Farm diversification stories

bigtomw

Hi all

I thought it might be interesting to share your farm diversification stories, I haven't diversified myself yet but have a few ideas in mind, would love to here your stories , what ye did was it the best / worst thing ye ever did and would ye change anything about what ye did

freedominacup

bigtomw wrote: »

Hi all

I thought it might be interesting to share your farm diversification stories, I haven't diversified myself yet but have a few ideas in mind, would love to here your stories , what ye did was it the best / worst thing ye ever did and would ye change anything about what ye did

It can be a very slow burn. A good friend of mine and her husband diversified and became an overnight success after twenty years when they got their product with their own brand onto the shelves of one of the major supermarkets this year. She's still working full time off farm.

popa smurf

Your looking for ideas l know one lad that that has set up a thriving business on his farm, employing about 20 he works about 90 hours a week 7 days a week himself he is being doing that for the last 10 years he has spent over a million in machines, he says himself he keeps the bills paid ,his business has really taken off in the last 12 months and his biggest problem now is finding good staff that will work as hard as himself

Water John

Diversifying in the food area is quite difficult and really one sees more about in the media than real success stories. Usually a struggle.
Ancilliary type services, ironworks etc seem to be a better bet.
Using the leverage and some capital perhaps to buy or start a business/retail. Only to be done if one has the skills.

blue5000

Very few Irish consumers have any spare cash to spend on anything 'craft' related.

Lady lou

Great thread idea.

Why does everyone think of food.
Why not a fishing lake
A fish farm
A golf course....

_Brian

Very hard breaking into a completly new business if you have no experience already on it.
The thing with craft or craft foods is not only the production skills required but the marketing skills, it's not easy getting a product out there under the noses of just the right people at the right time.

there are supports though and the mext round of Leader Funding is to be rolled out later this week, a certain proportion of this is aimed at farm diversification projects.

bigtomw

popa smurf wrote: »

Your looking for ideas l know one lad that that has set up a thriving business on his farm, employing about 20 he works about 90 hours a week 7 days a week himself he is being doing that for the last 10 years he has spent over a million in machines, he says himself he keeps the bills paid ,his business has really taken off in the last 12 months and his biggest problem now is finding good staff that will work as hard as himself

I'm not looking for ideas, just thought it would be nice to share experiences, my ideas are more to do with tourism and trying to set up some kind of outdoor activities / walks and some kind of camp site and also we were already researching one of lady Lou' s suggestions of a fishing pond and stocking it with either trout or karp

Muckit

blue5000 wrote: »

Very few Irish consumers have any spare cash to spend on anything 'craft' related.

That even goes for beer .... now that says something!!

Lady lou

bigtomw wrote: »

I'm not looking for ideas, just thought it would be nice to share experiences, my ideas are more to do with tourism and trying to set up some kind of outdoor activities / walks and some kind of camp site and also we were already researching one of lady Lou' s suggestions of a fishing pond and stocking it with either trout or karp

And how did you get on with researching the lake. Have thought about it here before. I can't remember what turned me off the idea. Probably earning money from it ha.

Water John

I think I read about the viability of producing Artic Char in tanks supplied from freshwater stream.

Craft Beer is def one to look at.

bigtomw

Lady lou wrote: »

And how did you get on with researching the lake. Have thought about it here before. I can't remember what turned me off the idea. Probably earning money from it ha.

I am still researching the idea , the biggest problem is the lack of experienced contractors / consultants in Ireland, because there's a bit more too it then just digging a hole and filling it with water, I read somewhere on a UK website for it to be viable it should be a minimum of 3 acres

Water John

Tom, the last thing you need is a consultant. Do your home work. Build up a file of info over a few weeks.
Then make some contacts in the UK or Europe at some thing similar and arrange a visit. That trip, even if you decide not to do the project, will be you best investment. Make it a short holiday.
You will also come across the name of an expert in that niche on your travels.

If its a fish lake, look to Norway or Canada or Scotland, I would think. Thing is, when it comes to investment it may be from Banks that are familiar with that enterprise in those countries may be your source of funds.

