Otter-steer, Part III



This from a reader:

John - After 5 yrs when your $10,000 investment is depr. will your savings in input cost be recouped? - Roy Flint

While Trimble has some calculations about savings and others have worked out payback schemes, I always find these pro forma numbers of little use. First, it is hard to add up dollars you did NOT spend. It's like trying to prove a negative hypothesis.

Second, I think for us, the real value is in time and effort - not input costs. Jan and I have stretched ourselves about as thin as we can to cover 1800 acres, and a little help to make the days less stressful can make a big difference in our attitude and enthusiasm. When you subtract the days I spend doing USFR, even a small bump in efficiency helps.

(Sounds like Gadget Addict justification, doesn't it?)

Also another irritated coax cable customer:

I have the AgLeader Insight yield monitor and lightbar (made by Trimble) and agree with you about the frustration of paying a fortune for some cables that Radio Shack or Walmart would sell for a fraction of the amount Agleader charges. What a rip-off!!!!!! If only the cable ends would match up.

I am tired of moving a half dozen cables (that always end up in a tangled mess) from one tractor to another or to the combine. I think Agleader probably is ahead of JD in developing useful features in their equipment, but JD has so much less hassle when moving the monitor and accessories to different vehicles. The problem I have with JD Greenstar is that my local dealer has no one that knows anything about yield monitors, etc, (except the salesman who disappears after the sale).

By the way, most of the corn is planted here in Northeast Iowa. We finished Friday afternoon just before the rainy weekend started.

I really enjoy your blog!

Nick Leibold

I really think customers need to be their own experts right now. Or maybe become consultants to the dealers?.... Hmmm.....

As for our corn: 17% done. Thanks for sharing. (Sigh)