Small scale on-farm milling of wheat

New Puritan

Member
Location
East Sussex
Thanks @BTS - that sounds familiar...
Some of the tougher grasses can play havock with the combine, causing the knives to jam especially when going uphill. They may just need a sharpen up of course. Does the YouTube channel make much? I've taken a few videos of stuff happening, but never uploaded anything to-date. I've uploaded a couple of photos to the "Classics earning their keep" thread, if you're interested.
 

martian

DD Moderator
BASE UK Member
Location
N Herts
@martian

I've looked at de-hullers too, do you know anything about them? Could one machine be put to different uses - e.g. pumpkin or sunflower seeds as well as grains?
I haven't gone into it too deeply, there's some useful stuff on American websites about making your own de-hullers which could work if you're not doing too much.

http://articles.extension.org/pages/71272/dehulling-ancient-grains-webinar#.VHeD8Yf8W2w
assl.gstatic.com_ui_v1_icons_mail_images_cleardot.gif

The commercial machines will do all sorts of different seeds and grains and there is quite a mark-up if you're selling 'mill-ready' spelt or whatever, rather than hulled grain, so it would fairly soon pay for itself. We've got a field of buckwheat in, as an experiment, to see if we can harvest some seed for cover croppping and also see if we could interest a miller to buy it if we get a decent crop. It will need de-hulling before milling too.

If you want to stone-grind tiny amounts to see what your grain can do, this might be a start:
http://www.wolfgangmock.com/en/
 
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@martian - exactly. I've endured a fair bit of sniping for being organic, but essentially it's a niche market that makes a 46 acre farm (more) viable than if it wasn't. Some (but not all) people are happy to pay a bit more for a recognised "brand" that they feel is better for them or more ethical. Rather than whining that the price has dropped through the floor for whatever commodity I have been producing, I'm trying to flex and produce what the consumers are demonstrating there is demand for.

I've looked at de-hullers too, do you know anything about them? Could one machine be put to different uses - e.g. pumpkin or sunflower seeds as well as grains?

I think the sniping comes as a reaction to throw away comments from organic growers(?) such as @orchard talking glibly about chemical pulses one sees on supermarket shelves. This really pisses me off and makes me think all organic growers are as ignorant and arrogant as he/she is. I ask that those such as @orchard think before you say crap like that or don't be surprised if you get some crap back.
 
To mill stuff on site, would I need any further inspection / certificates / approvals etc.? i.e. I'd be a processor rather than just a producer.
You need to register with your local environmental health office as a food producer and get all the relevant legislation and read it. Get your premises ready and inspected, produce a HACCP plan and you will be given a rating number such as you see on all food premises.
 

New Puritan

Member
Location
East Sussex
@mikep - oh I know why the sniping comes along, it's a sort of needless divide and rule of people putting up fences between artificially rival camps... I joined TFF as I was new to farming, and had / have a lot of questions. The overwhelming bulk of my questions are agnostic about whether the people who answer are organic or not though - it's mostly been stuff about how to use old equipment. To-date I have been really impressed and quite taken aback at the kindness of people on here with far bigger businesses than me who take the time to patiently explain things to me.

I don't think I've ever preached about being organic on here, or anywhere else. Like I have said previously, it's a brand, consumers are aware of it, and it's one I am happy with catering for. That doesn't mean it's for everyone or that I have some desire to see a totalitarian regime impose it more widely. What does p1ss me off is when people grumble that organic won't feed the world, despite them producing sugar beet for fizzy drinks / grains for beer & whisky / grass for horse grazing etc. which are also some way from feeding the starving millions.
 
@mikep - oh I know why the sniping comes along, it's a sort of needless divide and rule of people putting up fences between artificially rival camps... I joined TFF as I was new to farming, and had / have a lot of questions. The overwhelming bulk of my questions are agnostic about whether the people who answer are organic or not though - it's mostly been stuff about how to use old equipment. To-date I have been really impressed and quite taken aback at the kindness of people on here with far bigger businesses than me who take the time to patiently explain things to me.

I don't think I've ever preached about being organic on here, or anywhere else. Like I have said previously, it's a brand, consumers are aware of it, and it's one I am happy with catering for. That doesn't mean it's for everyone or that I have some desire to see a totalitarian regime impose it more widely. What does p1ss me off is when people grumble that organic won't feed the world, despite them producing sugar beet for fizzy drinks / grains for beer & whisky / grass for horse grazing etc. which are also some way from feeding the starving millions.
No problem with organic or any other system just get really annoyed at some of the holier than thou attitudes especially from the soil association taking of chemical drenched fields etc.
Good and bad with all methods but no silver bullet with any, death by diesel or death by glyphosate?
 

BTS

Member
Location
Burns KS usa
Thanks @BTS - that sounds familiar...
Some of the tougher grasses can play havock with the combine, causing the knives to jam especially when going uphill. They may just need a sharpen up of course. Does the YouTube channel make much? I've taken a few videos of stuff happening, but never uploaded anything to-date. I've uploaded a couple of photos to the "Classics earning their keep" thread, if you're interested.

I haven't made tons off of YouTube (yet :greedy:;)), I only have a few videos that are quite short, I invested in a Yi 4K action camera (first bought a gopro, first one never worked second one they sent only lasted a week) with a bunch of different mounts and then I made a magnet mount so I can stick it about anywhere. My brother is really in the photography so he brings out is cameras and films from all different angles.
I haven't gotten any of the good videos put on yet, it takes a while to edit and then record music for them (when needed).

I like your combine, it's nice and small, I wish I could of found a smaller combine then my 95, but it was cheap and close so I can't complain.

Sorry for not posing on sooner, times been getting away from me :sorry::cool:
 

orchard

Member
So it 'really pisses' you off because people differentiate between food that has had chemicals applied to it, and that which hasn't ?
I think you'll find that I stated it in a neutral and unemotional way -- the connotations, subsequent rant and insults are all yours.





