Maize Or Corn Facts

[ajl]

Actually agriculture prospects are just as good as any other going forward. The reality for young people today is there will not be much opportunity for them in any field. We are just starting to experience that in western Canada with the death of the commodities boom. It will take a number of years for the oil price to recover. Government will have to fire more than hire in the next 20 years. So I am neutral on ag as I don't see much prospect for anything over the next decade.

[blackpowder]

One of my pieces of advise for a newer farmer would be to not read Agriville. More negative waves than a North Korea broadcast.

[SASKFARMER3]

Ha ha ha that's funny!

[hobbyfrmr]

Well said farmaholic.
I agree with seabass it's seems to be getting harder on the nerves every year.
I agree with freewheat, changing tactic is more interesting and fun but does not lead to immediate success. As Sf3 notes changing and adapting are necessary, I made some positive changes from when I started and I am happy I did.
It must be an age thing, but I am not exactly beaming with confidence about Ag. As noted, there had better be a large sum of cash to start, and things better go right. Ironically when things go right (good crop) the reward is normally negative in terms of lower market prices. Then it turns into the chicken or the egg. I have to grow a good crop just to get by. 4-5 years of that, the. A person wonders wtf they are doing and what it's all for!
It's a very strange risk/success/reward system.
The working man carries the same thoughts when he is in mid stride, vehicles. Mortgage. The job/career doesn't pay enough to meet desires (a moving target that changes with the seasons' advertising) can't afford to quit, not sure where to go if choose to change career, so trudge through and capitalize on all the benefits allowed to him.

[charliep]

A strange comment but I don't hear any of you saying I wish I had done something else with my life. I hear the day to day fustration. I hear concerns about the future. Hopefully you don't feel regret about what you could have done.

[grassfarmer]

Full of optimism about the future and ag's future. I don't think the opportunities ever really decline or diminish rather people's perception of the opportunities and the overall outlook diminish with age and with the passing of youthful optimism. I think it's a natural progression.

I agree with freewheat and his take on "non-conventional" agriculture and believe that is the only realistic way for new entrants to the industry to get in. I've been lucky enough to meet some people that have entered agriculture this way and if you surround yourself with this type of person I find it so invigorating, so encouraging it challenges any "feeling sorry for yourself" notions.


Here is a movie I really like, was happy to be featured in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX7YpmuaDGo

[jake550]

My optimism will return after it gets a lot worse to force a correction in our costs. I found farming more enjoyable when it was actually a challenge to make a buck and there wasn't all this trumped up optimism build on fluff.

[freewheat]

Charlie. Had I known in 1992, what I know now? I would certainly NOT have farmed. At least in the traditional grain sense. So yes, I am one of those who would have FOR CERTAIN not followed the path I took.

It is sad at 38 to feel this way, huh?

[charliep]

freewheat,

I did the math and you started your journey in life/time on the farming tread mill early in life. This would have a story I don't know about/not really asking. Perhaps to others comments, it is important for farming children to have other work experiences firstly and education second. The world outside farming isn't perfect either - a good thing to know. Many of us have common experiences that go beyond our business and our careers.

[freewheat]

Being through what I have been, here is the deal. I still WILL NOT tell my sons NOT to farm. This is for them to decide. It still is a great lifestyle, regardless. I would encourage them though, to look at other options. IE a trade like electricians/plumbers, etc. are always in high demand in rural areas.

I need to show them different ways to farm too. I would love for them to farm. I just see little hope for them to farm traditionally. IE More land, more steel, more land, and more steel. more land.....

I do think there are ways to make more money on a farm, more consistently than grain farming. If this includes no weather issues, and bypassing the regular marketplace, like we are trying to do with our lamb, there should be little need for off farm work in the first place.

Grain farming is so uncertain. Animal farming is much less so IF you bypass regular markets. With critters, hail, frost, floods, and drought, though having some effect, is not near as devastating as with grain, because you did not slap a million dollars into the animals in input costs.

Not saying I would not have farmed. Just saying I would have farmed differently...

[ag-boy]

yes very mutch so 0ptomistic in future of agriculture
have farmed al our life and still a cattleman .
these sask farmers are optimist and good farm people and nice to visit with them there.there is no better place to raise a family .
have nice reading on agriville and let us help and learn from each others topics
randy from alberta like,s to add his good comments , but has to watch his use of his F word
have a nice day all! you and family

[BTO_farmalll]

Am I Optimistic About The Future of Comedian Gag?????


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Let Me Catch My Breath,

aHahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahaha!! !!!!!!!!

[kato]

I liked that video, grassfarmer.

[charliep]

It was a good video. Thanks for posting.

[grassfarmer]

What is bizarre freewheat is that your model of species diverse, mixed farming producing food for discerning consumers has somehow become the "wing nut" lunatic side of agriculture.

To me the craziness largely happens in the commodity, conventional agriculture yet that has been accepted as the norm in this crazy society we live in.