Is Farming Really About Making Money?

[DrWazzock]

It can't be, can it?

 

[yellowbelly]

If it is, then I've been doing it wrong all my life

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Farm for the environment, first.

"We" are the interface between the natural and synthetic systems of the world, if we try only for money it can be elusive.

If we farm simply to assist natural processes, it's not such a bad job, and pays the way if you are astute.

 

[borderterribles]

Well, I'd say that it is for some people. For others, not so much.......!

 

[ewald]

As above.

If money is your main driver you will probably do better to invest your time, energy and capital elsewhere.
I suspect that many of us here are looking for an adequate lifestyle/income balance, money is not the main factor (but you need enough to eat)

 

[Lowland1]

Obviously you have to earn enough to survive. If you inherited land or a business it is a lot easier than if you have started from scratch I think the unfortunate thing today is that whateveryou have today will not provide the same level of income in ten years time hence whilst farming in many cases is much better than working for a living its getting much harder and hence in many cases less enjoyable.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

It's not all about the money but I'm pretty convinced that I can earn more money dairy farming than I can in any other job.

If I thought I could earn a lot more doing something different then I would.

 

[icanshootwell]

It can't be, can it?

Against all the odds and a nasty bank manager 30 years ago, I am still here. I think sacrifice is the word i am looking for.

 

[tinsheet]

If I was motivated by money I certainly wouldn't be a farmer!

 

[Northeastfarmer]

No boss
No alarm clock
No clocking off time
No stuck in traffic
No stuck in an office
No annoying work mates
No mundane normality


What’s not to like

 

[David.]

So basically, we shall all continue to provide raw materials that everyone else will make a profit from, regardless of whether it makes any money or not, until any savings or outside investments we might have are all gone. Just so long as the birds still sing in the morning?

 

[DrWazzock]

And I reckon the "farming for pleasure" side of things is now the biggest driver of land, livestock and machinery prices, as most of these prices are now much higher than their productive worth.

I am not saying that's right or wrong. It's just a fact of life. The pleasure and amenity effect now drives farm capital values but doesnt of course drive commodity prices and that can be a bit of a problem as it makes overheads and indirect costs, which tend to rise in proportion to capital values, difficult to sustain when farming smaller units.

Anyway, let's enjoy it, if and while we can.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

So basically, we shall all continue to provide raw materials that everyone else will make a profit from, regardless of whether it makes any money or not, until any savings or outside investments we might have are all gone. Just so long as the birds still sing in the morning?

You know what you can do if you’re not happy

 

[DrWazzock]

So basically, we shall all continue to provide raw materials that everyone else will make a profit from, regardless of whether it makes any money or not, until any savings or outside investments we might have are all gone. Just so long as the birds still sing in the morning?

Looking around this district, I'd say that's a fair assessment. There has been a massive influx of building land money, and all sorts of marginal land is now rented or bought for huge sums. Men are employed to plough it with 3 furrow ploughs. The conclusion I can reach is that they are doing it for pleasure. It's like the days of the model farm, bankrolled by wealthy benefactors from other industries. It's nice to see it in many ways. Large scale gardening and keeping lads busy.

 

[teslacoils]

It's about money.

Usually about working "for the future" meaning you never see your family who either divorce you and take half the money, or inherit the damned place and sell it.

It's about money.

 

[David.]

You know what you can do if you’re not happy

I'm only examining the mindset that we shall all be happy to farm for the fun of it, regardless of the financial reality.

 

[Clive]

Its about a very unique combination of lifestyle, family, health, environment, legacy, profitable trading, capital investment and tax planning

for me personally probably in the order I list them above

But everyone has their own (perfectly valid) motivation or reasons - there is no right or wrong reason

 

[fgc325j]

It can't be, can it?

Sorry - once you have borrowed money you are on the hamster wheel - especially if
you are in a business where the return on TOTAL capital is less than the %age interest
charged to your loan.

 

[czechmate]

So basically, we shall all continue to provide raw materials that everyone else will make a profit from, regardless of whether it makes any money or not, until any savings or outside investments we might have are all gone. Just so long as the birds still sing in the morning?

Yes.

 

[farenheit]

No boss
No alarm clock
No clocking off time
No stuck in traffic
No stuck in an office
No annoying work mates
No mundane normality


What’s not to like

Of course the majority of people who farm don't get all of those benefits. But I guess they are the advantages of being a farm owner.