Two Farmers,
One Microphone
An Interview with farmers Jamie Ayling and John McDougal
Co-Founder Jamie: Not many people know this but I’ve been a farmer for many years. I started in 2015 and have learned so much along the way, and today I’m sitting down with a fellow farmer, John McDougal. Hi John.
John: Hi Jamie, thanks for having me.
Co-Founder Jamie: So you’ve been a farmer for how many years now?
John: About 20 years now. Yeah. How long have you been in ‘this field’? Haha.
Co-Founder Jamie: Haha. Wow, 20 years. I’ve been farming for 8 years. What do you grow? Or do you raise animals?
John: I grow wheat mainly but also corn and soy. I
also have a range of animals. Yep, get up at 4am every morning and work out on the farm. That’s how I got these muscles *flexes*.
Co-Founder Jamie: Haha! Wow I grow corn and soy too but only because that’s what my farm came with when I selected easy mode.
John: Oh ok, what do you mean sorry?
Co-Founder Jamie: When I created a new character I selected easy mode it gave me a corn and soy field ready to harvest.
John: Oh ok. You mean in a video game?
Co-Founder Jamie: Yeah I play Farming Simulator 17. It’s really hard, in many ways harder than real farming.
John: Right ok...
Co-Founder Jamie: So, what is the hardest part about being a farmer in the Mid-West in 2023?
John: Weather variability mainly. Also things like seasonal labor demands, market price volatility, financial pressures etc. The cost of agricultural equipment, land, seeds and fertilizers can be substantial. Managing debt and accessing capital for expansion or modernization can be challenging, especially for smaller farmers.
Co-Founder Jamie: Right. I found that when I got my Macbook Pro in 2021, it was hard finding a version of Farming Simulator that worked with the new silicon m1 chip. A lot of the relesases didn’t support Catilina too
so I was forced to use Farming Simulator 17 instead of Farming Simulator 22. It was rough going back to that older version but I manage. So I definitely understand the trials of being a farmer in the 2020’s.
John: Right...
Co-Founder Jamie: So how does weather and climate effect your farm?
John: The average temperature and length of the growing season are critical factors for determining what crops can be grown. Crops have specific temperature requirements for germination, growth, and maturity. A decrease in temperature can shorten the growing season. Also, late spring frosts or early fall freezes can damage or kill crops, particularly those that are sensitive to cold temperatures. We employ frost protection measures, such as irrigation and covering crops, to mitigate these risks.
Co-Founder Jamie: I actually just turn off weather in settings. Makes it so much easier. What do you love most about farming?
John: My livestock farm homes cows, goats, chickens, and horses. Caring for and interacting with these animals can be both enjoyable and therapeutic. I’ve definitely developed a strong bonds with my animals.
Co-Founder Jamie: I had pigs but I deleted them. They’re so annoying.
John: So I thought when you asked me to do this interview that you were a real farmer. That’s how you made it sound when you asked me to do this.
Co-Founder Jamie: I am a real farmer. I just use a program instead.
John: It’s not really the same.
Co-Founder Jamie: It’s the same in a lot of ways.
John: Ok.
Co-Founder Jamie: What’s your favorite machine to ride around on? Mine’s the harvester. I just ride around all day on it sometimes.
John: Well for me, on the real farm, that would use up a lot of gas. I only use the harvester when I need to.
Co-Founder Jamie: Gotcha.
John: It makes me kind of mad that you think playing a video game is similar in any capacity at all to what I do.
Co-Founder Jamie: Have you ever played Farming Simulator?
John: I haven’t, no.
Co-Founder Jamie: Then how would you know?
John: Because playing a game on a computer is not the same as real farming. There’s no manual labor involved in what you do. I actually do good for the community. You just sit around and play a game. This whole thing is insulting and I feel like you tricked me.
Co-Founder Jamie: The game is very complex. It took me months to learn all the keyboard shortcuts. And I prefer to call it a program.
John: I think we’re done here.
Co-Founder Jamie: Thanks so much for doing the interview John. It was really nice meeting you and learning about what you do, even though you had a bit of an attitude.
John: I don’t want this printed, ok?
