Operating Lines

[Klause]

Without getting into specifics... how much operating credit/acre do you have?


Ours with the bank is 18 bucks/acre, and then with FCC for inputs is another 70 bucks/acre.



With the decline in grain prices cash flow really stresses me out some days... But I hate asking for credit.

[ajl]

This is the year to spend less per acre. Last year everyone got a debt bailout by the B of C dropping the dollar by 10%. I don't think that can be counted on this year because we already have stagflation (think late 70's) so you have to preserve cash on hand.

[farmaholic]

$110/acre between LOC and Quickloan but I haven't had my toes wet it a while... would like to keep it that way.

Blessed...or lucky, for those who don't like the religious version.

Small potatoes...

[Klause]

I envy you guys... when you're a young guy who started from "0" those cash reserves are almost non-existent unfortunately.


We should have moved 5 years earlier... so this whole boom cycle would have been to our benefit. Instead we got in closer to the end, wasting the first few years of good prices with no bushels and lots of cattails :P

[farmaholic]

Chin up Bud, you're not lazy... you'll get there!

[Klause]

Chin up Bud, you're not lazy... you'll get there!

Ha ha. Thanks... wish we had a "like button".

[bucket]

Klause

I feel your pain.

Unfortunately our farm reps don't. Read the Melfort journal and the farm expert representing us.

Your opinion and experiences should be what politicians are listening to.

[Klause]

bucket, I'm not the type they'd listen to.


They like "Farmer of the year" material...


We don't have flashy equipment or 20,000 acres... We have 3,000 our newest piece of equipment is a 2001 combine, and we're trying to make payments on pretty much everything and slowing grow.

Maybe in 40 years we'll own 20 quarters almost outright, and give our kids a better start than we had...


Why would a politician wanna listen to us? We're nowhere near as "cool". LOL!!!

[bucket]

Klause


What you are not an expert?

Are you not on the farm everyday?

Do you not follow what's going on and the bullshit that follows?

Isn't it great that China can drop the market by saying they want lower dockage and not one government official can comment on the primary producers loss? But then again our farm groups are silent as well.

Isn't it great that the railways haven't moved 600000 tonnes a week in a nice winter?

Isn't it even better than no one will build infrastructure for a better crop than 40 mmt?

We are so ****ed with the self proclaimed experts.

[farmaholic]

Do you really want the "Kiss of Death Award"? There are way too many unsung heroes in this Industry that don't get the recognition they deserve.

It's not my goal, not interested! Being an Industry cheerleader no matter what? My attitude sucks too much for that! But for those that want to go for it...it's a free country, knock yourself out!

I like the people that see it for what it's worth, call bullshit when they see it. Not afraid to stand up when they're tired of being bent over! I am a Producer advocate not an "Ag More Than Ever" advocate. There are those who create wealth and those who live off those who create wealth...

[Richard5]

Bucket, your comments raise an eyebrow

If ones business is so tight on cash flow that you run into troubles if the railway isn't perfect then I think the business decisions need to change.

Like in the other post, how many operations could sit idle (or grow limited crop) for one year and survive?

Now personally I think that would be too extreme of an example but if some thought about this I wonder how many would be done?

[bucket]

SPE equals self proclaimed experts.

Not really sure if SPE understand agriculture at all.

Info to governments should come from the grassroots, like klause, that understand the challenges of the ups and downs.

We are all doomed if new blood like him don't show up and stay.

[Klause]

Oh no I don't want the award. No way.


What I'm saying is not the type here to get it anyway.

Pretty easy to farm when you inherit all your land, buildings, machinery, and a full crop, and have at it...

Really tiring hearing guys like that complain about how hard they have it. Um no, you don't have it hard.... or then go off about how wonderful things are all the time.

Ag is a business there's good times and bad, just have to figure out how to muddle through the bad to get into the good again at some point.

I agree with most of your points bucket... but Gov't much rather likes to hear people say how good things are, and thus listen to guys like Tom and Gerry. (hey I just realized that's kinda a joke. LOL).

[bucket]

Richard5

Not sure why the railways would not want to grow their business in unison with the production growth of agriculture and other industries.

For the railways it's guaranteed revenue as they grow. Why find ways to do less and create or build animosity with your business partners/customers.

The railways were forced to move a million tonnes a week. They are now at half capacity and crickets.

[farmaholic]

I hope I never come across as begrudging or belittling anyone for where they were on the starting line; ahead, behind or on it... It's your race, run it like you want. Set a goal, pick a pace and go. Don't pay attention to others for fear of losing sight of your own goal.