Christmas begging has started early this year!

[Ukjay]

There seems to be a lot of farmers on here that provide feed for horses is it that common or just that a lot that do it post on here?
I'm trying to square it with the whole "we farm to provide the public with cheap food" line that gets used a lot, I was struggling but then I remembered the Asda horse meat thing, so fair enough I suppose.

Truth be told - 'A Lot' of farmers get good money from supplying horse folks, but many are too afraid to admit it. Easier to be an anti!!

 

[rob1]

There seems to be a lot of farmers on here that provide feed for horses is it that common or just that a lot that do it post on here?
I'm trying to square it with the whole "we farm to provide the public with cheap food" line that gets used a lot, I was struggling but then I remembered the Asda horse meat thing, so fair enough I suppose.

it was tesco not asda, but equine market is far more profitable than food , but a lot of farmers cant dealwith horsey ladies, they are a very strange bunch,they often are single/divorced may well not have kids and dont get on with others very well, when you understand that basically they are bonkers they are pretty easy to deal with, and NO farm assurance rubbish eitherm whats not to like.

Oh and the odd one cant be pretty good to look at, but most arent

 

[Goweresque]

Dont know whats up with those that dont get paid, Ive been dealing with horse folk for 40 years and once I have been dealing with one for a couple of years and know they pay I am happy to deliver in summer and get paid so much per month through the winter, never been caught YET, all the years ive been running the livery not had one bad payer, but Im particular about who we let in, as we are competitive on price and service I always have a waiting list so can be choosey. Mind perhaps its because im a mad barsteward helps perhaps they are too scared not to pay.

Some farmers are far worse payers than the majority of horse folk imo

I just about wrote the same post, until I read yours!

Apart from the 40 years bit, only a quarter of that here, and 2 bad debts in that time, totalling £200. And one of those was my fault, I didn't make a new customer pay COD, which I always do until I've got a handle on what sort of person they are.

So not sure why some are having such problems, maybe Wiltshire is full of nice people???

 

[Ukjay]

So not sure why some are having such problems, maybe Wiltshire is full of nice people???

Maybe it is down to how you interact with said people. If you are open from the start - I doubt there are too many bad roads ahead, especially as they know where they stand!

 

[kiwi pom]

Landlord before he past away got stitched up by the horsey crowd ,he was the type that was so easy going ,he would happily take them bedding and hay and not worry when they were going to pay ,,they got nasty surprise when his brother landed them with a huge bill ,,pay up now or you dont get any more and when they did eventually cough up ,the next time they asked for a bale ,it was money up front before you get anything

I wonder how many farmers get the 'money up front line' when the feed/fert/fuel truck turns up, or pay the contractor before they leave?
Could be like the firewood game here, most pay cash on delivery, how many delivery's exist when it comes to doing the books and how much goes in the pocket?

 

[Ukjay]

how many delivery's exist when it comes to doing the books and how much goes in the pocket?

Nail on the head their imho - far too many 'Off Record' transactions - then when it goes south, it's everyone elses fault!

Play with fire - you 'Will' get burnt some times....

 

[Lincs Lass]

I wonder how many farmers get the 'money up front line' when the feed/fert/fuel truck turns up, or pay the contractor before they leave?
Could be like the firewood game here, most pay cash on delivery, how many delivery's exist when it comes to doing the books and how much goes in the pocket?

A it happened ,,the horsey crowd never asked for anything else once his brother took over

 

[Goweresque]

Maybe it is down to how you interact with said people. If you are open from the start - I doubt there are too many bad roads ahead, especially as they know where they stand!

Well thats true. I always try and be open with people about what I'm selling, I won't call average hay the best you've ever seen and try to get top dollar for it just because supplies are tight. I turn up when I say I will, will do my best to unload hay where the customer wants it, and give a proper receipt.

For example one customer wants finer hay than what she's been having, I have some but it came from fields that hadn't been sprayed so has some thistles and docks in it. I'll explain the situation, give her the option of staying with the coarser cleaner stuff, or moving to the finer but weedier stuff. Or indeed the third option that if she can find better and cheaper elsewhere, its not a problem. Then its up to her.

 

[spin cycle]

for those of you supplying horsey ppl but moaning about them....especially if you think they can't afford it........surely the moral thing is don't supply them.....then they won't have horses and the world'll be a better place?
graze you ground with livestock or make hay/silage to sell to other farmers

 

[Ukjay]

Well thats true. I always try and be open with people about what I'm selling, I won't call average hay the best you've ever seen and try to get top dollar for it just because supplies are tight. I turn up when I say I will, will do my best to unload hay where the customer wants it, and give a proper receipt.

For example one customer wants finer hay than what she's been having, I have some but it came from fields that hadn't been sprayed so has some thistles and docks in it. I'll explain the situation, give her the option of staying with the coarser cleaner stuff, or moving to the finer but weedier stuff. Or indeed the third option that if she can find better and cheaper elsewhere, its not a problem. Then its up to her.

I fully respect that - as I, like you - start things along the same path. If I am buying something, I ask up front everything I feel I need to know, then I can decide which way to go based on the information received - and how I feel the feedback has been given (honestly - or any doubt).
Any shadow of doubt - I walk, or if I find out some differing issues down the path, I will never deal with someone again, and will definitely never recommend them to anyone of my aquaintences.

