To Dairy startup OR not

badgerhowlin

Hi,

Currently running 30 head of weanling to Store, on 20ac of land.
There is a total of 100 ac to be had off the auld lad but not for the next 4 years.
Could get 40-50 in the next 2 years if I want.

We use to be in dairy about 20 years ago.
old milking parlour is still standing. Pit, frame, and shell is still there. It was a 6 unit parlour
Land is all in one block.

Thinking of going with 40 head of cows and growing it from there.
Buying a 2nd hand 10-12 unit milking machine.
Probable extend the current parlour to fit the new machine.

_Brian

This conversation came up yesterday at work.

It’s hard not to move that way if you’ve the block of land and have the appetite for it. In reality everything else is standing still or going backwards as regards income.

Is organic milk an option at the moment??

Sacrolyte

What age range is the old lad?

Grueller

badgerhowlin wrote: »

Hi,

Currently running 30 head of weanling to Store, on 20ac of land.
There is a total of 100 ac to be had off the auld lad but not for the next 4 years.
Could get 40-50 in the next 2 years if I want.

We use to be in dairy about 20 years ago.
old milking parlour is still standing. Pit, frame, and shell is still there. It was a 6 unit parlour
Land is all in one block.

Thinking of going with 40 head of cows and growing it from there.
Buying a 2nd hand 10-12 unit milking machine.
Probable extend the current parlour to fit the new machine.

Before you buy a 2nd hand parlour price new ones. You might be surprised at how small the difference will be. I got a shock when I priced both ways and bought new.

badgerhowlin

Sacrolyte wrote: »

What age range is the old lad?

He just turned 69.

He hasnt been farming for the past 13 years. Well if you dont include him been out with me and the cattle every chance he gets and driving the tractor!

TooOldBoots

Any other family members? They might have ideas with regards to the land too, or at least are looking for a share

K.G.

Did you like milking cows before

badgerhowlin

TooOldBoots wrote: »

Any other family members? They might have ideas with regards to the land too, or at least are looking for a share

There is a 6 of us. but none of them want anything to do with farming and all have their own homes.

badgerhowlin

K.G. wrote: »

Did you like milking cows before

I didnt mind it but you know the mind of a teenager, there is more money to be made elsewhere.

Now that I'm older, wont say wiser! I'm toying with the idea of getting back into them.

But the amount to borrow is big. But I do have a few children and one is looking like he might be into farming but he is only 4 at the moment. I cant keep him off the farm.
So if I was to go into it, I would be setting it up for him...

Morris Moss

badgerhowlin wrote: »

I didnt mind it but you know the mind of a teenager, there is more money to be made elsewhere.

Now that I'm older, wont say wiser! I'm toying with the idea of getting back into them.

But the amount to borrow is big. But I do have a few children and one is looking like he might be into farming but he is only 4 at the moment. I cant keep him off the farm.
So if I was to go into it, I would be setting it up for him...

If that's the reason to get into milking forget about it, young lads can be mad about something and then out of nowhere have zero interest.

badgerhowlin

Morris Moss wrote: »

If that's the reason to get into milking forget about it, young lads can be mad about something and then out of nowhere have zero interest.

O God no that NOT the reason, but it helps a little to know that there might be someone to take over the farm when I'm finished.

Main reason is the Job I'm in, is great, pay is not bad, but everyday Im looking out the window Rain or wind or shine, thinking I would love to be out there doing stuff on the farm. and IF only I could turn back time and make a differnt choise.

Then when i get home I take my time been outside(longer than i should) walking through the stock.

When i have to get up Early for work its always a slog to get out of the bed, but when i have animals to feed, and farm work to be done its not hard at all to get out..

Bazzer007

Grueller wrote: »

Before you buy a 2nd hand parlour price new ones. You might be surprised at how small the difference will be. I got a shock when I priced both ways and bought new.

I found if you can get a grant for a new parlour it would be the way to go as there's little in the difference compared to going secondhand. Without the grant, a new parlour would be costly going by the quotations I received. Clean up and test what you have and take it from there. The dairy equipment scheme closed in June not sure when it reopens.

Morris Moss

badgerhowlin wrote: »

O God no that NOT the reason, but it helps a little to know that there might be someone to take over the farm when I'm finished.

