Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Current Edition
Texas Agriculture Archive

November 21, 2003

By Tom Nicolette
Director of Media Services

The odometer on Chad Hobbs' vehicle continues to spin as he works his way across the state making business, financial and marketing decisions for farmers and ranchers. Hobbs is a farm business consultant for Southwest Farm Business Services.

"On a daily basis, I monitor the markets and assemble the information needed in marketing plans. Then I take these marketing plans and execute them. I actually pull triggers for these farmers, call elevator managers, manage bases, futures and options accounts, and take control of their commodity to help them price it when the opportunity exists," Hobbs explained.

After graduating from Texas A&M University with bachelor and PhD degree in ag economics, Hobbs worked with the Extension Service helping producers with their business planning. But his current position takes the responsibilities one step further as Hobbs can make a difference in producers' operations while establishing good friendships with the families he consults. This is why he strongly believes he is having a positive impact on the industry.

"I have a love of working with production agriculture. I grew up dreaming of being in production agriculture. I didn't have a family that was involved in production agriculture. So, this is as close as I can get without actually taking on the risk of farming," the farm business consultant said. "I do take a risk in these operations because if my clients do not produce a crop there's nothing for me to sell. So, I take the same risks as they do, though I do not face all of the risks that they do."

Based in Round Rock, Hobbs, 31, said the most challenging aspect of his job is communication with the various people he needs to keep in contact with. Therefore, a cell phone and a laptop computer are always close by as he travels 80 to 90 percent of the time.

Hobbs did grow up in a rural setting and he was involved in 4-H and showing cattle. While working summers and after school for local farmers, he received his start in production agriculture.

Today, Hobbs and his wife, Kristi, hope to get into production ag someday. "That always brings a smile to my face," Chad said. "Kristi and I do have a goal—that at some point—of raising our children on a farm or ranch. We have made steps recently to become more involved in production agriculture," he continued.

Hobbs has already involved himself in a number of Farm Bureau leadership roles. He and his wife are currently members of their county Young Farmer & Rancher Committee. They hope to serve in the future on the State YF&R Committee.

Meanwhile, Hobbs believes agriculture is a vital and not dying industry that offers a future to young farmers and ranchers. With producers in foreign countries expanding their operations to take advantage of commodity prices, the road ahead will be tougher for U.S. producers, Hobbs said.