Are you optimistic about ag's future?

[SASKFARMER3]

Free wheat k agree s but biggest point is late to table are in for a rough ride!

[rkaiser]

yip pretty good post farmaholic. Other than threads of pessimism.

Farming and ranching are the most wonderful way to live on this planet.

We are the most fortunate businessmen to live - ever.

We are our own boss, answering to no one but the banker. And that depends on how much risk "WE" choose to take.

We are rewarded for our efforts. We are free to choose our crops and our livestock and our inputs.

We can chose to build kingdoms and pay the price if we take on too much risk.

We can chose compassionate means for the "extra" we earn when we earn it or take the role of those urban folks that some of us have come to admire and play their game of earning money from other peoples energy in the even higher risk game of stocks and bonds and such.

The only things that are real on this entire planet are land and the beings that inhabit that land. The rest is all stories. We chose those stories.

And as farmers and ranchers in Canada, we still have the ability to CHOSE a good story.

What a ****ing beautiful sunrise out here at the Caroline Ranch this morning. The risks that I have taken chasing a dream could all come down tomorrow, but I am ****ing well going to enjoy TODAY.

[farmaholic]

Coleville, I caught that after it was posted. I'm sure there is lots more to correct in my drivel. Lol

[farmaholic]

Re bosses, Mother Nature DICTATES here.

[SASKFARMER3]

Yes she does! You have one chance! Even the Cowboys if she wants to not rain their is no feed!
We live in a short season area in canada you have one chance every year! She picks the winners and losers!

[ajl]

Actually agriculture prospects are just as good as any other going forward. The reality for young people today is there will not be much opportunity for them in any field. We are just starting to experience that in western Canada with the death of the commodities boom. It will take a number of years for the oil price to recover. Government will have to fire more than hire in the next 20 years. So I am neutral on ag as I don't see much prospect for anything over the next decade.

[blackpowder]

One of my pieces of advise for a newer farmer would be to not read Agriville. More negative waves than a North Korea broadcast.

[SASKFARMER3]

Ha ha ha that's funny!

[hobbyfrmr]

Well said farmaholic.
I agree with seabass it's seems to be getting harder on the nerves every year.
I agree with freewheat, changing tactic is more interesting and fun but does not lead to immediate success. As Sf3 notes changing and adapting are necessary, I made some positive changes from when I started and I am happy I did.
It must be an age thing, but I am not exactly beaming with confidence about Ag. As noted, there had better be a large sum of cash to start, and things better go right. Ironically when things go right (good crop) the reward is normally negative in terms of lower market prices. Then it turns into the chicken or the egg. I have to grow a good crop just to get by. 4-5 years of that, the. A person wonders wtf they are doing and what it's all for!
It's a very strange risk/success/reward system.
The working man carries the same thoughts when he is in mid stride, vehicles. Mortgage. The job/career doesn't pay enough to meet desires (a moving target that changes with the seasons' advertising) can't afford to quit, not sure where to go if choose to change career, so trudge through and capitalize on all the benefits allowed to him.

[charliep]

A strange comment but I don't hear any of you saying I wish I had done something else with my life. I hear the day to day fustration. I hear concerns about the future. Hopefully you don't feel regret about what you could have done.