Pickup trucks for farmers

May 25, 2015

Many things need to be considered before purchasing

Part of a farmer’s ability to do the highest quality work and produce the highest quality of crops and food comes from having the best tools to use in the process.

A pickup truck can be one of those tools and there are plenty of options for farmers to choose from.

The 2015 Ram 3500 Big Horn edition features a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine, giving the driver 410 horsepower for maximum performance. It comes with an 18,000 lb Class V trailer tow hitch receiver with a maximum towing capacity of 29,260 lbs and max payload around 7,000 lbs.

Chevy’s 2015 Silverado 3500HD comes with a 6.0L gasoline/ethanol V8 engine, pumping out 360 horsepower. The payload starts at 6,281 lbs and increases depending on the trim of vehicle purchased. It’s maximum towing capacity of 23,200 lbs and maximum torque of 765 lb-ft can help the driver transport some heavier equipment and supplies.

Ford’s 2015 Super Duty F-250 comes equipped with a 6.2L gas V8, 385 horsepower engine that can generate at least 405 lb-ft. Its towing capacity starts around 18,999 lbs and maximum payload is nearly 10,000 lbs, depending on some of the additional features the driver wishes to add.

Truck in background

While a pickup truck can be a very important tool for farmers, there are some things they should consider when trying to choose the vehicle that best suits their needs:

What will the truck most commonly be used for? Is there any additional equipment needed?
How many people will regularly ride in the truck?
Will you tow a trailer? If so, what’s the maximum weight you’ll pull?
How long does your bed need to be?
Will the truck strictly be used for work or double as a family vehicle?

Tell us your thoughts on buying pickup trucks. What are some of the things you considered before buying one? What kind of truck do you currently have or want?

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.