Farm assurance again

[Cowabunga]

Another one done and dusted. That’s 20 years without a single non-conformance or point for improvement on the dairy or beef inspection. It is most likely to be my last dairy routine inspection as our age and regulations forcing de-stocking plus massive re-investment makes it likely that I will be forced to quit at some point in the next three years, if not sooner.
The Environment Agency are now visiting farms in the area to check on slurry storage and waste management and any problems here would be addressed if not for the above issues.
How long we keep on milking for is a bit of a mystery but the crunch is on the horizon. I have in mind to downsize by selling a good number of cows as they calve from October onwards.

Or should I sell now when the cows are mid lactation and just last week again passed their annual TB test? I’m not that inclined to do so although may be persuaded to lose up to 50 cows, because I’d still be back up to 130 after the heifers calve in late October/early November.

Decisions decisions? I find it much easier just to carry on, but I’ll drop down dead one day and then I’ll regret not packing it in sooner

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I would just like to say I'm glad you are looking at your situation with a clear mind and good heart.
It's easy to get emotional and it pains me to know the circumstance you and many in our industry face, but self preservation should be at the forefront of decisions.
Similarly, the EA would like me to make massive investments. Totally impractical and unsustainable.
I feel for anyone in a financial squeeze such that they can't afford not to.
I rather fear that if you borrow much to satisfy the EA, it is the beginning of the end.

 

[spin cycle]

if you enjoy dairying then what's wrong dropping down dead whilst doing it?....on the other hand if you don't enjoy dairying why not get out now?

not a criticism of you....more an observation...we could all use that sentence...just substitute the sector you are in

I'm not going to drive a combine this year for the first time in 37 years...surprised myself.. I'm not a bit sad about it

had a sh!t lambing this year...if next is same then feck that an all

 

[Cowabunga]

I would just like to say I'm glad you are looking at your situation with a clear mind and good heart.
It's easy to get emotional and it pains me to know the circumstance you and many in our industry face, but self preservation should be at the forefront of decisions.
Similarly, the EA would like me to make massive investments. Totally impractical and unsustainable.
I feel for anyone in a financial squeeze such that they can't afford not to.
I rather fear that if you borrow much to satisfy the EA, it is the beginning of the end.

I’m not about to spend a penny to even pretend to be doing anything to comply. The timing for me is, very fortunately, immaculate. It is the excuse I need to pack it in.

However, deciding on the timing of actually doing so is extremely difficult, having managed the cows and farm since my late teens, which seems like only yesterday. Being forced to give up at some point by some bureaucrat with a clipboard will make it much easier and my wife, who is fed up with the job more than I am, will be delighted. Until that crunch comes I can choose my timing but I find that to be very difficult indeed. Which is partly why I posted this topic as I’m sure that there are very many in a similar situation, some of which may be contemplating really quite heavy and frankly risky financial commitments [as I would be] if they are to carry on.

 

[Cowabunga]

if you enjoy dairying then what's wrong dropping down dead whilst doing it?...

And leave my wife to sort it all out. No! At least not if I can help it.

 

[spin cycle]

I’m not about to spend a penny to even pretend to be doing anything to comply. The timing for me is, very fortunately, immaculate. It is the excuse I need to pack it in.

However, deciding on the timing of actually doing so is extremely difficult, having managed the cows and farm since my late teens, which seems like only yesterday. Being forced to give up at some point by some bureaucrat with a clipboard will make it much easier and my wife, who is fed up with the job more than I am, will be delighted. Until that crunch comes I can choose my timing but I find that to be very difficult indeed. Which is partly why I posted this topic as I’m sure that there are very many in a similar situation, some of which may be contemplating really quite heavy and frankly risky financial commitments [as I would be] if they are to carry on.

you are spot on....it really 'sticks in the craw' re bureaucrat......but the best answer ,i think, is say 'feck you...i aint doing it'.......thats what i said to red tractor 8 years ago and .much like you, i'd had 18 years unblemished with them prior

 

[Grass And Grain]

Another one done and dusted. That’s 20 years without a single non-conformance or point for improvement on the dairy or beef inspection. It is most likely to be my last dairy routine inspection as our age and regulations forcing de-stocking plus massive re-investment makes it likely that I will be forced to quit at some point in the next three years, if not sooner.
The Environment Agency are now visiting farms in the area to check on slurry storage and waste management and any problems here would be addressed if not for the above issues.
How long we keep on milking for is a bit of a mystery but the crunch is on the horizon. I have in mind to downsize by selling a good number of cows as they calve from October onwards.

