New Tractor Sales Are Declining

[Hay Dude]

It's always enjoyable to talk to someone about something that they are doing. Anytime I've even started in on a different career, talking over the options is how we explored different ways to do something. Farm talk is fun talk.

Now if I wanted farming advice, that's different. I'd probably look for someone who used to farm, made a success of it, and now was doing something else.

rScotty

If they were successful, why would they do something else?

 

[rScotty]

If they were successful, why would they do something else?

I'll answer that with another question, "Why would they want to continue doing the same thing after they've become successful at it?"

The world is wide. Go try something else.

rScotty

 

[ovrszd]

I'll answer that with another question, "Why would they want to continue doing the same thing after they've become successful at it?"

The world is wide. Go try something else.

rScotty

When it's successful only change to something more successful.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

As more baby boomers cross over the tractor buyers head count decreases.

 

[Yander]

I'll answer that with another question, "Why would they want to continue doing the same thing after they've become successful at it?"

The world is wide. Go try something else.

rScotty

Boy, no disrespect, but this comment really shows a lack of understanding farmers. They farm till they drop. I know a family who lifts their father up to the tractor/combine platform so he can still run them. Too old/weak to climb the ladder. When farmers "retire" they go help other farmers. It isn't a job, it is a lifestyle it is their everything.

They don't retire from it while they are still able bodied 95% of the time. They don't want to do anything else, they feel sorry for many of us who do.

 

[rScotty]

Boy, no disrespect, but this comment really shows a lack of understanding farmers. They farm till they drop. I know a family who lifts their father up to the tractor/combine platform so he can still run them. Too old/weak to climb the ladder. When farmers "retire" they go help other farmers. It isn't a job, it is a lifestyle it is their everything.

They don't retire from it while they are still able bodied 95% of the time. They don't want to do anything else, they feel sorry for many of us who do.

You might have missed the original conversation. It wasn't about farmers, it was about what kind of experience made a person able to give good financial advice to prospective farmers.

It went like this:
"Now if I wanted farming advice, that's different. I'd probably look for someone who used to farm, made a success of it, and now was doing something else."

BTW, there is no way I have a lack of understanding farmers. I grew up in a farming family.

rScotty

 

[Yander]

The world is wide. Go try something else.

rScotty

I made my statement because of this statement... it didn't make sense to me that someone who understands the mentality of a farmer would justify a farmer who was successful going and doing something else.

However, I didn't grow up in a farm family but I worked for several farmers growing up and married a successful farmers daughter. My wife understands the mind of a farmer much more than her sister seems to. Not everyone who comes from a farm family wants to farm or understands it.

I did want to farm early in my years but as I got older realized it would probably not happen so I gave up on that.

 

[Hay Dude]

Very very few successful farmers would just up & change careers because “the world is wide”.
Most have poured their life & treasure with a lot of sacrifice to become successful in farming. Just the process of selling everything and the land & buildings most people couldn’t comprehend.

 

[scootr]

Very interesting discussion. I appreciate reading all of the input. It's nice to see somebody ask why do any one thing to the grave and have somebody answer positively.
Thanks - Part of my family are dairy men and that will never change. My parents offered send me to the farm when I was a handful in high school. Unfortunately I was already too worldly influenced to allow that. In retrospect farming would have suited me well. Have a great weekend all.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Boy, no disrespect, but this comment really shows a lack of understanding farmers. They farm till they drop. I know a family who lifts their father up to the tractor/combine platform so he can still run them. Too old/weak to climb the ladder. When farmers "retire" they go help other farmers. It isn't a job, it is a lifestyle it is their everything.

They don't retire from it while they are still able bodied 95% of the time. They don't want to do anything else, they feel sorry for many of us who do.

This reminded me of the interview Johnny Carson did with the oldest farmer in Illinois back in '88. He was 97 years old and still going at it.