John Shirley farming Indo

Muckit

I came across a very interesting read in the farming Indo at lunchtime.

John Shirley tryed to answer the question in his article:
'Why do farmers stay in cattle farming at a time when the SFP is decoupled from production?

Although I'm involved myself at what I'd call a 'hobby level', it's a question I've often asked myself of lads talking of expanding and trying desperately to make a profit off it.

I find him a very straight talker. He made some very good observations I thought.

Anyone else read it? What are other people's views?

whelan1

can you post a link ?

ihatetractors

http://www.independent.ie/farming/why-do-farmers-stay-with-cattle-farming-at-a-time-when-the-sfp-is-decoupled-from-production-2518777.html

Lots of food for thaught there...

rancher

producing beef has got to be the most efficient method of transferring our S.F.P. into factory owners pockets

JohnBoy

Suckler farming is to an extent a long term enterprise, and if done right I do believe some lads can make money from it. What I dont understand is how lads can justify buying large numbers of cattle to fill sheds when they have a very good idea of all their costs, and selling prices in 3-6 months time.


why do finishers bother?

LostCovey

JohnBoy wrote: »

Suckler farming is to an extent a long term enterprise, and if done right I do believe some lads can make money from it. What I dont understand is how lads can justify buying large numbers of cattle to fill sheds when they have a very good idea of all their costs, and selling prices in 3-6 months time.


why do finishers bother?

Great question, great thread.

My guesses would be that some part of it is habit - doing what you always did.

The other part of it is to do with culture and identity - people identify themselves as cattle farmers, and if they stopped doing it, they feel they would lose their identity.

A similar question might be "why do travellers keep worthless horses?", put so much energy into moving them, getting grazing for them, hassle with the law etc.


LostCovey

Muckit

Well I personally wouldn't be of the opinion that trying to turn us all into 'super farmers' is the answer to making the Irish beef farming as a whole profitable. I made this clear before in previous threads.

I liked the way John Shirley called a spade a spade and didn't try to 'baffle with bullsh*t'. He's been around alot longer than the likes of J McCarthy and has the life experience.

Tora Bora

Muckit wrote: »

Well I personally wouldn't be of the opinion that trying to turn us all into 'super farmers' is the answer to making the Irish beef farming as a whole profitable. I made this clear before in previous threads.

I liked the way John Shirley called a spade a spade and didn't try to 'baffle with bullsh*t'. He's been around alot longer than the likes of J McCarthy and has the life experience.

Shure jayzuz, if we all got out of cattle farming, wouldn't we all be on the valium in a month. Imagine the pub on a Saturday night, filled with a collection of cattle farmers with not a cow between them:eek:
The atmosphere would be like shovelling daylight into a black hole:cool:

pakalasa

I've always enjoyed reading John Shirleys stuff. Never met the guy, but he always comes across as a real gentleman.
Justin McCarthy is a bit brasher alright. He's not afraid to challenge farmers that bit more, which doesnt rest easy with some people, I guess.

Muckit

pakalasa wrote: »

I've always enjoyed reading John Shirleys stuff. Never met the guy, but he always comes across as a real gentleman.
Justin McCarthy is a bit brasher alright. He's not afraid to challenge farmers that bit more, which doesnt rest easy with some people, I guess.

I've seen Shirley at a few marts in the west.

McCarthy is more comfortable behind a mic than a bullock:D He was chairing a farm walk I was at in 09 on the farm of Ken Power, Suckler farmer of the year 2008. I was going to challenge him on a few things, then bottled out!:rolleyes: