Life after farming..........

[B&B Pig Man]

Well, it's been almost 12 months since I walked away from my farm - something I never imagined I'd do.

I honestly thought I'd miss everything about farming - after all, farming is all I have ever known. Born on the farm, growing up there, starting my own family there - expecting to spend the rest of my life there.

I was out walking my dogs this evening, the same 2 mile path I always take, when I came across the local farmer busy harvesting some wheat. For a fleating moment my heart raced, and I remember the joy of harvest.
It didn't last long though - I soon remembered why I made the decision to leave - one I am still very happy with.

Having spent this morning playing with my two boys and doing some gardening, I found time to watch a few hours cricket (would be better if England were playing better) whilst having a few beers. Then lighting the BBQ for a family get together for tea.

I did land on my feet employment wise - securing a job n the parts department at Peacock and Binnington. I must say, I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Plenty of hours during harvest, which I'm used to. Plenty of regular hours and planned finish times, which in definitely not used to.

 

[GTB]

Glad things are working out for you.

 

[llamedos]

What he said ^
It really must have been a huge change, but now you can look back like this and see what you have now family wise, it must all be worth it.

 

[Mydexta]

The first year is the worst.

I grew up on the family farm and worked on 2 different farms for 8 yrs after leaving school
Before leaving the industry.

The first harvest I almost felt guilty when I was in the house at 5pm, and would find Myself going out to see my pals carting grain etc, just to feel
Like I was still involved.i also used to offer to help out at weekends and nights just to keep My hand in.

It does get easier

 

[Friesianfan]

Sounds good. You've sold it to me.Right, now who wants a herd of cows!

 

[Man_in_black]

Nothing better than being happy with path you choose. Funny old world though, I'm not born into farming, no one at all but it's all I've ever wanted to do. Making some serious sacrifices, causing some aggro but it feels so good to actually be farming (even if only part time at the minute!)

 

[IH 684]

Glad things are going well for you.

 

[Barleycorn]

We wholecropped almost all our cerials this year, as we are ever increasing cattle numbers, not helped that we are shut up with TB. The first year in 40 that I haven't spent most of August in the dryer, and I feel as if I've retired!
Plenty else going on, but in a funny way I am really missing it!

 

[simmy_bull]

We wholecropped almost all our cerials this year, as we are ever increasing cattle numbers, not helped that we are shut up with TB. The first year in 40 that I haven't spent most of August in the dryer, and I feel as if I've retired!
Plenty else going on, but in a funny way I am really missing it!

Go and volunteer for another arable farmer you sadistic begger if your willing to take the dryer on I'm sure that's the most hated job on most arable farms amongst the noise and dust!!!!

 

[franklin]

I'm sure if you ever had a pining for a couple of days on a tractor we can sort you something out.

 

[multi power]

Sounds good. You've sold it to me.Right, now who wants a herd of cows!

0% finance over five years?

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Good to read its working out.

Funnily enough had a similar conversation with the wife the other day, She is absolutely adamant that i would be appalling in conventional employment, so i guess i'm stuck.

 

[Lincs Lass]

A few more weeks ,,Ill be chasing round with a tatty cart for the same guy you saw harvesting ,,I class that as a holiday as I can relax .
Thought back in 2002 when I walked away from agriculture I wouldnt miss it but every day I see something going on round the area and wish at times I was back doing it .
Had the best years of my life on the land ,still got a hankering to go back to it

 

[Gatehouse Farm]

How does the old farm look now @B&B Pig Man ? Are the new people doing a good job or have you not been back past?

 

[FonterraFarmer]

0% finance over five years?

In five years time, that might sound better than you think, if interest rates go negative and banks start charging you to have money in the bank, 0% finance over five years might be considered quite good!!!

 

[DrWazzock]

There is plenty of things I wouldn't miss in farming.

On average, farming has become something that takes a lot and gives very little.

Yes there are some rewarding moments but sometimes battling on against the odds just feels like pig headed stupidity for which I don't have much respect any more.

Glad it's worked out and well done for having the open mindedness and good sense to change.

 

[B&B Pig Man]

How does the old farm look now @B&B Pig Man ? Are the new people doing a good job or have you not been back past?

You can't really see the farm from the road - so although I drive past a couple of times a day, I don't really see anything.
I thought I'd be keen to see how the place was being farmed etc. but to be honest I hardly give it a second thought.

 

[ste]

The first year is the worst.

I grew up on the family farm and worked on 2 different farms for 8 yrs after leaving school
Before leaving the industry.

The first harvest I almost felt guilty when I was in the house at 5pm, and would find Myself going out to see my pals carting grain etc, just to feel
Like I was still involved.i also used to offer to help out at weekends and nights just to keep My hand in.

It does get easier

I'm 2 years in now, but still do little bits for mates, like this week and last week been off on annual leave and helping a mate while his lads away on holiday.

But the difference in what you can do is amazing, got the house more done up, even bought a bike so we can all go out riding as a family. The biggest part for me is the family are more accepting that I have to work away now as we actually do things when I'm home rather than the farm taking my spare time.

Still get big twinges when I see the harvest start, but definetly made the right move.

Glad its all ok with you to B&B pigman

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Good luck to you. It sounds like the right move for you.

I did the opposite in a way. I've been farming all my life but when BSE knocked beef for six in the late 80's I took full time work. I did 23 years in flood risk for the NRA then EA. I farmed part time for those years and returned to full time farming last year.

Doing both was fantastic for the first 10 years when flood risk work was like being the 4th emergency service. It paid well and was exciting and rewarding. After that the beauracracy got worse every year and, by the end, I was happy to take a big pay cut to be out.

For a while I missed the excitement of managing flood response but now they are welcome to it.

Money's tight but I'm SO much happier.

It can work both ways......

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Yes there are some rewarding moments but sometimes battling on against the odds just feels like pig headed stupidity for which I don't have much respect any more.

There was a good line by i think @spin cycle in a thread somewhere.

Went something like "Farmers can take resilience to a whole new level of stupidity"