Farmers and ranchers

[GLedwig]

I was reading a Progressive Farmer the other day and came across a JD parts website I've never seen before--http://JDParts. Deere.com If you haven't visited that site, check it out. Best dern ag parts website I've ever seen.

 

[illflem]

Bull,thanks for that one,I'll need it. My local JD dealer folded two weeks ago after 43 years,
sort of tells you about the the health of agriculture in my area.

 

[GLedwig]

Sorry to here that illflem. It's a shame that a dealer with that kind of history has to close. What's happening in your area? Are farms dying out due to the lack of the younger generation taking over the family farm? I'm in my mid 20's and there are not very many farmers\ranchers around that age in my area. I don't think there are too many young folks that are really eager to continue the family farm. Bottom line is, you gotta like it to do it. You ain't gonna get rich-that's for sure.
Since your local dealer closed, what's the next closest dealer? If my memory serves me correctly, that website is in conjunction with certain dealers and you have to have an account with the dealer that you choose to go with.

 

[illflem]

Closest JD dealer or tractor dealer period is now 52 miles,they're in trouble also. I grow apples,a high investment crop. The main problems are foreign competition due to NAFTA and consolidation of the grocery chains into six major buyers who demand cheap prices. If they can't get the price they want for US fruit they go elsewhere. Per apple dollar the grower gets 13¢, a loss of around 11¢ over production costs. The grocery industry gets 66¢,shipping,storage & packing gets the rest. Growers in my county and the two adjacent ones lost $220 million last year,this year will be worse. You could say that local fruit growers are paying $220 million each year to feed the American consumer. This isn't the consumers fault,as they pay a fair price for fruit at the store. Greedy corporate grocery managers have lost touch with US growers.
In other words the guy who took the most risk gets the least return. The WA apple industry also cut it's own throat by rewarding growers for fruit that looks good rather than tastes good,domestic demand isn't what it should be when the fruit tastes like cardboard. This also comes back to the grocers who say that an apple should be picked when it's reddest,not when the flavor is there,in order to sell. That is finally changing,but too late for most growers.
I love to farm,even when I just broke even,but now that I have to pay to do it it just isn't fun any more. My money and time would be better spent bombing my Dodge or going to Disneyland.




[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 03-04-2001). ]

 

[QRTRHRS]

illflem,

The apple growers are hurting around my neck of the woods as well. My buddy just sold his packline. He sells via his stand at his farm or wholesale to one company for applesauce, etc.