Assuming Makes An...
- Grant Wiese
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
NW Call to Action
Assuming Makes An…
You really don't have a clue.
The other day, I was catching up with a lender from a different bank. In the middle of our conversation, they brought up one of my customers—a local farmer they had been observing from the outside.
“You know they are rich” the lender said. “Always flipping equipment, buying real estate, chasing deals. They’re moving money all the time.”
I didn’t say much. I just let them talk.
But I walked away from that conversation reminded of something important: what you see in agriculture rarely tells the full story. And when we assume we know someone’s financial picture based on surface-level details—new paint, big purchases, or small appearances—we risk not just being wrong, but deeply unfair.
In this case, they had no clue about the actual financial position of that operation. They were guessing, based purely on what they saw from the road.
To bring this point home, let me share four real examples of farmers I’ve worked with—each of them illustrates why assumptions can be not just misleading, but downright dangerous.
Farmer 1 – Looks Successful, Is Successful
What You’d See: Owns 700 acres and rents another 1,300. Mid-40s. The family is always well-dressed with new vehicles. They run top-of-the-line equipment and are looking to expand soon.
Reality: $12 million net worth with 98% owner equity. Operate on cash. Excellent financial management. They’ve earned what they have—and it shows.
Farmer 2 – Looks Successful, Struggling Behind the Scenes
What You’d See: Owns 500 acres and rents another 3,000. Mid-40s. New iron everywhere. This is the name everyone mentions when big ground comes up for sale.
Reality: Had to sell two quarters of ground just to have enough cash to plant the crop. Divorce has been filed. Cash flow is ugly, and the business is falling apart.
Farmer 3 – Looks Like They're Getting By, But They Aren’t
What You’d See: Owns 160 acres. Early 30s. Running equipment that’s nearly older than they are. Clearly living below their means. Has strong family support and recently bought ground at public auction.
Reality: Negative working capital, negative net worth. Couldn’t qualify for financing on the auction purchase. Parents quietly bought the ground behind the scenes to avoid legal issues. They need to stop farming.
Farmer 4 – Looks Like They're Barely Hanging On, Quietly Crushing It
What You’d See: Double-wide trailer. 30-year-old equipment. Tiny-looking farm.
Reality: Owns 800 acres, debt-free. Actively working to buy out a family member and significantly expand. They may live humbly, but their financial position is rock solid.
The Takeaway
We all know we shouldn’t judge others—but in agriculture, it’s especially important to remember that what we see from the road doesn’t tell the whole story.
Behind the equipment, the acreage, the image—there’s a deeper financial reality. And in this industry, things can change quickly. We are currently in a time of terrible looking cash flow statements. Divorces, bankruptcies, even suicides often follow closely behind big ag downturns.
So let’s be cautious with our assumptions. And more importantly, let’s be kind.
You never know when you might need help—or be the one someone else is relying on.
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Have a great week!
Grant
