Farmers in their 70's and 80's who keep on farming to the very end

Sam Kade

I know a few of them they're drawing the pension have great land no immediate family yet keep on trudging day after day. Why not rent out the land do a bit of traveling and relax instead of keeping things going just to leave it all to nieces and nephews who'll spend it all for them? I was only after one of them today in the car, he had a pallet of fert on the tractor and trailer driving up the road at walking pace.

MFdaveIreland

different mind set , happier doing that than sitting on a beach paying 20 euro for an ice cream!!

jus_tin4

maybe he just doesn't want to give it up? and if there is no one there will to take over?

whelan2

Sam Kade wrote: »

I know a few of them they're drawing the pension have great land no immediate family yet keep on trudging day after day. Why not rent out the land do a bit of traveling and relax instead of keeping things going just to leave it all to nieces and nephews who'll spend it all for them? I was only after one of them today in the car, he had a pallet of fert on the tractor and trailer driving up the road at walking pace.

what harm are they doing, pottering around keeps alot of them going

Farrell

Sam Kade wrote: »

I know a few of them they're drawing the pension have great land no immediate family yet keep on trudging day after day. Why not rent out the land do a bit of traveling and relax instead of keeping things going just to leave it all to nieces and nephews who'll spend it all for them? I was only after one of them today in the car, he had a pallet of fert on the tractor and trailer driving up the road at walking pace.

Know of a 1, rented out for 1 year as getting his hip done, said it was longest & hardest year of his life.
This is a guy who would have a bale of hay on his back in snowy weather.
On the other side, these guys/girls would never of travelled much & would have no interest either, so farming is them & them it, the main issue for me is they could go days without seeing anyone even the postman.

Username John

Sam Kade wrote: »

I know a few of them they're drawing the pension have great land no immediate family yet keep on trudging day after day. Why not rent out the land do a bit of traveling and relax instead of keeping things going just to leave it all to nieces and nephews who'll spend it all for them? I was only after one of them today in the car, he had a pallet of fert on the tractor and trailer driving up the road at walking pace.

Presumably cos they like doing it...

Could the same be said for you selling your land? Do some travelling, put the kids trough college? Enjoy a bit of life?

RightTurnClyde

Remember Brooks from Shawshank Redemption - instutionalised. When you've done the same thing all your life, a day comes when you can't and wont want to change. The farm work gives them routine and a purpose.
Saw it here with the boss. Worked very hard all his life, knew nothing but work and the land. Decided one day in his early 70's to retire, he didn't know what to do with himself. He did a small bit of traveling but in hindsight the man was lost without work. He passed away within 4 years of retiring. Some of that generation knew nothing but work, and hard work at that.

Bullocks

Sam Kade wrote: »

I know a few of them they're drawing the pension have great land no immediate family yet keep on trudging day after day. Why not rent out the land do a bit of traveling and relax instead of keeping things going just to leave it all to nieces and nephews who'll spend it all for them? I was only after one of them today in the car, he had a pallet of fert on the tractor and trailer driving up the road at walking pace.

Can't wait till I'm drawing the pension !
The parents will be getting it in the next year or two and I'd say the old boy will be delighted to keep farming especially when he will have the extra money in his pocket he can drive slower aswell !
Those lads will keep farming when they get the pension for the same reason they kept farming when there was damn all money out of it , they like doing it

groovyg

Sam Kade wrote: »

I know a few of them they're drawing the pension have great land no immediate family yet keep on trudging day after day. Why not rent out the land do a bit of traveling and relax instead of keeping things going just to leave it all to nieces and nephews who'll spend it all for them? I was only after one of them today in the car, he had a pallet of fert on the tractor and trailer driving up the road at walking pace.

For alot of them that's all they know and thats what keeps them going. My parents are like this, both in their 80's and still have a farm and some cattle. They have no interest in travelling. They hire a local lad to do all the big jobs but they would check on the cattle every day. A couple of years ago, my dad had a problem with his foot and couldn't walk and he got very depressed he couldn't be outside. He kept talking about his own mortality and not being around. When he got better he was happy to be out pottering about. If its what keeps them happy and out of a nursing home let them at it.

Zillah

Farrell wrote: »

Know of a 1, rented out for 1 year as getting his hip done, said it was longest & hardest year of his life.

I'd imagine having surgery played no small part in making that year miserable.

