Starting out

[Suffolk Serf]

Norfolk/Suffolk border, so mostly arable around here, as well as pig farming.

You sound very similar to me about 30 years ago.
I got experience on an arable/pig farm. Disliked the pigs.
Went to Harper Adams. More good experience on the placement year.
Harvest job on a large light land estate led me into turning one of my daft ideas into reality- outdoor pigs.

There are numerous examples of people in Norfolk/Suffolk who have been able to set up in pigs from scratch, often on contract to a larger company.
Some have fallen by the wayside, many have done okay and one or two have built up huge operations.

 

[TripleSix]

Best way to get into farming - buy a farm.

Not realistic...


Or, attain a boyfriend/girlfriend that already has a farm.

You could screw your way into a fortune.

 

[nick...]

Id suggest you give it a go otherwise you will never know.you are young enough to change your mind too if it does not work out.good luck
Nick...

 

[Kevtherev]

I have looked on here but cant seem to find too much (probably haven't looked in the right place as usual).
How would you recommend a young person from a non - farming background, with a (very!) strong passion for farming, little support, a fair bit of experience with livestock and good work ethic should start out in farming?
I've got plenty of my own ideas ranging from the unimaginative to the ridiculous, so thought I would ask you guys and girls to try and bring some sanity back into the situation!

I am fully aware this thread will probably attract a lot of the usual comments saying invest your time/money elsewhere, its a waste of time, blah blah, which I don't mind IF YOU CAN BACK IT UP WITH FACTS, FIGURES AND EVEN EXPERIENCE!

I look forward to your responses

Go to your local Ag college and do work based learning

 

[ImLost]

Id suggest you give it a go otherwise you will never know.you are young enough to change your mind too if it does not work out.good luck
Nick...

Kind of my thinking and why i would like to give it a go now. If I screw up, then i am still young and the chances are ive still got a while to try my hand at something else.
I had a friend killed in a car accident this morning, in a very similar accident to one i had a couple of months back. The difference? 2 or 3 seconds sooner and I would be in the same position he is now. Kind of reminds you that life is too short to spend the entire time stuck in a rubbish job you dont enjoy, and if there is something you want to try and the time is right then why not just go for it? Its just how I got into it i guess i was worrying about!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Kind of my thinking and why i would like to give it a go now. If I screw up, then i am still young and the chances are ive still got a while to try my hand at something else.
I had a friend killed in a car accident this morning, in a very similar accident to one i had a couple of months back. The difference? 2 or 3 seconds sooner and I would be in the same position he is now. Kind of reminds you that life is too short to spend the entire time stuck in a rubbish job you dont enjoy, and if there is something you want to try and the time is right then why not just go for it? Its just how I got into it i guess i was worrying about!

Sorry to hear that! It is a shock to the system - One of my freinds at Ag college was knocked down and killed by a car over Christmas 1986 at 21 and it really makes you assess your own life.

Get in amongst farmers and develop some skills. Keep your eye open and be ready to try anything. Opportunities do arise and it's often the quickest to react that get the benefit.

Good luck.

 

[S J H]

Id suggest you give it a go otherwise you will never know.you are young enough to change your mind too if it does not work out.good luck
Nick...

+1 you'll never do it once you've got kids and a mortgage.

 

[nick...]

Kind of my thinking and why i would like to give it a go now. If I screw up, then i am still young and the chances are ive still got a while to try my hand at something else.
I had a friend killed in a car accident this morning, in a very similar accident to one i had a couple of months back. The difference? 2 or 3 seconds sooner and I would be in the same position he is now. Kind of reminds you that life is too short to spend the entire time stuck in a rubbish job you dont enjoy, and if there is something you want to try and the time is right then why not just go for it? Its just how I got into it i guess i was worrying about!

Im sorry for your loss
Nick...

 

[ImLost]

Im sorry for your loss
Nick...

Thanks! Lost too many in the last year or two.... start to wonder if its me next!!!!!!

 

[sheep&cows&stuff]

Here is my two pence - for all it may be worth.

What age are you?

I am 23. I have always loved farming from an early age, as my uncle/granddad farmed. Both parents were brought up on farms, but neither carried on. During my whole childhood I more or less lived with my granny on the farm. I spend morning to night outside during my holidays tidying up, looking at the cattle and basically doing what ever I was allowed.

I always wanted to become a vet - but had a dismal attendance at school. Natural intelligence carried me through my GCSE'S with A'S and A*s. Started off with my A-Levels thinking that I could do maths, chemistry, biology and technology (4 A-Levels) without any revising, Long story short, I was kicked out of school before I could finish my studies - so there went my dreams of becoming a vet.
Mean while my dads side of the family had a small 20 acre piece of land that was neglected for years and hadn't been fenced. As soon as I turned 18 I applied and got a hobby flock number. I was unable to attain a herd number as I could not afford a crush, shed or to fence the place properly. I have spent more hours erecting electric fence wire than I care to think about.

