In In 2005, we visited the Schiller farm which I think, included parts of Mom's parent’s original farm. The operation was huge and certainly an "eye popper". We checked out the machine shed and counted four "Combines" - roughly 850K to 1 mil apiece. He had several "18 wheelers", other self propelled implements and numerous storage warehouses. Then when we visited his grain elevators at various locations where he stored and dried the grain. These things required continuous 240volt power to run the blower motors.
All in all, this was the equivalent of a major business and represented several millions, possibly as much as 10 mil plus - counting the acreage - definitely not a substance farm. I would expect that with corn and its relationship to Ethanol, the business has picked up immensely.
The pictures show Phil and Bill next to our second cousin (name escapes me) and one of his combines. All of had a chance to ride in the combine for a trip around a massive grain field. The combine was air conditioned and quite comfortable. All it lacked was a latrine. Of course it was only a big hop and a step to use the field for our comfort. The second picture is a perspective on the seemingly endless grain fields. Phil is modeling his infamous and omnipresent "yellow shirt".
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