Jimlh86

I've often noticed that with some lads when they stop working not just at farming either, the health seems to deteriorate quickly. Not all mind but I think a sense of purpose for someone who worked hard all there lives keeps them going?

ganmo

Jimlh86 wrote: »

I've often noticed that with some lads when they stop working not just at farming either, the health seems to deteriorate quickly. Not all mind but I think a sense of purpose for someone who worked hard all there lives keeps them going?

Which comes first though poor health or retiring?

MFdaveIreland

Jimlh86 wrote: »

I've often noticed that with some lads when they stop working not just at farming either, the health seems to deteriorate quickly. Not all mind but I think a sense of purpose for someone who worked hard all there lives keeps them going?

very true, great uncle stopped driving and passed away within 3 months, loosing the will to live is the best way of putting it

RightTurnClyde

Jimlh86 wrote: »

I've often noticed that with some lads when they stop working not just at farming either, the health seems to deteriorate quickly. Not all mind but I think a sense of purpose for someone who worked hard all there lives keeps them going?

It's easy to leave it till you're too old to retire.
Saw a study somewhere where it showed the longest life expectancy was when you retired between 50&55 or over 75
At 50 -55 you're young enough to enjoy it and do other things. At over 75 you're youve had a busy life and are happy to take it easy.
Me I'd prefer the 50-55 option.

Sam Kade

ganmo wrote: »

Which comes first though poor health or retiring?

Exactly, my neighbours gave up milking last year they are in their 80"s the reason they gave up is they weren't able to do the work anymore. It's all very well saying they know nothing else but no point killing yourself either. They're crippled now after years working hard will anyone give them a pat on the back for it, I doubt it.

arctictree

The farm IS my retirement! Have a full time job now but I know what I will be doing when I retire.

sea12

arctictree wrote: »

The farm IS my retirement! Have a full time job now but I know what I will be doing when I retire.

Yep I am the same arc. The full time job to pay the mortgage and put kids through college. The farm will be for my enjoyment in later years if I see it

Farmer Pudsey

Bullocks wrote: »

Can't wait till I'm drawing the pension !
The parents will be getting it in the next year or two and I'd say the old boy will be delighted to keep farming especially when he will have the extra money in his pocket he can drive slower aswell !
Those lads will keep farming when they get the pension for the same reason they kept farming when there was damn all money out of it , they like doing it

Don't wish your life away.

Zillah wrote: »

I'd imagine having surgery played no small part in making that year miserable.

It is not the surgery I imagine it is the thing of having or being unable to do anything. As you get older your body needs less sleep. It is a long time from 7 or 8 in the morning to 11pm at night. You can only read so many papers and take so may walks.

Jimlh86 wrote: »

I've often noticed that with some lads when they stop working not just at farming either, the health seems to deteriorate quickly. Not all mind but I think a sense of purpose for someone who worked hard all there lives keeps them going?

Lads that have no interests outside of work get bored. Travelling is not all it is copped up to be. When you have seen one rock, river or mountain the rest are little different. Hope to retire from the job at 60. If God gives me good health I hope to continue doing a bit of farming and travel a bit as well.Having something to do keeps the mind sharp whether it is work, doing voluntary work or being involved in something.

Finally if you are retired you need money in your pocket. If when you go to LIDL or ALDI on a Thursday morning and see that set of drill bits or spanner set if you cannot find the money in your pocket you be browned off. As well I notice most people over seventy are happier in there own home than anywhere else.

Sam Kade

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

It's easy to leave it till you're too old to retire.
Saw a study somewhere where it showed the longest life expectancy was when you retired between 50&55 or over 75
At 50 -55 you're young enough to enjoy it and do other things. At over 75 you're youve had a busy life and are happy to take it easy.
Me I'd prefer the 50-55 option.

I know a farmer that retired at 55 he was lucky enough to qualify for the early retirement before it finished. He said it was the best decision he ever made. He's making over 40k a year now without having to look out the window.

Farmer Pudsey

Sam Kade wrote: »

I know a farmer that retired at 55 he was lucky enough to qualify for the early retirement before it finished. He said it was the best decision he ever made. He's making over 40k a year now without having to look out the window.

Some can do it some cannot. Is he full retired doing nothing else

Connemara Farmer

My Dad is 81 this year, still farming. He's not farming his farm the way I'd farm his farm, but here's the kicker, it's his farm.

