Location: Bolivar, Mo.
Owners: Raymond and Britta Winfrey
Family: Daughters Blair (6) and Brook (8 months)
History: What started as a hobby in high school and college for Raymond Winfrey has become a full-time business.
“He would buy used equipment, use it for a while and sell it as a way to make a little money,” Raymond’s wife Britta said.
In May 2018, they began to add a few larger pieces of equipment for sale, and additional inventory meant increased business for RBW Agriculture, LLC.
“We have seen exceptional growth the last couple of years,” Britta said. “We have recently seen more people from out-of-state who have moved to Missouri and are looking for equipment; people find our prices are lower.”
The COVID pandemic, Raymond and Britta added, seemed to increase sales as customers were looking to avoid larger retail outlets to socially distance.
Since the birth of their second child, Brook, Britta has transitioned to RBW full time after a career in journalism and working with the Bolivar, Mo., Area Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing Bunch. Raymond is a portfolio manager with OakStar Bank.
Raymond’s father, Kenneth Winfrey, helps with the loading and transporting of equipment and will meet with customers if Raymond and Britta are unavailable for an appointment.
Products: Inventory is continually changing at RBW Agricultural. The Winfreys purchase equipment from estates or consignment sales, or “package deals” directly from producers looking to upgrade or change their farming operation. Equipment is offered as-is to potential buyers, but Britta said they make full disclosure of any known issues.
RBW Agricultural offers an inventory of used tractors, implements and attachments, livestock and hay trailers, portable corrals, 10- to 12-foot rotary cutters, skid steers and new and used cattle handling equipment.
They also now offer a line of new Missouri-manufactured cattle sweeps, adjustable alleys and palpation chutes, feed bunks, corral panels, hay bunks and mineral feeders.
Items available for purchase are listed on the company’s social media page.
In the future: As cattle producers, Britta said they understand the challenges farmers and ranchers face regarding the cost of farm equipment, so providing affordable options for customers helps keep them in business and is an important part of their local economy.
“I hope we will keep this growth going and see what God has in store for us,” Britta said.
