Off farm income

[Bill the Bass]

Heavy calves are more likely to malpresent

True, but a limousin above 45 kgs is pretty rare here.

 

[Sid]

Essential for youngsters to have some time away from "home" farm to work for others and gain experience. Does this count as off farm income?

Interesting points of view on off farm income. Especially when you become reliant upon it to support the "main business "
When it's lost is when major changes take place, a forced hand is rarely a good hand to be dealt.

 

[2tractors]

Interesting points of view on off farm income. Especially when you become reliant upon it to support the "main business "
When it's lost is when major changes take place, a forced hand is rarely a good hand to be dealt.

If the off farm income is supporting a loss making farming business then some hard conversations need to take place. As a tenant when I was working off farm, my wife and I agreed if the farm could not pay its way it would have to go, thankfully that conversation was not needed.
Clearly if its a owner occupied situation (perhaps multi generational) then the situation is more complicated, but it would need addressing.

On the other hand if the off farm income was supporting an expanding farm business that is improving its productivity and future prospects that's a perfectly valid use of the additional income.

 

[Ashtree]

Calving cameras have been an absolute shot in the arm for part time farmers. I have a fairly flexible job, and one eye on the camera, means I can shoot home if I see I’m needed on a calving. Contractor for all the harvesting. It can be done.

 

[kiwi pom]

Essential for youngsters to have some time away from "home" farm to work for others and gain experience. Does this count as off farm income?

Interesting points of view on off farm income. Especially when you become reliant upon it to support the "main business "
When it's lost is when major changes take place, a forced hand is rarely a good hand to be dealt.

Unless the next generation are working on the family farm and earning a wage they shouldn't be considered as part of the business and should go out and make their own way in the world. Anything they earn should be theirs, not the business, although if they stay living at home, they should be charged board, buy and run their own vehicle etc.

As for other work supporting the business, in some cases you may be better off working off farm and employing contractors for the bigger jobs but some people think they should do all the work themselves and buy kit that doesn't pay otherwise they aren't "proper farmers".
How much work are some doing to keep themselves busy rather than earn themselves money?

 

[toquark]

How much work are some doing to keep themselves busy rather than earn themselves money?

Exactly. I’ve often found that the “busiest” people are the least productive.