New Tractor Sales Are Declining

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

There are additional factors that determine if a product is “better” to a buyer than just manufacturing quality. For example, dealer network support and parts support. There are many colors of well built tractors, but only two where I live that have the dealer shop support and parts. It is worth it to me to pay the premium price to buy these products.

This is exactly right jyoutz. There are many factors to consider what makes one brand better than another brand. The usual tell tale sign that a brand is at the top of their industry is their real estate holdings. The brands that have the best real estate are almost always the most successful.

I will add in that I was watching a video that Neil Messicks did a while back about a Boomer 50 and he stated in the video that though the Boomer series is made by LS, the warranty and backing of it is done through New Holland which adds a level of credibility and security that the LS brand does not bring.

 

[jyoutz]

I know it's hard to know someone only from comments on a forum. Doug is not "in real estate" and he most certainly doesn't "farm as a hobby". To describe what I told you about him as a "side-hustle" is naive on your part. At their peak they planted 25,000 acres per year. This year they were down to 19,000 acres. Hobby......

He is more of a corporate farm manager than a daily farmer.

 

[ArlyA]

Just bacause some people farm larger acreages, doesn't mean they are not a family farm.

 

[Torvy]

Just bacause some people farm larger acreages, doesn't mean they are not a family farms.

I 100% agree. I don't know anyone making money purely farming that spend enough time away from their farms to have recreational properties all across the world. I know many who have multiple farming properties across the country. Larger acreages are a key feature of profitable farming.

 

[ovrszd]

You have to be or you couldn’t farm.

Absolutely. My friends aren't done harvesting and they are already spending money feeding next year's crop.

 

[ovrszd]

In all fairness Richard, I don't think this is the typical farmer. This is not to say all farmers are poor and struggling but they certainly aren't buying mansions and flying in jets around the world either.

And I never indicated they were. A large piece of Doug's current net worth is because he never stopped pushing. Continues to push today. Always looking for growth opportunities. It's not for the faint of heart. In his 40s and early 50s he lived on 3-4 hrs of sleep per night. Kept a bowl by the bed to catch the bloody puke from stress. I love him as family. I never envy him and am in no way jealous of him. Very proud of him. He's not an absentee anything.

 

[ovrszd]

He is more of a corporate farm manager than a daily farmer.

Again, you miss.

 

[ovrszd]

Just bacause some people farm larger acreages, doesn't mean they are not a family farms.

Absolutely!!! Wish I'd said that.

 

[ovrszd]

I 100% agree. I don't know anyone making money purely farming that spend enough time away from their farms to have recreational properties all across the world. I know many who have multiple farming properties across the country. Larger acreages are a key feature of profitable farming.

It's my belief that once you reach a certain level wealth is perpetual. Regardless of source. And most times the original source is irrelevent.

 

[Hay Dude]

I 100% agree. I don't know anyone making money purely farming that spend enough time away from their farms to have recreational properties all across the world. I know many who have multiple farming properties across the country. Larger acreages are a key feature of profitable farming.

You need to farm a lot of acres to be the sole provider for a family. In MY area, it’s especially difficult, with well above average prices for everything and higher taxes to deal with.

Sometimes looking back, and can’t believe I coached High School football and High school mens lacrosse for decades and still got my work done. There were times when I would watch opponents film while driving my truck on my I-pad, or coach a Friday night game until 12 AM, go home and sleep 4 hours, and get up for work the next day, bales out for cows or whatever had to be done.