Entrepreneur Archive:
Oswald Ag

Oswald Ag — Tarkio, MO
Assisted by:
University of Missouri - Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center

Marshal Oswald always felt there was room for another Farm Service business in Atchison County. He was right. Marshal's business has grown considerably from the part-time custom spraying business serving a few neighbors just five years ago. Today Oswald Ag serves all of Atchison County with a wide array of products and services.

Four years ago, when Marshal first started working with the Northwest Missouri State University SBDC, he was farming full-time and operating his custom spraying business part-time. He had one small sprayer that he operated himself; he hired one part-time employee to drive the water truck. The spraying was very seasonal, and his sprayer was very small. He often had to turn potential customers away.

Marshal felt that the custom spraying business had more potential than farming. He needed to grow and began exploring ways to start a full time farm service business. He considered many options.

The following year, Marshal continued to operate from his farm, and the demand for his services continued to grow. He worked longer hours and increased sales by 50 percent. But he knew it was time to expand. That fall he purchased a closed business site in Tarkio and started to work renovating the facility. He added a full-time employee, purchased an additional sprayer and updated support equipment.

The first year Oswald Ag operated from the new location, customers and sales grew by more than 100 percent. During this rapid growth, the company experience all the problems typically associated with rapid growth. Higher inventory requirements, account receivables and the need for more working capitol were the major concerns. Honest, reliable, quality customer service is always an important key to growth. In a small rural community, word of mouth is often the main source of news and advertising. Oswald Ag has developed an excellent reputation, which is another reason for its continued growth.

The second year of operation from the retail location, the company continued to grow with sales increasing by more than 30 percent. The business currently operates three custom sprayers. Oswald Ag has three full-time employees and a part-time bookkeeper. In addition, four to five seasonal employees are hired each spring. 2004 figures indicate 50 percent growth and a nice profit. Marshal plans to buy another sprayer to add to his rapidly expanding fleet.

The products and services Oswald Ag offers have also grown considerably. Today Oswald Ag is a full-service farm supply business. Custom spraying and application continue to be the heart of the business. Retail product lines include agriculture chemicals, fertilizer and seed. The company also offers turf management, crop scouting and agriculture consulting services.

By providing outstanding service, Oswald Ag has grown from a small one-man part-time business into one of the larger farm supply and service businesses in Atchison County. Marshal expects the growth to continue into 2005.

Oswald Ag
2 Maple St
Tarkio, Mo. 64491

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