Very small farm. Owner retiring

mickdw

Small farm that keeps about 6 suckler cows and gets about 3k in grants per years.

Farmer getting out of cattle due to age.

We are looking at options going forward.

Nobody here has time for calving cows.

Perhaps just keeping enough dry cattle to satisfy grants is the way forward. Don't want to rent it out anyway.

Are there any tillage schemes or other environmental schemes that a small holding could be entered into to make a small return without keeping animals at all.

EIapprentice

Why so hesitant to let when noone has any interest in farming it?

mickdw

Land is wrapped all around the house. Just doesn't suit.

Rows Grower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120175587#Comment_120175587

That's a garden Mick not a farm.

cute geoge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058281949/very-small-farm-owner-retiring

organic is the way for you ,new grant and minimal few cattle

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120175641#Comment_120175641

Thanks. Helpful.

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120175650#Comment_120175650

Thanks, will look into that.

k mac

Get someone you trust and knows cattle to buy 5 or 6 quiet angus or hereford heifers for you, and keep them for seven months to claim your entitlements which you probably have. If excess grass let a neigbour take it for silage, and either charge him or maybe let him have it and he will do you a twist again (maybe buy the cattle for you), that is by far your handiest way of doing things.

As regards schemes acres is probably your best option closed for applications now but will reopen this year, This way you have minimal spend and work to start with and you never know you might get an interest in it.

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120176549#Comment_120176549

Yes this was the initial idea we had. Primarily to get out of calving and avoid as much as possible of winter feeding as up to now it has been an out wintering setup.

Don't know the details on how long they need to be in herd per year to comply with grant requirements but will be seeking some advice on this.

I took an initial look at organic farming info last night and looks like more hassle than it's worth in this situation.

I'm not a complete newbie to it but wouldn't have time to be watching cattle calving etc.

bigroad

Solar farms are all the fashion now.

selectamatic

If it's good land Mick operating the 7 month system and buying in native breed bullocks and fattening off grass with some supplements and factorying them in the backend could work for ye. In general bullocks are docile and handy manage too.