160 acres arable

[mobileweld]

Hello all, I am currently in the position of working a stable job but the opportunity is on the horizon of the small family owned arable farm.
I know my way around a tractor but have never actually ‘done’ farming.
Is taking it on myself viable? All the machinery is bought and paid for albeit older gear. It all is currently earning its keep and farming year after year.
There would be a lot to learn I know that. And a pay cut. But would it keep a man busy and keep its head above water? Or is the future bleak for such a farm? Renting it all out to a larger farm a better option? Sentimental value is high and I feel I owe it to past generations to at least have a go.

 

[Steevo]

I’d either let it, or get a contractor/neighbour to do some of the work for you and give you a helping hand. They might be more than happy to help you learn, and that experience could be very useful to you.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

No reason why you can’t farm it, but it won’t make you much of a living.

 

[robs1]

No reason why you can’t farm it, but it won’t make you much of a living.

It could if done right and make the most of it, find ways of adding value to the grain and straw.

 

[chaffcutter]

It’s a part time farm as arable these days, don’t give up the day job, you could find you enjoy some of the work but find a local contractor to fill in the gaps perhaps?
If you are a mobile welder as yr avatar it shouldn’t be difficult to work the two together I would think.

 

[Steevo]

It could if done right and make the most of it, find ways of adding value to the grain and straw.

A farm shop and a tv show perhaps…?!

 

[goodevans]

Is the job you hold in a stable or I presume you are a welder,any reason you can't hold down your job and farm as well or are they miles apart

 

[kiwi pom]

No idea how much money it would make but 160 acres of combinable cropping certainly wont "keep a man busy" That's not a bad thing though, you could probably fit it around a full time job for most of the year.
Could you have a more intensive but potentially more profitable use for the farm? Veg, Pigs, Dairy, Chickens etc?

 

[robs1]

Hello all, I am currently in the position of working a stable job but the opportunity is on the horizon of the small family owned arable farm.
I know my way around a tractor but have never actually ‘done’ farming.
Is taking it on myself viable? All the machinery is bought and paid for albeit older gear. It all is currently earning its keep and farming year after year.
There would be a lot to learn I know that. And a pay cut. But would it keep a man busy and keep its head above water? Or is the future bleak for such a farm? Renting it all out to a larger farm a better option? Sentimental value is high and I feel I owe it to past generations to at least have a go.

Go for it, you regret the things you dont do more than those you do.
It wont be a full time job especially in winter so you could earn a bit of money then to help you until you get established

 

[Cab-over Pete]

If you are an actual mobile welder I presume you have the skills and know you could be in demand?

That could fit well with a small farm, maybe set up your own workshop too?

If it has sentimental value don’t let it go.

 

[spin cycle]

in 'good old days' you could work it easily and have other interests BUT...two words.....RED TRACTOR....why on earth would you put yourself thru that when you've a 'stable' job and could rent it out

 

[CopperBeech]

Grass it down to gs4, rent it out, get in fenced etc. Improve value of the asset.

 

[Cowmansam]

160 acre is barely a part time thing have a go your not going to make a living off it do it around your job

 

[mobileweld]

Thanks for the replies. Yes to the mobile welder part.
Some food for thought everyone thank you. I only hear tales from the ‘good old days’ and perhaps needed to hear the reality of it.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It’ll be tough, no doubt, and we all get disappointed and downhearted with the bloody game at times, but if it’s a patch of ground that means a lot to you then get amongst it and make some smoke.

 

[kiwi pom]

Thanks for the replies. Yes to the mobile welder part.
Some food for thought everyone thank you. I only hear tales from the ‘good old days’ and perhaps needed to hear the reality of it.

Never saw the mobile welder thing
Chuck a shed up and start an engineering business, fit the arable in around that It will give you a nice break from the tools every now and then.

 

[michael N123]

Sow it in a week go in with the sprayer a few times then harvest it in a few days
Keep the day job aswell

What do arable farmers do all day

 

[Steevo]

Never saw the mobile welder thing
Chuck a shed up and start an engineering business, fit the arable in around that It will give you a nice break from the tools every now and then.

@Adeptandy would be a perfect example.

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

Speak to your local machinery ring, (incase you are not familiar) its a co-operative to help farmers share their machinery and labour and other services.

When we bought our first farm, we had all of the work done by local farmers (I have to confess I had just taken the job as the manager of our machinery ring)

The main thing is that it is just as much of an advantage for someone to do some extra acres with his combine, as it is for the individual who has his corn cut and carted.
Being flexible and not having a combine can be an advantage.

 

[teslacoils]

It's an evening / weekend job tbh.