Farming and the ageing process

[holwellcourtfarm]

And riding round with there foot on the brakes and reving the tits of it to make it move

And sticking to 1st gear everywhere but revving the *%^$ out of it to go faster....

 

[steveR]

And sticking to 1st gear everywhere but revving the *%^$ out of it to go faster....

Wife....

Has been told about the "Fast" button, but....

 

[TheTallGuy]

age is just a number

there are over 60’s that are sharper and fitter than some 20 yr olds !

all depends how well you have looked after your body and mind

that said i would happily retire by 60 (or less !)............. more to life than work surely

The thing is that for many, they've been farming for so long and not had outside interests so there isn't "more to life". For many, they actually enjoy the farming - I know of a cattle farmer who has never been on holiday, he is well over 60, no wife or kids, yet he is carrying on and even talking about taking on more land and beasts over the next couple of years. When asked why he doesn't sell up and live the high life he simply replies that he enjoys doing what he does, so why shouldn't he carry on?

 

[tinsheet]

age is just a number

there are over 60’s that are sharper and fitter than some 20 yr olds !

all depends how well you have looked after your body and mind

that said i would happily retire by 60 (or less !)............. more to life than work surely

Not if you love what you do!

 

[Derrick Hughes]

age is just a number

there are over 60’s that are sharper and fitter than some 20 yr olds !

all depends how well you have looked after your body and mind

that said i would happily retire by 60 (or less !)............. more to life than work surely

I do the more as well [emoji23]

 

[Formatted]

But I do do the monthly VAT; I do take some of the fingering; I am generally around the yard when others aren’t; I moan until jobs get done; i am the gofer to the Ag merchants; I am a sounding board even if I get ignored; I get to wear freebies especially beanies ....

You sound retired already

 

[Bald Rick]

You sound retired already

Aye ... if you call 60+ hours/week retired

 

[Bald Rick]

.... you have a son who is
probably able to deal with any crisis that turns up whilst you are travelling . In fact, i'd ask you to name a potential crisis occurring, while you were away,
which he could not deal with ???.

Don't get me wrong .. I am very lucky to have a son who is the de facto farmer.

Apart from being the chief sh!t pusher, I think my primary role is just to "be here". Those who have their dads stumbling about & getting in the way will know what I mean

 

[Happy at it]

I just smile when people my age knock their auld boys for doing begger all. It's amazing how much you miss someone knocking about the yard doing nothing. Seeing to the jobs that dont need done but are worth doing. Lending a hand or going a message to let you do some "proper work". The days very long if you've it all to do. You even miss having someone about to call you a useless fecker every day.

Keep up the good work @Baldrick.

 

[Red Fred]

The thing is that for many, they've been farming for so long and not had outside interests so there isn't "more to life". For many, they actually enjoy the farming - I know of a cattle farmer who has never been on holiday, he is well over 60, no wife or kids, yet he is carrying on and even talking about taking on more land and beasts over the next couple of years. When asked why he doesn't sell up and live the high life he simply replies that he enjoys doing what he does, so why shouldn't he carry on?

I'm never sure how many of my interests are really hobbies and how many are just excuses to carry on doing farm stuff in other ways. So I go rifle shooting, but it's really to lower the rabbits, and enjoy tinkering with old tractors (really just saving money on repairs) and we take the sheep to shows (again a sort of continuation of going to market), so for many farmers, their hobbies are all inward looking. Ordinary off-farm hobbies were always looked on with a bit of suspicion by our old folks. Why would you want to spend the day off-farm with townies on a coastal ramble or archaeological dig? Sounds a bit soft to us. :0

 

[sjt01]

A proper hard hat is only £4 from Toolstation!

It is those below that need the hats, as you might be dropping things on them!

 

[TheTallGuy]

I'm never sure how many of my interests are really hobbies and how many are just excuses to carry on doing farm stuff in other ways. So I go rifle shooting, but it's really to lower the rabbits, and enjoy tinkering with old tractors (really just saving money on repairs) and we take the sheep to shows (again a sort of continuation of going to market), so for many farmers, their hobbies are all inward looking. Ordinary off-farm hobbies were always looked on with a bit of suspicion by our old folks. Why would you want to spend the day off-farm with townies on a coastal ramble or archaeological dig? Sounds a bit soft to us. :0

I was fortunate in that there was never any pressure to even be involved with the farming aside from helping out on the odd occasion, let alone making it my whole life.

 

[bumkin]

I'm 56 and feel, I'm just starting out.

Am I too old now for harvesting veg by hand, stacking hay bales by hand (3,000 hay & 12,000 straw) & lambing ewes.

Odd how I find so many women in their 60's attractive, that was not the case when I was 16. edit Oh & so often think gosh that young girl has got greys early, then find out the young girl is late 40's or early 50's.

I know what you mean when you are having a chat with a nice-looking woman and find out she is the same age as your daughter then remember what you thought of sixty-somethings when you were thirty-something

 

[manhill]

It is those below that need the hats, as you might be dropping things on them!

walk into more low obstructions with a hard hat because of the peak. Mountaineering hat is probably a bit better but the bike hats look more comfy and might stay on the head better in a fall.

 

[unlacedgecko]

It must be an attitude thing though as it is so popular and works so well (?) in NZ? Taxation policy may be a factor?

Share farming losing favour in NZ as greed of landowners means they can't bear to see share milkers making 6 figure sums. Hence the rise of "contract milkers" and managers.

 

[manhill]

I know what you mean when you are having a chat with a nice-looking woman and find out she is the same age as your daughter then remember what you thought of sixty-somethings when you were thirty-something

Old dames are the best! They don't tell, they don't swell and they're grateful as hell.

 

[unlacedgecko]

That is a huge factor I am sure.

How the Govt will look at such arrangements into the future will be interesting, as more farmers simply put large areas into CS and other non production options...

Taxation and IHT relief no barrier to UK share farming. The landowner is still the active farmer.

 

[SteveHants]

The slight problem is the aches and pains for a day or two after.
I sometimes wonder how the youngsters manage to procreate.

Priorities.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

The thing is that for many, they've been farming for so long and not had outside interests so there isn't "more to life". For many, they actually enjoy the farming - I know of a cattle farmer who has never been on holiday, he is well over 60, no wife or kids, yet he is carrying on and even talking about taking on more land and beasts over the next couple of years. When asked why he doesn't sell up and live the high life he simply replies that he enjoys doing what he does, so why shouldn't he carry on?

For those types it's fine if they're lucky enough to "die in harness" but a miserable old age though if they become incapable of farming.

That's where Dad is now at 88. He openly says he's done everything he wanted to and would do it all again but wants to die now because he just can't do it any more. I can't really blame him for feeling that way either, He's no longer got any interests at all.

 

[theboytheboy]

My dad has been out of action with trapped nerves....its a huge wake up call as to how much he did.
We are not a big farm and only make hay and these days but it's been a huge wake up call. He is still extremely valuable and I honestly dread the day he won't be able to help out.
To be honest I don't know I would want to carry on without him anyway. (And yes he can be a complete bloody nightmare to work with at times)