how many acres will i need to be sustainable?

[Colin]

But there is always the temptation to then upgrade kit, better to sweat the land asset by working it harder. Let's face it you own 1000 acres which is a hell of a base asset to work from. I think cooperating with others is a good way forward, capture a share of the "profit" from the potato job by sharing the risk with the man. You've got to think outside the box, I am involved in benchmarking and there is NO ONE, I REPEAT NO ONE, making money on combinables unless high AVERAGE yields and good prices, and it just gets worse if you are paying rent or a profit share.

 

[DRC]

I reckon i could farm another couple hundred acres without taking on any staff or buying kit, is that not sweating assets? I could diversify into something else but i feel id be less likely to be sucessful and it wouldnt benefit my current business why not just continue expansion

Surely you'd be better off by Increasing the 2 ton yield to 2.5tons/acre. On 500 acres, this would give you an extra 250 tons or the equivalent of farming an extra 125 acres at the 2 ton yield. Ground can't be bad if it'll grow potatoes.

 

[Bossfarmer]

Surely you'd be better off by Increasing the 2 ton yield to 2.5tons/acre. On 500 acres, this would give you an extra 250 tons or the equivalent of farming an extra 125 acres at the 2 ton yield. Ground can't be bad if it'll grow potatoes.

How would you suggest i get the yield up? I currently put dung on and have grass in the rotation, different variety? I grew belgravia the last couple years

 

[Bossfarmer]

But there is always the temptation to then upgrade kit, better to sweat the land asset by working it harder. Let's face it you own 1000 acres which is a hell of a base asset to work from. I think cooperating with others is a good way forward, capture a share of the "profit" from the potato job by sharing the risk with the man. You've got to think outside the box, I am involved in benchmarking and there is NO ONE, I REPEAT NO ONE, making money on combinables unless high AVERAGE yields and good prices, and it just gets worse if you are paying rent or a profit share.

That might be correct this year but what about 5 year averages on owned land?

 

[gone up the hill]

How would you suggest i get the yield up? I currently put dung on and have grass in the rotation, different variety? I grew belgravia the last couple years

101 things that you could be doing that would increase your average yields..

2t acre average is poor by any body's standard in this day and age im afraid

 

[gone up the hill]

That might be correct this year but what about 5 year averages on owned land?

SB you should be averaging 2.6/7 t acre a year.

 

[Bossfarmer]

I currently undersow 60 acres of my spring barley with grass could this be affecting my average yields by much?

 

[Dave6170]

Christ we can get more than 2t/ac way up here!

 

[SilliamWhale]

Its interesting to hear of those talking about how easy successful diversification is because i find it quite challenging. I think location helps immensely because out on the periphery it gets harder as the spare cash is less available and so is demand/ population

 

[BiomassMan]

Its interesting to hear of those talking about how easy successful diversification is because i find it quite challenging. I think location helps immensely because out on the periphery it gets harder as the spare cash is less available and so is demand/ population

If something is easy, everyone would be doing it. I believe anyone can make a go of anything with enough determination, as for whats the best thing to diversify into well that all depends on location.. time and effort to be put in, If you wanted to try and sell direct a farm shop not enough passing trade?? the nearest local town/village are there any independant shops that will either stock your produce or give you shelf space in return for a small fee.

 

[Muddyboots]

Seems to me boss farmer that if you carry on with your current direction then you may not be around to enjoy this massive farm you seem to want. I like you have been fortunate to inherit land and probably 10 years ago had the same mindset. Recently I have lost a close member of the family to the big c and boy has it changed me. I now spend as much time with my loved ones as at the end of the day it's all that matters. Get a grip, does it really matter what your neighbours are doing? You have a good sized farm so enjoy it but also enjoy your life and people around you as you never no what the future holds.

 

[Flat 10]

I currently undersow 60 acres of my spring barley with grass could this be affecting my average yields by much?

Surely you know this?! You probably have a combine with a yieldmeter and if you don't you can count trailers like the rest of us? I felt bad for being harsh to you yesterday but that kind of post above winds me up, surely you don't need to ask us? You know the answer, we can't possibly. Don't get me wrong you have obviously achieved a lot as a family and I respect you all for that but some of your questions seem very naïve.

 

[Colin]

What you need to do is improve many things by a small amount, then you get big total gains. Who does your agronomy? Do you do your own spraying? Do you test your fert spreader and sprayer if you have them? Are there jobs that contractors are doing for you that could be done cheaper yourself! Look for the easy wins first rather than chasing more ground.

 

[Colin]

That might be correct this year but what about 5 year averages on owned land?

That is for last year and looking forward to harvest prices for this year. Still better to do things better at home and squeeze out every penny you can produce from it rather than keeping land agents and landlords in £.

 

[Bossfarmer]

Surely you know this?! You probably have a combine with a yieldmeter and if you don't you can count trailers like the rest of us? I felt bad for being harsh to you yesterday but that kind of post above winds me up, surely you don't need to ask us? You know the answer, we can't possibly. Don't get me wrong you have obviously achieved a lot as a family and I respect you all for that but some of your questions seem very naïve.

When i count the trailers i end up near 3 t/acre so i dont trust it i go by the loads sold on the lorry and exact weights, i know it affects it being undersown but not a huge amount when im taking it out of an av over the 500 acres

 

[Bossfarmer]

What you need to do is improve many things by a small amount, then you get big total gains. Who does your agronomy? Do you do your own spraying? Do you test your fert spreader and sprayer if you have them? Are there jobs that contractors are doing for you that could be done cheaper yourself! Look for the easy wins first rather than chasing more ground.

Yes i realise attention to detail over the whole business is how the top businesses gain an advantage, we do all jobs on the farm ourself except drainage

 

[Bossfarmer]

Christ we can get more than 2t/ac way up here!

Wheres that?

 

[DrWazzock]

What it is to stand and stare, to brush the bull down, to potter and do a bit of fencing. To take time over some ploughing perfecting the settings.

I have never understood why people bust a gut to acquire what? More work?

Credit to the OP for building what he has but it's not everybody's way.

I find 200 acres sustainable. I rather do a small amount well than rush a big area.

Just my personal opinion. Not having a dig.

"Where moth and rust doth corrupt."

 

[Flat 10]

When i count the trailers i end up near 3 t/acre so i dont trust it i go by the loads sold on the lorry and exact weights, i know it affects it being undersown but not a huge amount when im taking it out of an av over the 500 acres

So you do know then? You should measure the size of your grain trailer, find out the specific weight of your barley and work out what is on each one. Earlier you said you get 2t/ac and when you count trailers you get 3? Surely to goodness after a couple of years of this you would work out that there is less in the trailer than the manufacturer claims and revise your numbers down appropriately?

 

[DrWazzock]

Undersowing loses us about 1 ton/acre. That's why it was an ELS option.