Should I report this "incident" to the farmer or let it ride?

[PA. Woodsman]

I need some advice-for the last 8 years or so I have had permission to cut any downed trees in an area near my house on county property-I got that permission from the guy in the Parks department (County worker) years ago, and used to call him everytime that I saw something down in this area and/or the farm fields there, and he would always check it out and give me the okay. Years ago, I basically got the green light from him to take anything that has come down, so I haven't called him in years-I just cut it up, haul it out and no questions are asked-no one wants it besides me. I have cut downed trees in this farm field before, and today I pulled up next to a downed Ash tree in this field and was cutting it up when a guy comes up and asked if I got permission from the farmer to cut it up, and I told him what I just told you guys, and he said that he talked to the farmer Friday night and got permission to take the trunk for lumber and throw the branches in the woods, but he said "he told me not to drive on the soybeans" to which I said "these are soybeans?"...HONESTLY guys, it all just looked like dried, dead plants to me-I had no idea that they were soybeans ready to be harvested...they used to always plant corn there and I could tell when that was dead, but I drove along the side of the tree on these soybeans, maybe 40-50 feet. We both were civil to each other, understood each other's situation, and he took my name and number if there would be a problem to rightfully cover his ass, and he said that he's not going to say anything unless the farmer notices then he'll have to tell him it was me-oy vey....I felt so bad and like an idiot, and just packed up and came home. I told a guy I know about it today and he said "he'll probably just claim the whole thing as a loss on his insurance"-is this true-are farmers insured for stuff like this? This guy rents the field from the county, and I have no idea who he is besides a name that this guy gave me, and there are several people with that name in the phone book, and I'm sure that I can track him down but should I tell him about this and see if he let's it slide or charges me for damaged crops? Should I just let it go and see if he even notices-it is hard to tell that it was driven on...I don't know if it really is that big of a deal, and if I catch him in a bad mood he might nail me but yes I DID drive on it even though it was out of ignorance; or he might appreciate me telling him about it and let it slide but don't do it again...sorry for the long story, but I need to know from you guys, especially you farmers if I should tell him or let it go-it is near the edge of the property so it is kind of thinner there but still...thanks in advance.

 

[boda65]

I don't know your area, but around here this is the likely scenario. Go to farmer, apologetically with hat-in-hand. Humbly tell him your story, apologize, and take your lumps. Chances are, he'll check it out and tell you to forget it. possibly ask you to pay a small, fair amount. Most farmers are salt of the earth kind of people. Of course, you always risk the chance that he's a pr!ck who will get all bent out of shape and threaten to call the cops, etc. Personally, I would let him know and take my chances.

 

[poorboypaul]

Speaking as a farmer, I'd greatly appreciate it if you told me you did it. I'd be ticked if someone drove on my crop and didn't say a word. You already have one witness who saw you. Just apologize and explain you didn't know they were soybeans and it wasn't done intentionally. 9 out of 10 times he won't be upset with you by being honest. If he flips out, you probably won't be able to deal with him rationally anyways. Don't say anything, and he sees someone drove over his crop, yeah, he may be ticked. Even though it's county property, he is paying rent on that ground to plant his crops. These are the kind of things that cause private property to be posted against trespass. If you can't find the renter, and if you see them harvesting their crop, stop and let him know. It may be just an employee of his, but you'll feel better, and most likely word will get back to the owner.

 

[Iska3]

I don't know your area, but around here this is the likely scenario. Go to farmer, apologetically with hat-in-hand. Humbly tell him your story, apologize, and take your lumps. Chances are, he'll check it out and tell you to forget it. possibly ask you to pay a small, fair amount. Most farmers are salt of the earth kind of people. Of course, you always risk the chance that he's a pr!ck who will get all bent out of shape and threaten to call the cops, etc. Personally, I would let him know and take my chances.

I agree!! I'd man up and admit I goofed with the beans by not knowing any better. Chances are he'll just laugh it off but the farmer might be a bit upset over the beans. I'd offer to pay for his loss and he might even over look it.

Cut your losses and think of all the extra wood you'll get in the long run.

 

[Muffler Bearing]

I don't know your area, but around here this is the likely scenario. Go to farmer, apologetically with hat-in-hand. Humbly tell him your story, apologize, and take your lumps. Chances are, he'll check it out and tell you to forget it. possibly ask you to pay a small, fair amount. Most farmers are salt of the earth kind of people. Of course, you always risk the chance that he's a pr!ck who will get all bent out of shape and threaten to call the cops, etc. Personally, I would let him know and take my chances.

+1
Also I'd where a I Love John DEERE hat.

 

[Ambull]

I agree. Better to let him know.

 

[hanniedog]

I would first off contact they farmer and tell him or her what happened. Secondly I would find out who is incharge of taking care of the rental aggrement for the county. Find out exactly who can grant permission to cut on said property. Then try to work things out between you, the county and the farmer.

 

[jerryw66]

I don't know if you know the farmer or not, but talk to him and maybe offer some form of reconciliation, it wouldn't hurt to show some appreciation, maybe a watermellon, or his favorite beverage? People used to do this sort of thing when a farmer would let them hunt on there land. I've been on both sides of that fence, and I have seen great friendships formed between the landowner and the hunter/woodcutter. I don't think people are as social as they used to be, we're all just to busy. What would Mark Twain say?

