Renting land for sheep

[XandersMama]

Hello,

Apologies if this is an inane question. Don't want to sound like a hopeless townie!

We are going to be purchasing a property in West Wales with 15 acres of pasture. We'd like to rent it to farmers grazing sheep (mainly because it's very picturesque). I believe this was done in the past but not recently.

From reading this forum, I can see that a particular type of grass should be planted. Is there anything else that I need to be aware of to make the land marketable? A river runs through the land and it is fenced. The house is on another acre but there's a ha ha separating the pasture from the house. Do we need to get a water supply separate to the river? What questions should we ask the vendors (other than the type of grass)?

What do farmers look for? If we rent it, would we be able to walk through (to access the river), or is it typical that only the farmer has access? We've got a 3 year old (who loves watching sheep). Is anything particularly dangerous about the conditions or infections that sheep can bring/transmit?

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

 

[egbert]

The first thing any farmer will be looking at is whether it is fenced.
After that, the type of grass is less important than whether it actually is grass.
Brambles are an issue on neglected sites, as the sheep can get tangled...which if unattended, can become fatal.
Grazing sheep are famous for keeping pastureland in good order..by eating off the trash.

To be safe and sensible, you ought to let it through a reputable local land agent, for the first year at least - (the firm running the local livestock market would be a good start maybe)
Don't waste your time with a posh national player...they'll talk big, and scare off the local farmers.

If you do the deal yourself, be careful.
Not every single last farmer in Britain is a lovable scrupulously straight son of the soil, determined to ensure his new neighbours get the very best value from him.

Ideally you'll want an on-going annual arrangement with a long standing local farmer, built on mutual respect.
Ask around before committing.
Don't expect to get rich off the rent - your farmer won't be.

You should be free to access the land providing your use doesn't impinge on your farmers use.
Some sheep illnesses can be dangerous to pregnant women.

PM me if you need further advice - I'm a long way away, hence not interested myself.

A whole crew will probably be along any minute to occupy their Friday evening...........

some will pick up on your nom-de-forum, and be suspicious its a wind-up, others will spot the term Ha-ha, and be equally dubious

 

[XandersMama]

Thanks so much for the advice. Much appreciated, as we have no idea where to start. We'll look for a local land agent and take it from there

We don't want to get wealthy from it, but would love animals to be near (without the responsibility of caring for them).

Definitely not a wind up. 'Ha Ha' is in the sale listing – I thought it was an accepted and well-used term. I clearly have a lot to learn!

Thanks for your time.

 

[XandersMama]

..and a user name that works in a mother's forum clearly doesn't in a farming one.

 

[egbert]

..and a user name that works in a mother's forum clearly doesn't in a farming one.

oh it does, although it mightn't work in the same way.....

 

[Highland Mule]

Excellent advice from @egbert. I too am a long way away, so am not interested.

As a guide, grazing land value would vary from nothing to £500 for that kind of area. Per year. As you may guess, the right tenant is more important than the financial reward. If the animals are to your liking, that’s a bonus. I tend to keep a group of very friendly sheep and cattle for such situations - the landlord loves it when they come for a head scratch and an apple from their trees.

 

[egbert]

Excellent advice from @egbert. I too am a long way away, so am not interested.

As a guide, grazing land value would vary from nothing to £500 for that kind of area. Per year. As you may guess, the right tenant is more important than the financial reward. If the animals are to your liking, that’s a bonus. I tend to keep a group of very friendly sheep and cattle for such situations - the landlord loves it when they come for a head scratch and an apple from their trees.

I've oft thought there's a living for a smart young fella 'renting out' breeding groups of a range of hairy native breed cattle.
I can see the glossy brochure now.....

Indeed, for a modest fee, I could provide an unrelated trio of Belted, White or Riggit Galloways, all named and tame to scratch.
But no-one, really no-one at all, would want to pay me to place a trailer load of hill yows on their estate-ette.

 

[XandersMama]

guide, grazing land value would vary from nothing to £500 for that kind of area. Per year. As you may guess, the right tenant is more important than the financial reward. If the animals are to your liking, that’s a bonus. I tend to keep a group of very friendly sheep and cattle for such situations - the landlord loves it when they come for a head scratch and an apple from their trees.

Lucky landlord - that is what we hope for. We may be very idealistic, though! Do sheep and cattle stay in the field all year and in all weather? Do we need to provide a shelter? Again, apologies if this is an obvious or silly question. Thanks.

