***CSIF Exclusive Feature -- Sixth in a Series***
(Editor's note -- The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers visited with Adair and Cass County farmers, residents and community leaders about the benefits of agriculture and the positive impact of responsibly growing area livestock farms. Throughout the year, the Coalition will tell their stories in a series of articles focusing on the interconnection between strong and growing farms and vibrant and prosperous main streets in Adair and Cass Counties…and beyond.)
(Atlantic, Iowa – May 21, 2007) Some people say family-owned businesses can’t survive in today’s global economy. Obviously they’ve never told the Lindemans.
For more than 60 years, the Lindeman family has owned and operated Lindeman Tractor Inc., a fixture located on the west edge of Atlantic in southwest Iowa. The New Holland business, founded in 1944, flourishes thanks to a strong agricultural economy fueled by livestock farming and a family dedicated to taking care of its customers.
“Atlantic is a great place to be,” said Bob Lindeman. “We have an active chamber that promotes the town. We are also in a prime agricultural spot. There are a lot of good livestock and crop farmers around and they need quality equipment. We’re proud to provide a reliable product and service at a good price.”
Bob’s father, Lewis, was the first person to sell tractors in Cass County. In 1917, the young farmer and entrepreneur began selling the Waterloo Boy. By 1940, his sales skills and love of the iron horse resulted in a Ford Tractor contract. Just four years later, Lewis had sold 75 units and rented a shop in Cumberland so his business could grow. In 1955, the Lindemans moved the company to Atlantic where it thrives today adjacent Hwy. 6.
“By the 1950s, there were six tractor business in Atlantic alone and 16 in the county,” Bob reminisced from his office, surrounded by model Ford tractors, posters and pictures. “Now there are just two in Cass County.”
Those numbers underscore the farm economy’s fragility and the Lindeman family’s perseverance. Bob and his wife, Norma, continue to help manage the business. Their son, Fred, serves as company president. Son-in-laws Rick Tasto and Bob Maley serve as sales manager and parts manager respectively.
Every family member knows that how the farm economy goes, so too goes Lindeman Tractor. That’s why they offer a wide variety of equipment and services. The company sells Kinze planters and grain carts, New Holland tractors, combines and equipment, Great Plains seeders and Land Pride rotary cutters. They also sell numerous tractor and combine attachments and operate an expanding parts and service business.
A strong livestock sector, says Bob, is critical to their success as a family-owned business.
“Livestock requires a lot of inputs,” he says. “Farmers who raise livestock need manure spreaders, feed wagons, hay grinders, loaders, buckets, parts, accessories and service. Livestock farmers need a lot of things which helps local businesses like ours.”
Livestock farming, he adds, is also labor intensive, meaning more family members are needed to do the job. For example, Lindeman Tractor started doing business with a certain family 60 years ago. Over the years, the farm has continued to grow. Today, three families are involved in the enterprise, growing crops, raising hogs and managing a cow-calf herd. They’ve purchased 16 tractors from the Lindemans plus a variety of attachments and accessories.
“We have a mixture of crop and livestock farmers who do business with us,” Bob said. “But livestock farmers have a tendency to farm less acres. This helps add some diversity to our farm economy and helps promote smaller farms. It also keeps more farmers on the land and helps young farmers get started. All those things are good for local businesses.”
While the importance of livestock to the family’s business hasn’t changed, many other things have. Equipment continues to become more advanced and computerized. It’s also gotten more expensive.
“During World War II, equipment was hard to come by because of the iron shortage,” Bob recalls. “They limited dad to just 50 tractors a year so we were lucky to sell $100,000 worth of inventory in a year.
“Today,” he added, “a new combine will cost around $225,000. By the time you add on the cost of the corn and soybean attachments, the total bill will be close to $300,000.”
The Lindemans help farmers make the most of their investment by providing top-quality service. They are currently expanding their service department to help meet the demand.
“We do a lot of conditioning of equipment because it pays for the farmer,” Bob said. “When you have equipment that’s this advanced and requires a significant financial investment, it has to work when it’s time to plant or harvest. Farmers have to be able to depend on that. We take pride in keeping things tuned and also getting out to the farm or field immediately if help is needed. That’s just one more benefit from doing business locally.”
As Bob looks to the future, he hopes that livestock farming will continue to prosper in Cass County.
“I think there are a lot of benefits to having livestock around,” he said. “It helps conserve our resources because you can grow cover crops that reduce soil loss while providing a valuable feed source. Livestock also enhances our local economy because you can do more with each acre you farm. We also raise good corn and soybeans in this area and it’s economical and practical to feed it to livestock.
“Then there’s the growth of our renewable energy plants which means every gallon of ethanol produces some high-quality feed perfect for livestock,” he added. “If we want to keep things growing here, it all starts with livestock.”