55 Years and Counting From the Tractor Seat

By Bill Whitman

 This article may sound like I’m patronizing the publisher but seriously, it’s not the case. Over the years I have watched as so many of the farm-related magazines and papers have changed, and not for the better. While we do have better access to media than in the past, we have fewer and fewer voices to hear from. And it seems each of them is fostering an agenda. It always worries me when something like a traditional named publication is given out for no cost. As with all things, someone is paying for it. Publications like Farm World are like a twine that connects and binds today’s agriculture together.

If you look at the Farm World newspaper, you will find so much “information” and “data” that is vital to the operation of our farms and ranches. I have said many times that “knowledge is power” and I don’t think that statement has ever been truer than today. We have to get as close to real time information to make decisions that when reduced, mean profit and loss.

The headlines generally give us a “heads-up” to governmental changes that will directly affect us as well as giving us some idea of how others in the same boat are feeling about what’s going on in our world. A recent article talked about farmer sentiment regarding finance costs. It’s often nice to know that we aren’t alone as we deal with issues that affect profit and loss. Looking further into the paper, we see market reports from several areas. 

Then as we look for replacement equipment for our operations, seeing what’s available within a several state area helps us to know what the market really is and what a fair price might be. Getting current information on upcoming auctions gives us a wealth of information. As an aside, don’t forget that the current value of your equipment is important to our balance sheets. Occasionally we see property for sale and rent, another piece of information that we need to be aware of. And of course, it’s a place we can put our own items for sale on a platform that will reach our target markets.

Something else publications like Farm World give us is a network that we can utilize in ways that would be unavailable to us otherwise because we simply don’t have the time to develop ourselves. As there are fewer and fewer people in our business, it is easy to get tunnel-vision and not have the advantage of information availability that we once had when we had close neighbors.

In almost every issue I also see history. Stories of the old days and old equipment, a different farm or ranch model, and the struggles the generations previously overcame are valuable beyond what we readily appreciate. The old saying, “we are doomed to repeat history that we don’t learn from” is true.

I’m certainly not saying that the Farm World is the only publication we need, but I certainly understand that we can’t afford to overlook this valuable asset to our region of the Midwest. I also encourage those with thoughts and ideas for the publisher and editors should be encouraged. They need to know what we “need” to be informed about. I believe that the powers that be would appreciate your input and respond appropriately. I am a firm believer that you truly do get what you pay for.

IndianaAg@bluemarble.net