[JDPower10]

Looking for input on how to handle my employee wages. I have 2 full time 21 year old very hard working, intelligent young men working for my father and I on our farm and seed business. They have been with us for a little over a year and are each receiving $12/an hour. Are we paying enough? They will take home close to $30k each this year (after taxes) with the hours they have worked. I and they plan on making it a career out of working for us and was curious on how much of a bonus I should give them around Christmas, maybe put them on a salary next year, etc. Any input would be great. Thanks

 

[Partners]

Depends on how good they are, the neighbors are paying $25-$28 per hr...seasonal employment...

 

[Andrew_D]

Borderline OK for starting out, but if they are good, I'd be seriously ramping that up. Depends what area you are from as well.

We are paying $15-25/hr depending on full-time / part-time / casual, experience, etc.

Andrew

 

[alfred123]

Around here its $20-$30 an hour a full time hired guy makes $60,000 a yr hired help isn't cheap but have to compete with oilfield and potash mine

 

[cptusa]

Was paying my grain cart driver $15/hour. Then I drove the cart a couple mornings until he got there (works night shift so sleeps a couple hours before showing up). Now he gets $20.

 

[redline73]

I worked for 3 years when I was away from the family farm for 12/hour. Had a house and a fuel card provided. I thought that was fair at the time considering my skills/clean driving record and a CDL. These days I wouldnt settle for anything less than 15/hour for year round employment. Bonuses were performance based.

 

[lambear]

$15-$20 for my seasonal guys.. Im going to individualize raises based on performance. Take a look at your farms total expenses and what % your guys are taking of that, and how screwed you would be with out them. I will be giving 2 of my guys a raise, the other, I'm hoping retires..

 

[lambear]

It all depends on the local job market too.. If your close to a major centre where lots of people live…. If these guys have to drive an hour to get to work…

 

[skgrain]

You are just a hair above minimum wage which is 10.20. You are going to have to get up to 20 asap or train new guys. Unless you have benefits. Local cattle farm lets employee buy 10 cows and he gets free feed and pasture for them.

 

[whatswrong]

Looking for input on how to handle my employee wages. I have 2 full time 21 year old very hard working, intelligent young men working for my father and I on our farm and seed business. They have been with us for a little over a year and are each receiving $12/an hour. Are we paying enough? They will take home close to $30k each this year (after taxes) with the hours they have worked. I and they plan on making it a career out of working for us and was curious on how much of a bonus I should give them around Christmas, maybe put them on a salary next year, etc. Any input would be great. Thanks

Would you do the same work as they are doing for $12.00 .I'm not meaning any management work .That is pretty well hamburger serving wages.
You said you want to keep them.

 

[GittleinFarms]

$25 each for our two full time guys

 

[pete gads]

I work part time on 400 head pure breed cattle/ with 1500 grain. I live 3 hours away so when there I live in their house with them. Pay is 250 a day an fuel to get home. hrs very each day, mostly 10 hrs

 

[lanwickum]

I pay $20 per hour for my harvest help. Also supply room and board. More than I made per hour as a mechanic for John Deere putting in more OT than any employee in all the branches of the dealership. Think they wonder why I had to quit. Best thing I have ever done I barely made that while I worked for CAT dealership. At least I had benefits at CAT, nothing at JD. Was cheaper to buy my own out of pocket. I can get worked up over wages.

 

[farmforlife]

I don't know where your at but to get 2 capable guys that will work for $12 an hour is as close to winning the lotto as most will get. Around here you wouldn't even get the biggest loser from town to work for that and we are not very close to oil or mines. Good luck keeping them.

 

[sawfly]

22 here , can not believe , your getting off that cheap for good guys

 

[Hans Schwarz]

22 here , can not believe , your getting off that cheap for good guys

Me neither,especially if they are good and hard working guys.They must be pretty desperate...

 

[miniskfarm]

$20-25 for good experienced operators.
I can't believe you even get guys out of bed for $12

 

[drylandfarmer]

If they are good employees you won't keep them for $12.
Good employees are very hard to come by, and hard to retain. The last reason you want to lose one is because of money. Good guys will make your operation more profitable, bad ones will make you want to shoot yourself.

 

[bena]

I pay $20 per hour for my harvest help. Also supply room and board. More than I made per hour as a mechanic for John Deere putting in more OT than any employee in all the branches of the dealership. Think they wonder why I had to quit. Best thing I have ever done I barely made that while I worked for CAT dealership. At least I had benefits at CAT, nothing at JD. Was cheaper to buy my own out of pocket. I can get worked up over wages.

Sounds like some of the places I've worked...

Walmart pays 14 to start here. Farm help is around 20 to start for someone with a little exp. doesn't tear things up etc. Good experienced guys are close to 30 plus benefits.

 

[Tablemountainman]

Not every man is the same caliber, I'm tired of Mennonite employees coming and giving us a list of demands. They won't work Sunday's or holidays. But want top dollar. Great guys to work with, but if it rains, they want to be paid for a day's work even though we can't go, but refuse to work on a sunny Sunday.