Buying a dairy farm

Good evening all, Im currently looking at buying a 100 acre dairy farm, big statement I know, I worked on farms in my youth years and have a reasonable understanding but are all ears.
I’m currently working as a contractor in construction and are totally fed up and need to change, I totally understand farming is a way of life and also understand it’s extremely hard work.

I have been trying to research the internet reference the below but find very little info.

I’m very curious to know more on the figures of the following,
the Profit a 70 herd would Likely to achieve.
The cost of buying in livestock.
I would be most grateful on any guidance and advice you all have to offer.
Many thanks
Justin
 

coomoo

Member
Good evening all, Im currently looking at buying a 100 acre dairy farm, big statement I know, I worked on farms in my youth years and have a reasonable understanding but are all ears.
I’m currently working as a contractor in construction and are totally fed up and need to change, I totally understand farming is a way of life and also understand it’s extremely hard work.

I have been trying to research the internet reference the below but find very little info.

I’m very curious to know more on the figures of the following,
the Profit a 70 herd would Likely to achieve.
The cost of buying in livestock.
I would be most grateful on any guidance and advice you all have to offer.
Many thanks
Justin
It’s not a way of life that’s the starting point.
 

Kiss

Member
Location
North west
For me 70 cows wouldn’t be enough unless you plan to direct sell or market the milk yourself in which case you might not even need that many

If I had access to that much capital I’d be looking for a bigger opportunity without owning land, but I get everyone’s different!

think I’d also want to work for a good operation for a couple years to gain/renew experience and make sure it was what I wanted before going balls deep!
 
Location
West Wales
Good evening all, Im currently looking at buying a 100 acre dairy farm, big statement I know, I worked on farms in my youth years and have a reasonable understanding but are all ears.
I’m currently working as a contractor in construction and are totally fed up and need to change, I totally understand farming is a way of life and also understand it’s extremely hard work.

I have been trying to research the internet reference the below but find very little info.

I’m very curious to know more on the figures of the following,
the Profit a 70 herd would Likely to achieve.
The cost of buying in livestock.
I would be most grateful on any guidance and advice you all have to offer.
Many thanks
Justin
70 cows won’t allow you any sensible time off. Either milk less and sell raw milk locally which I suspect in your desired area is a no go due to tb or more so you can have some regular relief.
 

MrA.G.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northern Ireland
For me 70 cows wouldn’t be enough unless you plan to direct sell or market the milk yourself in which case you might not even need that many

If I had access to that much capital I’d be looking for a bigger opportunity without owning land, but I get everyone’s different!

think I’d also want to work for a good operation for a couple years to gain/renew experience and make sure it was what I wanted before going balls deep!
70 cows won’t allow you any sensible time off. Either milk less and sell raw milk locally which I suspect in your desired area is a no go due to tb or more so you can have some regular relief.
Everyone has to start somewhere, we can’t all just rock up at home and take over the reins. I’ve just started out with 80 so I don’t see why 70 is a non runner unless there are contract issues. Just get regular relief milkers to start with and run a simple system.
 

coomoo

Member
Everyone has to start somewhere, we can’t all just rock up at home and take over the reins. I’ve just started out with 80 so I don’t see why 70 is a non runner unless there are contract issues. Just get regular relief milkers to start with and run a simple system.
How many beef cows did you have?
 

Kiss

Member
Location
North west
Everyone has to start somewhere, we can’t all just rock up at home and take over the reins. I’ve just started out with 80 so I don’t see why 70 is a non runner unless there are contract issues. Just get regular relief milkers to start with and run a simple system.



I agree a simple system, however not going to be able to milk many cows back home in a 3 bed semi in the town,Milking 70 cows for myself wouldn’t even cover my salary, I own less than 70 cows but I earn more than if I milked 70 cows for myself


Back to the original posts best milk contracts would be paying 31/32ppl imagine direct sell is £1ltr obviously some more work and a bit of extra cost
 

MrA.G.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northern Ireland
How many beef cows did you have?
Dad always worked off farm and had 20 when I finished uni. I worked off farm for 10 years while we built to cows to 70 or so plus a good few dairy calf to beef and then last year cashed most of it in to go into dairy.
Having worked in construction like @Justinl200 i know it is a thankless rat race and I don’t regret getting out
 

coomoo

Member
Dad always worked off farm and had 20 when I finished uni. I worked off farm for 10 years while we built to cows to 70 or so plus a good few dairy calf to beef and then last year cashed most of it in to go into dairy.
Having worked in construction like @Justinl200 i know it is a thankless rat race and I don’t regret getting out
Yeah agree got to 30 years old doing all sorts. 66 from a herd dispersal was an eye opener
 

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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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