Monsanto????

[plowjockey]

Can someone tell me why Monsanto is allowed to give different prices on the same product? Why do SOME large farms get huge discounts ( Weather max for less cheaper products)? Even as to pay some percentage of interest on new spraying equipment on some farms? And they have the nerve to talk about service....who is paying for that? Smaller farms and a few larger ones that's who!

[nw9flynn]

Think about it. The large farmers are buying more product. Monsanto would rather deal with 1 large farmer than 4 small ones.
It has been a known fact that the bigger you are the smaller your cost per ac are.
Why should I pay the same as a farmer who only burns off 1000ac if I burn off 4500ac.
When I go to costco get a discount for buying larger supplies of products than I do when I shop at the local grocery store.

[plowjockey]

Then tell me why only a few Larger farms receive this volume discount? When I go to costco and buy the same volume as another I get the same price! They have an open policy on that! Did Monsanto help buy your sprayer?

[nw9flynn]

Company's like to build relationships. It is not what you know but who you know. If a company has a history with you and they know that you are good to deal with if there is a problem and they know that you are good advertising for them they will know doubt give you a better deal.
I have never got a sprayer payment made (I doubt anyone has) But when there has been a chemical problem and you treat them with respect, not rage, I have been compensated better than my neighbour. I have continued to use their product and have gotten it for less than my neighbour.
Chemical companys like to deal with quality customers who deal on a large scale. They have no time to run after farmers who threaten them everytime there is a blip in the results of their products. It is too bad many farmers do not know how to cultivate relationsips. It is more than just vol.

[plowjockey]

To Know that someone farming 5000 acres is getting a better deal than a Quality customer must piss you off! Do you just believe what your local rep tells you? ie; No sprayer interest being paid! You better get some more acres so you can get a better deal! All Reps do is sell! You seem to think that you have cultivated a trusting relationship and that you are getting the best deal for your Volume. They are so happy when they can suck you into using all there product. And the part about Quality Farmer....I don't know many farms that have survived up to now that are not quality farmers. Oh and just for your info we are farming about 12000 acres and we still don't think it is right for a corp to come in and screw smaller farmers that work just as hard and may not have had as many breaks as us! We are all growing crops that we have no control over what we get paid for them. The market sets the price and farmers buy and sell!

[nw9flynn]

All I know is that I am quite happy with my farm. My profit/ac is in a healthy zone. I am happy with my chem supplier and the products they deliver. A farm that del a high ROI is concerned about much more that just variable costs (chem), they are also concerned with debt load, fixed costs, min market risk.
A farmer can control what he gets paid with all kinds of options ranging from deferred del, basis contracts, production contracts, buying call options etc. I am not familar with your farming operations and every farm is different, but in today's ag world my farm is profitable and doing just fine. It sounds like you are quite neg. Today's markets and input costs are here to stay, deal with it.

[WoolyBear]

Yo' nw9flynn....... If you think its just that a large farmer gets a better "deal" for his inputs than his smaller neighbor, for the same product (REMEMBER, you might buy more, but you won't apply anymore / acre) then please don't let any of us hear your complain when our flour mills, hog farmers, feedlots, and oil crushers start sourcing their needs from Brazil, USA, or somewhere else if they find it cheaper.

I Agree with plowjockey! puts an unfair advantage to the larger farmers when it comes time to making offers to rent or buy a piece of land. Not much wonder we have so many young farmers giving up and leaving the farm.

[nw9flynn]

Every farmer goes and buys machinery. And say that you trade 2 combines every 4 yrs with the same dealer. A smaller farmer comes along and buys 1 combine every 10 yrs. Who is going to get a better deal. You are kidding yourself if you think that every combine gets sold for the same amount. Why is CNH or JD any different than monsanto?

[WoolyBear]

Then I would assume then that a large farmer should be happy with less for his wheat than he would be if he were smaller, and thus should also be given less of Government because he has already been subsidized by the multinational manufacturing and chemical/fertilizer companies.

Some of us as less than 5000 acres by choice.......and others because we can't find the land. We should NOT be penalized by the multinationals.

We should pay, and buy on quality, not on quantity.

[plowjockey]

What cloud have you been living on nw9flynn? We have the lowest net farm income in 40 years and you are happy with your returns?? My question to you would be do you even farm? I doubt it! I know loads of smaller farms that have newer combines then we do! You are full of it! One of our big tractors was built in 1979 it is a case 2870 wow I guess I better trade it off to keep the machine corp. profit up and cultivate a good relationship with the sales rep. Just curious what are you views on the FNA and the cheap roundup they are bringing in?

[nw9flynn]

I do farm. I make a decent living at. I'm sorry if you are having a tough time farming but it is none of my concern. Don't try to make me to look like a bad guy for making money when others can't.
You said your big tractor was a 2870? You also said in a previous post that you farmed 12000ac? I have serious doubts that you are covering that many ac with that old of a tractor. If you are, your fixed costs must be lower than mine. As far as the FNA, I am well aware of their chem program, It isn't in my spring plans. I'm not saying it isn't worth considering for some farmers, it just dosn't work for me. I am going to play the programs and have serivce and support from my chem company and dealer that I can trust and depend on.
I have bought oil in the past from the FNA and have not been happy with service or delivery.

[wedino]

Here's a link to a thread on New Ag Talk. Looks as if the price of clearout is on the rise!

http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/CropTalk/posts/11542.html

[furrowtickler]

nw9flynn, I am guessing you are from central Alberta? This is because 90% of the rest of Western Canada does have a "neg" attitude in agriculture for a damn good reason. Chances are you are a seed grower like tom4cwb. Does not make you a bad person, but do not compare the net returns with other people you have no clue about. I have yet to meet anyone who is remotley satisfied with grain/cattle farming , but mother nature has been extreemly nasty here in N.W. Sask the last five years. Obviosly the rains have been timley and you missed the hard frost, good for you.

[furrowtickler]

nw9- , sorry I see you are from Sask, what area of Sask are you from? Just cuurious what areas farmers actualy have a net return? What crops/cattle, rotations do you follow? I am very currious, because you are one of very few farmers that has good "ROI" after the last few years.

[nw9flynn]

Furrowtickler,

I am from south sask, I have a heavy lentil rotation, about a 50/50 LGL/RL, Ypeas, Canola (this year IP), and Durum. I am also looking at seeding some IP winter wheat this fall. In the past I have grown Kabuli's, Desi's, and chico's. I am not a seed grower although I have sold common seed to local producers in the past. If you have a strong marketing and production plan you can make money. It all starts on paper months before you even head to the field.