Hay Farmers getting out of farming

[Fuddy1952]

We get our quality horse hay from a 5th generation farmer about 8 miles away. He just had another $100K steel shed built. He sold out of 30,000 bales weeks ago but keeps some for us.
I have tractor and equipment, nothing for hay. I thought about a square baler and rake but to me it's not worth the expense.
This fellow we buy from I'd hate to guess what he has in equipment, a few $Mil I'm sure. His farms are in prime locations and those are worth a fortune. He switched from the dairy business to hay, more profitable he says. Me, I'd think about selling out but apparently he enjoys doing what he does and I'm grateful.
Yes everything has inflated for him, bales are large ones, $8 to $10 depending on alfalfa, orchard grass, etc.
I'm going to get a load this afternoon.

 

[Hay Dude]

Just like any other company or business, farming success or profitability can depend on the shoulders on which you stand on. I could easily see someone inheriting a farming business, built by predecessors, with the land purchased when land was cheap, credit established ahead of time with banks, buildings already built, equipment paid off and the like. That would make for a pleasant, profitable ride for an inheritor through their farming career, even if only managed correctly.
I started my business and I will also close it. I have kids and I am not interested in starting any type of resentment as to “who gets what” when its time to hang it up, *unless* the most careful of arrangements are made. My father did the same thing. He owned a successful business and would not leave it to any one of us kids knowing it would bring life-long resentment.
I asked, he immediately said “no”. He was right. He died a happy man and I get along great with my brothers and sisters.
I have seen where parents gave a business to one child and left the other out, creating a chilly relationship between siblings, long after the parents were out of the picture. That metastasizes into grandchildren not liking each other.

 

[Snobdds]

Damn that is a dumb outlook...

 

[MossRoad]

Well, you may be the lucky ones who get to choose which side of the bed you get up from. The majority of folks are dealt lousy cards they have to play with. If people have choices, very few will be driving tractors working 24/7 and praying for a good harvest in return for their backbreaking efforts. We are not living in Paradise, Chris. You are the lucky few who are spared a kick to the gut by life.

I'd guess the majority of folks in the U.S. are dealt a decent hand, as the poverty level is currently under 14%.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'd guess the majority of folks in the U.S. are dealt a decent hand, as the poverty level is currently under 14%.

Sad thing is, it could be much lower.

 

[Snobdds]

If a person's business is equipment and a client list...the IRS considerers selling those things as income. Income tax is higher than investment income.

Put it in a living trust...

 

[MossRoad]

Sad thing is, it could be much lower.

That's gonna be hard to do.



U.S. Census Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019

https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p60-270.pdf

 

[Steppenwolfe]

You try being stuck at home with the injuries I had. You get bored. I couldn’t walk for almost a week. Of course I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of that.

Not at all. Didn't know you were injured. I hope you are well soon. I draw the line at kicking a man when he is down...

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I find it unbelievable that so many need to respond to a troll who thinks he's the only real farmer on TBN and a city boy who has a million opinions about things he knows nothing about.

 

[Hay Dude]

Not at all. Didn't know you were injured. I hope you are well soon. I draw the line at kicking a man when he is down...

No worries, I could take it and still kick your ass.
But thanks, Ill be 100% soon. Surgery wont be bad they say

 

[dirttoys]

I'd guess the majority of folks in the U.S. are dealt a decent hand, as the poverty level is currently under 14%.

Great thread and Moss specific, I enjoy reading your posts, very informative.

That said, I don't agree that a low double digit poverty level is a sign of most people having a good life.

I used to be critical of welfare, food stamps, wic, ect. But looked into the poverty brackets: I came to the conclusion(s)

1. I consider myself frugal (cheap) and live a modest life on an embarrassing multiple of the poverty level.
2. While I am sure fraud exists, I doubt there are many people really having additional children to get a very small bump in welfare/food stamps. I have opinions on how people get to those circumstances, but, am far less judgmental than I used to be.

Best,

ed

 

[sree251]

Nope. I really like it.
Taught me more than high school or college degrees. Met a lot of nice people and made life long friendships.
Just wished there was a more reasonable level of pay for the time and effort exerted

You are a good man, Hay Dude. A true American. Perhaps, there is still hope for this country.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

No worries, I could take it and still kick your ass.
But thanks, Ill be 100% soon. Surgery wont be bad they say

Pack a lunch and bring a friend...

 

[sree251]

I'd guess the majority of folks in the U.S. are dealt a decent hand, as the poverty level is currently under 14%.

And you think that's ok? Apparently, those who are dealt a decent hand don't give a damn about that 14%. Have you ever been homeless and lived in the streets? There are people with jobs but have to live in their cars because hey can't afford the rent to live in places close enough to their place of work. To my mind, farmers who have to work hard just to keep their farms from going under have not been dealt a decent hand. Living from hand to mouth is not a decent way of life. The country is deep in debt with $45 trillion in unfunded liabilities (Social Security, Medicare). Is that your idea of a decent hand?