I should have mentioned that I got myself a job at the local livestock market when I was 13 twice a week at cattle and sheep sales. So once I got my hobby flock number I started buying and selling sheep. My main money maker was buying dry ewes, or springer's, lambing them and selling on with lambs at foot. I must add that I have a good eye on me for stock.

During the day I entered into an engineering apprenticeship with a global firm - this was a 4 year program. I worked my ass off (to be fair I was lucky that I was naturally brainy) and topped every class I was in. This coupled with my flair for engineering, I was soon doing work way past my age & pay grade.

I got myself 2 x relief night milking jobs, and started selling firewood from home. From I was 18 - 21 I milked nearly every night of the week. Never seen bed before 2am and was always up before 6am again. During the winter months I sold between 2000 & 3000 bags of firewood per year.

I remember I made a quick £1000 one Saturday morning buy buying 20 x springing ewes all carrying doubles for £100 each, and within 2 hours of advertising online had them sold for £150 each. I bough a beat up international 784 2wd tractor with the remains - I was so proud!

As I progressed within engineering, my studies turned to night classes and I attained my engineering degree by the age of 22. I can distinctly remember going in to do my final exams at 9am in the morning, having milked 200 cows starting at 10pm the night before.
Just before I qualified the opportunity arose to buy the 20 acres at home and the house that was on it. I had 100 ewes build up and some savings. I sold them all with lambs at foot and was able to raise enough money along with 2 personal loans to buy the place. (1 loan was for a 'car' and the other was 'to get married' haha)

I bought myself a set of Lister sheep clippers and started clipping ewes to all hours of the morning after milking and in my free time!

So at 22 I had bought 20 acres and a house with just 2 x personal loans to pay off. I reduced my night milking's to 3 nights per week, but took on another mans farm (milking when he was on holidays, odd morning and evenings etc).

For 2 weeks last July this was my day:

4am up - milk farmer A's 80 cows

8am - start day time job as engineer

6pm - milk farmer A's 80 cows again

10pm - Milk farmer B's 200 cows

2am - bed

Roll on the next years profits from selling the ewes and lambs, I exchanged the old international for a new 4wd duetz 2002 model. One of the proudest days I have had to date was the day I bought her my pride and joy!

A promotion recently arose in the corporation for which I work, and at 23 years of age now earn more than some of the people here nearly twice my age.(Note - by no means do I earn a fortune) I have attained my full herd number, build two sheds (no tanks yet), full crush, sheep wired 60% of the place, bought my tractor, and have secured another 35 acres on conacre for the foreseeable future. I now have built up to 13 cows, and sheep numbers fluctuate. At present I have 87 ready to lamb March 17th. I sold 25 xmas lambers as springers.

Sorry for the essay, but I have posted on here before asking for how people got started and could never get many good replies. By no means am I a big farmer - but look what I have achieved to date! I had absolutely nothing to begin with, not even a hammer!

My goal is to buy another farm within the next 5 years with approx. 30 acres. I believe I can work full time and still keep 20 cows, and 100 ewes. I would like to have home set up well enough to retire and farm full time by the age of 45!

Ps. I still work at the livestock market, 10 years on and before anyone questions - yes I have a girlfriend - 5 years now I have also never got any financial support from family or friends - I wouldn't even ask!

Hope this motivates you!!!!!!!!

 

[BELOWAVERAGE]

Here is my two pence - for all it may be worth.

What age are you?

I am 23. I have always loved farming from an early age, as my uncle/granddad farmed. Both parents were brought up on farms, but neither carried on. During my whole childhood I more or less lived with my granny on the farm. I spend morning to night outside during my holidays tidying up, looking at the cattle and basically doing what ever I was allowed.

I always wanted to become a vet - but had a dismal attendance at school. Natural intelligence carried me through my GCSE'S with A'S and A*s. Started off with my A-Levels thinking that I could do maths, chemistry, biology and technology (4 A-Levels) without any revising, Long story short, I was kicked out of school before I could finish my studies - so there went my dreams of becoming a vet.
Mean while my dads side of the family had a small 20 acre piece of land that was neglected for years and hadn't been fenced. As soon as I turned 18 I applied and got a hobby flock number. I was unable to attain a herd number as I could not afford a crush, shed or to fence the place properly. I have spent more hours erecting electric fence wire than I care to think about.

I should have mentioned that I got myself a job at the local livestock market when I was 13 twice a week at cattle and sheep sales. So once I got my hobby flock number I started buying and selling sheep. My main money maker was buying dry ewes, or springer's, lambing them and selling on with lambs at foot. I must add that I have a good eye on me for stock.

