Now Ye're Talking - to an Irish Farmer

I'm a Farmer, AMA

Mehaffey1 wrote: »

Do you ever see a unifying Co op ever passing in Irish dairy similar to Fonterra?

What's the biggest yield you've got from a crop?

What tractor (s) do you have on farm and how do you find them?

Will anyone stop laughing at Valtra?

Can't see it happening here, too many 'personalities' involved. On our road tankers from 4 different co-ops pass by and it is crazy TBH.

I got just over 3 ton/acre from a spring barley crop in 2014.

Older Ford here, and a 399 MF they are reliable, simple, no electronics.

Older Valtras have given good service, I heard of one 6400 with 13,000 hours and no trouble, have they been in NZ long? They came in here in the 1990's.

I'm a Farmer, AMA

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

What's your preferred breed of cow and what breed of bull do you use? Will Mayo win Sam?

These are very personal questions, Mayo haven't a hope:D

I'm a Farmer, AMA

beertons wrote: »

How long have you had your favourite cow and what do you call it?

My oldest cow is about 8 years.

I remember Clint Eastwood being asked in a spaghetti western what was his horse's name, he said 'you don't give a name to somethin' you might have to eat, boy'.

Comic Book Guy

Ever had a bad experience with a Department inspector?!

I'm a Farmer, AMA

Comic Book Guy wrote: »

Ever had a bad experience with a Department inspector?!

I'll put it this way, I've never had a good experience with a dept inspector.

ganmo

would you be disappointed if your chap didn't want to take on the farm?

I'm a Farmer, AMA

ganmo wrote: »

would you be disappointed if your chap didn't want to take on the farm?

I don't think so, I would prefer him to have a choice. I'm fairly sure though that I'll be the last full time farmer here.

yourpics

I'm a Farmer, AMA wrote: »

I don't think so, I would prefer him to have a choice. I'm fairly sure though that I'll be the last full time farmer here.

Your farm would be in good hands if you pass it on to me!

Kovu

Oh did you ever get a ride, ever get a ride, ever get a ride on a tractor

If you hadn't gone into farming what would you have liked to do instead, here or abroad? Did you look into other things or always had an inner grá for farming and the land?

What's the most interesting thing you've seen in all your years farming, be it animal habits/land changes/unexplained happenings. Personally I love watching the suckler cow hierarchy change from year to year, I've noticed any heifer that's beat will usually end up being a b1tch of a cow to others when she gets bigger.

The Sidewards Man

How long do you give talking to other farmers after mass on Sunday?

The Backwards Man

What time do you have the dinner at?

BMMachine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqieXSLOslo

In all seriousness though, Have you been to many farms in the UK? Is there any noticeable difference in farming techniques and culture across the pond that you are aware of?

IH784man

Are you on the farming forum on here using your own account

irishgeo

ever thought of going the organic farming route?

Is there really any difference between the steaks coming from the normal breeds vs say the premium Aberdeen angus?

whats the one thing you change about farming if you were minister for agriculture.

Comic Book Guy

Has a sales rep for a company you never dealt with eventually made a sale to you through nothing but sheer persistence/nuisance calling anytime he passes?

moleyv

I know health and safety and farm deaths are a touchy subject and clearly every farmer wants to avoid accidents.

Do you think children (pre teens) should be kept clear of the farm?

I understand those in the teens can provide a valuable working hand and it is also important if they intend on keeping the farm going down the line, but maybe lighter duty? Non machinery work.

I don't know much about the farming course that have to be taken, but is there much/enough emphasis on health and safety in these?

Maybe those that haven't done their training should be kept off the farm, or courses for teenagers could be provided by the IFA to promote safety.

Red tape requires more time and resources, so probably isn't the answer.

There is probably no straight answer to my questions, but I'm certainly interested in your perspective. I think there are increasing negative views against the farming community due to young deaths.

Kerrydude1981

Do you think Robot milkers will take off and most farms will have them in place in the next 10 to 15 years or do you think its just a mod con that will fade out due to high costs?

Also what are your thoughts on farm sharing where two or three farmers come together and join the farms and split the profits.

