Tis the season.... for the ag professionals day to be longer and their tempers to be a bit shorter.
Every year the anticipation is the same. Though it may be verbalized differently, The following conversations are likely similar among every farmer (on their cell phone at the dinner table):
- How's the crop look?
- Will prices be decent?
- I know it's broken, when will it be fixed
-Dang I am tired!
The silent worries are likely the same too:
Keep the guys safe
Keep the crew happy
Keep the family happy
Keep the bank happy
It is a pressure that few outside the industry understand. I say this in confession, 10 years ago I had no idea what an admirable and noble profession farming was. These folks work in many ways to optimize their product. Successful farmers dedicate full time plus hours 24/7, they use innovative technology and try to stay on the cutting edge with chemicals and technology, they do their best to apply intellect, strategy and tenacity--not just for that day or season, but for next year's crop and beyond. As if that pressure isn't enough, all that can be done exceptionally well, yet factors out of their control (weather, demand or other factors) can be huge setbacks. Phew...makes a desk job look like a real vacation, eh?
Another reason to honor and admire those hard working farm guys and gals that you know. I know I sure do! It's an honor to work amongst them.
Oh yeah...and give them some slack when they want to go elk hunting for 2 weeks in November.
Every year the anticipation is the same. Though it may be verbalized differently, The following conversations are likely similar among every farmer (on their cell phone at the dinner table):
- How's the crop look?
- Will prices be decent?
- I know it's broken, when will it be fixed
-Dang I am tired!
The silent worries are likely the same too:
Keep the guys safe
Keep the crew happy
Keep the family happy
Keep the bank happy
It is a pressure that few outside the industry understand. I say this in confession, 10 years ago I had no idea what an admirable and noble profession farming was. These folks work in many ways to optimize their product. Successful farmers dedicate full time plus hours 24/7, they use innovative technology and try to stay on the cutting edge with chemicals and technology, they do their best to apply intellect, strategy and tenacity--not just for that day or season, but for next year's crop and beyond. As if that pressure isn't enough, all that can be done exceptionally well, yet factors out of their control (weather, demand or other factors) can be huge setbacks. Phew...makes a desk job look like a real vacation, eh?
Another reason to honor and admire those hard working farm guys and gals that you know. I know I sure do! It's an honor to work amongst them.
Oh yeah...and give them some slack when they want to go elk hunting for 2 weeks in November.
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