Third-generation farmer Bob Welker, along with his two sons, Nick and Scott, have become YouTube sensations. It all began in 2012 when Nick Welker created a video featuring their operation to celebrate 100 years of successful farming. Since they started producing videos about day-to-day farming and equipment restoration, their YouTube channel has attracted over 300,000 subscribers.
After announcing a 2020 partnership with Case IH, here’s what Nick, Scott and Bob had to say about red equipment and how they balance family, farming and fame.
What’s it like to live and work with your family?
Nick: So bad that we bought a lake house and started renovating it together!
Scott: We’ve definitely learned to use our strengths to complement each other.
Nick: It’s nice to know that when something happens, it’s family. You’re family. We work through it and it will always be there.
Bob: For me as a father, a lot of it is letting go. I’ve got two great sons that are gifted in different ways that blend together. It’s been great to sit back and watch them take the reins.
What made you want to partner with Case IH?
Scott: For me, it was getting to know the people at Case IH and how down to earth and genuine they are. We can stand behind that. There’s nothing false or misleading.
Nick: We’ve slowly converted to red equipment over the last 30 years and have been happy with everything we ran. We like how Case IH operates. They’re farmers who try to be there for the customer and make the ag industry better.
What did your dad think of it when you first started filming and uploading?
Bob: Maybe they should have added a makeup artist!
Nick: Most farms I know, there’s footage of their family farming for decades captured in old pictures. Introducing a camera didn’t shock anyone. There were times we had to pause to change up how we were doing things, but it wasn’t that invasive. No matter what, the farm is still first. Nothing changes that.
Bob: There really isn’t a lot of staging. Everything I’ve seen we’ve done anyways. It’s been great to carry out our work and take people along on the ride.
If you could have one piece of Case IH, what would it be?
Nick: Steiger, maybe a Quadtrac
Scott: Not gonna go with a Puma?
Nick: Definitely a a high-horsepower tractor. Yes it’d be great to have the latest and greatest, but a four wheel drive tractor can be used longer.
Scott: Speed-Tiller – that’s what I want!
Bob: I would add a Precision Drill. The one we demoed last spring is quite a step up in technology with functionality.
What’s the next major project on the farm?
Nick: For the first time in 30-plus years we’re actually constructing new grain storage which will add one-third more storage to stop grain from going on the ground. We’re also looking at putting up cold storage and just a lot of general improvements on some of our existing machinery.
Scott: We’re trying to make the farm the legacy that we’re leaving for our kids. Each year we’re doing our best to grow the farm and leave it better than when we first got it. That’s the ultimate goal.
To learn more about the Welker Family, visit https://welkerfarmsinc.com/
