Should i grow potatoes?

[Bossfarmer]

I have 1000 acres arable, 700 of which is capable of growing potatoes I currently rent the ground out to the only main grower in this area at £300 an acre, the grower only wants 90 acres a year but the farm could be growing more, neighbours keep telling me that id be far better buying some second hand tattie kit and growing them myself, what are the thoughts of the forum?

thanks

 

[Colin]

Do you have a cold store or one nearby, could you squeeze the tenant for more £? That might be the best solution long term.Is the ground fit for seed?

 

[Roger Perry]

If you are contemplating growing potatoes best do some serious homework, like most farming ventures today it will consume huge amounts of capital if it is to be done correctly.
Beyond the specialized potato growing equipment/irrigation/labor/ what about controlled enviroment storage to max your return.

Could you partner with your grower and increase the acreage........maybe not, on 700 acres it would be tight on rotation..?

Spuds are at best a flat to declining market

I have a pencil sharpener I am willing to lend you before you get started...!

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[Farmergrum]

ATM you get 27,000 for doing no work and with no risk.

 

[nasher]

I wouldn't bother if your getting rent.

 

[Bossfarmer]

Im told if you do it yourself with cheap kit £100/ tonne is break even take a 5 year average of £140/tonne for them and at 120 acres 25t makes 3000t, 40 x 3000 is 120k a year profit? Would these figures seem reasonable? I have no cold stores the current grower grows seed

 

[jamesy]

I'd take the £300/acre & be grateful!

 

[Farmergrum]

Who averages 25T/acre?

 

[Bossfarmer]

Who averages 25T/acre?

Is that not what ware would yield after dressing?

 

[ridger]

Im told if you do it yourself with cheap kit £100/ tonne is break even take a 5 year average of £140/tonne for them and at 120 acres 25t makes 3000t, 40 x 3000 is 120k a year profit? Would these figures seem reasonable? I have no cold stores the current grower grows seed

How many more times are you going to wonder to do with your countryside of land? If growing potatoes is so simple why have I no money? What if your potatoes don't make the grade and you are left with 8 tons to acre of stock feed at £10 a ton? Happened here only it was 5 ton to the acre I had, after a nights late frost in July almost wiped out a field.

 

[ridger]

If your getting £300 an acre for rent and can't live on that, get a job

 

[Bossfarmer]

How many more times are you going to wonder to do with your countryside of land? If growing potatoes is so simple why have I no money? What if your potatoes don't make the grade and you are left with 8 tons to acre of stock feed at £10 a ton? Happened here only it was 5 ton to the acre I had, after a nights late frost in July almost wiped out a field.

Got to keep thinking about different ways to do things, im no tattie expert thats why im asking you boys

 

[rose pilchett]

i would take the advice of all above re: risk

as an accountant i have seen previously successful potato growers expand a bit too quickly at a time that corresponds with a bad year price/ weather wise

the amount of working capital aka growing costs left out rotting in fields or sold as stock feed is never recovered and all of a sudden badly planned risk management can result in potential bankruptcy for whole farm and banks have been known to ban farmers from ever planting tatties again

 

[Wombat]

If you are getting more than the average wage off less than 10% of your area for doing nowt I would bank the cheque and enjoy it

 

[Bossfarmer]

i would take the advice of all above re: risk

as an accountant i have seen previously successful potato growers expand a bit too quickly at a time that corresponds with a bad year price/ weather wise

the amount of working capital aka growing costs left out rotting in fields or sold as stock feed is never recovered and all of a sudden badly planned risk management can result in potential bankruptcy for whole farm and banks have been known to ban farmers from ever planting tatties again

Surely as an accountant you will have also witnessed the big profit years when they can shift all their kit/build sheds etc? Sitting back and taking some rent money isnt going to grow my business very quick

 

[jamesy]

What else do you do that consistently turns £300/acre profit without you lifting a finger?

 

[Bossfarmer]

A 40 acre wood rented out for shooting, 10 acres worth of horse paddocks

 

[jamesy]

All things you don't lift a finger for

 

[jamesy]

All I'm meaning is that's a tidy sum with no risk or capital tied up. No stress or worry.

 

[Bossfarmer]

Yes but if i could make 3 times that a year off the ground id be happy to do the extra work