Farm magazine articles

[Sheepwheat]

So I ate breakfast this morning as I do, iPad in hand, as usual, perusing news and items of interest. Girls got mail yesterday and in it were two farming mags, ‘farming better’ and ‘farming for tomorrow’.

I sighed. I knew from the cover, what would be in the pages. More of the same old, same old.

Which was confirmed upon cracking them open.

X and y farm seven million acres, blah blah blah. Expanded their acres, blah blah blah.

Why can we never see stories about up and coming people doing it differently? I have a friend who is starting out farming, no family backing, no established business, no land. I like what he is doing. I think he will succeed. Raising cattle. Marketing differently. Using old machinery. Using auction sale fence materials.

But no, x and y with their seven million acres takes precedence. Because that is working so well, is revitalizing our communities, putting more folks on the land. Pffft.

We need more ppl on the land, not fewer. We should be encouraging ppl like my friend who are breaking the mould. Instead all we hear is seven million acres, precision ag, fungicide for profit, blah blah blah.

Is size all that we see as being successful? More stuff to take with us when we die?

I’m writing the editors to ask if they are open to other ideas for future mags. Do small farmers have anything to contribute? Does the typical grow bigger farmer somehow have more insight, more sway in their voice?

I know quite a few small and new farmers with some pretty cool ideas, making it on their own without borrowed money, without government money. Can we not learn from them? How about the one quarter farm raising yaks for meat? The one quarter farm putting their meat products on restaurant plates in Saskatoon? The 80 acre farm producing goat cheese? The 40 acre garlic farm? The ten acre market garden?The Berkshire pork farm? The cricket farmer? These stories would encourage new entrants, it would let them see there IS a way to become a farmer, without following the seemingly set in stone, must have millions of acres to farm, with a fleet of machinery worth more than they can imagine.

We need more farmers not fewer. Let’s help the small and different idea ppl get going. Not belittle them and act arrogant towards them. I am letting my friend run cows on my land for free. I am also giving him some feed that I don’t need so he can get a bit of a leg up.

What are you all doing to help out the different thinkers in the industry? Farming and our rural communities will not be revitalized by worshipping and trying to be just like the big and “successful” farms. It will be revitalized by making a way for new farmers to farm. It will be revitalized by different ideas in how to grow and market food and other products. It will be revitalized only if we get more people back on the land. We ‘established farmers’ should be helping them.

If we don’t change our tune, this rural landscape is going to completely empty out of souls. Do we want that?

Thanks for listening...

[GDR]

I did see the other day an advertisement for a seminar and one of the guest speakers had the title of "From 5000 to 50acres" I didnt investigate but gather it was a shift from commercial farming to specialized brewery operation so there is some stories like that.

Nothing wrong with either program, large scale or small scale specialized as long as when you ask yourself why are you doing it this way you are comfortable with your answer.

[Blaithin]

Does the typical grow bigger farmer somehow have more insight, more sway in their voice?

Yes.

I’ve run into few farmers in person whom I can ask different questions of. Such questions are always looked at as silly or dumb and I’m told they won’t work or they just aren’t worth the labour involved. Hell, I’ve been told it’s easier to not rent out a fenced quarter of arable for fall grazing after the crop is off because of the hassle of renting apparently. Much easier to just let the fences disintegrate and not have a second income from that quarter?

According to farmers I speak to, anything out of the norm is just a waste of time. It’s only when I browse online that I can find the odd farmer that’s trying to make a go of it doing something a bit more alternative. I have no idea how io and comers got going and discussed new ideas before the internet let us find each other!

On the topic of seminars, I find it aggravating that “regenerative” or “alternative” or whatever label they use, speakers charge an arm and a leg to see them talk. I’m small, I’m just starting, I sure as hell don’t have thousands of dollars budgeted to go see people talk about how they do things.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Yes.

I’ve run into few farmers in person whom I can ask different questions of. Such questions are always looked at as silly or dumb and I’m told they won’t work or they just aren’t worth the labour involved. Hell, I’ve been told it’s easier to not rent out a fenced quarter of arable for fall grazing after the crop is off because of the hassle of renting apparently. Much easier to just let the fences disintegrate and not have a second income from that quarter?

