Investments to improve the bottom line

[Adam@Rumen]

Check water quality/ mineral content with any near neighbors before you start ,and again check mineral content as soon as you find water, before you spend on further pumps etc.We sank one found water but it has a very high sulphur content so we have never used it . A bore hole a mile away is fine.

Yes, might need to check bacteria levels too. I can pop up and sort samples FOC if you wanted Andrew

 

[Adam@Rumen]

Lots of small bits need sorting here, they're more time related than cash though.

We have a stream that runs past the farm, would love to tap into that to get some free electric. Also an AD of some sort...ship has probably sailed on that one though.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

A two wheeler to save on costs? Tut tut Pete, going soft. Shanks mare and a bicycle.!

I think about this stuff quite often. So many who operate a farm don't seem to have the time to sit/think/ reflect. So maybe the best investment many farmers could make is a little more time for thinking, and slightly less time doing. ?

Yes, sometimes all that is really needed is some time working on it, not in it...
Possibly joining a discussion group full of Dutchmen is the best investment I have made! You wanna see how to make money at things

 

[Devon lad]

Yes, sometimes all that is really needed is some time working on it, not in it...
Possibly joining a discussion group full of Dutchmen is the best investment I have made! You wanna see how to make money at things

One thing I learned in nz is that the Dutch men are tighter than the Cornish

 

[Clay52]

What price are you getting

35cents at the moment and that’s with 3.5% protein. Converts to 20ppl if im looking at the right thing on google. We are up a tiny bit on price compared to last year.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

One thing I learned in nz is that the Dutch men are tighter than the Cornish

Aye... as am I, obviously...
"What's it going to do, for me"?

 

[The Agrarian]

35cents at the moment and that’s with 3.5% protein. Converts to 20ppl if im looking at the right thing on google. We are up a tiny bit on price compared to last year.

I take it that's Australian dollars?

That's real!y poor. What products are made from your milk?

 

[Clay52]

I take it that's Australian dollars?

That's real!y poor. What products are made from your milk?

Cheese butter ect.

 

[supercow]

What cpl do you need to break even? What price are you happy with over there?

 

[Matt]

Tighten your ring Pap ........... I think you may need to double your budget (at least) as you really need to get down deep to ensure a constant supply - 70m should do it. Then you need at least 50mm pipe from hole plus electric all dug in. More than likely will need some treatment such as filtration, chlorination, potentially pulling out stuff such as manganese and the use of a UV lamp (bulb changed annually) plus pumps & tanks.
Yep £15k should cover it.
But you should get your money back within 18-24 months

I'd agree. It all depends on you water quality. We have found sodium at a too high a level so have to install a reverse osmosis filter. That bit is about 18k extra with the extra tank and bits and pieces. [emoji26]

 

[pappuller]

I'd agree. It all depends on you water quality. We have found sodium at a too high a level so have to install a reverse osmosis filter. That bit is about 18k extra with the extra tank and bits and pieces. [emoji26]

iron seems to be the issue round here and of course brine, but the secret appears to not drill too deep and get the water from the sand, brine is a problem once you drill through the mudstone which appears to have happened when some firms have drilled to the centre of the earth on farms not far away.

 

[The Agrarian]

Our borehole was drilled 28 years ago, for about £1500 I think. I've no idea about mineral status, only that it passes the potable test for dairy use. It's 175' deep. Never run dry yet. The pump had to be replaced last year, first time it has been touched.

 

[ollie989898]

Borehole is the obvious one.

Another is using rainwater to feed a tank that you feed volume washer from, or fill sprayer from. Also serves as a valuable supply of water in the event of fire. I guess the average dairy farm is some way from a serious mains hydrant should the fire brigade need one?

Gutters and diverting water away from becoming dirty water.

Cow tracks, fencing and gates are obvious capital works.

Dunno how much electricity you guys use but I would go for a wind turbine of my own, not a huge one, just enough to offset your annual leccy use.

Bulk tank or feed bins- sizing to allow cheaper transport.

Reseeding but this would depend on existing farm policy and what the state of play is. I never let people reseed anything for the sake of it and definitely not because of docks etc- buy some pastor instead.

Using the vet more to improve fertility and health, including health screens and vaccination, these will all add kick to the system in time.

The trouble with a cash reserve is how big should it be, and where exactly do you keep it? You get what, 0.2% on a typical business account now? If it was me I would think about using the cash as a deposit to get a mortgage on buy to let properties, so it can begin building a useful capital reserve over time.

One fairly contentious suggestion- upgrade the slurry tanker with a lazy arm and dribble bar/trailing shoe?