Gas prices for farmers & ranchers

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As I was reading the plight of the ranchers in the Ringling area, I felt really bad for them until I read what they drove. an F-350, an Excursion, another truck and two sedans. Now, I don't know what the sedans are and what kind of mileage they get, but I do know that an F-350 and an Excursion are two of the biggest gas guzzlers out there.

I know you need trucks to run a ranch. But if you "need" the biggest SUV made to run errands and go to T-ball, I think someone needs to re-prioritize.

Saw on a bumper sticker last week:
"If you can't afford gas for the Humnmer, you can't afford the Hummer."
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posted on Sun, Jun 22, 2008 11:03 AM
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Few "farmers" drive Excursions byberrymountain2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
They drive F350's because they haul equipment, hay, etc.

I'd sure like to know which farmers are driving all these vehicles. Maybe the Montana Cattle Grower's Association members, who are now exporting their cattle/meat...because they get more money for it than Montanan's are willing to pay.

Or those who use farms as a tax writeoff, making sure they loose money every year. Few farmers (those who really make a living at it) can afford such luxuries. They do however need dependable, four wheel drive trucks that can pull heavy loads.
Yeah...and..? byalamator2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I had to read my first post again to make sure that I DID say that "I know you need trucks to run a ranch."

The only time farmers is mentioned is in the subject title...my mistake.

As far as farming and ranching goes, it's in the "been there - done that" file.

I grew up in Montana...nearly every guy I know has worked on a ranch. At least thats what you did 30 years ago.

Every farmer/rancher I worked for back then was already a million $ in debt, so a new car or truck every year isn't going to make much difference.
Gotcha... byberrymountain2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
My dentist was telling me that his son had married a girl, whose father lived in Billings. Ok...Anyway, the father-in-law had hired his son-in-law to "run" his ranch here in Montana.

I guess the son-in-law was suppose to "loose" money, as the ranch is really a "tax writeoff," but the son-in-law was actually running it so well, the ranch made money.

The owner was unhappy, as he was use to a tax writeoff.

Also, I believe that to "write off" vehicles for farm/ranch/construction they must be half ton or larger, per the IRS.
RE: Gotcha... byMontana0072 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
You can write off a percentage of any type of vehicle as long as it is used in the business, which in this case is farming or ranching. However, the deduction is much larger (up to $25,000 the first year of use) when the vehicle is over 6,000 GVW. Vehicles over 6,000 lbs are considered non-luxury per tax code. There are also other exclusions and benefits to agricultural vehicles that make it more beneficial to have the larger vehicles. The problem with smaller vehicles is the load-carrying capacity and the lack of avaiability of diesel powerplants. An Excursion may not be necessary and I don't feel that type of vehicle is representative of the typical farmer or rancher. Another reason that you see farmers and ranchers buying larger vehicles is that diesel engines are not available in smaller versions of pickups and when vehicles are used only on the farm or ranch they can use dyed diesel, which is not taxed in the same manner. It's also difficult and expensive to have more than one type of fuel stored on the property and since the vast majority of agricultural equipment runs on diesel I suspect that plays a significant role in determining the type of powerplant to purchase with a new vehicle. Dyed diesel is not supposed to be used if the vehicles are used on public roads.
preferences bymitchelmauschen2 months ago (3 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I understand people are concerned about gas prices and carbon footprints and all that jazz; but the last time I checked, we still lived in the USA and we still have the personal freedom to drive what we please. It sure seems like SUV drivers are considered minions of Satan in Bozeman, I think it's quite presumptuous for people to automatically tell someone that their vehicle is too big and they don't need it. Maybe I take it a little too personally because I'm an SUV driver (a Chevy Tahoe with no third row, and no, it's not the super long body frame either) and no sedan is going to haul my coaching gear or hold a full week's worth of groceries, or allow my two huskies in the trunk, or transport my kids and their things, or haul our boat to the lake (we prefer summer activities over winter ones). While I know a Suby forester could accomplish most of those I don't buy foreign cars that run interference engines (on a side note, if you do own a foreign car with an interference engine change your timing belt at 60,000 miles or you might be sorry when it snaps and totals your engine...coming from a lovely college experience)

So what if they drive their big old Excursion to the t-ball game and the grocery store? Do I feel sorry for them that it costs much more in gas than last year? No. I don't feel sorry for myself either, it comes with the territory of SUV ownership. Do I think that article was front-page worthy today? Nope, I don't think it was.
RE: preferences byberrymountain2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
I agree. I don't tell people what they should or should not drive. I pay the cost, for what I choose to drive.

I'm also not interested in rounding up my kids, dogs, skis, fishing poles, tubes, with a plan to travel very far in a Subaruuuuuuu.

When we're empty nesters, I'm considering a Mini Cooper. Who knows, by then maybe an American made car will out do that. But for now, a Subaru or Mini Cooper...is not gonna' work.

VROOM VROOM
Missed point..? byalamator2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
If you drive the biggest, baddest gas guzzlers made, that's fine. To each his/her own - this is a free country. The "carbon footprint" on an SUV is no more than my Silverado or an F-150.
But if you are going to drive a vehicle that gets no more than 10-12 mpg, you really don't have much room to complain. There are alternatives.
Pooter! What is going on here? byberrymountain2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
This post has 7 comments in 4 days, and only a little over 100 views. Yet it is posted at the TOP.