vvalk]

One other point. Some farms are doing well
and can run lots of new equip, pay higher
rents and yes afford to do it.

[freewheat]

No question about that vvalk. Many farms
are doing very well. It is often, though
not always, related to the depths of
grandpas or dads pockets. Not always,
but as I look around at the farms around
here, the better off ones are ones that
have passed generationally with no
expectation of the sons to actually buy
out long ago paid for land. The last
several years of hellish weather is
certainly not contributing to the 20
something sons buying all the new iron
in these parts at least. More power to
them!!!

I am just saying it is hard to fathom
with these prices, for those that are
doing well, to realize there are some
suffering under scads of
intergenerational debt... I am
surrounded by extremely well off farms.
The difference between them and my farm
which has suffered is not management,
crop production, or smarts.

The great thing is with this business,
there is no mold everyone fits in. And
that is great by me.

[freewheat]

You make some good points Freewheat. The farms are as different as the people who run them. I hope the people who inheret "Silver Platter Farms" appreciate it. I was lucky and got a very good start myself but have also built on that. And no, it never was easy come so I don't think it will be easy go. vvalk, I agree also, nothing wrong with cashing in your chips if your done playing the game!!

[farmaholic]

You make some good point Freewheat. The farms are as different as the people who run them. I just hope the ones that inherit the "Silver Platter Farm" appreciate it. I was given a good start and also have built on. No, it wasn't easy come and I don't think it will be easy go, I've earned it.

vvalk, I also agree, there is nothing wrong with cashing in your chips if your done playing the game!!