Courtesy in part - Touch the Soil

America has come to depend not only on its farmers to raise grains, but on the unwavering efforts of custom harvesters, like Befort Harvesting LLC. In 1979, with a few thousand dollars, Clayton Befort rented two older John Deere combines for which he had to pay $35 for each hour used. He operated a John Deere 7720 and a John Deere 8820 his first few years. With his commitment to job satisfaction, Befort Harvesting quickly gained respect from farmers, even though Clayton was so young.

Befort Harvesting expanded his fleet each year in the mid 1980's first to three, then to four. By the early 1990's Befort Harvesting was operating six John Deere 9600 combines.

By 1998, after 20 years of harvesting, Clayton was at a crossroads. He could maintain his current fleet of combines, or he could continue to expand on his dream. He decided that even though there were huge risks with expanding (elevating fuel costs, machinery costs, and the ever concern of droughts), he could not tell new farmers to get someone else.

By this time Clayton completely overhauled his combine fleet. Switching from six 9600s, to four John Deere 9610 and four John Deere CTS combines. All this time Befort Harvesting LLC would start each harvest season with brand new John Deere equipment.

Today, Clayton operates one of America's most successful custom harvesting businesses. He and his crew cuts over 100,000 acres each season. Befort Harvesting LLC now operates 12 John Deere 9770 STS combines, 10 John Deere Tractors with Grain-Carts, and 26 Tractor-Trailers.

Befort Harvesting LLC continues to be a premier establishment in the custom harvesting business.