New entrant generating capital through crowd funding

[Getjackfarming]

Hi jack, have you tried the princess trust for a loan at all ? I wish I'd known about it before I was too old. How about stocking it to the balls with ewe lambs bought from the store ring to lamb outside in April , tupped to a chamoise , anything that dosnt hold can be sold fat boxed up , take on some winter keep and after a year you should have some good lambs to sell to pay off some of your borrowings and a young but random flock.can you claim the new payment on this ground? If so could you apply to the national reserve for entitlements? As you say aswell, you can get ten friesian bull calves for the price of one beef x . If your just looking to turn cheap grass into beef surley ten moths are better than one? Ten animals putting on weight while your at work. I think starting out from scratch has to be about making something out of nothing and learning on cheaper stock . And not being proud! People call me a tit for rearing b and w calves but go showing horned sheep at weekends who's wether lambs make £30. How queer!

Thank you very much for your input and ideas, this is what I need, positive and alternative perspective!

I completely agree about the dairy bull calves, although strangely around here its easier to get hold of beef animals as all dairy farmers I have spoken to use sexed semen pretty successfully, or are fully committed to dealers with their B+W bulls as they seem to have an outlet for them! Have only been able to get hold of 4 this summer!

As for the Sheep, this isn't something I have fully explored as I know relatively little about them, but the way you speak about it makes it sound as though it's well worth looking into seriously.

As you say, I can't afford to be proud. I am a young chap who is always willing to learn and try new things and that could be a good way of doing it, many thanks!

 

[ridger]

Go to mart plenty calves there

 

[Getjackfarming]

When I was 18 I had 10k saved up from working for 2 years, I then used that as a deposit to borrow another 20k so I had 30k in total. I bought 45 yearling heifers and then turned them into a suckler herd. They were all lost with brucellosis then and I got zero SFP, I used that money to put myself through Harper and worked my arse off every xmas, easter and summer holiday as well. I was able to earn 6k some summers alone so again I question whether you have the drive?

I am not saying I done everything the right way but at least I done it my way rather than begging.

Everyone has a different route, everyone's circumstances are different. You don't even know me so i don't see how you can question my work ethic? You have no idea what I have done? I have also funded my own studies. I don't have to justify myself to you, if you don't agree then that's ok, as I said, each to their own.

 

[lady muck]

Black and white bulls being shot up here as no market despite cheap grain. We did in the past get them away at 6 weeks old.

 

[ridger]

Wonder would anyone fund me? I'm kinda short of money at the min.........

 

[Baling Hay]

Everyone has a different route, everyone's circumstances are different. You don't even know me so i don't see how you can question my work ethic? You have no idea what I have done? I have also funded my own studies. I don't have to justify myself to you, if you don't agree then that's ok, as I said, each to their own.

Of course I don't know you but I get a fair idea of someone who comes online begging for 4k to get started in farming at the age of 23. 16-17 I could see it but in their 20s? That is why I have commented, no different at how a potential employer would judge you based on a CV.

 

[Getjackfarming]

Ha so you're over the hill once you're 23 in agriculture are you? An industry where the average age is 59? You all keep livestock, so surely from a stockmanship point of view you can understand that keeping cattle in a serious way whilst being at uni full time for 4 years isn't the most practical idea? Not very fair on my parents to expect that! I would say now was the optimum time to start thinking about doing it more seriously once I back home

 

[Baling Hay]

Ha so you're over the hill once you're 23 in agriculture are you? An industry where the average age is 59? You all keep livestock, so surely from a stockmanship point of view you can understand that keeping cattle in a serious way whilst being at uni full time for 4 years isn't the most practical idea? Not very fair on my parents to expect that! I would say now was the optimum time to start thinking about doing it more seriously once I back home

No, not over the hill but probably should be better set up, flip you could earn 4k in a matter of 2 months quite easily. You are in your final year now, work 2 weeks this xmas, 2 weeks at easter, spend the other 2 weeks on your dissy and then a month next summer and your sorted. Or even go a get a loan like most start up businesses do?

 

[Baling Hay]

So aside from begging? What other plan have you to raise capital?

(I am now trying to think of ways to help you!)

 

[Getjackfarming]

Yep I have earned money this summer, as prev mentioned, self funded uni, bought and reared as many animals as I can this summer before and after working 16 he days, plus general living costs, I'm not funded by 'mummy and daddy' in any way! Additional capital is for animals to justify renting acreage specified, as well as paying for that acreage. Surely you know there is no such thing as am off the shelf farm? Everyone has their own variables to cope with

 

[Baling Hay]

Yep I have earned money this summer, as prev mentioned, self funded uni, bought and reared as many animals as I can this summer before and after working 16 he days, plus general living costs, I'm not funded by 'mummy and daddy' in any way! Additional capital is for animals to justify renting acreage specified, as well as paying for that acreage. Surely you know there is no such thing as am off the shelf farm? Everyone has their own variables to cope with

What did the bank say?

 

[lady muck]

I can't see why you can't just build up numbers gradually whilst working full time off farm. Yes it is hard juggling stock and work but it gives you some security.

 

[ridger]

I can't see why you can't just build up numbers gradually whilst working full time off farm. Yes it is hard juggling stock and work but it gives you some security.

It gives you an interest in the evenings. You need a lot of stock to be at it full time

 

[ridger]

Need money coming in every week cos it's always going out. Iv got a fairly steady income now and it's a big help.

 

[S J H]

Why do need 50 acres to rear 10 calves?

The figures don't add up. If you work hard for 8 weeks you could earn £4000.

 

[ridger]

Iv quite a high stocking rate, have 28 calves on 6 acres,

 

[Getjackfarming]

So aside from begging? What other plan have you to raise capital?

(I am now trying to think of ways to help you!)

I view it as begging, just appealing to the farming community for help and advice if they support what I am trying to do, and if they don't, then I don't wish to be chastised for trying!

Haven't approached the bank as I have no means of repaying any borrowings until the first batch is turned around which isn't for another 12-14 months

 

[lady muck]

I know from a consultancy point of view banks take a positive view of new entrants who have been to college and earn off farm income. Quite a few of my ex students have went down this route and now have good secure businesses. In scotland new entrants will not get any SFP until next December so many have had 5 years of no subsidy (unless they could afford to buy entitlements) so working off farm is essential. As well as this there is no embarrassment for new entrants to winter other peoples stock or take on summer grazers until they have sufficient of their own animals.

 

[Getjackfarming]

It's not just for 10 animals it's for existing animals also

 

[Baling Hay]

I view it as begging, just appealing to the farming community for help and advice if they support what I am trying to do, and if they don't, then I don't wish to be chastised for trying!

Haven't approached the bank as I have no means of repaying any borrowings until the first batch is turned around which isn't for another 12-14 months

So you also view it as begging!

Why not speak to the bank and develop a business plan around it with potential repayment period?