He went to Canada and the US in the 1960's, worked very hard for years, saved his money, came home and bought the land. Charlie Haughey refused him a herd number for years when he was minister for Ag. He bought a fishing boat in Aran, and fished with his brother and another man up until some time in the early 90's I guess. He had a tractor and trailer and used to draw seaweed etc. Whatever would turn a buck.

As much as I'd like to farm his land, as much potential as I see in it that he doesn't, what right to I have to put him off it? Or anyone else any other older farmer?

Truth is, many older farmers would still continue farming if their SFP was taken off them as some in some farming org's want to see happen.

I think a fair few of us here will be the very same when we get to that age.

I saw a photo in Dads house today, of himself and one of his brothers and a few others when they were young. The thing that struck me was, everyone else in that photograph is dead. I'd say that's hard for him to think about, so if he's happy farming then I'm happy for him and will help him continue where and when I can. We'll all be a long time dead.

Cattlepen

I think it's great to see. These people have seen good times, bad times and sad times. The ones that are still farming at that age more than likely worked hard all their lives. They are not looking for a pat on the back or friends and neighbours to be giving them kudos. These are the people that paid back loans that had up to 19% interest running on them. They lived through the farmer bashing of the seventies and continued farming.And they continue to work.why? Because they love it!! Travel doesn't suit everyone and can get boring. Sitting around isn't healthy. We could learn alot from these people about how simple things can make your life happy.

blue5000

Lad near here got the pension recently and the only difference it made was white diesel in the van instead of green:p

helimachoptor

Father in law is 64 and farming out west.

He'll be found dead in the field when it's his time.

Foreign holiday for him is coming to Dublin!

waalaa

"Do not go gentle into that good night, .... rage, rage against the dying of the light."

If they are able to, good on them. I'm in my twenties now, I'll probably be well in my seventies before there is any whiff of a pension for me.

Arbiter of Good Taste

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

Saw it here with the boss. Worked very hard all his life, knew nothing but work and the land. Decided one day in his early 70's to retire, he didn't know what to do with himself. He did a small bit of traveling but in hindsight the man was lost without work. He passed away within 4 years of retiring. .

He died in his mid seventies. That's not particularly unusual....

Greengrass1

My father is 65 and still flat out although not as much as he used to. Milks the cows maybe once every 6 to 8 wks and might only be one milking at that when I head off to Dublin or what ever.

He'll never stop will always be pottering away at something I hope

ganmo

Do these lads change how they farm as their age? I'm thinking of a story of a large dairy in uk that sold his dairy stock and bought sucklers as he was 'retiring'

PLL

helimachoptor wrote: »

Father in law is 64 and farming out west.

He'll be found dead in the field when it's his time.

Foreign holiday for him is coming to Dublin!

My grandfather passed on his land, heart attack, also in the West.
All my family say if he could have picked a way to go it would have been that.

Doing nothing is the fastest way too kill ya. Mentally & physically. And as you get older you want to keep busy in a way. Otherwise you'll have to much time on your hands pondering the past & future.

More power to them, seem like the happiest, least stressed aul lads going.

Username John

I took over from my grandfather - he let me the place for 7 years when I started, and told me he would review it after the 7 years to see how I was doing. He was 91 at the time...
He was still lambing his few sheep, and was able enough for it...

But let me say - there was plenty of lads calling for a good few years, probably 20 years - telling him he should sell up - they'd give him a fair price... (My eye they would)....
It annoys me really when I see / hear lads commenting on why ould lads are still farming. It's their farm, leave them do what they want with it...

Kovu

PLL wrote: »

My grandfather passed on his land, heart attack, also in the West.
All my family say if he could have picked a way to go it would have been that.

Doing nothing is the fastest way too kill ya. Mentally & physically. And as you get older you want to keep busy in a way. Otherwise you'll have to much time on your hands pondering the past & future.

More power to them, seem like the happiest, least stressed aul lads going.

Definitely agree with that, you could tell some of the older bachelors around here that they were on fire and you'd get the reply "Arra sure it's keeping me warm!"

Grandfather lived til he was a couple of months off 90, was out in the fields up until the last six months or so. I think he enjoyed the fact that he was keeping something alive and having a line (of breeding cows) that would be there after he was gone. I think RightTurnClyde summed up what I would say about it in his post, it's what they know and it's their mindset that they have to get up every day and do this, that and the other thing for the day to be alright for them. If they don't get up in the morning, who'll feed the cows or count the sheep. Keeps the mind mentally active too, arguing the semantics of LM over CH on a Sunday evening is better for you than the Corrie omnibus....

mf240

Uncle here is heading for 87 and a real old soldier that worked hard all his life and would be lost away from stock and a few small jobs. He spends a lot of his time in the calf shed topping up the meal to the calves and putting fresh hay in the racks ect. Hed have a sick lad spotted before a team of vets would.

