WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT
SURVIVING THE DRY YEARS
By:
When asked to give a talk about surviving the dry years,
originally, I wasn’t too flattered. It’s
just not that cool to be known as one who’s had hard times and knows how to get
by in the dry years. But after lots of
thought about what it takes to stay in business I came up with some pretty
specific thoughts on what actually works.
Most of these ideas may apply better to the year after falling short on
income than the year of drought.
My experience comes from the mid 90’s and more specifically
from 2002, 2003, and 2004. During these years, for example, our sunflower yield
went from nearly 2000 lbs. in 2002, we still had sub
moisture, to 1200 lbs. in 2003 and in 2004 with only 2.10 inches of rain from
April 1 to August 1 to well under 1000 lbs.
Wheat, peas and other crops with shallow roots did poorly also.
I believe a lot of working through these tough times
depends on yourself and the people you work with. Number one my wife and family. In my case Julie and Casey. We are a farm and ranch family. Julie is out with us every day and makes the
decisions with me. Casey, although not
yet a partner, has a vested interest in our success and is often consulted.
This team needed to redouble their efforts to make sound decisions, communicate
clearly and most importantly, work together.
The rest is mostly about finance. We work with the ND Farm/Ranch Business
Management Program to develop a sound business plan. This includes, accurate
balance sheets, budgets for the business and family living, production
averages, an enterprise analysis and most importantly, cost of production. This
information is also presented to our bank.
I have been a customer at the bank for nearly thirty years and we have
had only two loan officers during this time.
This long-term relationship has helped us to know each other really well
and to have an open and honest relationship.
We welcome the bank to drive with us to look at the crops and cattle. When possible, we get them to work across our
dining room table instead of in their office.
This less formal setting allows for better communication and sharing of
ideas.
In the internet-age purchasing crop inputs on line has
become attractive and often a way to save some of those in-put dollars. But we have found that loyalty with the local
suppliers has paid quite well as they are far more willing to help finance or
sometimes just carry us at times. For us
the local guys have helped us with fuel, fertilizer and chemical. There is no long distance company who will do
for us what some of these guys have. We
appreciate it.
The rest of getting through has to do with our
reputation. Honesty, integrity and a
positive attitude are everything when dealing with the people who we work
with. I am an eternal optimist, although
I have called myself foolishly optimistic.
Sometimes things just can’t turn out as well as I imagine they can. Julie can attest to that. We believe in prayer. While president of the zero till association
I always signed my article in the newsletter, “ Ora et Labora” the
Benedictine motto, “ Prayer and work.”
They go hand in hand on the farm and ranch.
After that it’s all about attitude. This quote by Charles Swindoll
is on the wall in our office. I often
read it in the morning while checking the DTN or e-mail.
ATTITUDE
“THE LONGER I LIVE THE MORE I REALISE THE IMPACT OF
ATTITUDE ON LIFE. ATTITUDE, TO ME IS
MORE IMPORTANT THAN FACTS. IT IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN THE PAST, THAN EDUCATION, THAN MONEY, THAN CIRCUMSTANCES, THAN
FAILURES, THAN SUCCESSES, THAN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OR SAY OR DO. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN APPEARANCE,
GIFTEDNESS OR SKILL. IT WILL MAKE OR
BREAK A COMPANY, A CHURCH, A HOME. THE
REMARKABLE THING IS THAT WE HAVE A CHOICE EVERY DAY REGARDING THE ATTITUDE WE
WILL EMBRACE FOR THAT DAY. WE CANNOT
CHANGE THE INEVITABLE. THE ONLY THING WE
CAN DO IS PLAY ON THE ONE STRING WE HAVE, AND THAT IS OUR ATTITUDE.
I AM CONVINCED THAT LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO ME AND 90%
HOW I REACT TO IT. AND, SO IT IS WITH
YOU…WE ARE IN CHARGE OF OUR ATTITUDES.”