According to farmers I speak to, anything out of the norm is just a waste of time. It’s only when I browse online that I can find the odd farmer that’s trying to make a go of it doing something a bit more alternative. I have no idea how io and comers got going and discussed new ideas before the internet let us find each other!

On the topic of seminars, I find it aggravating that “regenerative” or “alternative” or whatever label they use, speakers charge an arm and a leg to see them talk. I’m small, I’m just starting, I sure as hell don’t have thousands of dollars budgeted to go see people talk about how they do things.

How else do you expect them to cashflow their regenerative farming operation without charging someone else to tell them how to do it.
Poke, poke.

[Blaithin]

How else do you expect them to cashflow their regenerative farming operation without charging someone else to tell them how to do it.
Poke, poke.

The farm could probably support itself fine.

The obscene fees would help pay for all the people running and working at the farm since the guys have to galavant around the world.

But if one were to use the fees as a judgement for how poorly the farms are really doing... how much extra support they need... there’s a couple big names who must absolutely suck tits at farming.

[fjlip]

"If we don’t change our tune, this rural landscape is going to completely empty out of souls. Do we want that?"

I absolutely hate the way rural is going, but can't stop a freight rain, the old ways are gone, low or stagnant commodity/livestock prices dictate SCALE! HUGE machinery available to cover acres. Maybe easy credit? Certainly my greatest disappointment is with elevator/rail rationalization for savings farmers NEVER got, but costs increased buying super b's and fuel repairs and depreciation for 50 mile hauls. And of course the highways are crap in few short years. I am glad to be near career end because it is not a nice EMPTY DEAD TOWNS future. All the infrastructure build in last 60-80 years will go the way of 1000's of prairie sentinels...into the burning pit! And when there is no population, no votes, gravel roads will be the norm. Feel sorry for young guys, sh*t are they busy/burning out fast.

[farmaholic]

Birds of a feather flock together. I believe people's goals are based on the company they keep.

Relatives and friends have a big influence on each other around here.

Joneses syndrome.

What drives someone to want to manage 20-30,000 acres? 70+,000¿

To each their own....I won't begrudge them if they don't belittle me.

Oh yea, none of those operations are a one man show....you better surround yourself with good managers and operators.

One day we will all return to where we came from.

[the big wheel]

So I ate breakfast this morning as I do, iPad in hand, as usual, perusing news and items of interest. Girls got mail yesterday and in it were two farming mags, ‘farming better’ and ‘farming for tomorrow’.

I sighed. I knew from the cover, what would be in the pages. More of the same old, same old.

Which was confirmed upon cracking them open.

X and y farm seven million acres, blah blah blah. Expanded their acres, blah blah blah.

Why can we never see stories about up and coming people doing it differently? I have a friend who is starting out farming, no family backing, no established business, no land. I like what he is doing. I think he will succeed. Raising cattle. Marketing differently. Using old machinery. Using auction sale fence materials.

But no, x and y with their seven million acres takes precedence. Because that is working so well, is revitalizing our communities, putting more folks on the land. Pffft.

We need more ppl on the land, not fewer. We should be encouraging ppl like my friend who are breaking the mould. Instead all we hear is seven million acres, precision ag, fungicide for profit, blah blah blah.

Is size all that we see as being successful? More stuff to take with us when we die?

I’m writing the editors to ask if they are open to other ideas for future mags. Do small farmers have anything to contribute? Does the typical grow bigger farmer somehow have more insight, more sway in their voice?

I know quite a few small and new farmers with some pretty cool ideas, making it on their own without borrowed money, without government money. Can we not learn from them? How about the one quarter farm raising yaks for meat? The one quarter farm putting their meat products on restaurant plates in Saskatoon? The 80 acre farm producing goat cheese? The 40 acre garlic farm? The ten acre market garden?The Berkshire pork farm? The cricket farmer? These stories would encourage new entrants, it would let them see there IS a way to become a farmer, without following the seemingly set in stone, must have millions of acres to farm, with a fleet of machinery worth more than they can imagine.

We need more farmers not fewer. Let’s help the small and different idea ppl get going. Not belittle them and act arrogant towards them. I am letting my friend run cows on my land for free. I am also giving him some feed that I don’t need so he can get a bit of a leg up.

