Any ideas for crops for a 50 acre farm?

[Roadrunner]

We are renting some ground (about 80 acres) out to locals at a somewhat lower cost, we get the land back around april and make both round and little square hay which we sell. As some as we have done the hay, we put some muck down and they have the ground back then.

Turning out to be a very good system for us, plus making a nice bit of pocket money too

 

[JNP]

What do they do with it then Roadrunner?

 

[Roadrunner]

What do they do with it then Roadrunner?

They are mostly grazing with sheep.

However there are a total of six horses owned by four difference people who pay more for the four 3 acre fields. But I'm finding that there is more work involved with those fields with horses as you got to chain harrow and roll a bit more.

 

[Niels]

Barenbrug have a local grower of grass seeds here and the hay is a useful by product

You mean that particular grower that is fond of wildlife? Grass seed really is a hit and miss story. If you can get it in at the right moment and dry(ish) you can benifit of good prices. Sometimes you get only a small harvest with high costs and low prices. Like Forage Trader said, it really is a specialist and high risk crop.

I see grass seed more as an 'repair' crop for your soil. If you grow it ten years in a row you might get 3 with a good margin, 3 with a bad margin and the remaining 4 are average. But, prices might be higher in the UK as there are less growers?

 

[snarling bee]

Depends on soil type, topography, capital availability, your skills, time and inclination, and your income requirements. All the above could be valid depending on your situation.

 

[Grains Guru]

grow a variety of veg and start a farm shop.

 

[latestartermike]

Hi

Small farmer here not far from you PM me if you want to know more.(Hessett)

Mike

 

[Robw54]

Pumpkins

 

[DrWazzock]

Get some Tate's in. Pick them using a Hoover and spend all winter in a cold shed grading them like we do. Best paying acre we have, but hard work. Sell at roadside. The real economy.

 

[roscoe erf]

We are growing wheat and beet on our little farm but we're losing money each year. It's our last year for beet as its a no-goer which is a shame as we've grown it for many years. Our machinery is pretty antique now though. What else could we try, that doesn't involve any expensive investment or special equipment to harvest it? Any ideas would be very welcome!

are you selling the old beet equipment

 

[devonshire farmer]

would it suit the area and climate to grow spring barley, then straight in with kale or forage rape for local sheep farmer.

 

[Farmer Dod]

Agree with Grains Guru-try a farm shop selling potatoes and veg and even eggs if you fancy some hens. Plenty older potato and veg kit out there and our own shop is a converted refridgerated container. We use an honesty box however my mother is usually able to help most customers. Takes a couple of years to get a decent amount of trade but every year it gets better and we have also managed to get a few local business to come to us for spuds and veg. It can be a lot of work however the potential is there to add value and make a decent go of it. It does of course depend on local competition and how close you are to main road, town etc.

 

[fergus]

best crop is houses

 

[jakeboy]

We are growing wheat and beet on our little farm but we're losing money each year. It's our last year for beet as its a no-goer which is a shame as we've grown it for many years. Our machinery is pretty antique now though. What else could we try, that doesn't involve any expensive investment or special equipment to harvest it? Any ideas would be very welcome!

Organic spelt wheat also known as Dinkel wheat, local land owner here grows 250 acres over £1000 a ton world market,worth taking a serious look at even on 50 acres .
You say you are looking money what machinery do you use, and what is your day job!! Regards jakeboy

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I was wondering the other day who grows all the berries we eat?

I mean things like black, cran and blueberries. Also black currants?

Possible in the UK or all grown abroad? Under glass?

I don't know, just wondering.

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

Not sure but I think a lot of berries are grown in certain parts of Scotland .

 

[Kevtherev]

Cranberries are from Canada?
Pete you can pick blackberries in front of me when I'm brushing
@Cab-over Pete

 

[MickMoor]

A previously mixed farm near Hereford was growing black currants for Ribena when we visited a few years ago. He said it was more than his salvation, he was making a decent profit!

 

[Lawless]

Lots of black currents grow in Herefordshire. 90% of which would be for ribena

 

[slaney]

50 acres, you could set up a veg farm with fruit as well and start selling them straight to the consumer.