The Rural Voice, 1992-09, Page 63Advice
within our control: profitability and
communication between family
members.
Many farmers still disagree when I
suggest they have control over how
much profit they can make. But I
have seen the insides of too many
farm operations over the past 25
years to back down from such
arguments. Farmers can control
profit and cash flow levels far more
than they think. The case is easy to
argue. Farmers have proven it to me
every year in 25 years of farm cost
studies. Every year, regardless of
what "beyond the line fence"
concerns agriculture faced, a decent
number of farmers always end up
with a very enviable profit. And it
had nothing to do with how much
debt they had. Or how many
generations the farm has been in the
family.
Given the importance of profit for
security and growth and quality of
family life, managing the farm as a
business, with professional help, is an
absolute necessity to maintain an
optimistic outlook.
Equally important, every member
of the family must own a piece of the
dream. That's where communication
comes in. Farm life is too complex,
too stress -filled, too competitive, for
a family not to share both the benefits
and the load. A dream not shared can
become a nightmare. And often does.
I'm amazed how few farm
families share the dream. Few know
why they're feeling the pinch. Few
discuss their financial options as a
family. Few ask for professional
help, even though their records
clearly indicate management
assistance is needed. No wonder
there are negative comments about
farming in some farm homes.
This is the kind of help provided
by the Ontario Farm Management
Analysis Program (OFMAP). In my
books, it's the most valuable service
that the provincial govemment could
give to farm families. My non-farm
business friends are always amazed
when I explain my job as a farm
business analyst, that farmers can get
such valuable assistance at no cost.
I had the opportunity to speak at a
Trade -up & Save
on Gallagher
!;GALLAGUER
M800
POWER FENCE" FNERGIZER
Your old fencer is worth
good money when used as
a trade-in on a new
Gallagher energizer.
When you trade in an old
fencer this fall, any
condition, Gallagher will
send a cheque for your trade-in directly to you.
See your Gallagher dealer today because this
offer only runs until October 31, 1992.
Buy a M1500 & get $50 for
your trade-in. Buy a M800
& get $40 for your trade-in.
Buy a M400 & get $30 for
your trade-in. Buy a M120
& get $20 for your trade-in.
_e_
rr
There's a qualified Gallagher Dealer near you:
Belmore Feeds Belmore
Bluewater Feed Company Ltd. Tara
Owen Sound
Carson's Feed & Supply Listowel
Hills Feed & Farm Supply Clinton
Prior, Tim Brussels
Sprucedale Agromart Tara
Thompson Feed & Supply Ripley
Van Sligtenhorst, Evert Zurich
Watson, Bob Cargill
Willodale Nutritional Services Ltd. St. Marys
Stratford
North Wellington Co-operative Services Harriston
Mount Forest
392-6522
934-3122
376-4213
291-1094
482-7706
887-9648
934-2340
395-5955
263-6208
353-5358
284-4000
273-7002
338-2331
323-1271
You can't beat the
LLAGNER system
SEPTEMBER 1992 59