Countdown to sale...sad days

[Girlfarmer]

It's been quite a while since I last posted on here, or took part in any threads. It's been a difficult time (for various reasons which I don't need to go into) in 2019, resulting in the decision to sell our stock, give notice on the farm and leave farming. I've just spent some time putting details of our flock dispersal sale on the livestock wanted/for sale thread, with a very heavy heart. It's very hard for everyone at the moment preparing all the sheep for the sale, and it is even harder to imagine the farm without all the ewes. Sad, sad days

 

[BobbySusie]

You will have heard all the typical cliches before, but its true. In 2008 after the economic crash, my dad lost everything, had to sell his 50% share in a large dairy farm, his house, business, pension everything. In Ireland we have very outdated bankruptcy laws so he lost 100% of his assets.
My Dad, Mam and myself took it hard, but kept our heads up, I managed to get through college and qualify as an accountant.

Since then I have managed to build a modest farm up, all fragmented of course, next spring we will milk 60 cows, I hope to build it from there, it will be 12 years since my dad or I milked cows. I cant wait.

Keep your head up, life will surprise you.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Don't worry. What happens is best. For whatever reason this has happened its better to be out of it and have clarity than in it and be in a mess or a tricky spot. Farming is meant to work for you rather than you work for the farm.

There's plenty of other things in life to get enjoyment out of than being stressed out on farm. We all come pretty close to it sometimes I'm sure.

 

[SteveHants]

I sold my flock at the back end of 2017.

For me, it was a combination of BREXIT worries, both in terms of lamb prices and farmers wanting to take grazing back in hand and sheep still making pretty good money.

I know it must be harder for you - I didn't have a farm per se to leave, just grazing to give up. However, at the end of the day, it's a business and it was a sound business decision, as far as I'm concerned. I recouped my initial investment and a significant proportion more on top.

I have since forged a new career which I'm very happy with - it's still very "agriculture adjacent". Perhaps think about how you can sell your skills into another industry that you want to work in or look at options to retrain. The future is what you make it.

I miss sheep and "the voices" keep telling me I should get "just a few, maybe about 50" as a "hobby flock", but I've managed to silence those by ploughing all my available funds into a house purchase......

 

[yellowbelly]

It's been quite a while since I last posted on here, or took part in any threads. It's been a difficult time (for various reasons which I don't need to go into) in 2019, resulting in the decision to sell our stock, give notice on the farm and leave farming. I've just spent some time putting details of our flock dispersal sale on the livestock wanted/for sale thread, with a very heavy heart. It's very hard for everyone at the moment preparing all the sheep for the sale, and it is even harder to imagine the farm without all the ewes. Sad, sad days

Very sorry to read this @Girlfarmer . From what I've seen of your sheep (on here, in the past, and in the Livestock For Sale thread) you and your family should take great pride in them and the way you've farmed them.

Wishing you all the best for the sale and whatever you do next. Keep your chin up, lass.

 

[som farmer]

health forced me to sell a herd that had taken years to build up, I thought it was the end of the world, but it was the right thing to do, and the last couple of weeks before the sale, seemed to fly by, and, while there was a short period after feeling down, the realisation that all the 'weight of the world' had disappeared, and you could look forwards, it became a relief that the hassle and worry, had, in the main, gone.
And I wish you all the best for your future. We got through our bad time, and my son is now farming the land.

 

[Man_in_black]

@Girlfarmer I know the feeling (though I only had flock no farm). I sold all mine to focus on my son's health. At the time I thought that was it for me and farming.

Now I'm the shepherd on a small family farm, working sensible hours with a perfect work/home balance. Its different, I miss making the big decisions but sometimes life has to be a compromise.

Wish you all the best in future, and whatever happens, never let yesterday take up too much of today.

 

[RushesToo]

Link to the sale here:

Flock dispersal sale North Yorkshire

Saturday 21st September. Sale starts at 11.30am. On farm flock dispersal sale for JF & PMC Milner, Bales Farm, Healey, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 4NH. Sale conducted by Leyburn Auction Mart. Upland farm, all SDA at around 1000ft. Strong, prolific ewes, capable of producing top quality fat...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[Girlfarmer]

Thank you everyone. We know it's the right decision but doesn't make selling the sheep any easier! We're probably a bit too soft about our sheep, and will really miss the ladies. I'm hoping as well as fetching a fair price, they end up in good homes and will be well looked after, and will do well for their new owners.

