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Interesting how many farmers are essentially vessels of altruism without realising how much they are flogging themselves.
"Gotta feed the world"
"We've always done it this way"
"Subs make food cheap for the consumer"
Interesting how many farmers are essentially vessels of altruism without realising how much they are flogging themselves.
“Proudly feeding the nation”"Gotta feed the world"
"We've always done it this way"
"Subs make food cheap for the consumer"
Like a friend of ours, he talks so much about what should be done, that nothing is ever done, only talkIf he can crop every inch of his place, why in the fudge isn't he doing so already?
If he can crop every inch of his place, why in the fudge isn't he doing so already?
Why use fertiliser?Why? IME, most years, small scale arable is a million miles behind a half decently run sheep flock in terms of return on capital invested, or profit per acre.
I only have cropping here to allow me to grow fodder crops for wintering sheep within the rotation. If fert costs stay where they are, I’d be more likely to grass down the arable land and increase sheep numbers, rather than increase the risk tied up in arable cropping.
Why use fertiliser?
Two ton /ac is likely with a good rotation, at £300 its a winner
The boss claims to have several thousand croppable acres.Why? IME, most years, small scale arable is a million miles behind a half decently run sheep flock in terms of return on capital invested, or profit per acre.
I only have cropping here to allow me to grow fodder crops for wintering sheep within the rotation. If fert costs stay where they are, I’d be more likely to grass down the arable land and increase sheep numbers, rather than increase the risk tied up in arable cropping.
But you have the nutrients, and you already grow cereals, so whats the problem?With no fert/‘a good rotation’ you will only achieve 2t/ac by farming nutrients put in by the other enterprises.
At 2t/ac I’d sooner have that land in a rotation producing lamb at current prices off minimal inputs, reducing risk for when cereals grown on those high inputs only sell for £150/t again.
I guess it depends on whether you already have the capital tied up in arable machinery, but it certainly wouldn’t be worth getting into it now from scratch on a small scale, imo.
Dog and a stick Vs sheds, tractors, trailers, combines, twice yearly skiing holiday?But you have the nutrients, and you already grow cereals, so whats the problem?
Did he ever build his silage pit or go into milk , one other time he had heard that potatoes were the way forwardThe boss claims to have several thousand croppable acres.
@Bossfarmer just sees a figure of free money and starts frothing. He would do it even if it meant he earnt less money.Why? IME, most years, small scale arable is a million miles behind a half decently run sheep flock in terms of return on capital invested, or profit per acre.
I only have cropping here to allow me to grow fodder crops for wintering sheep within the rotation. If fert costs stay where they are, I’d be more likely to grass down the arable land and increase sheep numbers, rather than increase the risk tied up in arable cropping.
What about when lambs are 90 quid again ?At 2t/ac I’d sooner have that land in a rotation producing lamb at current prices off minimal inputs, reducing risk for when cereals grown on those high inputs only sell for £150/t again
Rotation? Half grass half cereal and rotate, isnt that the way were supposed to do it?If he can crop every inch of his place, why in the fudge isn't he doing so already?
Your missing the point again, which is....our competitors are being supported to higer levels than ever, its not the level playing field you make out on these world markets@Bossfarmer just sees a figure of free money and starts frothing. He would do it even if it meant he earnt less money.
remind me to plough up my grass margins to grow wheat for ethanol, barley for the dog food factory down the road, rape for bio fuel and beans for the Egyptians!
Not had to yet still getting bps sticking with mixed beef and grain system for now, seems the sensible approachDid he ever build his silage pit or go into milk , one other time he had heard that potatoes were the way forward
There never has and never will be a level playing field in world markets, its every man for himselfYour missing the point again, which is....our competitors are being supported to higer levels than ever, its not the level playing field you make out on these world markets
@Bossfarmer just sees a figure of free money and starts frothing. He would do it even if it meant he earnt less money.
remind me to plough up my grass margins to grow wheat for ethanol, barley for the dog food factory down the road, rape for bio fuel and beans for the Egyptians!
Dog and a stick Vs sheds, tractors, trailers, combines, twice yearly skiing holiday?
Cereals deplete soil nutrients, whereas lambs shyte them back out?
How can you do a level playing field?Your missing the point again, which is....our competitors are being supported to higer levels than ever, its not the level playing field you make out on these world markets