Lady lou

bigtomw wrote: »

I am still researching the idea , the biggest problem is the lack of experienced contractors / consultants in Ireland, because there's a bit more too it then just digging a hole and filling it with water, I read somewhere on a UK website for it to be viable it should be a minimum of 3 acres

Ye I read of that too. There's a lot of lakes in lreland so there must be someone building them!
If I'm not mistaken if you are going the trout route you will also need to farm them!

_Brian

Water John wrote: »

I think I read about the viability of producing Artic Char in tanks supplied from freshwater stream.

Craft Beer is def one to look at.

Craft Beer is done to death... there are a wealth of lads having white label beers done up and selling them as craft, when in fact they're all just the same semi-commercially produced beer with different labels stuck on.

Alot of it is brewed in a commercial contract brewer in Dublin.
Craftworks Contract Brewery

To run a proper brewery actually making beer costs serious money and you need a master brewer, of which there are few..

Water John

Aware of your points Brian. There is still a lot of room for growth.

ganmo

I've had plenty ideas
None of them have gotten to the stage of putting figures down on paper. I'll revisit them in the years to come when I have the where with all to bring one(or more) to fruition

djmc

I often thought a pet farm in the right area could be a good summer earner close to a large town or city or near tourist area.
Most farmers already have a good knowledge of animal husbandry and animals are easily got nowadays on done deal everything from alpacas to giant rabbits to pigmy goats sold as pets.

Reggie.

bigtomw wrote: »

I am still researching the idea , the biggest problem is the lack of experienced contractors / consultants in Ireland, because there's a bit more too it then just digging a hole and filling it with water, I read somewhere on a UK website for it to be viable it should be a minimum of 3 acres

I think a go body takes over then as an overseer as I think all water courses falls under one of them..

Insp. Harry Callahan

djmc wrote: »

I often thought a pet farm in the right area could be a good summer earner close to a large town or city or near tourist area.
Most farmers already have a good knowledge of animal husbandry and animals are easily got nowadays on done deal everything from alpacas to giant rabbits to pigmy goats sold as pets.

I was looking I to a pet crematorium business a while ago, I know there is one up in NI that does well, think it's 100stg to get a medium sized dog cremated, would be handy enough to do
Just need a small shed, incinerater costs 10000 stg, order a few caskets/ urns online
Would need to be close to a city with a large population I think

Genghis Cant

Insp. Harry Callahan wrote: »

I was looking I to a pet crematorium business a while ago, I know there is one up in NI that does well, think it's 100stg to get a medium sized dog cremated, would be handy enough to do
Just need a small shed, incinerater costs 10000 stg, order a few caskets/ urns online
Would need to be close to a city with a large population I think

There's one in Trim Co Meath.

pedigree 6

Insp. Harry Callahan wrote: »

I was looking I to a pet crematorium business a while ago, I know there is one up in NI that does well, think it's 100stg to get a medium sized dog cremated, would be handy enough to do
Just need a small shed, incinerater costs 10000 stg, order a few caskets/ urns online
Would need to be close to a city with a large population I think

I think under the new legislation with microchipping dogs you are supposed to bring the dog to the knackery or incinerator would do as long as have paperwork as proof. A dog breeder told me this. He was after bringing a dog (dead ) to the knackery and it cost e10 (spaniel).

Base price

pedigree 6 wrote: »

I think under the new legislation with microchipping dogs you are supposed to bring the dog to the knackery or incinerator would do as long as have paperwork as proof. A dog breeder told me this. He was after bringing a dog (dead ) to the knackery and it cost e10 (spaniel).

I was at my vet's practice a couple of weeks ago picking up an injection for a calf and while I was there one of the vets had to euthanise a family pet. Overheard him explaining that with the new microchipping regulations the disposal had to be officially recorded through either a knackery or crematorium. I think the family were more distraught over hearing it than loosing the dog. They wanted (as most of us would) to bury the dog on their property.

Base price

bigtomw wrote: »

Hi all

I thought it might be interesting to share your farm diversification stories, I haven't diversified myself yet but have a few ideas in mind, would love to here your stories , what ye did was it the best / worst thing ye ever did and would ye change anything about what ye did

We know a couple who opened a boarding kennel/cattery about 8 years ago. At the time I thought they were mad as they lived in a rural location with the nearest large towns about 15 - 20 miles either direction. Fortunately their business has grown from strength to strength over the years and now one of their children has added value by training to become a dog/cat groomer.
OH met the Dad at a local function a few weeks ago and asked him how the business was going. The Dad said that it made more money (profit) than his best efforts with cattle.