Or should I sell now when the cows are mid lactation and just last week again passed their annual TB test? I’m not that inclined to do so although may be persuaded to lose up to 50 cows, because I’d still be back up to 130 after the heifers calve in late October/early November.

Decisions decisions? I find it much easier just to carry on, but I’ll drop down dead one day and then I’ll regret not packing it in sooner

With a clean sheet like that, it does make one wonder if annual inspections were really necessary.

 

[DrWazzock]

Similar here in a smaller way. I hope to manage another 5 years which will take me to 60. If we have a big machinery breakdown might even shorten that time as we simply wouldn’t be able to afford to replace telehandler for example even with secondhand. I’m tidying up all the scrap and surplus kit as I don’t what to leave a huge mess for somebody to sort out.
To know there’s an end point in sight is actually a huge relief. 60 is my retirement target. Hopefully I make it that far.

 

[Enry]

I'd say get out in an orderly fashion on your own terms. With a clear TB test and no farm succession, why wait? Stock values are good, culls right the way through to anything calving between now and autumn. Clear out now and then sell fresh heifers as they calve and freshen? Plenty of big flying herds always looking fo fresh milk and imports are less attractive so Im told

 

[Pan mixer]

After over 40 years in farrow to finish pigs our last sows go in about 3 weeks, empty by Christmas.

Being in our 60's with no children interested in anything but the name of a Land Agent when we peg it and massive reinvestment required to rebuild tired sheds we are pulling the plug.

It took a lot of soul searching but sounds surprisingly sensible now that i can just write it like that.

Sometimes it is good to have a big think and make a list.

No more worries about so many aspects of the farm that are hanging on by a thread and would possibly not pass any detailed EA inspection under new rules coupled with potential new rules about farrowing crates and many, many more things.

There should be so much less to worry about 7 days of every week, I hope

 

[Old apprentice]

Giving up livestock after almost 50 years milking cows growing wheat for about 10 years it was like a breath of fresh air my early retirement plan but still keeping a hand in keeping active. I find it very interesting growing wheat.

 

[Tarw Coch]

I’m not about to spend a penny to even pretend to be doing anything to comply. The timing for me is, very fortunately, immaculate. It is the excuse I need to pack it in.

However, deciding on the timing of actually doing so is extremely difficult, having managed the cows and farm since my late teens, which seems like only yesterday. Being forced to give up at some point by some bureaucrat with a clipboard will make it much easier and my wife, who is fed up with the job more than I am, will be delighted. Until that crunch comes I can choose my timing but I find that to be very difficult indeed. Which is partly why I posted this topic as I’m sure that there are very many in a similar situation, some of which may be contemplating really quite heavy and frankly risky financial commitments [as I would be] if they are to carry on.

I’m about 10 years your junior but see exactly the same problems on the horizon, Whilst a large part of me doesn’t want to give up yet, a part of me would almost be happy if an outside force made the decision for me..
But it’s not all about me, I’ve got a very good worker to think of too.
It must be about 2 years to the day, just after the death of my father and I wasn’t feeling too full of work, we were leaning on the gate one morning chatting when a local very progressive farmer was seen coming up the drive. Tongue in cheek I said what do you think if I rent the farm to him and you go work for him.
I’d rather go stack shelves in Tesco than milk for anybody else came the reply.
Just have to keep my head down, carry on and hope for the best

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Another one done and dusted. That’s 20 years without a single non-conformance or point for improvement on the dairy or beef inspection. It is most likely to be my last dairy routine inspection as our age and regulations forcing de-stocking plus massive re-investment makes it likely that I will be forced to quit at some point in the next three years, if not sooner.
The Environment Agency are now visiting farms in the area to check on slurry storage and waste management and any problems here would be addressed if not for the above issues.
How long we keep on milking for is a bit of a mystery but the crunch is on the horizon. I have in mind to downsize by selling a good number of cows as they calve from October onwards.