 

[glensman]

Thank you everyone. We know it's the right decision but doesn't make selling the sheep any easier! We're probably a bit too soft about our sheep, and will really miss the ladies. I'm hoping as well as fetching a fair price, they end up in good homes and will be well looked after, and will do well for their new owners.

Good quality stock is more likely to find a good home than middling stuff.

 

[Guiggs]

I'm sorry you are having to go through with such a tough decision but I'm sure you will look back with fond memories and the knowledge that you did the right thing!

 

[marco]

Thank you everyone. We know it's the right decision but doesn't make selling the sheep any easier! We're probably a bit too soft about our sheep, and will really miss the ladies. I'm hoping as well as fetching a fair price, they end up in good homes and will be well looked after, and will do well for their new owners.

As the sale passes, your mind will probably turn to something you always wanted to do but felt you couldn't leave the girls. Maybe a big trip out foreign or the likes. Planning something to look foward to would be a good idea I'd think.

Hope everything goes well in the sale for you.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Well I managed to get to the sale and buy a pen of shearlings...had my heart set on a pen of lambs too but they sold to more than I wanted to give

I’d just like to say what a tremendous show of sheep and an absolute credit to @Girlfarmer and her family...I didn’t see a bad sheep

 

[liammogs]

Well I managed to get to the sale and buy a pen of shearlings...had my heart set on a pen of lambs too but they sold to more than I wanted to give

I’d just like to say what a tremendous show of sheep and an absolute credit to @Girlfarmer and her family...I didn’t see a bad sheep

Strong ewes, look to have plenty of scope to them too! Beltex or beltex X?

 

[hally]

Well I managed to get to the sale and buy a pen of shearlings...had my heart set on a pen of lambs too but they sold to more than I wanted to give

I’d just like to say what a tremendous show of sheep and an absolute credit to @Girlfarmer and her family...I didn’t see a bad sheep

Top sheep well done

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Strong ewes, look to have plenty of scope to them too! Beltex or beltex X?

Beltex x Texel

 

[Girlfarmer]

Well I managed to get to the sale and buy a pen of shearlings...had my heart set on a pen of lambs too but they sold to more than I wanted to give

I’d just like to say what a tremendous show of sheep and an absolute credit to @Girlfarmer and her family...I didn’t see a bad sheep

Thank you! It's been an incredibly long week and difficult, especially today. I am officially shattered and refusing to lift a finger for the rest of the evening!

I really liked that pen too, strong sheep 50/50 texel beltex if i remember correctly off the top of my head. I hope they do well for you.

We were lucky to have so many friends and neighbours helping us today. It was truly a mammoth task getting them all penned up but made easier with a lot of help!

The lovely comments we have had are helping to make a truly sad day more bearable but I am already missing my lovely ladies especially some of my older ones I knew so well.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Thank you! It's been an incredibly long week and difficult, especially today. I am officially shattered and refusing to lift a finger for the rest of the evening!

I really liked that pen too, strong sheep 50/50 texel beltex if i remember correctly off the top of my head. I hope they do well for you.

We were lucky to have so many friends and neighbours helping us today. It was truly a mammoth task getting them all penned up but made easier with a lot of help!

The lovely comments we have had are helping to make a truly sad day more bearable but I am already missing my lovely ladies especially some of my older ones I knew so well.

You deserve the night off...I really enjoyed the sale and perfect weather for it
A really tremendous flock of sheep, every one so fit and correct in their feet...even the older ewes were literally flying out the ring as they left.....my only regret is I didn’t buy them all

 

[yellowbelly]

Smashing looking sheep - feeling rather envious of @Northeastfarmer

Here's hoping you've had a good sale @Girlfarmer .........

............looks like you might have had if old moneybags only managed to get one pen

 

[Old Tip]

How are you this mornin, things will be very strange but you are starting the next phase of your life, look to a brighter future