January 7, 2011
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I just handed a quick snack to my farmboy–he’s too busy to take off his dirty boots to come inside for a few minutes’ sit-down. Four–count ‘em–four–loads of fertilizer are coming in, back to back to back to back. We spread fertilizer in February, and, gosh, that’s just around the corner–already, we’re gearing up for the busy season just ahead.
Farming is not for the faint of heart. There are many reasons that I say this. First, the amount of work and dedication involved would be daunting to someone who believes a workday should run from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. Second, if one thinks a job should come with tangible benefits such as an employer-matching 401K and a fabulous insurance plan and every federal and state holiday and a one-hour lunch break and scheduled coffee breaks, then don’t apply! And third, if one believes the amount of income should be commensurate with the amount of effort expended, pardon me while I laugh. In farming, it just doesn’t work that way.
The dedicated farmers I know are on the job almost every waking minute, from early till late. The farmer I’m closest to might take off a few hours for a ballgame or a movie, but on the way to and from said events, he is farming–in his mind. He’s thinking through a problem he had that day and coming closer to solving it. “I think I’ve got it worked out– the best place for that funnel fence on the Honeycutt Place, so those darn cows won’t get away from us next time,” or “I think urea is going to be a better choice than nitrogen this spring. Figuring xxx acres at xxx per ton, I believe we can save about $10,000. That might be enough to cover the cost of the a couple of loads of fuel–if it doesn’t go up too much.”
Benefits? There are plenty, but they don’t come in the form of retirement plans or an expense account. We do get to enjoy lunch sitting on the side of a crystal-clear creek sometimes, watching baby calves gambol in an adjoining pasture. We try to avoid needing insurance by getting plenty of fresh air, exercise and and mental challenges on a daily basis. And sometimes, once in a great while, since we work for ourselves and we can, we take a holiday that isn’t a bank holiday. lf things are going smoothly and the day is exceptionally nice, we might decide to forego the regularly scheduled work and just do something fun–like going fishing with a grandchild or saddling up the horses for a ride over the hills or exploring some backroads or taking the canoe to the creek for an afternoon float. Not often, but sometimes.
It’s that part about income that truly demands a farmer be strong and have inner courage. Because, hard as we may work and carefully as we may plan, the bottom line is always determined by the price we get for the product we sell. Right now, at this minute, cattle are bringing a good price at the market. But the livestock market is notorious for dramatic swings, and today’s profit can easily be next week’s loss. We do our best and hope for the best.
Right now, the cost of feed is at an all-time high. We’re paying almost twice the price for corn as at this time last year. We bite the bullet and buy the high-priced corn, feeling a tiny bit of comfort knowing that corn farmers deserve a better price than they’ve gotten in years past. And we listen to the predictions of fuel prices sky-rocketing again and we decide to order fertilizer now, knowing that fuel influences the cost of fertilizer.
Last evening, my farmboy announced that he had ordered several loads of fertilizer. We buy in bulk, blend our own and spread it ourselves. This is the cheapest possible way to buy commercial fertilizer, but still…I gulped and asked, “How much?” “Quite a bit,” he said quietly but firmly. “Bear up,” my strong heart said to itself. “You are not faint. You will write that large check when the bill comes in, and it will rain and the grass will grow and the cows and calves will eat it and it will make feed for next winter, and it will all be okay.” And the fertilizer starts coming in, the very next morning.
No, farming is not for weenies. We operate with lots of work, lots of planning, lots of effort and lots of faith. If our farming history was charted on a graph, it would be characterized by high peaks and deep valleys, just like the landscape that surrounds us. But that is why I love where we live–that beautiful and varied landscape I look out upon–and it’s why I love our life, even with its highs and lows. No boring straight lines here…
Comments (4)
Ain’t it th’ truth and we don’t depend on farming for all our income like you and our bestest friends do. Are you using regular fertilizer or the chicken stuff? Bestest friends have never used the chicken until this year. Another area farmer used it last year. Some of his fields were right by town and oh, my goodness! The smell was atrocious! He is a big farmer too so know it paid off. Not sure what Wil is doing this year.
I know what you mean about the fertilizer bill!!! Just paid mine yesterday, in order to get the discount. I could have written every word of your entry for today. But I wouldn’t trade it for any other occupation I can think of. Even with all the hard work, and worries, we’ve had a good life. AND, I just got a corn check, I put in the bank yesterday. That was quite nice too. (o;
When a casino opened in a town near us someone asked my husband if he’d be going to gamble and he replied he has gambled for 50 years on the farm and certainly didn’t need an added risk to be involved in. It is a good life but it is hard work and when you watch your calf crop in the sale ring it is quite a nerve wracking time to say the least. You certainly painted an accurate picture of how it is.
I haven’t been able to keep up with your blogs, Janet, these past couple of weeks as well as I would like. But tonight I had a chance to go back and read some. I love them! I love the way you can transport me to life on your farm in a way that I can picture it so clearly!