What are you all doing to help out the different thinkers in the industry? Farming and our rural communities will not be revitalized by worshipping and trying to be just like the big and “successful” farms. It will be revitalized by making a way for new farmers to farm. It will be revitalized by different ideas in how to grow and market food and other products. It will be revitalized only if we get more people back on the land. We ‘established farmers’ should be helping them.

If we don’t change our tune, this rural landscape is going to completely empty out of souls. Do we want that?

Thanks for listening...

When you say mailing it on their own new farmers without loans you mean they were given a land base a house and equipment right? Because anyone with enough cash for that wouldn’t be risking that money on a new farm.

[Sheepwheat]

When you say mailing it on their own new farmers without loans you mean they were given a land base a house and equipment right? Because anyone with enough cash for that wouldn’t be risking that money on a new farm.

No. I mean ppl who are renting land to run a few cattle for example, buying five hundred dollar balers, buying auction sale electric fencers. Thinking outside the restrictive constrictive box kind of ppl.

[the big wheel]

No. I mean ppl who are renting land to run a few cattle for example, buying five hundred dollar balers, buying auction sale electric fencers. Thinking outside the restrictive constrictive box kind of ppl.

Well why don’t you show us some numbers? Your saying they have a ready made barn and corals and fences all rented. 500 baler how much for a tractor truck house and of course living expenses maybe have kids? and oh are they renting the cows too? Show the numbers.

[Sheepwheat]

Well why don’t you show us some numbers? Your saying they have a ready made barn and corals and fences all rented. 500 baler how much for a tractor truck house and of course living expenses maybe have kids? and oh are they renting the cows too? Show the numbers.

No barn. Electric fences on leased pastures. I offer him land for no rent. I give him feed where I can until he can get more feed secure. He helps me with a bit of labor, traded a skidoo for some feed last year. Built corrals with bare hands out of free scrap lumber and salvaged spikes. Five hundred dollars was for two balers one for parts. Haybine was 1000. Tractor is a borrowed 3020. He bought a 4020 for 2000 bucks and is fixing it currently. Truck is an sgi salvage gmc half ton. House is a rented house in tiny town no one wants. He owns about twelve cows. One baby.

The key is his marketing and how he sells his beef at his own price. For most on here this key point goes flying over heads. Works for rm part time.

I believe in this young couple. I will support them to the hilt.

We need more farmers, not fewer. Especially we need more farmers who are not simply doing what everyone else is doing.

Sort of like us and our sheep, building a viable flock slowly and surely, building a business using our own funds. Using machinery and equipment that makes most people chuckle and poke fun. But importantly, marketing differently. Probably is why I believe in them. I see some of us in them... in the business model we are in on the sheep side of our farm, we have found a lot of these kinds of people. I wish them all the best, they need our support if we want rural revitalization.

[Sheepwheat]

I guess when you ask for numbers, maybe I am not sure what exactly your after? If my answers are off base for what you are looking for, ask more specifics, I’ll try to help.

[the big wheel]

No barn. Electric fences on leased pastures. I offer him land for no rent. I give him feed where I can until he can get more feed secure. He helps me with a bit of labor, traded a skidoo for some feed last year. Built corrals with bare hands out of free scrap lumber and salvaged spikes. Five hundred dollars was for two balers one for parts. Haybine was 1000. Tractor is a borrowed 3020. He bought a 4020 for 2000 bucks and is fixing it currently. Truck is an sgi salvage gmc half ton. House is a rented house in tiny town no one wants. He owns about twelve cows. One baby.

The key is his marketing and how he sells his beef at his own price. For most on here this key point goes flying over heads. Works for rm part time.

I believe in this young couple. I will support them to the hilt.

We need more farmers, not fewer. Especially we need more farmers who are not simply doing what everyone else is doing.

Sort of like us and our sheep, building a viable flock slowly and surely, building a business using our own funds. Using machinery and equipment that makes most people chuckle and poke fun. But importantly, marketing differently. Probably is why I believe in them. I see some of us in them...

Oh I see ya there’s all these pastures just waiting to be used? Your giving him all free stuff so ya I could grain farm no debt if someone gave me all the inputs free. Lmao!