Main reason is the Job I'm in, is great, pay is not bad, but everyday Im looking out the window Rain or wind or shine, thinking I would love to be out there doing stuff on the farm. and IF only I could turn back time and make a differnt choise.

Then when i get home I take my time been outside(longer than i should) walking through the stock.

When i have to get up Early for work its always a slog to get out of the bed, but when i have animals to feed, and farm work to be done its not hard at all to get out..

Ah that's fair enough so, just on the transfer of land, depending on what age you are I'd sort that out as soon as possible to avoid being roasted with tax.

K.G.

badgerhowlin wrote: »

O God no that NOT the reason, but it helps a little to know that there might be someone to take over the farm when I'm finished.

Main reason is the Job I'm in, is great, pay is not bad, but everyday Im looking out the window Rain or wind or shine, thinking I would love to be out there doing stuff on the farm. and IF only I could turn back time and make a differnt choise.

Then when i get home I take my time been outside(longer than i should) walking through the stock.

When i have to get up Early for work its always a slog to get out of the bed, but when i have animals to feed, and farm work to be done its not hard at all to get out..

The next question can you afford to go milking. You would need to be able to put either the cows OR the facilities on the ground with no borrowing and is you r partner prepared to facilitate this move

badgerhowlin

K.G. wrote: »

The next question can you afford to go milking. You would need to be able to put either the cows OR the facilities on the ground with no borrowing and is you r partner prepared to facilitate this move

I would probable be able to to 40k or so into it with farm savings and sale of stock. Would need to borrow rest.

would need to borrow for
10-15 heffiers
milking machine, tank, cooling unit etc.
Build new shed or expand existing shed.
New water troughs and fencing,
while im at it a 2nd hand tractor 100hp with loader would go a stray

What we saying there 150k should cover that, and everything else i have missed and not put in...

Wife could be brought around to the Idea.

But it would all be hanging on getting another 200ac of land either leased of the auld lad like the current 20ac or get farm signed over completely, but he probable wont do that till the current lease to the neighbour ends in 3-4 years time

Sacrolyte

Would the consideration of forming a dairy partnership with him bring him onside more?

wrangler

badgerhowlin wrote: »

I would probable be able to to 40k or so into it with farm savings and sale of stock. Would need to borrow rest.

would need to borrow for
10-15 heffiers
milking machine, tank, cooling unit etc.
Build new shed or expand existing shed.
New water troughs and fencing,
while im at it a 2nd hand tractor 100hp with loader would go a stray

What we saying there 150k should cover that, and everything else i have missed and not put in...

Wife could be brought around to the Idea.

But it would all be hanging on getting another 200ac of land either leased of the auld lad like the current 20ac or get farm signed over completely, but he probable wont do that till the current lease to the neighbour ends in 3-4 years time

I think I heard somewhere that a lease to your/son daughter can't be tax free
Which, if true, wouldn't be a help to your case

C0N0R

wrangler wrote: »

I think I heard somewhere that a lease to your/son daughter can't be tax free
Which, if true, wouldn't be a help to your case

Yes, you’re correct

Timmaay

Grueller wrote: »

Before you buy a 2nd hand parlour price new ones. You might be surprised at how small the difference will be. I got a shock when I priced both ways and bought new.

Likes of a new barebones 12unit can be got for 1800/unit installed. Will rise up towards 4k/unit if you start adding on acrs, swing over arms etc. Plus 40% back on the tams grant. So price 2nd hand parlours accordingly. 2bh if someone offered me a 2nd hand parlour I'd nearly want it for free after I'd uninstalled it, brought it home and had for fix up all new rubber and whatever other issues that you'll get with transplanting something as awkward.

Sacrolyte

Timmaay wrote: »

Likes of a new barebones 12unit can be got for 1800/unit installed. Will rise up towards 4k/unit if you start adding on acrs, swing over arms etc. Plus 40% back on the tams grant. So price 2nd hand parlours accordingly. 2bh if someone offered me a 2nd hand parlour I'd nearly want it for free after I'd uninstalled it, brought it home and had for fix up all new rubber and whatever other issues that you'll get with transplanting something as awkward.

Yep

blue5000

OP I gave up milking 14 years ago. The only way I'd consider going back is with a robot. Might be worth looking into one if your land is in one block. They're not cheap, but a second unit could be added later on if more land comes into the system.

It can take as long to milk 40 cows in a bad setup as to milk 150 in a good setup. Time is the ultimate commodity.