I remember when him got his hip done at 82 and he was in a nursing home for a couple of weeks recovering. When i went in too see him one night ,he was saying he found the days very long. I asked why he didnt venture down to the day room to chat to the other patients.

"A stop " he says "there all old ( he was a decade older than some of them!) and half of them dont know what there saying , theyed drive ya mad"!!!!!

Mad4simmental

Friends grandfather is 92. He tips out every day tipping in silage, feeding calves, and general supervisor around the place. He's gas if sumone dares to tell him to take it handy he'd belt you with his stick.

If he gets a cold or sumthing and dosnt get out for a day or two he seazes up and gets stiff. The tipping around keeps his bones ect strong.

We were having a chat last year with a few lads in the yard and he ran us saying he was to busy for talking ****e ha.

Same lad is after going true about 4 sets of hips in his lifetime.

Miname

The old man was 75 last week and still slogging away. He's still heading to btap meetings. And just loves rooting around the farm or talking away to the dog. All he talks about is farming or the little escapades that happens. He broke the ram in the shear grab last week and I'd say everyone he's met has had a full blown account of how it happened and where would he get one. I actually think I've a lad to make one but the old man says not to panic. I think he's wanting to go rooting through thistles at some lads yard to get a second hand one. It also keeps a common interest with me and him and I feel that's a lot to do with it so he can ring and plague me about something stupid when I'd say it's only a chat he's looking for. Go to a mart any week and there will be a group of auld lads and I can gaurantee you that's there best day most weeks. I hope in years to come il be lucky enough to be at the same. There's no other occupation in the world that can give you something like that.

Sam Kade

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

Some can do it some cannot. Is he full retired doing nothing else

Fully retired.

kevthegaff

Ive travelled my fair share but now im not pushed, parking space, queues, baggage handling, off with the shoes, belt etc passport check, crammed in a tight seat (6 3'). Alot of people overate travelling as to justify theyre reason to work etc. For me I enjoy pints with the friends, sport and farming. Im only 32 maybe 82 inside!!

Grueller

kevthegaff wrote: »

Ive travelled my fair share but now im not pushed, parking space, queues, baggage handling, off with the shoes, belt etc passport check, crammed in a tight seat (6 3'). Alot of people overate travelling as to justify theyre reason to work etc. For me I enjoy pints with the friends, sport and farming. Im only 32 maybe 82 inside!!

Very close to you in age kev, and I could have written this post.

I hope in years to come ro kewp on farming away myself til the end health permitting. I see the auld lad is in his late sixtoes now, retired from the full time job seven years ago and has pushed the farm on ever since. Farming full time has made him 15 years younger. As Connemare farmer said, its his farm so leave him at it. I reckon he will be so long at it I went and bought my own land.

Dawggone

I spent 18 months hitch hiking around Europe in the early 80's. North America bla bla...Australasia bla bla bla.

You will wrest my business from my dead rigormorticed hand....

helimachoptor

there was a study done (cant remember where i read it)

But essentially the took a bunch of 60, 65, 70, 75 80, 85 year olds

Split them into the physically active and no physically active, they gave them a bunch of tasks, some physical and some mental

Trying to remember some of them

- Getting up from a chair and walking 10 metres
- Carrying a 10Kg bag of potatoes 100 metres
- Jacking up a car
- running a ring along a wire for X distance (if you hit the wire an alarm sounds)
- simple maths and spelling test
and a few others

again cant remember the specifics but the active 85s were in most cases outperforming the sedentary people 10/15 years younger. it's massively beneficial.
The MIL is a dub like myself, she would love to move back to Dublin.. off you go says the FIL, " i was born here, i'll die here"

FIL has 6 daughters, I married the eldest. He was proud as punch showing me the land he was giving us as a wedding present, but 1 rule, dont care what you do but dont sell it til i'm dead and if i die in that field dont build a house over me :pac:

He's had a few issues over the last while, got a pace maker installed. In fairness to him he has taken the docs advice (well when im down he has me do all the heavy lifting!) but when im not there im sure he does it.

