30 acres

newman10

Hi Guys

Looking for some ideas if possible.

My wife and I are in the process of moving into her family farm. It is good land and has been let for the last number of years for grass and has no sheds etc

We would like to make it a working farm again and I would appreciate any ideas

Username John

newman10 wrote: »

Hi Guys

Looking for some ideas if possible.

My wife and I are in the process of moving into her family farm. It is good land and has been let for the last number of years for grass and has no sheds etc

We would like to make it a working farm again and I would appreciate any ideas

Sorry to appear negative - but its too small to make any real money out of it, especially ifit has no sheds or facilites.
Grow yer own to reduce yer outgoings, maybe get some small animals (sheep, pigs) for your own table. But I would say continue to let it out, you will make as much money from it this way.

If however, tis hardship and a way to lose money yer after - then farming is the way to go

JohnBoy

My tip is to continue to rent most of it out on a year by year basis.

Get a few animals and build slowly.

but yeah, you wont get rich from it.

ellewood

If however, tis hardship and a way to lose money yer after - then farming is the way to go

best bit of advice/wisdom ive heard in ages :D:D

Tora Bora

ellewood wrote: »

If however, tis hardship and a way to lose money yer after - then farming is the way to go

best bit of advice/wisdom ive heard in ages :D:D

But you get a "plenary indulgence" in the next life for all your hardship in this life:D:D

The other thing to consider is that for the most part, land rented out long term, gets savage abuse, with consequent repair costs. You would take far better care of it yourself.

newman10

Thanks fot the replies. Have taken out some for our own use Potatoes etc and were thinking of the following. Sell 1st cut silage or hay off the field. 2nd cut silage and the buy a few Animals for the winter

"The other thing to consider is that for the most part, land rented out long term, gets savage abuse, with consequent repair costs. You would take far better care of it yourself."

Have to agree with the above but the land is in fairly good condition

JohnBoy

Tora Bora wrote: »

The other thing to consider is that for the most part, land rented out long term, gets savage abuse, with consequent repair costs. You would take far better care of it yourself.

It has to be said that's not always the case.

My parents have been leasing to some really good lads for 20 years nearly now and they're the best you could have, they've reseeded the whole place, keep it spotless, fencing, you name it they do it.

And some neighbours at home have tenants for around ten years now that would be similar. They do exist!!!!


That said my mother in law's place is absofeckinlutely wrecked after I think 8 years.


However, My reasons for suggesting to continue to rent are simple.

Grow at a a manageable rate, and get some additional cashflow for a few years.

ravima

If you sell the silage, how will you feed the cattle over the winter?

If you are addicted to farming, then consider joining the replacement REPS scheme and perhaps keeping/breeding some of the rarer breeds. If you could rear them to table and link up with a local butcher to kill, then perhaps deliver to consumer, you might make a living in a niche market.

30 acres, for commercial farming is just too small. It would bring in around €3000 per year for the silage.

Try to sell the silage, rather than letting the place. If you let it, you become a LANDLORD for tax purposes, but if you sell grass, you are a simple grass farmer.

5live

Best of luck on your adventure. The advice to grow slowly is good and letting is a way getting a decent cash flow but i would question keeping cattle for the winter. First you will have to have slurry storage and housing and pay for the second cut silage and then the cattle. Then the economics of fattening stock over winter or storing them even wont leave much spare cash unless you are a top operator. If the facilities are there already there is a chance but sit down before you spend and do a good analysis of the profit potential. And welcome to the world of the economically challenged if you decide to go ahead:D:D. There are a lot of good people out there that will give good advice if you ask