55 Years And Counting From The Tractor Seat

 By bill whitman

 The American farmer and rancher has never needed competent and quality service more than he or she does today. In virtually every area of our business, we need to depend on providers to give service at a price and with a level of expertise that we can live with. Think about it, from the equipment we use, to the grain or feed systems we use, to the marketing services we use to finding our product’s buyer, we need service. 

When the average age of the American farmer and rancher is north of 63, without quality service, we have no way to stay current with technology. We’ve been watching the Farm Bureau fight in court across the United States just to be able to work on the computer components of equipment we own and is out of warranty. I believe that in most cases an agreement has been reached, but then what? We still must find an experienced computer whiz to do what the dealer was doing without competition, and even they are few and far between. 

How often have we broken down and needed answers or had a piece of equipment that would not run without parts we need now? And the old days of being able to go to the dealer and picking up a vital part the same day is generally not happening. With the consolidation of equipment dealers, there may be the part we need at one of the other stores but regardless, “you can pick it up in the morning” is the most common answer we hear. And if you have an old fashioned dealer that stocks parts, (we have one in the area), count yourself lucky and support them.

With the consolidation of dealers and service vendors, it has become very important that the manufacturer or service provider you select be available and capable of giving you what you need in your time frame. Unfortunately, there is so much available with few histories to determine the good from the bad. I have a neighbor who has had a tractor down for months. When a service provider finally came out, the farmer was told “we don’t work on this model.” Sound familiar?

There’s another perspective on service I want us to think of. That’s the service we provide for our communities and even our customers. Our local Farm Bureau, 4-H and FFA need our help and support. I have often said that the FFA is the finest young men and women’s organization in the world. Our FFA leaders need help to meet the opportunities our communities provide. If you’ve ever had the chance to attend the National FFA Convention you will see the smartest, most skilled, polite, and well-dressed group of young folks ever assembled. I hope we, each of us, contribute as we can. 

You might wonder how we can serve our customers. Consider, if you will, our need to produce the very best crops and livestock in the world. Folks can talk all they want about military strength etc., when America’s true strength is our ability to produce food. Other countries covet our ability to produce, produce and produce some more. For our country to be in the best bargaining position, we must continue to be the best at everything we do. The American farmer and rancher has transitioned through technology to a place where we lead the world. The American farmer and rancher has survived because the inner drive to be the best, our own way, has never been squelched. 

This brings us full circle to how we must continue to demand the best of service from our suppliers and vendors. We must continue to give the best of ourselves to our communities. We must continue to be the backbone of strength to our country. 

IndianaAg@bluemarble.net