160 acres arable

mobileweld

Member
Arable Farmer
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.
 

goodevans

Member
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
 

robs1

Member
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
 

kiwi pom

Member
Location
canterbury NZ
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:facepalm:
Chuck a shed up and start an engineering business, fit the arable in around that(y) It will give you a nice break from the tools every now and then.
 
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.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 79 42.5%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 65 34.9%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 16.1%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 6 3.2%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


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

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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