Farming and the ageing process

[unlacedgecko]

OOI, what would be the ideal time scale for an "agreement", for your business model?

5+years. I’ve no interest in subs. Will happily take 5 sequential grazing licences (signed in advance) or a contract farming agreement so landowner retains subs and tax advantages. But I get the security to invest in fencing and water infrastructure.

 

[wanton dwarf]

To minimise the chances of kick back Make sure there is a clear path for the blade to cut right through and clear space around .
Don't use the ' dangerzone' tip of the guidebar.

There's plenty of info online , what a tremendous tool the web and computers are , no exscuse for any of us to be in the dark over any subject these days .

Okay. I really ought to have a good look at this information. It's a task I have to do a few times a year .. it's usually okay at the start but as the day goes on it can get quite wearying.

 

[Bury the Trash]

LANTRA CS30/31 maintenance cross cutting and felling. 5 day course £995. What price against life limiting injury or death?

Last I had to do with Lantra ,well it was a farce, If I were learning i certainly would not pay them
1k.
Work as an ' apprentice ' with someone whk is good and experenced and earn as you learn is a better way.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Last I had to do with Lantra ,well it was a farce, If I were learning i certainly would not pay them
1k.
Work as an ' apprentice ' with someone experenced and earn as you learn is a better way.

I did my CS30/31 10 years ago. I’m overdue a refresher but I found it very useful. Course was delivered by a 3rd party independent through Riseholme College. Certainly helped keep me safe with a chainsaw since then.

 

[steveR]

5+years. I’ve no interest in subs. Will happily take 5 sequential grazing licences (signed in advance) or a contract farming agreement so landowner retains subs and tax advantages. But I get the security to invest in fencing and water infrastructure.

I can see that the longer period has a huge advantage for a grazier. I tend to believe that the landowner should be responsible (at least partly) for fencing and some element of water, but maybe not.

You taken on any blocks yet with some of the newer conservation type mixes being grown, with aftermath suitable for eating? AB15?

 

[Breakthru]

I would imagine that when we finish here, this farm will just be added on to somebody else’s farming business and the house sold off, so nobody will replace us. Our departure will not provide a viable opportunity for a young person, not least because the farm is no longer big enough to provide a living. What I’m trying to say is it isn’t a case of old folks moving aside to make way for younger people, it’s more about amalgamation and redundancy. Farms here get ever larger employing fewer and fewer people operating larger and faster machinery. Personally I don’t like it, but that’s how it’s gone.

Lets wait till we see the new subsidy system. Surprisingly it may be very socialist.
Generations have moved to urban areas but I see a return. Instead of giving large farmers huge amounts of sub there may be a backstop of say 22k in today's terms. Same as they give a Somali immigrant in London of whom 95% are "unemployed". Then we will see if there are economies of scale!
As others have said some massive businesses make very little profit relative to some relatively small ones. The advantage of subsidising small farmers is that they employ contractors, casual labour, hauliers etc etc.
For the local economy small farmers are worth more than the big ones by 100X. Local employment etc etc.

 

[DrWazzock]

As far as aging itself goes, I don't feel too bad physically but feel tired mentally.
I was looking round my old Bateman Hi Lo tonight as I changed the wheels and noticed the frame round the tank is about ready for renewal again. I renewed that frame about 20 years ago when we bought the sprayer secondhand in quite a poor state, and I think to myself now "do I really want to renew all that yet again?" It's almost as if boredom has set in and I'm looking for a change. You just get "sick of it" really. I saw the same in my father at this age. When we were deciding whether to buy out my uncle's share I remember him saying "well you know what this farm is like, are you really sure?" Well I really know what it's like now. Its a basic living, but I can't see it satisfying the lifestyle aspirations of many young people today and as such it is becoming a more of a hobby than a paying business.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I can see that the longer period has a huge advantage for a grazier. I tend to believe that the landowner should be responsible (at least partly) for fencing and some element of water, but maybe not.

You taken on any blocks yet with some of the newer conservation type mixes being grown, with aftermath suitable for eating? AB15?

No. I’m keen for a 5 year agreement on some GS4. However, the AB15 pays £200/ha more annually and doesn’t require a grazier.
If you could convince my landlords of the bold that would be great. I recently asked a land agent for more security, which would enable me to stocknet the perimeter at least. He suggested I stocknet it anyway, then if the licence isn‘t renewed “you may be entitled to some form of tenants compensation”. 4km at £5/m, for 12months and negotiated compensation. Does he think I came down in the last shower?