Or should I sell now when the cows are mid lactation and just last week again passed their annual TB test? I’m not that inclined to do so although may be persuaded to lose up to 50 cows, because I’d still be back up to 130 after the heifers calve in late October/early November.

Decisions decisions? I find it much easier just to carry on, but I’ll drop down dead one day and then I’ll regret not packing it in sooner

It's a tough call. Personally I vote for maximising your retirement, which is an essential KPI for measuring the worth of your business.

Think of the athletes who choose retirement at the top of their game so as to have very few regrets during their next chapter, and balance it with how destructive it may be to slowly be beaten back down the rankings.

There is so much else you can do with your life beyond "trying not to lose it" and worrying about making it, we sold up a while back and don't have any regrets at all, maybe we could have waited for more capital gains on the property etc but it's not even a thought we have, now.

We got in, made some money and friends in the process, and got back out with our sanity.

 

[Cowabunga]

With a clean sheet like that, it does make one wonder if annual inspections were really necessary.

It takes a whole lot of somewhat useless work by the team to achieve that on a dairy farm. Stuff that is never of use to anyone, ever. The inspection is rigorous and detailed, both for external building and equipment condition and records of all kinds. Having said that, it does set standards for many things that otherwise would not be thought about or tackled, so I appreciate it for that.

 

[Cowabunga]

I’m about 10 years your junior but see exactly the same problems on the horizon, Whilst a large part of me doesn’t want to give up yet, a part of me would almost be happy if an outside force made the decision for me..
But it’s not all about me, I’ve got a very good worker to think of too.
It must be about 2 years to the day, just after the death of my father and I wasn’t feeling too full of work, we were leaning on the gate one morning chatting when a local very progressive farmer was seen coming up the drive. Tongue in cheek I said what do you think if I rent the farm to him and you go work for him.
I’d rather go stack shelves in Tesco than milk for anybody else came the reply.
Just have to keep my head down, carry on and hope for the best

Yes, that is a consideration for me as well. If not for him we would have given up several years ago. He’s been with us for 22 years but will never be short of other work. He shouldn’t worry that he’ll be out of work here for a good while yet, by which time he won’t be far off pension age himself. There will be a substantial redundancy payment if he sticks it to the end, whenever that will be and I don’t begrudge that at all.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

At you age is it not nicer to get up and do what you want to do and not what you have to do ,
But that may well be milking cows 7 days s week for all i know and all that goes with that ,including Christmas Day
.The chain always Broke on my Diet Feeder on Christmas day, funny that
I loved the dairy herd , but would have been foolish to carry on
My brother died on the job as someone put it , he was 44 , worked himself to an early grave , Bloody Cows

 

[Gedd]

Pleased theres more than me has the packing in and retiring in their heads i keep saying 3 more harvests wil see in 3 years

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Packing something in and Retiring ,two different subjects , I don't think I will ever retire , love my work to much , just sidelined what I fell out of love with , I was surprised when a certain person gave up his salesman's job , I thought it suited him down to the ground , but you don't know anyone

 

[SilliamWhale]

Another one done and dusted. That’s 20 years without a single non-conformance or point for improvement on the dairy or beef inspection. It is most likely to be my last dairy routine inspection as our age and regulations forcing de-stocking plus massive re-investment makes it likely that I will be forced to quit at some point in the next three years, if not sooner.
The Environment Agency are now visiting farms in the area to check on slurry storage and waste management and any problems here would be addressed if not for the above issues.
How long we keep on milking for is a bit of a mystery but the crunch is on the horizon. I have in mind to downsize by selling a good number of cows as they calve from October onwards.

Or should I sell now when the cows are mid lactation and just last week again passed their annual TB test? I’m not that inclined to do so although may be persuaded to lose up to 50 cows, because I’d still be back up to 130 after the heifers calve in late October/early November.

Decisions decisions? I find it much easier just to carry on, but I’ll drop down dead one day and then I’ll regret not packing it in sooner i

I'd put you down as someone who would have a few interests outside of agriculture so why not use that chance before you get too old.

I don't plan to be farming when I'm 60. Probably not even at 55.

 

[David.]

"Want to do" rather than "Got to do"..
Worth thinking about that for a second. If we are honest with ourselves, how much of our lives are taken up with doing crap that we'd really rather not?