I'm a Farmer, AMA

Kovu wrote: »

Oh did you ever get a ride, ever get a ride, ever get a ride on a tractor
If you hadn't gone into farming what would you have liked to do instead, here or abroad? Did you look into other things or always had an inner grá for farming and the land?

What's the most interesting thing you've seen in all your years farming, be it animal habits/land changes/unexplained happenings. Personally I love watching the suckler cow hierarchy change from year to year, I've noticed any heifer that's beat will usually end up being a b1tch of a cow to others when she gets bigger.

No Kovu, never got a ride in a tractor, I did in a jeep and 305 van does that count?
Probably something in the engineering/welding/mechanical/construction line of work. The gra was always there for the land.
Watching a hare and a bunch of calves running and chasing each other, I love seeing a hawk or a buzzard or even a fox as well. No unexplained happenings, Yes the hierarchy changes, seems to run in families! Had a cow with horns who was a real bitch, sold her to a neighbour and later he said her and her daughter used to take up half a ring feeder, they de-horned the cow, and she was still as bad.:eek:

The Backwards Man wrote: »

What time do you have the dinner at?

I like to have it at 1.30PM but has been anytime from 12.30 pm to 10pm

BMMachine wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqieXSLOslo

In all seriousness though, Have you been to many farms in the UK? Is there any noticeable difference in farming techniques and culture across the pond that you are aware of?

Farms that I visited were larger, usually had staff, and were much more business orientated than us, the beef cattle were absolutely sh1te compared to ours, a lot more holstein influence than here.

irishgeo wrote: »

ever thought of going the organic farming route?

Is there really any difference between the steaks coming from the normal breeds vs say the premium Aberdeen angus?

whats the one thing you change about farming if you were minister for agriculture.

Yes have thought about it, what stops me is there isn't enough of a premium for organic beef over conventional beef, and I couldn't tell the difference. I'd also have to produce a lot less and anything that got medication is no longer organic.
There is a savage difference between meat from angus & hereford compared to continentals, aa and hereford is juicier because of the fat. Some ppl can tell where a wine is from, I'm not messing, I can tell the breed of the animal when I'm eating a steak in a restaurant, but with mince I wouldn't have a clue.

Have a cut off period for inspections eg 1st sept so payments wouldn't be delayed, any inspections during sept to december kick in the following calendar year.

No Kovu, never got a roide in a tractor, did you;)?

I'm a Farmer, AMA

Shannon757 wrote: »

What do you get it cut with?

Shannon757 wrote: »

Claas?

He has a JD, used to have New Holland

Comic Book Guy wrote: »

Has a sales rep for a company you never dealt with eventually made a sale to you through nothing but sheer persistence/nuisance calling anytime he passes?

Well I do sometimes buy NEW tools off traavelling salesmen just to get rid of them. Sales reps don't call anymore TBH without me making an enquiry first.

CaraMay

I used to work in an accountants office and often hear clients, who were farmers, blatantly reducing the level of farm profit to avoid paying taxes / to get grants etc.

Given the level of negative sentiment towards tradesmen etc doing 'nixers', do you think the youngers farmers are more upfront and treat it like a business in which taxes need to be paid or is there still an older mentality in force whereby the tax man is the enemy?

I'm a Farmer, AMA

moleyv wrote: »

I know health and safety and farm deaths are a touchy subject and clearly every farmer wants to avoid accidents.

Do you think children (pre teens) should be kept clear of the farm?

I understand those in the teens can provide a valuable working hand and it is also important if they intend on keeping the farm going down the line, but maybe lighter duty? Non machinery work.

I don't know much about the farming course that have to be taken, but is there much/enough emphasis on health and safety in these?

Maybe those that haven't done their training should be kept off the farm, or courses for teenagers could be provided by the IFA to promote safety.

Red tape requires more time and resources, so probably isn't the answer.

There is probably no straight answer to my questions, but I'm certainly interested in your perspective. I think there are increasing negative views against the farming community due to young deaths.