 

[Fuddy1952]

No offense but all my life I've heard people having this "woe is me" attitude which I've never understood. Life isn't a card game and there are lots of rags to riches stories.
Before my Dad passed I told him the greatest thing he ever gave me was a work ethic, but never money. I wanted a bike, I got a paper route. A car, worked at a service station. College, worked two jobs to pay for.
Same with everything. I thanked him for NOT giving me money. I appreciate everything I have knowing I worked hard for it.
The homeles? Get a job!!!!! There are help wanted signs everywhere. Work two jobs like I did. Do you know how many homeless have substance abuse or mental problems?
Is the solution for hard working "I was dealt a good hand" taxpayers to pay for those who don't want to work (lazy), addicts (drugs, alcohol), etc.?
Many times I see people on the street corner holding a "Will work for food" sign. I roll down the window saying " Hop in! I have lots of chores for you. We'll feed you, even give you some extra food". Some I say "Hungry? I won't give you money, but I'll bring you some food!" Guess what their reply is? "No thanks...I want money".
Will work for food. Woe is me. I was dealt a bad hand.
FOOEY!!!!!

 

[OzarkChris]

And you think that's ok? Apparently, those who are dealt a decent hand don't give a damn about that 14%. Have you ever been homeless and lived in the streets? There are people with jobs but have to live in their cars because hey can't afford the rent to live in places close enough to their place of work. To my mind, farmers who have to work hard just to keep their farms from going under have not been dealt a decent hand. Living from hand to mouth is not a decent way of life. The country is deep in debt with $45 trillion in unfunded liabilities (Social Security, Medicare). Is that your idea of a decent hand?

Once again, you seem to be good at talking about others. It really appears, with what you have been posting, that you really like wallowing in that pity pot you seem to be in. Maybe I'm wrong, just an observation.

I might also be wrong in this but speaking only from my experiences, I'm really not aware of any farmer that feels he/she has not been dealt a decent hand - as you put it. If they did/do they usually get out of the business and years later wish they didn't. I believe that most of us feel we really live a blessed life!

I have many friends that are also farmers, both here and all around the US, from hobby sized to larger family owned and operated. I personally have not heard any of them say - seriously - that they wished they never got involved in farming, that the whole world is out to get them, that they were dealt a crappy hand or that they really want to quit & sell everything. Sure they/we might say something like that when we get bit, banged up etc, but typically we don't "really" mean it.

For me, money doesn't mean that much. Back in the '70s when I was a physician in the military I made an obscene amount of money and really disliked my life - always keeping up with the Jones'. BTW, before you ask, all that money & possessions went away during a very nasty divorce - Not a bad hand but a blessing in disguise (without the divorce, I would have never met my current wife)!

Currently my wife & I are pretty self sufficient, we have a paltry sum we get each month from my retirement - hint, it isn't enough by itself to have to file taxes. Yes, we do file taxes each year because we have a business. We raise what we eat and eat what we raise with few exceptions - staples e.g., flour, cornmeal etc and still have enough stock left over to send to auction houses (yes, we keep breeder stock) and enough garden stuff to sell at the local farmers market in spring through fall. We don't have or need the latest or greatest cellphones (no cell coverage at the house). The co-op just installed internet out here so we were able to ditch the satellite internet and are now able to stream some programs we like (we only subscribe to discovery+, no Netflix, HBO, etc, etc., don't need or want them). I think we average about 2-3 hours with our small tv on a day. I guess you'd probably classify this kind of life as being dealt a bad hand. We don't think so, we really feel blessed for every day we are alive!

 

[Hay Dude]

8 million job openings in the US

 

[sea2summit]

And you think that's ok? Apparently, those who are dealt a decent hand don't give a damn about that 14%. Have you ever been homeless and lived in the streets? There are people with jobs but have to live in their cars because hey can't afford the rent to live in places close enough to their place of work. To my mind, farmers who have to work hard just to keep their farms from going under have not been dealt a decent hand. Living from hand to mouth is not a decent way of life. The country is deep in debt with $45 trillion in unfunded liabilities (Social Security, Medicare). Is that your idea of a decent hand?

As rarely as I’m on Moss’s side 14% is amazingly good. Have you ever traveled? Have you ever traveled to a nation that isn’t at a second world status? Debt is out of control but we could get it under control if we really wanted to (I do).

 

[sea2summit]

No offense but all my life I've heard people having this "woe is me" attitude which I've never understood. Life isn't a card game and there are lots of rags to riches stories.
Before my Dad passed I told him the greatest thing he ever gave me was a work ethic, but never money. I wanted a bike, I got a paper route. A car, worked at a service station. College, worked two jobs to pay for.
Same with everything. I thanked him for NOT giving me money. I appreciate everything I have knowing I worked hard for it.
The homeles? Get a job!!!!! There are help wanted signs everywhere. Work two jobs like I did. Do you know how many homeless have substance abuse or mental problems?
Is the solution for hard working "I was dealt a good hand" taxpayers to pay for those who don't want to work (lazy), addicts (drugs, alcohol), etc.?
Many times I see people on the street corner holding a "Will work for food" sign. I roll down the window saying " Hop in! I have lots of chores for you. We'll feed you, even give you some extra food". Some I say "Hungry? I won't give you money, but I'll bring you some food!" Guess what their reply is? "No thanks...I want money".
Will work for food. Woe is me. I was dealt a bad hand.
FOOEY!!!!!

I dropped out of high school and left for college with no idea how I was gonna survive with nothing other than a $500 van and a sleeping bag. I’d like to think I’ve done alright. It’s amazing what you can get done in America if you’re willing to work for it.

 

[JDZ735M]

I find it unbelievable that so many need to respond to a troll who thinks he's the only real farmer on TBN and a city boy who has a million opinions about things he knows nothing about.

Tell us about your farming operation.