 

[bluestem]

I'm not sure what soybeans are going for these days but it's probably somewhere around 6 bucks per bushel. A bushel of soybeans is the the same as 8 gallons of soybeans. I can't imagine you drove over anymore than that. Did the tree fall in the field? He's out that area of the field anyway if it did. Take a pack of beer with you if you can find the renter and just explain your story. I don't think I would lose any sleep over it.

We rent out our 125 acres and over the years I've driven over the outer couple rows of crops and our renters could give a crap. Those rows don't usually produce near as well anyway.

My .02s.

 

[rmh3481]

I think you should re kindle your association with your friend at the County. Also, hasnt the first frost already been through there? If so, there shouldnt be much left of any bean plants. They would have been harvested already.

 

[bluestem]

We've had 7 or 8 frosts here and there are still beans to be picked. The leaves will fall off the plants but shouldn't harm the beans.

 

[biggenius29]

I'm not sure what soybeans are going for these days but it's probably somewhere around 6 bucks per bushel. .

Try $10-11 a bushel.....

As a farmer I can say we would appreciate it if someone drove through the edge of our field, and I know if you explained your story to us we would just say oh well, and then tell you thanks for taking care of the downed wood laying in the field.

Honestly, you probably helped him get more beans than what you took out by driving over. Because the combine would go around the tree and leave beans standing around it, now he can get them.

We had a simalar thing happen this spring, some guys drove through our field while looking for mushrooms. The land owner aproched them and they were jerks to him, so he got their licence number, gave it to us and we called the cops.

So, seeing they might have a way to find you, it woud be curtious of you to talk to them, and that would mean alot.

 

[NCPABill]

Contact the farmer

I would agree with the others. I'd go find the guy, which will let him know you're for real, and tell him what happened. When people damage my crops, I really just want to know - when I find it on my own I get seriously angry - I don't know why because either way, I don't get reimbursed. When people tell me, I act nice and don't worry about it - all in a day's work.

 

[HOGBEAR]

You should tell him the whole story from the start. He should understand and really you didnt damage enough beans to worry about, unless he is a jerk then it could cost something.

 

[meatwagon45]

Well, if you listen to everyone else, you will end up doing the right thing. No point repeating it.

Depending on the policy, farmers can be insured for vandalism. Some farmers today take out every possible policy to protect themselves. In some cases, (like a local guy to me) it is more profitable to put in a claim than harvesting his corn. He gets rain insurance, pest insurance, vandal insurance, crop value insurance. etc... His dream year would be 60 straight days of rain, an infestation of worms, his field being used as a race track, and the price of corn dropping to a penny an ear. He would be a millionaire.

 

[woodman44]

We killed massive amounts of soy beans by accident when we were doing DOH work with herbicides. The stuff is not worth much so do not worry about getting a law suit or going to jail. His damages are likely under 5 bucks. As for telling him I would because if he hears it from the other guy he will not like it. Most likely if the other guy keeps his mouth shut he will never know but I would not count on it. Let us know how it comes out.

 

[sawkiller]

I would find this farmer and tell him and maybe offer some wood or services for the damage. He will come out the winner and you will both be happy.

 

[Outlander]

As a farmer, I would appreciate knowing what happened to my crop. Tell him what happened, how it happened, why it happened and assure him you are sorry and won't do it again. Don't offer beer unless you know what brand he drinks. And, by all means, don't wear an "I love John Deere" hat, he might be a Case/IH guy, and the hat will pi$$ him off. Offer him $20, chances are he won't take it, but, offer it. The wood you have gotten from the place is worth more than $20 isn't it?

I've had this sort of thing happen to me hundreds of times. If the person comes to me and tells me about it, I laugh it off. If someone tries to hide it from me and I find out who it is, I have my buddy who is a State Trooper go have a talk with them to give them a scare(we get a good laugh out of that).The reason I have my buddy scare the Bejesus out of them stems from a problem I had with my son several years ago. I had seen vehicle tracks going into a field that is on a dirt road. No crops were damaged but there was a path developing in a highly erodable area. I didn't want a "road" there that would start erosion so I put a barbed wire across it about 3 feet high. Next Sunday morning I noticed my son's car had scratches on the hood. I found out that he and his girlfriend had been "parking" back there. I told my buddy to hide there and embarass them and he did. He made them put on their shoes and then their pants. My son had a VERY hard time telling me and my wife how he got mud on the inside of his pants. My daughter-in-law still hates me for that.

 

[dingeryote]

Look the guy up, and stop in with an apology.

Most times, it's not an insult untill somebody assumes it isn't.

You have been cutting wood without meeting the guy, and I'm sure he'd like to put a face to "That guy".

Showing that you're straight up might even get ya a "Hey, ya know I have this fencerow choked with Locust that needs thinning..".

Not doing anything, will likely get ya run off for good after hearing the other guys story.

Good luck to ya!

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[taylor6400]

I would run away and not come back for anymore wood...

Sorry, I just wanted to be a non-conformist on this thread!



I guess i shoud ETA that i was just kidding and the answer is obvious at this point. You really didnt cause much damage...if you didnt actually drive down the row flattening the plants damage is very minimal even.