New - tips appreciated

Helpneeded86

Id plan to use my savings to build up a holding of cattle as opposed to investing it which would most likely return a much lower yield.

Can anyone guide on the best way to start. My father has cattle so as much as I may be a novice I have some back up.

In relation to completing the green cert...is it worth it?

I guess in the long run I am looking to maximise profit from the land while minimising the amount of actual farm work I do. What would the best route to go in regards this?

Sacrolyte

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Id plan to use my savings to build up a holding of cattle as opposed to investing it which would most likely return a much lower yield.

Can anyone guide on the best way to start. My father has cattle so as much as I may be a novice I have some back up.

In relation to completing the green cert...is it worth it?

I guess in the long run I am looking to maximise profit from the land while minimising the amount of actual farm work I do. What would the best route to go in regards this?

Just to get started. Do you have a herd number and if so what size is your holding?

Helpneeded86

Sacrolyte wrote: »

Just to get started. Do you have a herd number and if so what size is your holding?

Not in my own name no. My father does....I have no idea how many but I would be on about just adding to his stock slowly. There would not be a huge jump like purchasing 10 at a time. id be maybe purchasing 5 a year for the next year or two and keep reinvesting profit to purchase more.

maybe im naive but I guess you have to start somewhere. I would be genrally excellent at maximising any benefit available in any walk of life. I would also be extremely numerical as I have an economics degree so I would like to track every single cost.

CloughCasey1

Sacrolyte wrote: »

Just to get started. Do you have a herd number and if so what size is your holding?

And if you think you are going to make money sitting back without work you can dream on. The first few yrs are the hardest and the ones that require the most work to get a system that you are happy with. No point putting your hard earned savings into it and not be making goodish profit on your investment.

Helpneeded86

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

And if you think you are going to make money sitting back without work you can dream on. The first few yrs are the hardest and the ones that require the most work to get a system that you are happy with. No point putting your hard earned savings into it and not be making goodish profit on your investment.

Would cattle not be seen as less work than other forms of farming?

I should state I have a good job so this would be more a small earner as such.

CloughCasey1

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Not in my own name no. My father does....I have no idea how many but I would be on about just adding to his stock slowly. There would not be a huge jump like purchasing 10 at a time. id be maybe purchasing 5 a year for the next year or two and keep reinvesting profit to purchase more.

maybe im naive but I guess you have to start somewhere. I would be genrally excellent at maximising any benefit available in any walk of life. I would also be extremely numerical as I have an economics degree so I would like to track every single cost.

Start with cheaper stock and weaned dairy calves 4mts old and don't get into dear cattle until you know what your buying will make you profit. The part I like about buying is looking for value for money, not buying the nicest stock for the biggest price. A FR 6mt old calf for 280 might leave you more at 16mts than a chx calf bought for 750.

Helpneeded86

I would have very little knowledge in regards to purchasing and would be leaving that up to my father most likely. I would have to assume he is profitable.

CloughCasey1

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Would cattle not be seen as less work than other forms of farming?

I should state I have a good job so this would be more a small earner as such.

They would I guess but its more than been a cattle farmer. Grass is the most important thing with any farming so you can maximise the most from the stock you have. Get your grass yield and roatations right is the key to any grassland farming success.

CloughCasey1

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

I would have very little knowledge in regards to purchasing and would be leaving that up to my father most likely. I would have to assume he is profitable.

Whatever you do start cheap and learn from there

Jimlh86

The best advice IMO is talk to your father!! He'll have seen and done it all before and as much as it's a pain will probably be right!

_Brian

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

I would have very little knowledge in regards to purchasing and would be leaving that up to my father most likely. I would have to assume he is profitable.

That's a big presumption in cattle these days..
The term profitable may "just" apply, but if you look at ROI then its likely a poor performing investment.

My advice is match up with whatever system your dad is working, sucklers/drystock or whatever..
With his agreement and depending on what the holding can support go with him and buy when he's buying. Give a dig out with the work and count your costs..

As for cattle being "easy" farming, I'd suggest you probably underestimate the work your dad is doing, and again, maybe look at the hourly rate he's earning.. I'd wager that excluding subs he's not making the minimum wage unless its a huge operation well run.

blue5000

Jimlh86 wrote: »

The best advice IMO is talk to your father!! He'll have seen and done it all before and as much as it's a pain will probably be right!

Good start, if he has a closed herd the last thing he'll want is you buying in scoury calves and destroying what he already has.

Sounds like you are young, want to farm part time and work off farm. I suggest some form of pedigree suckler cow, maybe go to the ploughing match next week and look at some of the breeds and talk to the owners on the stand. Build up slowly, use ai and if all goes well you'll have a herd of cattle in about 10 years. Just remember you won't be a millionaire out of it.