ElO-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 13, 1988 I &v F A R MANAGEMENT What makes a farmer successful? I think we have all heard and seen and read enough about the drought so in this article I want to address a topic that is always time ly. That is “What makes a fanner a “success." Most “successful" far mers that I have worked with over the past ten years have had several of these following ten characteris tics in common. FIRST, the most important one, and one that is often overlooked, is that the do all (or at least the vast majority) farm related tasks in a TIMELY manner. This character istic I will address a little later, but I want to list the other nine charac teristics now. SECOND, they are excellent managers of their resources, that is, their capital (money), livestock, crops, labor, land and buildings, machinery, and personal resources. THIRD, they run their farm bus iness on business principles. The farm is not run on scat of the pants decisions and intuitive feelings, but founded and run on accurate records. These records are timely kept and provide a solid base to make intelligent decisions from. It is not merely a way of life, but a business with making a profit as its chief goal. FOURTH, either the farmer, or Shippensburg Fair Open Beef Show (Continued from Page E 9) Pair Of 'Bulla 1 Ouaine Glessner, 2 George Golden Gat Ot Sira 1 Duame Glessner Cow/Calf 1 DRS Polled Herefords, 2 Michele Hos terman, 3 Duame Glessner, 4,5 George Golden Bast 5 Head 1 DRS Polled Herefords. 2 Duame Gloss ner, 3 George Golden CHAROLAIS Summer Yearling 1 Amy Sherman, 2 Travis Sherman Jr. Yearling 1 Stanley Reaver, 2 Travis Sherman LIMOUSIN Jr. Calves 1 Holly McLaughlin Summer Yearling 1 Jason Boyer Jr. Yearling 1 Holly McLaughlin, 2,3 Steve Clapsaddle Sr. Yearling 1,3 Jason Boyer, 2 Jamie Boyer Two Year Old 1 Holly McLaughlin. Summer Yearling Bulls 1 Holly McLaughlin. Cow/Call 1 Holly McLaughlin. SIMMENTAL Summer Yearling 1,2 Kim Hopple. CHIANINA Summer Yearling 1,5 Michele Hosterman, 2,3 Movm M. 4 Chad Kauffman SANTA QERTRUDIS Jr. Yearling 1 Twin Acres, 2. Chapel Ridge Two Year Old 1 Toni Clabaugh Jr. Bull Calve* 1 Chapel Ridge Summer Yearling 1 Chapel Ridge. Jr. Yearling 1,2 Chapel Ridge Two Year Old 1 Chapel Ridge Pair of Bulls 1 Chapel Ridge Cow/Catf 1 Chapel Ridge Best 5 Head 1 Chapel Ridge MAINE ANJOU Summer Yearling 1 Jeff 'Swank Jr. Yearling 1 Jeff Swank -s a— y his spouse is an excellent record keeper and is interested in and enjoys farm records. (Yes there are people who do enjoy record keeping!) FIVE, they are very attentive to detail in all phases of their farm business, but don’t get preoccup ied and bogged down with details. SIXTH, they often have a tre mendous support system of “spe cialists" or “experts" as a resource to obtain information, including extension agents and specialists, accountants, bankers, veterina rians, legal advisors, feed sales men, and mechanics among others. SEVEN, they are often goal set ters and may have two, five, and/or ten year goals, and even lifetime goals. EIGHT, they take time out for personal and family enjoyment and fulfillment regularly, whatev er form that may take. NINTH, they arc progressive in SHOW SPECIAL Portable Cleaning Power HD 555 COMPLIMENTS OF YOUR LOCAL KARCHER DEALER their agricultural field and keep up with new research. Last, but surely not of least importance, is that they have marketing of their commodi ty as a high priority and always present concern. I’m sure you could think of ten other character istics but as I think about and anal yze the truely “successful" farmers that I have known, these ten seem to stand out . NOW for more detailed discussion on the most important of these ten characteris tics. Do all farm related tasks in a TIMELY manner! I can’t over stress the importance of diligence and timeliness. I want to briefly discuss timeliness in the manage ment of your money, your lives tock, your crops, and your machin ery. Timeliness is critically impor tant in the use of borrowed money and your own equity. For example, now is the lime to just tread water and slay afloat financially. It’s not the lime to borrow additional money for expansion or improve ment if your cash flow is already tight. Good managers know where and when to borrow money, that is when the borrowed money will provide the cash flow to repay the loan. They timely use a line of cre dit to obtain various discounts. They timely and patiently borrow money to keep total debt and debt per animal unit within