Its a curious situation, my wife knows he should be taking it easy.. but she also knows if he stops farming he'll probably die sooner than he should.

He's also the village postman

darragh_haven

my dad is 72 tomorrow and after a knee replacement op, prostate cancer and a knee replacement op in the last 7 years..... he's not giving up for a long time. He loves farming, does 95% of the work, and i help out when i can. I'm not going to push him aside anytime soon, as i think he'd just fade away if i did. its his land to do as he wants.....

Bleating Lamb

Miname wrote: »

The old man was 75 last week and still slogging away. He's still heading to btap meetings. And just loves rooting around the farm or talking away to the dog. All he talks about is farming or the little escapades that happens. He broke the ram in the shear grab last week and I'd say everyone he's met has had a full blown account of how it happened and where would he get one. I actually think I've a lad to make one but the old man says not to panic. I think he's wanting to go rooting through thistles at some lads yard to get a second hand one. It also keeps a common interest with me and him and I feel that's a lot to do with it so he can ring and plague me about something stupid when I'd say it's only a chat he's looking for. Go to a mart any week and there will be a group of auld lads and I can gaurantee you that's there best day most weeks. I hope in years to come il be lucky enough to be at the same. There's no other occupation in the world that can give you something like that.

Was at mart the other evening,was talking to an 88 yr old man that lambed sheep indoors this spring!....he is bent over from a life of hard work but most importantly he's happy at it and was lovely to talk to someone with such life experience.

CloughCasey1

darragh_haven wrote: »

my dad is 72 tomorrow and after a knee replacement op, prostate cancer and a knee replacement op in the last 7 years..... he's not giving up for a long time. He loves farming, does 95% of the work, and i help out when i can. I'm not going to push him aside anytime soon, as i think he'd just fade away if i did. its his land to do as he wants.....

And I bet ya on his sick bed the thought of that fence needs to be fixed and the stone wall has pushed over that piller and I need to knock it and build a new one type of jobs kept his mind on getting better and getting Back to what he loves.

Sam Kade

blue5000 wrote: »

Lad near here got the pension recently and the only difference it made was white diesel in the van instead of green:p

What did he do that for, it would be easier for him to pay the fine with his extra income:)

Sam Kade

Greengrass1 wrote: »

My father is 65 and still flat out although not as much as he used to. Milks the cows maybe once every 6 to 8 wks and might only be one milking at that when I head off to Dublin or what ever.

He'll never stop will always be pottering away at something I hope

He's taking it easy so I know a man who's 68 milking 100 cows.

ford 5600

Mad4simmental wrote: »

Friends grandfather is 92. He tips out every day tipping in silage, feeding calves, and general supervisor around the place. He's gas if sumone dares to tell him to take it handy he'd belt you with his stick.

If he gets a cold or sumthing and dosnt get out for a day or two he seazes up and gets stiff. The tipping around keeps his bones ect strong.

We were having a chat last year with a few lads in the yard and he ran us saying he was to busy for talking ****e ha.

Same lad is after going true about 4 sets of hips in his lifetime.

You never mentioned about his love of sweeping a yard, and was a great man for the bog up to couple of years ago .I reckon I know the man you are talking about. If so he lives about 1 1/2 miles away from me.

Mad4simmental

ford 5600 wrote: »

You never mentioned about his love of sweeping a yard, and was a great man for the bog up to couple of years ago .I reckon I know the man you are talking about. If so he lives about 1 1/2 miles away from me.

Your bang on the money, hard ould buck but a nice man. TH be his name?

ford 5600

Same man. Are you far from there ?

Mad4simmental

ford 5600 wrote: »

Same man. Are you far from there ?

About 500m as the crow flys! Small world.

ford 5600

Mad4simmental wrote: »

About 500m as the crow flys! Small world.

Remarkably small ! We could nearly shout at one another.

Kovu

I bet the two of ye are frantically thinking about who has simmentals/who drives a Ford 5600

ford 5600

Kovu wrote: »

I bet the two of ye are frantically thinking about who has simmentals/who drives a Ford 5600

Well, Kovu. M4s sent me a pm last nite, telling me who he was, and saying he hadn't a notion who I was. I hadn't dreamt of him . I would estimate it at 1 km as the crow flies, and 1 mile by road from the old man we were talking about.
M4S, we have land bound sing one another, neither at home. Field you reseeded in 29 th may 2014? I was getting a strong bit of grass baled that day, and it rained as I was drawing them home. More your fathers age than yours.