I think the sniping comes as a reaction to throw away comments from organic growers(?) such as @orchard talking glibly about chemical pulses one sees on supermarket shelves. This really pisses me off and makes me think all organic growers are as ignorant and arrogant as he/she is. I ask that those such as @orchard think before you say crap like that or don't be surprised if you get some crap back.
 
Erm, guys, i.e. @mikep & @orchard - I started this thread to ask a practical question. If you two want to have a row by all means do so, but start your own thread somewhere else for it.

@BTS - thanks for your comments. What sort of milling equipment do you use?

Thanks,
NP.

OK back to subject. It would be no different to any other business start up with the same questions.
Firstly there are lots of organic flour producers big and small selling both through retailer and online. What will make you stand out?
I.e. what is your USP?
Is it better if so why. What makes it better than Tesco own brand.
Stone or steel mill why?
Do you intend to sell just wholegrain or white as well? If White remember by law it should be fortified with certain vitamins (most people ignore that but it's at your risk)
Is your growing any better than a n other?
The big problem is the wheel has been invented you are just making hub caps so to speak.
Most small producers only ace is the local factor.
Best bet is to find a local baker to take your flour with also some local retail. Trouble is one ton of flour is a lot to sell in 1.5 kg bags.
Don't want to put you off but if you can't answer these convincingly then maybe look for another venture.
Your best bet is to find someone to mill for you to start so you can test the water before any capital outlay.
The other problem is if you sell wholesale then be careful of your customer and cod only. Not wanting to start a war but the more fervent (let's say) of the organic/new age outlets the more problems you can get with getting paid. Don't deal with hippies as they have the attention span of a gnat from years of substance abuse except when you owe them and they get suddenly lucid. The reverse happens when they owe you, I know from long experience.
Hope this helps but never start a new venture without a thorough reality check and never put in more than you can afford to lose.
 

New Puritan

Member
Location
East Sussex
@mikep - ye seem to speake with experience, care to elaborate on what forays you've made into the world of hippy shops?

Thanks though, that all sounds like good advice. The reason I asked was that (i) @BTS says he does it, and (ii) when I tell townies that I run a farm, they always assume I grow vegetables and ask if they can buy them from me. When I unburdened myself to someone recently of the differences between a market garden and an arable-combinables farm, they then asked if they could buy flour from me. Some of them just don't want to give up.
 
@mikep - ye seem to speake with experience, care to elaborate on what forays you've made into the world of hippy shops?

Thanks though, that all sounds like good advice. The reason I asked was that (i) @BTS says he does it, and (ii) when I tell townies that I run a farm, they always assume I grow vegetables and ask if they can buy them from me. When I unburdened myself to someone recently of the differences between a market garden and an arable-combinables farm, they then asked if they could buy flour from me. Some of them just don't want to give up.

Been there done that with free (very) range meat birds. We area near Brighton so say no more.
Will be success stories so well worth a go.
Words of support are not valid against your overdraft unfortunately often they evaporate.
Like everything you need hard work but also a bit of luck right time right place etc.
Start small and build nothing better than a short of product to build up a clientele.
But think of your USP and don't lose sight because it's all you have between you and Tesco..
PS don't come down on price, stick with what you need don't be a busy fool.
 

New Puritan

Member
Location
East Sussex
Hmm, lots to think about there, thanks @mikep . TBH I wasn't thinking of remortgaging to go into this, just thinking it through to work out what I'd need and what it'd cost etc. I'm right down the other end of the county to Brighton but we've got our fair share of those types over this way too.
 

BTS

Member
Location
Burns KS usa
I'll sell whatever people will buy, several locals around here have their own grinders so I just sell them at a discounted price of $1.50 instead of the $2.00, I figure it saves me the time of grinding it.

I don't mind answering any questions you have, keep them coming if you have them :cool:
 

BTS

Member
Location
Burns KS usa
I was planning on getting some more milling equipment like a roller, sifter and ect. But now with the big move in place, it doesn't really seem cost effective.
 

renewablejohn

Member
Location
lancs
Hello, are you wanting to raise a standard wheat or are you wanting to raise something harder to find???
I raise Turkey Red wheat, it is a heritage grain, meaning that it predates modern breeding. Turkey Red arrived in the US in the early 1870's, brought to Kansas by Mennonite immigrants from Russia, the part now known as Ukraine. It thrived in Kansas, swiftly becoming the primary wheat variety planted throughout the Central Plains.

They started breeding newer varieties and then they quit planting turkey red. I chose turkey red wheat because it makes wonderful flour and if you have gluten allergies (might just be a U.S thing???) chances are you can eat the turkey red flour.

I grow my wheat organic because anyone wanting to us a better flour is going to want it organic. I advertise as "Chemical Free" since I am not organic certified.

I advertise locally, try and find some stores and shops around that carry a healthier product. I am still new at this and learning. I only have 10 acres of land, that is why I found a higher dollar crop, growing a average crop would not pay off at all, this years harvest on the 10 acres payed out around $26,000US at $2.00 per pound.

It helps that I have all old machinery so I don't have a lot of money invested.
The wheat that I grow is real tall, it was around 5'4" tall :woot: and I had half the town out there when I was harvesting it.
The older wheat does yield lower but it pays out in the end with the high price.

Good luck, let me know if you have any questions (y)

Really interested in this Turkey Red Wheat as my wife has been diagnosed with a gluten allergy and is struggling to find a nice gluten free bread. Have made our own bread in the past so if Turkey Red Wheat works I would be interested in growing a few acres. Only trouble I see is finding seed in UK. Do you know whether the straw is suitable for thatching.
 

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quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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