As reported by The Hutchinson News: Bill Came, who operates Came Farms in Salina, enjoys what he does. That satisfaction is contagious. His two sons and three nephews have joined the family business.
Recently, Came Farms in Salina was named as a finalist for Farm Journal’s annual Top Producer of the Year national award. This award represents the best in the business of farming. Three finalists were chosen by a panel of judges based on entrepreneurial originality, financial and business progress, and industry and community leadership.
Came understands that business success involves trying new ideas while sticking to core values. On his diversified operation, Came oversees land that his ancestors started farming on during the late 1800s.
“We focus on the business side of the operation and always try to be professional,” he said. “We watch really close our fixed costs and try to utilize them as well as we possibly can.”
During the last few decades, the farm switched production methods to incorporate no-till, reducing costs and improving the operation’s soil health. Came also started cover crops of rye and triticale on some of his land, and because of the farm’s rotation, they do not have fallow fields.
“We have a rotation that we stick to,” Came said. “We use 100% no-till and double crop all our milo acres.”
During the past 10 years, Came Farms doubled in size, reaching 12,000 acres of wheat, grain sorghum, soybeans and alfalfa. The operation also includes cattle and a trucking company.
To keep his expenses low and his profits high, Came tries to buy used equipment, except when it comes to new technology like software. As for the tractor equipment, he always has at least two employees who can repair the machines.
“We bring everything in the shop. We’re utilizing our labor year-round as well,” Came said. “If the technology saves us money and increases yield, I’m willing to invest.”
Came also has employees who specialize. For example, one oversees spraying while another focuses on planting.
“It’s not one guy trying to do everything and learn everything,” Came said.
Calving later in the year. Growing up, Came was used to Angus. That is what his dad raised, and his grandpa before him. But Came realized that he had to feed his Angus more, so he switched to mixed breed. He also changed to calving in May and June — keeping his cows from calving during below-freezing weather.
“We bought a lighter cow herd and started over from there,” Came said. “It lets us run more cows on our ground. It doesn’t take as much feed to feed a smaller cow.”
Came Farms employs five full-time and six-part time employees, but what is most important for Bill Came is that everyone wants to be there.
“I enjoy almost every aspect of it,” he said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
