Farming without subsidies, is there a way....what's your suggestion.

[FonterraFarmer]

I realise is it Summertime for you so barbies are a must. Do you marinade the beef?

Here in Blighty this evening it is quite mild for winter and 10 degrees C at coming up for 8 pm here.Which is warmer than we might usually see during daylight! Got a nice bit of Lamb (locally grown) in the oven which I shall be enjoying with a good local real ale.
Bon appetite!

No , not often, as I prefer its natural taste as he's a freerange pasture feed hereford cross from the farm, but I did work with a guy who was pretty switched on with cooking with the bar-b-que who used quite a bit of beer with his cooking technicque! Beer is OK , the odd bottle of wine is nice for a change. As for summer, its more like bypassed us and gone straight to autumn, outside now must be in the low 20's , overcast and humid

 

[Dave645]

Some interesting ideas, mostly around stock, which is to be expected as the ideas for grain Barron's come down to scale....
As always things will come down to the farm gate price, and the pounds exchange rate, if livestock prices slump because everyone jumps in, then they are no help, I do belive if subs go, so will a great number of farmers, big and small the common denominator will be debt, farmers without debt will have more chance to carry on. I think it will shake the farmings foundations, but some will survive, I actual think the smaller enterprises have more chance than some give them credit, we all outlay money well in advance of making a profit, small farm small mistakes big farm big mistakes, it will only take a few big mistakes to crack even big players, with no safety net to hold them up. And if land values crash which they may, banks that hold deeds may start getting nervous. Even with low prices they may be unwilling to offer loans for farms to expand. So the ability for farms to grow even if prices slump may be limited to only players with cash on the hip.

I personaly think diversification will be key, so your income is not all in one basket. Not always easy but worth it if you can balance it with the farm work.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

The problem with diversification is that you go from being a farmer, to being something else, who happens to have a farm. That isn't to say it doesn't work, more that some of us don't want to go down that route. If I can't hack it I think I would prefer a clean break.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

What are your lending rates like at the moment? Agree with both of the above, I do a lot more off farm than I do on my wee block, it might take an hour a day so...
welding driving etc for the guys around the district helps keep the wolf from the door.
The other side of diversity as it can put costs up ahead of profits, better if any outlay is minimal. A lot of farmers here went into deer here in the decade after the subs went, wasn't always a great outcome (or income) after they'd put up a heap of new fencing.. some bought weaners at $1200 to sell them for $800 in 4 months..

 

[FonterraFarmer]

What are your lending rates like at the moment? Agree with both of the above, I do a lot more off farm than I do on my wee block, it might take an hour a day so...
welding driving etc for the guys around the district helps keep the wolf from the door.
The other side of diversity as it can put costs up ahead of profits, better if any outlay is minimal. A lot of farmers here went into deer here in the decade after the subs went, wasn't always a great outcome (or income) after they'd put up a heap of new fencing.. some bought weaners at $1200 to sell them for $800 in 4 months..

Had the odd farmer here leave the gate open, but them Catlins wolves a pretty scary, like them dangerous Fiordland moose!

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Had the odd farmer here leave the gate open, but them Catlins wolves a pretty scary, like them dangerous Fiordland moose!

And those panthers up country don't eff around either, from what I've heard..

 

[FonterraFarmer]

And those panthers up country don't eff around either, from what I've heard..

Not often in Canturbury, but we do have to watch out the lawn moa and the odd taniwha!!!

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Luckily we don't get many taniwha down this far. Think the frosts nip their kumara . But the neighbours lawn had moa tracks last night, so they must be active