BinVigor?

[SASKFARMER]

My problem with Retailers is that they need to let the chem companys know that farmers are falling behind with their bills.
Not how do we try to get the same dollar out of the farmer with new programs.
Yes the profit of dealers is a pretensious issue with me. I have been on the local coop board and it is amazing that they paid for a 200000 building in under 5 years, must be a profit in their for buisness.
Your forward thinking farmer is nice to see trying new things is great.
Yes we have seeded hybrids as low as 3 lbs an acre with a lower seed cost but if their is a seed problem like the last frost year certified seeds vigor from frost damage is an issue. to make certified the standards are set but when a farmer is buying the seed he asks for certified he should check the bag tags could be #2 certified. simply add a little extra to seed and then dont have that problem.
Ok now my problem with retailers and their agronomists is simple they have products to sell. These sales are used to pay bills wage etc. I have seen way to many examples of local agrologists out looking at fields and recomending that the farmers spray, disease etc.
A independent agrologist hired by the farmer is the best way to have an unbias answer.
On our farm two years ago the local retailer arrived at our farm with chem rep and his agrologist just for a chat, that turned into a strong recomendation that our wheat was loaded with disease and should be sprayed.because of our acreage they would help custom spraying along side our machine.
I phoned my agrologist after he came out that afternoon and recomended that I spray one field on Wheat on wheat and watch one. He charged 200.00 for the day and saved me $45,000.00 dollars.
Also my main point in this thread is that farmers are loosing the battle they have to question all.
We are not a subsidised country like the USA or Europe.
have a good day.

[Private-i]

I will agree that there are some agronomists that just walk into a field and say SPRAY SPRAY SPRAY, however there are a lot of us that really look at things and make the proper recommendations. If you go to a retailer and find an agronomist that you trust he would have come out and made the same recommendation to spray one field and you would have saved another 200 bucks as well. Maybe for the 1st couple of years you keep your paid agronomist to check the retails recommendations, but once you get comfortable then you can rely on your local guy. I personally don't bring reps to a field to scout unless i have a question or problem area that i can't figure out,and then i get several opinions as well. In your case i would have like to have had the rep and your paid agronomist there at the same time and to see what would have happened

[SASKFARMER]

You are trying to work with farmers and It seems your retailer trusts you.
this is nice to see but I still get emails regularly from individuals who dont get the service they deserve.
Again the agrologist that I use I went to UofM with so Now I have to pay a little vs steak and beer like it was years ago. We all have to make a living.
Again farmers are loosing every day and all I am trying to get them to do is Ask questions and question every thing.

[Private-i]

also we are letting the companies know that there are bills that are not getting paid, and it also shows b what we are able to prebuy from then at yearend as well. Yes we have products to sell that is my job, but i have a vested interest in your survival as a grower as well. so it is in my best interest to give you the proper recommendation all the time, whether you use it is up to you.

[Hockey12]

Dear SASKFARMER,

I am new to this site and find a number of your entries very intriguing. Just to let you know where I am coming from, I currently farm ~1500 acres, do some consulting and contract work on the side and, in the past, have worked for both large chem companies and grain/crop input companies. So have a wealth of experience in all areas of Western Canadian agriculture.

It seems as though you have a vendetta against all large corporations and companies currently doing business in Canada. Over the past few years, I will be the first to admit that farming has been a rough go. That being said, this is the business we have chosen and we find ways to get by.

Let’s start with the chem companies. You say they are ripping us off and price gouging and feeding us with “smoke up our ass”. I would debate this is very untrue. These corporations do business and invest in Canada for a reason. Yes they are in it for profit also, but what business isn’t? Without these companies investing in Canada, us as farmers would be disadvantaged to other ag producing countries. They provide ongoing research and development, which in essence has changed the way we farm. Let’s take direct seeding for example: Where would we be without Roundup in a direct seeding situation? How would we produce a 40 bu canola crop on stubble without herbicide tolerance? Yes these come at a cost, but I can remember spending $25/ac on Treflan or Muster Gold to produce a 30 bu/ac canola crop on summerfallow. Herbicide tolerant canola varieties have made canola growing EASY, which maybe is a bad thing because now we have too much supply in the system and prices are depressed. That being said, I would never go back to the “old ways” of farming. Chem companies are in business to make a profit, but they also spend many $ locally by ways of donations, scholarships and community support. Our son received a $2000 scholarship from Monsanto for university and Bayer funded $ to our local curling rink. Where else would you get that?

Now to the crop input dealers. You say they too are making too much money off of you and you’d rather buy cheap products elsewhere. Who is the first person farmers ask for a donation to the local bonspiel or golf day, or skating rink fundraiser? These guys work they’re tail off from early in the morning till late at night during spring to serve us “the farmer”. Maybe they should all shut the doors and move to Alberta to the oil patch? Will you then keep your local curling rink going by donating that $1/ac you saved buying a Chinese glyphosate from a US retailer? I don’t see FNA supporting any local community initiatives…

Now I remember doing farm calls and going to trade shows in my past working life. I felt it hard to feel sorry for some of these guys as they spent their winters in Arizona and left their brand new Duramax idling in the parking lot at trade shows every year.

Bottom line, I know first hand things aren’t good in the world of farming. That being said, I don’t feel cutting out local, national and multi-national businesses from doing business here is the way out. So I ask you sir to please think about that next time you clean up you seed or head south for a better deal…

[Hockey12]

Hockey12, I agree with what you just said but this is a buisness, and in a buisness you look out #1only these retailers are helping out local programs etc. But do you really think they care about the farmer making money? No because they're are looking out for #1.

Finally I will give you this scenario. For your farm you were looking to buy canola seed, and your local dealer all be it nice guy with coffee always on was 2.00/lb higher than a retailer down the road you would give that extra $10/acre (5lb/acre*$2.00/lb) just to keep him around? What advantage is there to him not being there, or in 5 years you not being there.

[oldman]

toughgoofit. I guess you think it's good business practice for these retailers to bankrupt their customer base?

A heathly ag economy is what everyone in the industry wants to see. It's good for business all around.

[oldman]

Oldman, I think you have to reread my post because I said exactly what you said. Hockey12 said we should support are locals, I said what advantage is there we support the locals if in five years we won't be there. Not sure what you meant.