 

[roscoe erf]

Not sure how to read your post if I am honest Brisel, so I will tread carefully at this point to avoid any misunderstanding..

I will therefore answer in part, until I understand fully which angle you are coming at me from here - be that a personal dig of some kind following your pariah quip or something else..

We moved into a rather neglected property with 25 acres due to our requirements of land for our horses.

Currently (as can be read on here) we have been / are buying certain items of agricultural equipment to repair stock fencing / damage caused to the land through ignorance and neglect, reading what I can to learn more about certain skills I will need whilst setting up a smallholding to allow for keeping / culling our own reared stock etc...

We currently have a local farmer graze our fields FOC as we are not out to fudge anyone over and we will always look to try to help where we are able. We take nothing for granted and we value the support we are given when given... But equally will comment when generalised comments are made.

In relation to liveries and pony paddocks, well, our property is set out for full commercial livery, but I chose not to go this route to avoid potential issues that could arise as a result, much like I would ask for cash on delivery instead of moaning later...
It is just how I work, as for me, there is no point moaning about something, if it can be avoided in the first instance... Life is simply far too short..

Additionally, we pay for everything before (up front) or on delivery - as we do not like keeping people waiting for their money that is owed, as we know and appreciate it can impact a business cash flow adversely.

I can vouch for this as the ink was still wet on the cash

 

[How much]

Believe me bad payment is not just limited to equine by any means nor a christmas fanonamon, we get post christmas ,( not so much Pre christmas) and post summer holiday bad debt as well as just general bad debt.
payments taken by credit or debit card the same people month after months payments bounce always the same people , guess what these people seem dogged by card fraud , "Sorry M8 my card has been stopped some one has used it in China , india Etc Etc" Ill ring you when i get new card !!!! needless to say they don't and we chase them up , or can i pay next friday when i get my Tax credits M8 we always get the money but the excuses you hear !!!! and you hear same story for the past 6 months from the same ones.
98% are good its just the 2% that stick in your mind.

 

[Ukjay]

I can vouch for this as the ink was still wet on the cash

Your not supposed to tell anyone @roscoe erf - that was our future laundering project

Oh, and I found another switch in the telehandler cab that switches to 4WD, so shouldn't get stuck in the muck heap

 

[sawdust]

Truth be told - 'A Lot' of farmers get good money from supplying horse folks, but many are too afraid to admit it. Easier to be an anti!!

Should that word not be "cash"...

 

[Ukjay]

Should that word not be "cash"...

We can call it what you want, but the fact remains - many make good returns, be that declared or not out of the people they obviously loathe from reading many a post on here....

Go figure

 

[roscoe erf]

Your not supposed to tell anyone @roscoe erf - that was our future laundering project

Oh, and I found another switch in the telehandler cab that switches to 4WD, so shouldn't get stuck in the muck heap

I didn't there is no one listening anyway

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

... nor a christmas fanonamon

If they all looked like this I probably wouldn’t mind

But unfortunately they don’t...so I do

 

[Dolomite]

We can call it what you want, but the fact remains - many make good returns, be that declared or not out of the people they obviously loathe from reading many a post on here....

Go figure

But by that I take it all yard and stabling rents are paid by card / bacs and declared rather than by cash and pocketed in the horse industry. In every industry there are them that push the lines.

Anyone could easily own a yard, absolutely hate, deteste and despise horses and the ladies, men and others that ride or keep them. But as returns are more than good they stick it through. I know this because I’ve a equaintence who’s in this situation. So he’s as bad as the farmers you speak of and he’s not even from a farming back ground etc as it was purely business.

 

[Ukjay]

But by that I take it all yard and stabling rents are paid by card / bacs and declared rather than by cash and pocketed in the horse industry. In every industry there are them that push the lines.

Anyone could easily own a yard, absolutely hate, deteste and despise horses and the ladies, men and others that ride or keep them. But as returns are more than good they stick it through. I know this because I’ve a equaintence who’s in this situation. So he’s as bad as the farmers you speak of and he’s not even from a farming back ground etc as it was purely business.

One never said it doesn't, isn't, can't be, will never happen etc... have I?

I have stated many a time - there are good, bad and ugly in all areas, but yet this appears something alien to accept for some.. As for your 'Aquaintance', couldn't possibly comment - as I know nothing of him, his business and how it operates, therefore I wil not comment on it, but; as you have highlighted above - the Equine Industry evidentally provides a significant income return for people, and without a lot of these people many appear to loathe so much - their businesses would be in a far worse off position than what they are now, so be grateful for it, and never cut the hand off that feeds you as they say...

Additionally, you can choose your customers wisely. In the equine world, you get to hear about the rougues quite quickly in the area - and then you can decide if you wish to trade with them..

 

[Dolomite]

The only “hand been cut off that feeds you” is the one of farmers and feed suppliers not being paid or taken for fools mugs and expected to give credit. At a guess many if not all who sell the odd bales don’t need to sell to the into equine sector. Especially this year with prices high for stock feed. Most of us make our living and money else where, so selling to equines is a little bonus but not essential. They would be wise to remember that they need farmers 3 times a day themselves and once or twice for their nag. Not so much the other way round as it’s a few years since I and others last wanted my dose of horse which Tesco and Findus kindly obliged.