 

[egbert]

Lucky landlord - that is what we hope for. We may be very idealistic, though! Do sheep and cattle stay in the field all year and in all weather? Do we need to provide a shelter? Again, apologies if this is an obvious or silly question. Thanks.

Most sheep breeds can live out year round, while cattle living out through the winter might be hard on the ground more than the beasts.
I don't think you'll want to get into providing housing..... way too complicated

 

[XandersMama]

Most sheep breeds can live out year round, while cattle living out through the winter might be hard on the ground more than the beasts.
I don't think you'll want to get into providing housing..... way too complicated

Great, thanks. We'll keep it to sheep.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Where about in wales? It’s a Beautiful country in many ways.

expect to earn nothing from it then you will be pleased if you get an income!

water and fencing is all that’s needed, good luck

 

[Highland Mule]

Great, thanks. We'll keep it to sheep.

Keep it to sheep between April and November. And a big dopey breed that will not run away too fast from Jnr.

 

[XandersMama]

Where about in wales? It’s a Beautiful country in many ways.

expect to earn nothing from it then you will be pleased if you get an income!

water and fencing is all that’s needed, good luck

Pembrokeshire. It's stunning. We're excited and hoping the sale will proceed (we haven't exchanged yet). It seems properly fenced but we'll get it assessed.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Pembrokeshire. It's stunning. We're excited and hoping the sale will proceed (we haven't exchanged yet). It seems properly fenced but we'll get it assessed.

if you have kids be sure to check out folly farm!

 

[XandersMama]

folly farm

Thanks for the recommendation. Looks fab! We'll add to our list.

 

[primmiemoo]

I'm a long distance away, too, sorry.

When we bought grass keep, we liked to have signed the agreement via the agent, so we all knew where we were. With one owner, we extended our annual agreement privately for years afterwards and became friends.

With their fences, we agreed to repair what might be required using materials provided by the owner (nothing that would win prizes in a fencing competition, but fit for purpose), and/or make temporary fences with our electrified netting. This altered the price slightly.

If your 3yo loves watching, why not have a handling pen in a corner so that your grazier can tend the sheep, and the apprentice shepherd has a safe place to observe from with you.

Hope it all goes well for you.

 

[2wheels]

as someone has already said make sure it is just a seasonal rent not the whole year or you will end up with someone claiming tenant;s rights and if they were unscrupulous would be expecting to buy it for a reduced price if you ever sell it. in short get professional advice.

 

[XandersMama]

I'm a long distance away, too, sorry.

When we bought grass keep, we liked to have signed the agreement via the agent, so we all knew where we were. With one owner, we extended our annual agreement privately for years afterwards and became friends.

With their fences, we agreed to repair what might be required using materials provided by the owner (nothing that would win prizes in a fencing competition, but fit for purpose), and/or make temporary fences with our electrified netting. This altered the price slightly.

If your 3yo loves watching, why not have a handling pen in a corner so that your grazier can tend the sheep, and the apprentice shepherd has a safe place to observe from with you.

Hope it all goes well for you.

Handling pen, lovely idea. Thanks

 

[XandersMama]

as someone has already said make sure it is just a seasonal rent not the whole year or you will end up with someone claiming tenant;s rights and if they were unscrupulous would be expecting to buy it for a reduced price if you ever sell it. in short get professional advice.

Wow, thanks for the heads up.

 

[curlietailz]

Hello,

Apologies if this is an inane question. Don't want to sound like a hopeless townie!

We are going to be purchasing a property in West Wales with 15 acres of pasture. We'd like to rent it to farmers grazing sheep (mainly because it's very picturesque). I believe this was done in the past but not recently.

From reading this forum, I can see that a particular type of grass should be planted. Is there anything else that I need to be aware of to make the land marketable? A river runs through the land and it is fenced. The house is on another acre but there's a ha ha separating the pasture from the house. Do we need to get a water supply separate to the river? What questions should we ask the vendors (other than the type of grass)?

What do farmers look for? If we rent it, would we be able to walk through (to access the river), or is it typical that only the farmer has access? We've got a 3 year old (who loves watching sheep). Is anything particularly dangerous about the conditions or infections that sheep can bring/transmit?

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

Why don’t you go and introduce yourself to your farmer neighbours
You must have a couple

make sure you know who owns the hedges between you and who is responsible for cutting them

be interested in what they do and ask questions about their stock

many farmers dislike aloof townie neighbours..... so if you turn up and show them that your eager to integrate it will help

just my opinion