Giving very serious thought to renting bare arable land on a 5yr FBT. Put the whole lot into GS4 for 5 years. Between that and the BPS I’d be getting paid to graze. Plus the capital grant for fencing. Cash flowing initial rent, fencing and establishment is the issue however.

 

[Treecreeper]

I can beat that, you should see my old man using a chainsaw...

Mine was 90 and couldn't start the chainsaw, asked if I would start it for him. I refused so he went and bought a smaller one that he could manage.

 

[DRC]

Mine was 90 and couldn't start the chainsaw, asked if I would start it for him. I refused so he went and bought a smaller one that he could manage.

Battery operated are the answer . Have on here . It’s brilliant and lightweight . Rechargeable battery also fits strummer , hedge trimmer , leaf blower and lawn mower .

 

[DRC]

As far as aging itself goes, I don't feel too bad physically but feel tired mentally.
I was looking round my old Bateman Hi Lo tonight as I changed the wheels and noticed the frame round the tank is about ready for renewal again. I renewed that frame about 20 years ago when we bought the sprayer secondhand in quite a poor state, and I think to myself now "do I really want to renew all that yet again?" It's almost as if boredom has set in and I'm looking for a change. You just get "sick of it" really. I saw the same in my father at this age. When we were deciding whether to buy out my uncle's share I remember him saying "well you know what this farm is like, are you really sure?" Well I really know what it's like now. Its a basic living, but I can't see it satisfying the lifestyle aspirations of many young people today and as such it is becoming a more of a hobby than a paying business.

I can see some of us using stewardship or Elms if it’s any good, as a form of pension. Stick everything in grass based options that just need topping once or twice a year.
I know what you mean about mentally being fed up with it, but it’s been a long boring winter, not helped by COVID restrictions .
Played football with the lads again this week( 50/70 yr olds, and the lift in mood from just doing that was brilliant . I’d hate to just farm 7 days a week and have no outside interests .

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Opportunities for new entrants are lacking due to UK taxation and subsidy regimes.

Land price is largely driven by investment money from outside farming though, not from farmers.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Land price is largely driven by investment money from outside farming though, not from farmers.

True. But landownership not a perquisite for farming. Access to land is (preferably secure).

It doesn't matter who owns the land, as long as I can graze it with confidence my improvements won't be used to inflate rent in the immediate term.

 

[steveR]

As far as aging itself goes, I don't feel too bad physically but feel tired mentally.
I was looking round my old Bateman Hi Lo tonight as I changed the wheels and noticed the frame round the tank is about ready for renewal again. I renewed that frame about 20 years ago when we bought the sprayer secondhand in quite a poor state, and I think to myself now "do I really want to renew all that yet again?" It's almost as if boredom has set in and I'm looking for a change. You just get "sick of it" really. I saw the same in my father at this age. When we were deciding whether to buy out my uncle's share I remember him saying "well you know what this farm is like, are you really sure?" Well I really know what it's like now. Its a basic living, but I can't see it satisfying the lifestyle aspirations of many young people today and as such it is becoming a more of a hobby than a paying business.

IKWYM. The decisions are often more than just based on a financial argument.

I suspect is a Human thing, in that we need a driver of some sort, whether it is making the first Million, finding a trophy wife, growing a business to keep you in a reaonable retirement or something to hand over to the kids on demise.

But there comes a time and you do wonder what it's all about, and NOT on a deep philosophical level either.

 

[manhill]

Seriously, what difference does it make how many times any of the contributors to this forum have been around the sun?

Folk are busy farming. It keeps them active and occupied and they produce a bit of food and generally keep the cuds looking tidy. Would you prefer they all took up building model railways or drinking white lightning whilst smashing up bus stops all day?

That sounds like a bit of fun too, might have a go at that. Why should the brats have all the fun!

 

[Red Fred]

That sounds like a bit of fun too, might have a go at that. Why should the brats have all the fun!

Meanwhile in Somerset
Gangs of old ladies - Bing video

 

[Greythundercloudys]

An old farmer around here is 90 still handles a chainsaw and is a great character, lives in the village, never married but he,s a fountain of knowledge,