profitable levels. They pay their bills early and get early order, bulk or quanti ty discounts. Financially they seek “wants” (desires) last, “needs" INCREDIBLE SAVINGS ON THE “KARCHER FARMER’’ HOT WATER PRESSURE CLEANER ONLY 100 UNITS AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS! We want this show to be a special event for all Pennsylvania farmers, so we had 100 Special Edition Karcher Farmer pressure washers built at a one-time-only low, low price. Karcher Farmer has all the popular features you need, and we are able to offer it at a remarkable savings of $7OO off the regular price The Karcher Farmer is a Special Edition production run planned for this show, and once these 100 units have gone we can't make this offer again It’s a top quality Hot/Cold pressure washer that delivers 1000 p.s.i. pressure at an economical 2.4 g.p.m. See the Karcher Farmer demonstrated at the Karcher Booth on West First Street. And, because we don't want you to miss it, we’re offering you a free gift. Just fill in this entry form, give it to a Karcher represen tative at the booth, and you’ll get your free gift and a chance to win a popular Karcher HD555 portable pressure washer valued at over $595! Come on over! Join the fun! Get a free gift and a chance to win a valuable prize. And take advantage of truly spectacular savings on our Show Special! See the world's most complete line of Quality Pressure Washers with output from 1000 to 2500 p.s.i WU C °^c d , wtN ME. AG PROGRESS DAYS AUGUST 16 - 18 HD555 ENTRY FORM (Code) Tel ( ) I own a pressure washer Yes No | (If Yes) Make Model second, and “have to haves” first. They do not just purchase or buy, but they invest dollars wisely to be one step ahead of inflation or recession. Timeliness should be the first priority when dealing with your livestock enterprise. Breeding stock and their offspring and/or byproduct must be bought, fed, bred, given health care, culled, and marketed in a timely manner. Get ting cows and sows bred properly often is the difference between profit and loss. Top hog, beef, and sheep farmers market their animals at the proper weight to get top dol lar at the market. Animals should NEVER be allowed to run out of feed or water. Getting the veterina rian or doing your own work at the right time is important. Death los ses or just losses in production severely lower net income. The successful farmer anticipates health problems and is ready to medicate the animals at the first slight symptom of illness. Since feed is normally the largest expense on most livestock farms the successful fanner knows when to purchase those “good buys” to feed their animals. The excellent manager constantly monitors his animals rate of gain, cost per pound of animal produced, feed efficiency, and total feed bill. Crops are timely planted, spray ed and harvested by the excellent farmer. The successful farmer also rotates his crops regularly to take Give your completed Entry Form to a Karcher Representative at the Karcher Booth on West First Street and choose your FREE GIFT. You could win a portable HD555-a $595 value. Li] KARCHER advantage of legumes and reduce soil erosion. Alfalfa Helds MUST be harvested at the proper time, and the top dairyman makes his alfalfa field his second priority right behind the dairy herd. Com and soybeans are gotten in early by the top farmers to take advantage of those early spring rains, but they also spread their plantings over a thirty day period or so to reduce their risk from drought or other natural disaster. They timely haul their manure to reduce their pur chased fertilizer needs. Machinery must be purchased, maintained, operated, and replaced in a timely manner. Top managers get excellent used machinery buys at farm auctions or machinery dealerships. Excellent managers overhaul their machinery over winter and the off-season before peak-work season so that the crops get planted on time. Top managers also see the economical timeliness of having custom work done when they can’t afford that expensive piece of equipment that they only use for one week a year. So, all I ask is that you honestly review your management record and sec how many of these ten characteristics do you display. I challenge you to improve, espe cially in the area of umcliness. As you improve, I believe your net farm income will improve, along with your self esteem. May this challenge you to be a “successful" farmer. Choose a Karcher cap or kitbag FREE * / ano*®***
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