Can we all carry on farming?

[Ceri]

People have got to eat us farmers will always be in a job no worries about that.... Let's be realistic about it farming as long with undertakers is the safest profession to be in

 

[BRB John]

I'm thinking maybe it might have been better if Ukraine had just agreed to stay out of NATO & I bet there's an awful lot of Ukrainians thinking the very same right now!

I bet there is an awful lot wishing they had joined the EU and NATO years ago.
Russia sucks as an ally, like an abusive controlling husband.

 

[Kidds]

Sorry I didn’t explain very well. So this was for a general worker, so things like corn cart, corn store cleaning, bowser and some none farming work on the diversifications such as groundscare. So he basically wanted £47,000/year. He’s 22 years old with minimal experience but clearly a bright chap and appears to be a ‘doer’.

I appreciate it sounds a lot of money but at those hours he would be doing the equivalent of two jobs. I do get that inputs have rocketed lately but so have domestic bills, his price might be too much for you but anything less may not be enough for him. If you can't work hard at 22 and get some cash behind you then when can you.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Sorry I didn’t explain very well. So this was for a general worker, so things like corn cart, corn store cleaning, bowser and some none farming work on the diversifications such as groundscare. So he basically wanted £47,000/year. He’s 22 years old with minimal experience but clearly a bright chap and appears to be a ‘doer’.

Working those hours he'd achieve that salary driving an HGV. And he wouldn't have to sweep a corn store or do any grounds care.

What would you expect to pay him? Is that £15/hr PAYE?

 

[Ivorbiggun]

why are you all moaning with wheat £200 + a ton, just another case of farmers pleading hard up, getting boring now.

 

[Lincsman]

Realistically with fertiliser prices still rising and my fuel supplier is saying Red diesel will just hit parity with white diesel very shortly, can we actually carry on?
Just looking at our combine as it’s going to cost us £45,000 in fuel alone this coming harvest if Red diesel hits £1.50/l.
Had a guy come today for an interview and he wanted £15/hour with a guaranteed 60 hour week all year round. Tried to explain to him that it’s not viable due to input prices increasing and he just didn’t get it.
We were going to spend £100,000 prior to harvest on a used tractor and a couple of pieces of used equipment but we’ve shelved that idea. I’m uncomfortable using cash reserves just to carry on farming and having a couple of years off producing crops looks very attractive at the minute. Luckily we’re diversified so could retain existing staff and be ok. What’s everybody else thinking?

Just farm less of your land... its what I am doing, its no big deal, rotate the fields you crop, all summer to get it ready for drilling, the tackle you have will work less and it needs less staff.

 

[Bogweevil]

The reality is russians have 2000 tanks. Ukraine is size of france and germany. May i suggest most rural ukraine will never see a russian. So it depends on political stability and availability of fuel etc. and port facilities not blown up for export. Just my ignorant thoughts? Welcome better knowledge.

Ukraine much bigger than France

 

[jendan]

Just farm less of your land... its what I am doing, its no big deal, rotate the fields you crop, all summer to get it ready for drilling, the tackle you have will work less and it needs less staff.

Was just going to say why the hell do you have to be so big? Why not farm 400 acres or so,and do the work yourself with maybe the help of your missus or partner and enjoy the job,like @silverfox ,farm always looks a picture.

 

[Flatlander]

The Ukrainian will still have a harvest but where it goes will be another issue. I see it going to China and India as those two countries alone will consume a monstrous amount. Europe will have to buy from N America who I turn will have to sell because China won’t be buying. Read China financed a massive deep water port in brazil that would allow year round exports for them.their maize and beans won’t be heading to Europe if China runs the port.

 

[Hilly]

Working those hours he'd achieve that salary driving an HGV. And he wouldn't have to sweep a corn store or do any grounds care.

What would you expect to pay him? Is that £15/hr PAYE?

He get a job driving a machine up here £18hr on books and be sitting sleeping half the day.

 

[The Seeker]

Realistically with fertiliser prices still rising and my fuel supplier is saying Red diesel will just hit parity with white diesel very shortly, can we actually carry on?
Just looking at our combine as it’s going to cost us £45,000 in fuel alone this coming harvest if Red diesel hits £1.50/l.
Had a guy come today for an interview and he wanted £15/hour with a guaranteed 60 hour week all year round. Tried to explain to him that it’s not viable due to input prices increasing and he just didn’t get it.
We were going to spend £100,000 prior to harvest on a used tractor and a couple of pieces of used equipment but we’ve shelved that idea. I’m uncomfortable using cash reserves just to carry on farming and having a couple of years off producing crops looks very attractive at the minute. Luckily we’re diversified so could retain existing staff and be ok. What’s everybody else thinking?

Not going to lie this exact thought has been running through my mind for afew days, labour costs inc time off , holidays , the work you want them to do, material costs , feed costs, fuel , insurance. Interest rates I’ve had a good year financially but I’m starting to feel like I’m just standing still again. I really have to think hard farming is viable in the uk.

 

[Hindsight]

Ukraine much bigger than France

i meant the two combined. poor english on my part. sorry.

 

[neilo]

why are you all moaning with wheat £200 + a ton, just another case of farmers pleading hard up, getting boring now.

You do realise fertiliser has tripled in price in a year, diesel is up 50% in a year, agrochemical up similar… without getting into machinery repairs or replacements climbing? That’s before the effect of this week’s events.

Margins haven’t increased, only the level of risk taken.

 

[kiwi pom]

I appreciate it sounds a lot of money but at those hours he would be doing the equivalent of two jobs. I do get that inputs have rocketed lately but so have domestic bills, his price might be too much for you but anything less may not be enough for him. If you can't work hard at 22 and get some cash behind you then when can you.

I read it as the potential worker wanted 60 hours a week not that it was being offered, may have it wrong though?
Most of the people saying wages are at very high rates don't seem to be the employees. I think the actual rates are somewhat lower and that fulltime year round work isn't as common with people wanting self employed or seasonal/short term staff, that they can get rid of during quiet times.

I don't think the farm rates round your neck of the woods are that high.
If they are (and the boss isn't a scone-doer) let me know, I know of a few handy lads

 

[Hilly]

You do realise fertiliser has tripled in price in a year, diesel is up 50% in a year, agrochemical up similar… without getting into machinery repairs or replacements climbing? That’s before the effect of this week’s events.

Margins haven’t increased, only the level of risk taken.

I said thisat the beginning of lockdown and was laughed at on here , i remeber who laughed though, doubt they will be laughing now its happend .

 

[ollie989898]

He get a job driving a machine up here £18hr on books and be sitting sleeping half the day.

But that is in Scotland mind- suddenly not so attractive.

 

[Hilly]

But that is in Scotland mind- suddenly not so attractive.

But that is in Scotland mind- suddenly not so attractive.

If your into politics no , if you have no interest or into farming dont tell anyone but actually its better than what lies below , a hell of a lot better .

 

[ollie989898]

If your into politics no , if you have no interest or into farming dont tell anyone but actually its better than what lies below , a hell of a lot better .

I know, I was taking the pish. I lived there once.

 

[teslacoils]

£15/hr for the chap who holds the stop/go sign at the roadworks. Time and a half overtime. Double at weekends.

That's the reality.

 

[ollie989898]

£15/hr for the chap who holds the stop/go sign at the roadworks. Time and a half overtime. Double at weekends.

That's the reality.

My trouble is I couldn't be trusted to do that.