Reggie.

Base price wrote: »

I was at my vet's practice a couple of weeks ago picking up an injection for a calf and while I was there one of the vets had to euthanise a family pet. Overheard him explaining that with the new microchipping regulations the disposal had to be officially recorded through either a knackery or crematorium. I think the family were more distraught over hearing it than loosing the dog. They wanted (as most of us would) to bury the dog on their property.

My dog will be buried on my property when that faithful time comes and to hell with anyone that tries to stop me.

Water John

Reggie, are you having yourself buried there too?

Reggie.

Water John wrote: »

Reggie, are you having yourself buried there too?

Nope but my dog here is as part of the family as anyone. She ll always be closeby

kowtow

Reggie. wrote:

My dog will be buried on my property when that faithful time comes and to hell with anyone that tries to stop me.

Mine too if she keeps Trying to catch stones as they come out of the massey bucket.

djmc

I dont get the need to have small animals taken to a knackery or incinerated
If a fox deer or badger dies in the wild what happens it. The next thing they will charge us to get rid of dead hamsters and goldfish.

tractorporn

Have toyed with the idea of putting the granny flat up on Airb&b but have never been brave enough to do it. Farm stays are a big thing over in England not so sure about over here!

Base price

tractorporn wrote: »

Have toyed with the idea of putting the granny flat up on Airb&b but have never been brave enough to do it. Farm stays are a big thing over in England not so sure about over here!

Was listening to RTE 1 radio a few weeks ago on either a Sat or Sunday morning and there was an American couple who have spent the last 3 years living in Air b&b's. They love coming to Ireland especially rural Ireland.
Lots of German & Dutch people love our little island. If it was me then I would get the granny flat done up and give it a go. Just make sure that you have the correct insurance (p/l) in place.

tractorporn

Base price wrote:

Was listening to RTE 1 radio a few weeks ago on either a Sat or Sunday morning and there was an American couple who have spent the last 3 years living in Air b&b's. They love coming to Ireland especially rural Ireland. Lots of German & Dutch people love our little island. If it was me then I would get the granny flat done up and give it a go. Just make sure that you have the correct insurance (p/l) in place.

I was chatting to a girl up in Cavan that started doing it this year in a converted stone barn and that sparked the idea. It was done up about 3 yrs ago, dry lined, insulated and re wired so apart from a kitchen all it would need is a bit of interior design cosmetic stuff.

I had thought about glamping as well but the planning required sank that as I hadn't the cash.

Base price

tractorporn wrote: »

I was chatting to a girl up in Cavan that started doing it this year in a converted stone barn and that sparked the idea. It was done up about 3 yrs ago, dry lined, insulated and re wired so apart from a kitchen all it would need is a bit of interior design cosmetic stuff.

I had thought about glamping as well but the planning required sank that as I hadn't the cash.

Have a look at the criteria that is involved and be aware that you will have strangers on your property. If you can give it the time that is required (I assume laundry, cleaning etc ) then go for it. Other than doing up the kitchen you could ask a family member to help you finish off the interior. Lots of cheap/cheerful stuff in shops like Ikea, Homestore and More etc, even second hand stuff on Donedeal.
Other than my nephew and a friend using Air B&B on a number of occasions (all positive) I have no experience with it.
Why don't you take the first step and sign up to the site. Have a look at their requirements of becoming a host and take it from there. What do you have to loose.

ganmo

djmc wrote: »

I dont get the need to have small animals taken to a knackery or incinerated
If a fox deer or badger dies in the wild what happens it. The next thing they will charge us to get rid of dead hamsters and goldfish.

If reported to the council deer or other dead wild things get picked up by a knackery

Isn't there someone trying to build a crematorium in Galway or cork, can't remember which, but the locals aren't objecting

Suckler

djmc wrote: »

I dont get the need to have small animals taken to a knackery or incinerated
If a fox deer or badger dies in the wild what happens it. The next thing they will charge us to get rid of dead hamsters and goldfish.

Your right but as usual its the actions of the minority that mean rules have to be brought in; people just start dumping animals now. Pets and/or livestock. It's easier to drive down the lane in the night than dig a hole.