Farming Simulator 19 was developed by Giants Software and is, as the name suggests, a farming simulator. It’s not a “simulator” in the way Hand Simulator or Goat Simulator is, where the game is geared more toward comedy and almost laughably difficult movement mechanics. This simulator is exactly what it sounds like. Graphically impressive, the game allows the player to cultivate crops, buy machines, engage in animal husbandry and a whole lot more.
Developed by Giants Software and published by Focus Home Entertainment, Farming Simulator 19 is the 7th main game in the series. It distinguishes itself from its predecessors by being graphically impressive and adding new features. This includes new crops, additional vehicles, and a dynamic weather system. When taken as a general whole, this farming simulator may seem a bit complicated to new players who may get overwhelmed with information. So here are a few tips and tricks to make farming a little easier.
Lease Vehicles and Other Machinery in Farming Simulator
When players are first introduced to the game and gain their bearings, the first thing players will want to do is to make the most out of their limited property. As such, gaining better machinery is a must. The actual cost of these vehicles is extremely costly but there is a more affordable alternative in the form of leasing.
Leasing will require the player to pay a base fee and then a much smaller operating fee based on how often the player uses the machine. While leasing is not ideal for vehicles that are constantly used, like tractors, it can be useful for reducing the financial burden for other vehicles that are only used occasionally. Especially early on when the player starts out with a limited means of income.
It is important to note, however, that leased vehicles cannot be modified in any way. But if the player is just starting out this may be a non-issue. In the most ideal circumstance, leasing is only a temporary state until the player can simply buy the machines outright.
Teleportation Is The Last Resort in Farming Simulator
The game has a teleportation option for vehicles in the form of a reset button. It is meant to recover vehicles that have been overturned or stuck in place, but new players may be tempted to use it as a quick form of movement to the store. But this teleportation comes with a severe cost. When a vehicle is teleported, it is only the vehicle that is teleported. Anything inside the vehicle like seeds, harvest or even fuel, will all be lost. So it is advised that players avoid using this option unless absolutely necessary.
Weed Everywhere in Farming Simulator
When trying to cultivate crops players will quickly realize that weeds are a problem. If allowed to fester until it is time to harvest, these weeds will reduce crop yield by a good 20%. Less yield means less profit.
So it is best to nip this problem in the bud and remove them when they are in their first stages of growth. If the field has not been sown with seeds yet, plowing or cultivating the field will remove weeds prematurely. If crops are already growing, however, using a weeder or sprayer is the best bet.
Keep in mind though that if the crops are already at their second growth stage, then that means vehicles will be able to crush and kill them. So, it will be beneficial to equip narrow tires to the vehicle in order to keep crop destruction to a minimum.
Collect, Sell and Recycle Byproduct in Farming Simulator
When performing certain actions like harvesting certain crops or cutting down trees, the player may end up with a certain byproduct that they could potentially benefit from.
Take straw for example. When the player harvests grains like wheat or oats, the player may notice that there are now lines of straw leftover on the field after the crop has been collected. Think of it as a secondary crop. Players can collect straw in a loading wagon and either sell it all for a profit on use it for animal husbandry.
And hay isn’t the only byproduct that players can potentially profit from. Those cows that are primarily there for milk production? Their manure can either be used as a slurry to fertilize crops or can be sold in large amounts to a biogas plant. Clearing trees off your land? Try converting all of it into wood chips or firewood that can be sold. There are other examples, but just know that most of what the player can interact with is capable of being used or sold in some manner.
Evaluate the Land Before Purchase in Farming Simulator
When the player wants to expand their farming enterprise, it may be tempting to just go out and buy the biggest plot of land with the greatest amount of field. But it may actually be worth investigating the property in person before the purchase is finalized.
Things the player may want to keep an eye out for include uneven terrain, the placement of trees and rocks, and if there is enough space by the fields for side buildings. The terrain, in particular, is important. Uneven ground is just difficult to navigate for not only the player but for the AI helpers who may get stuck on something. With AI helpers being a prominent feature in Farming Simulator 19, the player will likely want to prioritize the purchase of properties with even ground.
Farming Simulator 19 is available on PC, Mac OS X, PS4, Xbox One, and Stadia.