John Shirley farming Indo

Muckit · 01-02-2011 04:22PM #1

I came across a very interesting read in the farming Indo at lunchtime.

John Shirley tryed to answer the question in his article:
'Why do farmers stay in cattle farming at a time when the SFP is decoupled from production?

Although I'm involved myself at what I'd call a 'hobby level', it's a question I've often asked myself of lads talking of expanding and trying desperately to make a profit off it.

I find him a very straight talker. He made some very good observations I thought.

Anyone else read it? What are other people's views?

whelan1 · 01-02-2011 04:28PM

can you post a link ?

ihatetractors · 01-02-2011 04:32PM

http://www.independent.ie/farming/why-do-farmers-stay-with-cattle-farming-at-a-time-when-the-sfp-is-decoupled-from-production-2518777.html

Lots of food for thaught there...

rancher · 01-02-2011 05:07PM

producing beef has got to be the most efficient method of transferring our S.F.P. into factory owners pockets

JohnBoy · 01-02-2011 05:10PM

Suckler farming is to an extent a long term enterprise, and if done right I do believe some lads can make money from it. What I dont understand is how lads can justify buying large numbers of cattle to fill sheds when they have a very good idea of all their costs, and selling prices in 3-6 months time.

why do finishers bother?

LostCovey · 01-02-2011 06:49PM

JohnBoy wrote: »

Suckler farming is to an extent a long term enterprise, and if done right I do believe some lads can make money from it. What I dont understand is how lads can justify buying large numbers of cattle to fill sheds when they have a very good idea of all their costs, and selling prices in 3-6 months time.

why do finishers bother?

Great question, great thread.

My guesses would be that some part of it is habit - doing what you always did.

The other part of it is to do with culture and identity - people identify themselves as cattle farmers, and if they stopped doing it, they feel they would lose their identity.

A similar question might be "why do travellers keep worthless horses?", put so much energy into moving them, getting grazing for them, hassle with the law etc.

LostCovey

Muckit · 01-02-2011 08:21PM

Well I personally wouldn't be of the opinion that trying to turn us all into 'super farmers' is the answer to making the Irish beef farming as a whole profitable. I made this clear before in previous threads.

I liked the way John Shirley called a spade a spade and didn't try to 'baffle with bullsh*t'. He's been around alot longer than the likes of J McCarthy and has the life experience.

Tora Bora · 01-02-2011 08:54PM

Muckit wrote: »

Well I personally wouldn't be of the opinion that trying to turn us all into 'super farmers' is the answer to making the Irish beef farming as a whole profitable. I made this clear before in previous threads.

I liked the way John Shirley called a spade a spade and didn't try to 'baffle with bullsh*t'. He's been around alot longer than the likes of J McCarthy and has the life experience.

Shure jayzuz, if we all got out of cattle farming, wouldn't we all be on the valium in a month. Imagine the pub on a Saturday night, filled with a collection of cattle farmers with not a cow between them:eek:
The atmosphere would be like shovelling daylight into a black hole:cool:

pakalasa · 01-02-2011 09:34PM

I've always enjoyed reading John Shirleys stuff. Never met the guy, but he always comes across as a real gentleman.
Justin McCarthy is a bit brasher alright. He's not afraid to challenge farmers that bit more, which doesnt rest easy with some people, I guess.

Muckit · 01-02-2011 09:40PM

pakalasa wrote: »

I've always enjoyed reading John Shirleys stuff. Never met the guy, but he always comes across as a real gentleman.
Justin McCarthy is a bit brasher alright. He's not afraid to challenge farmers that bit more, which doesnt rest easy with some people, I guess.

I've seen Shirley at a few marts in the west.

McCarthy is more comfortable behind a mic than a bullock:D He was chairing a farm walk I was at in 09 on the farm of Ken Power, Suckler farmer of the year 2008. I was going to challenge him on a few things, then bottled out!:rolleyes:

John Shirley farming Indo

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