2016 bringing big changes

Haley

Member
Looks like my custom harvesting days are over.I have been self employed since 2000 but starting Monday I am going back to a job working for someone else.Just like every other farmer out there I have been paying out lots of money to keep my operation going but getting little in return. Both of my old Fords have got a lot of hours on them and need new parts that I can't get out of my boneyard.Claas has went up at least double on new parts in the last few years so new parts really bite when you have to have them.I have debated on buying a newer machine(even considered another brand) but I just cant make it pencil out. The Fords are taking a LOT of my time just to get them ready to go for each crop.This year there is hardly any wheat planted around us and wheat is where I really made the most clear money.It has been a fun ride with them but I must say that it really is a relief on me not to have to worry if they will be ready to roll this season.I see guys all around me with big newer $250,000 combines And I still wonder how in the heck they make it work out for a profit especially when they only cut around 1500 acres a year.My hats off to them but I still wonder how they come out doing that when I basically had my own parts store,Two cheap combines,Covered 2500-3000 acres a year,Did all of my own mechanic work,and still showed only a small profit the past few years.I will ALWAYS visit this site but all of the rebuilding combine pics and stories from me will probably be over.What really sucks is that three years ago I could have sold all my combine stuff for around $20,000 scrap iron but now it is only worth around $3000 to $5000.Scrap is at two and a half cents a pound now. I have to say that I really feel less stressed out now than I have in a LONG time.I am ready to move foward and leave the combines behind.
 
I am very sorry to hear that. I have appreciated your pictures, stories, and the effort you take to share them. And I am surprised. I would have thought your custom operation would have been a much more sure income than dealing with the vagaries of commodity prices. But if, as you say, the acreage just isn't there, then it isn't there!

I've had two years of extreme enough weather that it has had a serious effect on my income. This doesn't mix well with current commodity prices! I have been so spoiled to have been able to work for myself for 30 plus years, I can't fathom going back to work for someone else. I tried a little seasonal, part time work 15 years ago, and it didn't work out to my benefit. I hope to hang on long enough to see if a grandson is interested.

Life is strange in that we can only live it and deal with the challenges one day at a time, yet we have to plan way ahead.

Best of luck in whatever you do.
 
Good luck on this next chapter in your life. Running a small business certainly has it's challenges, I don't think that many of us are getting rich quick.
 
Really hate to hear that,, I feel your pain also, I used to cut 250-400 acres a year custom work also, the ones I cut for are now gone so I only have a small amount of alfalfa seed I still do custom when we have a seed year,,, I have read every post you have done,, you do amazing work,, I wish you well in your new job what ever that may be
cnt
 
I've really enjoyed your stories and pics around here. Don't be a stranger! I like my Ford tractors, but their combines were orphans around here, dealer only sold a handful ever, never saw any around and they were scrapped out a generation ago. It was neat to see someone making a go of them.

Custom Harvestor near here was running IHC 915 machines until just a couple years ago, he moved up to the rotiries finally. Had a grove full of parts machines.

I know what you mean on new combine prices vs acres covered, I don't get it either......

Paul
 
I know how you feel in a way. I have about 5 acres of beans left to combine that I couldn't get to before the weather turned, and when those are gathered I am probably done. I have lost my rented ground to development, and any ground available to rent is so high that it just won't pencil out. The amount of acres that I own aren't really worth fooling with outside of a hobby, and even if I did find some ground that was reasonable to rent, I really need to upgrade my planter and combine to get any bigger. I have tried to talk myself into it, but after some of the dealings I have been involved in this year with landlords, I'm just too gun shy. I worked my day job, and farmed of the evenings so I wont have that transition to deal with, but I could almost cry just thinking about not farming next year. I will have more time to devote to getting my farm where I want it, and who knows I may find time to drag out the Harley, and Camaro that haven't been touched in years. That's not any comfort right now, but I'm sure I will improvise, adapt, and overcome! Good luck on your new job. I always enjoyed your posts, and pictures! Don't be a stranger.
 
Going to work running heavy equipment.I will have to get back used to the 8 to 5 deal but at least I will be outside and not cooped up in a shop.I worked at a GM dealership for several years as a tech and made good money.I may have to go back to that but I would rather be outside for a little less money than cooped up in a shop all the time.
 
You had mentioned hte possibility of a different job, either here or on facebook, several months ago. But I'm still kinda surprised. Good luck with the new job.

With the swings in milk prices, Anne wishes I'd find a town job... but there's just no way I can give up a five-generation farm, when I'm within 5 years of having the mortgage paid off. Would be a challenge to work for someone else, after being self-employed for 23 years, too.
 
We hung it up after 2009 harvest. The numbers just got to big and cousin was getting ready to retire from his day job. He paid off his ground and rents it out. I sold my ground and moved south. I miss the farm but it's not worth a bankruptcy risk.
 
Sorry to hear you are not going to be harvesting anymore Haley. Sometimes these things happen though. I took on a job this past spring and rented some land out.
Glad to hear you will still be visiting us on the site though. I may well need to pick your brains. My header needs a rebuild this summer before I use it, and the old 106 needs a bit of TLC too.
 
Well I will miss your pictures but a man has got to make a living. Working for someone else is not the end of the world. Many times it is way less stressful. My Father ranted and railed against working for someone else. Where he worked for someone else and retired with a pension way better than any you would have had working for yourself.

A good friend sold his tilling business tow years ago. He got a pretty good local job. HE says life is twice better. He said it is strange to get a pay check that is not 80% spent.
 
Harley,
From you posts you seem like a very talented, driven person, so keep you head up and make the best of it. Many of us love the outdoor / county lifestyle but that fact that you have to be so big and have so much capital these days makes it difficult for most of us to do it full time as well as at that point it would kinda take some of the enjoyment out of it. Make the best of what life brings you. Your talents will always have value to us. We are all blessed! Reaver
 
I sense you are a survivor, lots to process, but you will forge ahead. You might have stumbled, but you are the type, that get up dust yourself off and go back to work.
 
Haley I really hate to hear this but I know you know what your doing. I think somehow you will find a way to still be in farming, It's in your blood. The work I have seen you do is really something and is something most people would never do but you did it because you knew you could get it done and make things work for you. But maybe it's time to step back for a bit and maybe this time will clear your head a bit and recharge your batteries so to speak. Take this time and relax and enjoy the change for awile and check back in with us and let us know how your doing, You got friends hear. But I think you will be back in the cab again doing what you like to do. You can take the farmer off the farm but you cant take the farm out of the farmer ! I wish you good luck for your future. Bandit
 

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