Starting out

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

I have looked on here but cant seem to find too much (probably haven't looked in the right place as usual).
How would you recommend a young person from a non - farming background, with a (very!) strong passion for farming, little support, a fair bit of experience with livestock and good work ethic should start out in farming?
I've got plenty of my own ideas ranging from the unimaginative to the ridiculous, so thought I would ask you guys and girls to try and bring some sanity back into the situation!

I am fully aware this thread will probably attract a lot of the usual comments saying invest your time/money elsewhere, its a waste of time, blah blah, which I don't mind IF YOU CAN BACK IT UP WITH FACTS, FIGURES AND EVEN EXPERIENCE!

I look forward to your responses

franklin · Mar 1, 2017

Which part of farming is your favourite?

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

Livestock, nothing particularly. Have worked with cattle, sheep, poultry and pigs, they all have their good and bad points. But if someone has a suggestion related more to arable farming, I am more than happy to listen, always open to suggestions!

GTB · Mar 1, 2017

Welcome along. Don't want to rain on your parade but...

Only joking

Get as much experience as possible by working for different farmers and contractors. As you will have guessed there are many easier ways of making a living other thsn farming, but if it's in your blood then you'll just have to go for it. Best of luck.

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

GTB said:
Welcome along. Don't want to rain on your parade but...

Only joking

Get as much experience as possible by working for different farmers and contractors. As you will have guessed there are many easier ways of making a living other thsn farming, but if it's in your blood then you'll just have to go for it. Best of luck.

Thanks @GTB , Thats kind of the stage i am at, I would just like to progress a little further at this point as I am trying to make a bit of a fresh start at the moment and have relatively little commitment and responsibility to worry about.

GTB · Mar 1, 2017

Why not try for some indoor lambing work?

Ukjay · Mar 1, 2017

I am not a farmer, but I am somewhat familiar with what I am going to say here.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is how much you need to earn. I am not saying this to be funny, but if you factor in your time you will end up investing in your chosen employment - you will probably find you are working for what would be considered minimum wage.

My advice for a young person, would be get a paid job (in farming), with the view of buying your own land. If you have to rent land, you lose some of your profit /margin, which I doubt you could afford if you need to buy a house.

At a young age, you have a lot of options, so if you can buy your own land, that is an asset you have. Additionally, land is finite, so it will earn you a return long term.

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

GTB said:
Why not try for some indoor lambing work?

I have done a bit of outdoor lambing and a very small amount of indoor lambing. I would go to another part of the country, but the few commitments I do have really tie me to staying reasonably close to home.

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

Ukjay said:
I am not a farmer, but I am somewhat familiar with what I am going to say here.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is how much you need to earn. I am not saying this to be funny, but if you factor in your time you will end up investing in your chosen employment - you will probably find you are working for what would be considered minimum wage.

My advice for a young person, would be get a paid job (in farming), with the view of buying your own land. If you have to rent land, you lose some of your profit /margin, which I doubt you could afford if you need to buy a house.

At a young age, you have a lot of options, so if you can buy your own land, that is an asset you have. Additionally, land is finite, so it will earn you a return long term.

Thanks for that! When you say a paid job, do you mean related to farming??

GTB · Mar 1, 2017

Where are you based? What kind of farming jobs could you find locally?

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

Norfolk/Suffolk border, so mostly arable around here, as well as pig farming.

S J H · Mar 1, 2017

@unlacedgecko

GTB · Mar 1, 2017

Tractor driving for a contractor? That way you will see lots of different farms on your travels.

Jfp · Mar 1, 2017

Have you had any experience with arable at all? Will be wanting a cart driver here for harvest, South Lincs.

Ukjay · Mar 1, 2017

ImLost said:
Thanks for that! When you say a paid job, do you mean related to farming??

Hi

I would say any paid farming work to be honest. Now I'm not intending to be rude, but as you are young, you will be looking to expand on your current skill level - so any experience in your chosen field would be very beneficial in the long run, but you may not be fortunate to land a role you want - especially if you have some ties keeping you near to your home!

A short term pain (ie not necessarily the job you would chose), will pay off in the end if it helps you buy your own land.

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

GTB said:
Tractor driving for a contractor? That way you will see lots of different farms on your travels.

What qualifications would they be likely to require? Do contractors require anything special?
Will definitely bear it in mind.

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

Jfp said:
Have you had any experience with arable at all? Will be wanting a cart driver here for harvest, South Lincs.

I have had some, but the farms I have worked are (understandably and rightly so) cautious about me driving etc, so not a massive amount of experience but have some.

Ukjay · Mar 1, 2017

How Young are you - as it may help?

ImLost · Mar 1, 2017

Will be 20 next year

opininionated · Mar 1, 2017

Ukjay said:
I am not a farmer, but I am somewhat familiar with what I am going to say here.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is how much you need to earn. I am not saying this to be funny, but if you factor in your time you will end up investing in your chosen employment - you will probably find you are working for what would be considered minimum wage.

My advice for a young person, would be get a paid job (in farming), with the view of buying your own land. If you have to rent land, you lose some of your profit /margin, which I doubt you could afford if you need to buy a house.

At a young age, you have a lot of options, so if you can buy your own land, that is an asset you have. Additionally, land is finite, so it will earn you a return long term.

He would have to work far to many years to save up enough to buy land, and by the time he had enough for a deposit he will find the interest on the mortgage will be more than a rent payment.
At the end of the year, it is the cost of the acre that will determine the viability of his business, whether that cost is rent or interest makes no difference to his on going success.
If he has funds to purchase land then fair enough, buy the land, but any long term returns on that investment will made as a property investor, not a farmer.

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