farawaygrass wrote: » If you dairy lads and lassies were to advise someone ( a32 year old, beef and sheep farmer, 110acres) who was thinking about entering dairying for the last 2 months, what would your advice be? -working full time at moment -land is in one block and overall good quality. -not making a profit without subsidies in the last 2 years.
simx wrote: » Couldn't agree more
whelan2 wrote: » See a few fresh calved ones on dd. Probably lads changing calving system. What's the interest on a stocking loan?
whelan2 wrote: » But on the other side alot of farmers wont be selling their best heifers either....
Timmaay wrote: » Sounds like a reasonable starting point in fairness. Would your existing stock fund a milking herd? In terms of milking infrastructure, you will be looking at the likes of a 60/70k spend min after Grant for a new greenfield site, ie new shed to house the parlour, dairy etc, holding yard dairy washings tank etc. Roadways factor in 20e/m, if you have none now pencil in 10k for 500m to get ya going. With water I'd leave that down the road to upgrade, just have big enough troughs for now. When you say a new slurry tank, this just for the holding yard etc, or for winter accommodation? Would straw bedding be an option for now if it's the 2nd?
Mooooo wrote: » As keepgrowing said contact an advisor and go thru the various options, existing stock may cover stock purchases. Roadway paddocks cows and parlour first port of call. Don't be afraid of a bit of debt obvious within reason just put it out for as long a period as you can get make repayments easier can always be paid off early if things go well. Also make sure to budget a few grand for farm relief etc. in plans. Dunno who's with you etc but big change from working off farm to farming full-time esp for a one man show is you will be on your own for a lot of the day so time off and away is important.
yewtree wrote: » It can be a great living. I would do as keepgrowing says and talk to P Gowing, a very good lad and plenty of experience setting up farms. Also would try and connect yourself with a few good operators, a good mentor is worth an awful lot. Invest money in milking stock, in my opinion calves are too far away from generating cash. There is a huge difference in the price of a basic 16 unit versus a robot/high spec parlour, stick to the high return areas. Best of luck with it.
farawaygrass wrote: » I was guessing maiden heifers would cost €1100, therefor existing stock should reasonable fun 60 heifers. TBH if I thought 60-70k after a grant wound biuld all that I would be pretty ok with that. When I said slurry tank I meant both holding yard and accommodation. See my thinking was if I converted the straw sheds we have, they are the traditional 3bay hat barn with lean-To of both sides, then I would have cubicles on the two outside bays, and a passage in the middle with scrapers. You mentioned straw-would that not be a dirty environment for mastitis?
Water John wrote: » A basic parlour is fine. It's a personal choice. The maiden heifers would be a good shout too.
Timmaay wrote: » I want to put the a crop of grass straight back in after harvesting the maize, any suggestions on how to sow it, will the one pass with a power harrow do?
Keepgrowing wrote: » Best of luck, dairying needs more people who want to be in it.
Gawddawggonnit wrote: » Interesting... It does sound a little like a Ponzi scheme though doesn't it? Don't mind me I'm stuck in an Eastern Europeean airport with five hours.
Timmaay wrote: » I'd argue that modern day life in general is a ponzi scheme ha.
Keepgrowing wrote: Best of luck, dairying needs more people who want to be in it.
farawaygrass wrote: » I was guessing maiden heifers would cost €1100, therefor existing stock should reasonable fun 60 heifers.
Keepgrowing wrote: » I'd call it more of a bandwagon than a Ponzi. I see guys getting in who are very professional in their approach with good experience and financial skills. I'm thinking tillage guys in particular with a few very good beef guys converting. On the other hand I see established dairy guys doing a middeling job expanding when In fact they should be refining and improving what they have first. They're making a living off depreciation in reality.We also have a large cohort of farmers circa 60 yrs old with no successor and it's in this area we'll see a fall in production I feel. We've not hit peak milk yet but 5yrs will do it perhaps and I think environmental regs may be the largest limiting factor.
Floki wrote: » I can see share farming becoming more of a thing in this country with young people buying in or providing labour for equity in the businesses. Either that or people with no successors just selling up lock stock and barrel for their retirement. I've heard tell of two brothers in their late 50's with no obvious successors converting a sizeable tillage operation to an all bells and whistles dairy enterprise. When one of them was asked are they mad and why they did it the reply was that they had to have something to do with their time even though their father would turn in his grave if he knew there was a cow on the farm (their words). My bet is there'll still be cows milked on the farm when they're dead and gone. Successors who get a fully top notch no money to be spent on dairy farm have no interest in milking. Successors who get a run down neglected loads of potential dairy farm are mad about milking. Everyone likes to make their own stamp on this world and land and see that they've achieved something.
The part time boy wrote: » Not sure what kind of sheds you have but if you have to invest to go milking u make Nothing out of 60 cows . The other advise i give you is spend a year working on a good dairy farm At best you learn a lot and make less mistakes when u milk your own herd. At worst you find out that cows are not for you
farawaygrass wrote: » I mightn't have been too clear- I could afford 60 heifers now right now from selling current stock but the farm could hold 100. Ya I think a bit of experience on a dairy farm would be a good step. I'm 32 though-wouldn't want to be delaying too long or I'd be working till im 90!
Keepgrowing wrote: » We also have a large cohort of farmers circa 60 yrs old with no successor and it's in this area we'll see a fall in production I feel. We've not hit peak milk yet but 5yrs will do it perhaps and I think environmental regs may be the largest limiting factor.
