Full time farming to part time?

[Magik22]

I’ve been thinking that with a few changes in stock numbers and infrastructure, I could quite easily free up enough time to generate more income away from the livestock business. However, I’ve been full time since I left school and have very few qualifications that lend well to off farm income.

I thought it would be interesting to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation and taken the plunge? Wether it’s heavily into diversification or employment/self employment off the farm. How’s it gone? Any Regrets? Any advice? Thanks

 

[Derrick Hughes]

If you are responsible for livestock it's a lot harder to do part , mine all went , I just farm in a different way that frees my time up

 

[Bald Rick]

I’ve been thinking that with a few changes in stock numbers and infrastructure, I could quite easily free up enough time to generate more income away from the livestock business. However, I’ve been full time since I left school and have very few qualifications that lend well to off farm income.

I thought it would be interesting to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation and taken the plunge? Wether it’s heavily into diversification or employment/self employment off the farm. How’s it gone? Any Regrets? Any advice? Thanks

Make a list of all things your competent at eg plumbing, electrics, digger driving etc then offer those services to potential employers.
It's a jobs market for those with the right attitude

 

[M-J-G]

Can you work in with another farmer, eg can you do some silage, harvest work, winter ploughing contract sheep work for others.

 

[Jones24]

We used to run a plumbing and heating business alongside our small hill farm. It was a nightmare to try and juggle priorities.. I gave up 8 years ago and used the capital tied up in the farm value to buy our own small development sites. Only small 2-4 houses/bungalows st a time.. haven't looked back. Using existing machinery and skills from the farm. Can close the gate on site whenever I want and no emergency calls coming in at all hours ect.. works for us with running a small suckler and sheep farm.

 

[onesiedale]

I’ve been thinking that with a few changes in stock numbers and infrastructure, I could quite easily free up enough time to generate more income away from the livestock business. However, I’ve been full time since I left school and have very few qualifications that lend well to off farm income.

I thought it would be interesting to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation and taken the plunge? Wether it’s heavily into diversification or employment/self employment off the farm. How’s it gone? Any Regrets? Any advice? Thanks

As you make your livestock system more simple, you will probably find it becomes more profitable and gives you the time to move to working off farm at hours to suit you. It's a win win .

Making livestock systems too complicated and in pursuit of those marginal gains is what has taken profitability out of the job, at the same time as adding risk (usually in the form of over capitalised systems) and of course the fear of falling off the treadmil.

You will probably find that working off the farm and farming part time will be liberating.

 

[Adeptandy]

Currently running plumbing and heating business along side an arable farm. It can be a nightmare, the older I get the more I know 1 has to go, mistakes/timeliness on the arable side to keep customers happy just doesn’t equate financially.

 

[HarryB97]

Don’t worry about the lack of qualifications most are a waste of time. Lots of transferable skills from ag to other industries be it tree surgery or digger driving etc which are all well paid. It is harder with livestock though which limits your options to very local jobs or ideally a diversification on farm. There are loads of jobs out there though for people that want them.

 

[daveydiesel1]

If your not making enough on farm why not just sell the stock and let the land out and the sheds, get a job and once quitting time comes your finished to do as you please. Youl still get to spend plenty of time on farm mending fences and buildings and buy a digger and hedgecutter for maintenance to keep you busy on holidays/days off

 

[jackrussell101]

Possibly buying an existing business or franchise could leap frog you into a positive cashflow as opposed to starting something from scratch.

Alternatively if your not too fussed about being tied to a job as others have said, very good rates of pay are out there currently for anyone prepared to graft and have a can do attitude.

 

[hoff135]

We have 250 ewes to the tup and 10 cows. Not enough for a full time wage and too much for a hobby. Fitting other work is possible but not easy, bloody sheep have a habit of doing things wrong just when you need them Not to. Father still does a bit so I can get get time away to other things. If he can no longer do it then decisions will have to be made .

 

[Formatted]

Are you any good at talking to people? There is a real lack of decent agricultural sales people, I don't mean selling tractors but services and technology. Couple of days a week that is flexible around farm work be perfect.

 

[robo]

I’ve been thinking that with a few changes in stock numbers and infrastructure, I could quite easily free up enough time to generate more income away from the livestock business. However, I’ve been full time since I left school and have very few qualifications that lend well to off farm income.

I thought it would be interesting to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation and taken the plunge? Wether it’s heavily into diversification or employment/self employment off the farm. How’s it gone? Any Regrets? Any advice? Thanks

my son was made redundant from a major engine manufacturer ,applied for another job ,was told you havnt got a degree you will never do any good at management level in this industry. worked his way up. just swapped his job , now on a 6 figure salary . doing well . never wanted the farm , Icant blame him at all

 

[Huno]

Do you own your farm or rent it? If you own it the world is your oyster.. if you rent then farming for a profit part time might be tricky

 

[Lakes Nash]

I left full time agri 25 yrs ago, went to help my father in his building business, never looked back!! no livestock now just make hay/round bales,

 

[Estate fencing.]

I’m just about to start a full time job, I’m going to cut my own sheep down to 300 ewes and 500 ewe lambs that never leave the (tenanted) farm, I’m sick of travelling the country for grass keep.

 

[deere 6600]

local livestock markets always looking for part time staff reasonable pay nowadays and regular plus working with stock if you like that or silage contractor in summer there are part time jobs out there

 

[Zippy768]

Currently running plumbing and heating business along side an arable farm. It can be a nightmare, the older I get the more I know 1 has to go, mistakes/timeliness on the arable side to keep customers happy just doesn’t equate financially.

Any closer to working out which one??

 

[Adeptandy]

Any closer to working out which one??

Head and heart job, both conflicting

 

[ARW]

As a side note 3 of the men that help us fencing have there own smallish farms, works great as when farming may be slower we are always busy so it doesn’t conflict with there primary interests