Many farmers, are suddenly clearing more land and expanding their potential for output.

I know alot of farmers, and have never heard one say the cost of repairing equipment was the reason they weren't trying to put more land in production.

Of course around here, it's the fear of converting a wetland and losing government benefits that stop most from converting forest land to cropland.

quote:

---

If they have the capacity to expand, they don't need bailouts, right?

---

Who said they are getting "bailouts"?

quote:

---

So, which is it: Farmers are broke/going broke/bankrupt or they have the money laying around to spend it on getting more ground? If they have the capacity to expand, they don't need bailouts, right?

---

Farmers aren’t a monolith. They have different states, different rules, different crops, different growing seasons, different soils, different weather, etc etc.

So its possible that some farmers are broke and others have money invested elsewhere that can be redirected to a crop that can be more profitable with fewer regulations.

quote:

---

Seems only John Deere dealer can work on JD equipment and must use the OEM parts.

---

This does seem to be a growing issue. These tractors are more sophisticated than most vehicles, and the computer systems require someone from the dealer to work on the damn things.

My neighbor uses some older, open air tractors more than the newer, air conditioned cab one he has largely because of that issue.

Many farmers are trading their tractors in vs trying to repair because the repairs costs are too expensive.

Also know many who will pay a premium for pre DEF tractors.

JD makes it impossible to repair yourself. Certain computers required to diagnose and clear issues

quote:

---

I know alot of farmers, and have never heard one say the cost of repairing equipment was the reason they weren't trying to put more land in production.

---

You don't seem to be aware of the huge "right to repair" problem farmers face. I am not saying this is the number one issue but it darn sure isn't some small obscure issue either.

Farmland isn't always owned by those farming it. I have seen large tracts of farmland owned by timber companies, corporate farms (could be "family") and other entities.

The farmer leases it....

I really don't see farmland being "created", it is usually lost to development of one type or another.... or lays fallow for reasons unknown.

No clue how widespread all this is....

That is a stupid arse post. We over produce, corn and beans especially. This problem is not going away and only going to get worse as SA continues to improve and put more acres in production.

Farmers can be there own worst enemies in some cases with the yield your way out of a loss mentality.

But the system is sort of rigged against them in a lot of ways. If you could get every operation in the US to lay out there marginal acres and also reduce planting population. The savings along with the better pricing from overall lower production would have a much larger percentage of farmers making money.

quote:

---

Funny how every producer is starving while prices are through the roof. Steak is 25 bucks a lb and cattle ranchers say they are starving to.

---

Money is all going to the processor. USDA has a stranglehold on who can process beef and, well, Tyson has to pay a lot of money to Cal