As far as marketing many have tried that here and they’re right by the city also. You still need volume.
You act like this is revolutionary stuff your doing it isn’t. You had your grain farm and land paid for and now your admitting giving stuff for free. As usual there s more to your story.
The fact is to go buy land or even find all
These acres to do this rented not easy to do.
You still haven’t said where is he getting the cows and how? Building a herd? That takes time and money also. And we had a 500 dollar type baler years and years ago. When it really went to shit we could have ran a much better baler for the cost of repairs which became impossible when any of rhe main components went because you couldn’t find any parts. It’s a nice jesture what your doing maybe your doing the rev Falwell thing? Are you the reverend or rhe pool boy? Lol who knows.

[Sheepwheat]

Oh I see ya there’s all these pastures just waiting to be used? Your giving him all free stuff so ya I could grain farm no debt if someone gave me all the inputs free. Lmao!

As far as marketing many have tried that here and they’re right by the city also. You still need volume.
You act like this is revolutionary stuff your doing it isn’t. You had your grain farm and land paid for and now your admitting giving stuff for free. As usual there s more to your story.
The fact is to go buy land or even find all
These acres to do this rented not easy to do.
You still haven’t said where is he getting the cows and how? Building a herd? That takes time and money also. And we had a 500 dollar type baler years and years ago. When it really went to shit we could have ran a much better baler for the cost of repairs which became impossible when any of rhe main components went because you couldn’t find any parts. It’s a nice jesture what your doing maybe your doing the rev Falwell thing? Are you the reverend or rhe pool boy? Lol who knows.

He runs his cows on areas of land that no one currently uses. Corners, slough edges, etc. I am not the only one helping him out! There are thousands of acres of wasted land no one uses! I am giving him feed. Maybe you missed the part where he provides me with a bit of labor in return?

When you sell a product for several times more than most do because you market it well, kissing commodity agriculture goodbye, you therefore need several times less product to be viable.

He started with five cows. He is slowly building his herd. Not that hard to do if you do it slow. His balers will be just fine. We can weld, we have a salvage place fairly close that has absolutely every part one could want for two lifetimes. If you knew what we and he sell our meat for, maybe you would find it more understandable. And along with that, I can absolutely guarantee and assure you that what my wife and I do with our lamb, is not being done by anyone else.

And yeah, thanks, I am enjoying helping him out. It is rewarding to see him plan for his future as a farmer. You ought to try it sometime, helping someone out that is. When the focus becomes less on oneself, and more on others, life gets awful fun and rewarding.

Judging by your tone, I am guessing you feel that this is not doable. And that we need fewer, bigger farmers to revitalize agriculture?

Regarding the Falwell comments? I’m not a crude person generally so I’m not sure how to respond?

[the big wheel]

He runs his cows on areas of land that no one currently uses. Corners, slough edges, etc. I am not the only one helping him out! There are thousands of acres of wasted land no one uses! I am giving him feed. Maybe you missed the part where he provides me with a bit of labor in return?

When you sell a product for several times more than most do because you market it well, kissing commodity agriculture goodbye, you therefore need several times less product to be viable.

He started with five cows. He is slowly building his herd. Not that hard to do if you do it slow. His balers will be just fine. We can weld, we have a salvage place fairly close that has absolutely every part one could want for two lifetimes. If you knew what we and he sell our meat for, maybe you would find it more understandable. And along with that, I can absolutely guarantee and assure you that what my wife and I do with our lamb, is not being done by anyone else.

And yeah, thanks, I am enjoying helping him out. It is rewarding to see him plan for his future as a farmer. You ought to try it sometime, helping someone out that is. When the focus becomes less on oneself, and more on others, life gets awful fun and rewarding.

Judging by your tone, I am guessing you feel that this is not doable. And that we need fewer, bigger farmers to revitalize agriculture?

Regarding the Falwell comments? I’m not a crude person generally so I’m not sure how to respond?

Not saying it’s not doable just as usual showing your not telling the whole story.
It went from anyone can do this to you having to provide all this free stuff and the guys just at the 5 cow level which is fine nothing wrong with that but really you’re saying the rest of us are the idiots and what I m saying is your thinking your scenerio is available everywhere well it’s not. You better hope more guys don’t do this because you won’t be setting any price. You ll be glad just to get rid of it. Your not understanding how the big picture and reality work. By good luck it might work for you as long as too many other don’t try it.