It's a hard one to call, I know a 12 yr old kid who drove a combine when his grandfather was sick with shingles, I know other farmer's kids who did every sort of work when they were kids and now hardly even talk to their parents. There's a happy medium. But the earlier kids are on the farm, the easier it is for them to learn the skills. In a lot of cases the farmer's kids know the dangers, problems start when cousins/friends visit the farm, this is when accidents occur. Please no more red tape.

Kerrydude1981 wrote: »

Do you think Robot milkers will take off and most farms will have them in place in the next 10 to 15 years or do you think its just a mod con that will fade out due to high costs?

Also what are your thoughts on farm sharing where two or three farmers come together and join the farms and split the profits.

I have a friend with one and it works well for him, it has to suit the farm, there is still a lot of monitoring to be done besides milking.
The technology is advancing all the time and I reckon it will get cheaper, AFAIK nearly every new milking parlour in Holland now is a robot, I could be wrong. I can't see it fading out, but I think it will be a bit longer than 10-15 yrs before everyone has one.

I think share farming/partnerships will get more common, mainly due to labour shortage. But also as margins get tighter, size will make it easier to survive if resources are pooled.

fred funk }{

Which job's on the farm to you most hate and which do you enjoy doing most?

mariaalice

What is you opinion of viewing a farm as a business as oppose to a way of life.

I'm a Farmer, AMA

CaraMay wrote: »

I used to work in an accountants office and often hear clients, who were farmers, blatantly reducing the level of farm profit to avoid paying taxes / to get grants etc.

Given the level of negative sentiment towards tradesmen etc doing 'nixers', do you think the youngers farmers are more upfront and treat it like a business in which taxes need to be paid or is there still an older mentality in force whereby the tax man is the enemy?

Yes young farmers are more likely to treat it like a business in my opinion, I reckon they'd be fools not to.

I'm a Farmer, AMA

mariaalice wrote: »

What is you opinion of viewing a farm as a business as oppose to a way of life.

Following on from above post, it has to be treated like a business, margins are just too tight now compared to the 1970's-80's. The older generation probably still regard it as a way of life, but when they go, I think it will be even more commercialised than now.

I'm a Farmer, AMA

fred funk }{ wrote: »

Which job's on the farm to you most hate and which do you enjoy doing most?

Anything to do with a sick/dying animal is the most hated job, I suppose it's the sense of failure as well as the financial cost.

I love ploughing, I don't know why, perhaps it's the sense of achievement at the end of the day when you drive home past all the straight furrows? It's also the smell of newly turned earth, sorry I can't describe it better than that.

I'm a Farmer, AMA

The Sidewards Man wrote: »

How long do you give talking to other farmers after mass on Sunday?

Depends on whether it's raining or not:pac:, if it's raining, straight to the car, if not, about 5-10 minutes.

Neyite

Where I'm from, I see quite a few widows /widowers leading a very solitary existence in their later years, particularly when their family are grown and moved away (maybe even emigrated) for work. They give up farming because its such a physical job and they are just not able for it any more. But often its all they know, so they stay put in an isolated area and contact with other people dwindles a lot. They become very lonely.

Is that something that you think about for yourself occasionally? Would you have contingency plans in place for when you reach retirement?

I'm a Farmer, AMA

Neyite wrote: »

Where I'm from, I see quite a few widows /widowers leading a very solitary existence in their later years, particularly when their family are grown and moved away (maybe even emigrated) for work. They give up farming because its such a physical job and they are just not able for it any more. But often its all they know, so they stay put in an isolated area and contact with other people dwindles a lot. They become very lonely.

Is that something that you think about for yourself occasionally? Would you have contingency plans in place for when you reach retirement?

Is that something that you think about for yourself occasionally? I haven't really thought about getting old, I have a small pension, always thought I'd like to retire somewhere near the sea!
Good question though, time for me to start thinking seriously about it.

minktrapper

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

If there were no grants or subsidized payments, would farming be possible at all in Ireland or what size of farm would you need to make it income sufficient?

Don't think farmers get grants or subsidised payments. Food production gets grants and subsidised payments in order to keep the cost of food down.