During the day I entered into an engineering apprenticeship with a global firm - this was a 4 year program. I worked my ass off (to be fair I was lucky that I was naturally brainy) and topped every class I was in. This coupled with my flair for engineering, I was soon doing work way past my age & pay grade.

I got myself 2 x relief night milking jobs, and started selling firewood from home. From I was 18 - 21 I milked nearly every night of the week. Never seen bed before 2am and was always up before 6am again. During the winter months I sold between 2000 & 3000 bags of firewood per year.

I remember I made a quick £1000 one Saturday morning buy buying 20 x springing ewes all carrying doubles for £100 each, and within 2 hours of advertising online had them sold for £150 each. I bough a beat up international 784 2wd tractor with the remains - I was so proud!

As I progressed within engineering, my studies turned to night classes and I attained my engineering degree by the age of 22. I can distinctly remember going in to do my final exams at 9am in the morning, having milked 200 cows starting at 10pm the night before.
Just before I qualified the opportunity arose to buy the 20 acres at home and the house that was on it. I had 100 ewes build up and some savings. I sold them all with lambs at foot and was able to raise enough money along with 2 personal loans to buy the place. (1 loan was for a 'car' and the other was 'to get married' haha)

I bought myself a set of Lister sheep clippers and started clipping ewes to all hours of the morning after milking and in my free time!

So at 22 I had bought 20 acres and a house with just 2 x personal loans to pay off. I reduced my night milking's to 3 nights per week, but took on another mans farm (milking when he was on holidays, odd morning and evenings etc).

For 2 weeks last July this was my day:

4am up - milk farmer A's 80 cows

8am - start day time job as engineer

6pm - milk farmer A's 80 cows again

10pm - Milk farmer B's 200 cows

2am - bed

Roll on the next years profits from selling the ewes and lambs, I exchanged the old international for a new 4wd duetz 2002 model. One of the proudest days I have had to date was the day I bought her my pride and joy!

A promotion recently arose in the corporation for which I work, and at 23 years of age now earn more than some of the people here nearly twice my age.(Note - by no means do I earn a fortune) I have attained my full herd number, build two sheds (no tanks yet), full crush, sheep wired 60% of the place, bought my tractor, and have secured another 35 acres on conacre for the foreseeable future. I now have built up to 13 cows, and sheep numbers fluctuate. At present I have 87 ready to lamb March 17th. I sold 25 xmas lambers as springers.

Sorry for the essay, but I have posted on here before asking for how people got started and could never get many good replies. By no means am I a big farmer - but look what I have achieved to date! I had absolutely nothing to begin with, not even a hammer!

My goal is to buy another farm within the next 5 years with approx. 30 acres. I believe I can work full time and still keep 20 cows, and 100 ewes. I would like to have home set up well enough to retire and farm full time by the age of 45!

Ps. I still work at the livestock market, 10 years on and before anyone questions - yes I have a girlfriend - 5 years now I have also never got any financial support from family or friends - I wouldn't even ask!

Hope this motivates you!!!!!!!!

Well done

 

[unlacedgecko]

Here is my two pence - for all it may be worth.

What age are you?

I am 23. I have always loved farming from an early age, as my uncle/granddad farmed. Both parents were brought up on farms, but neither carried on. During my whole childhood I more or less lived with my granny on the farm. I spend morning to night outside during my holidays tidying up, looking at the cattle and basically doing what ever I was allowed.

I always wanted to become a vet - but had a dismal attendance at school. Natural intelligence carried me through my GCSE'S with A'S and A*s. Started off with my A-Levels thinking that I could do maths, chemistry, biology and technology (4 A-Levels) without any revising, Long story short, I was kicked out of school before I could finish my studies - so there went my dreams of becoming a vet.
Mean while my dads side of the family had a small 20 acre piece of land that was neglected for years and hadn't been fenced. As soon as I turned 18 I applied and got a hobby flock number. I was unable to attain a herd number as I could not afford a crush, shed or to fence the place properly. I have spent more hours erecting electric fence wire than I care to think about.

I should have mentioned that I got myself a job at the local livestock market when I was 13 twice a week at cattle and sheep sales. So once I got my hobby flock number I started buying and selling sheep. My main money maker was buying dry ewes, or springer's, lambing them and selling on with lambs at foot. I must add that I have a good eye on me for stock.

During the day I entered into an engineering apprenticeship with a global firm - this was a 4 year program. I worked my ass off (to be fair I was lucky that I was naturally brainy) and topped every class I was in. This coupled with my flair for engineering, I was soon doing work way past my age & pay grade.

I got myself 2 x relief night milking jobs, and started selling firewood from home. From I was 18 - 21 I milked nearly every night of the week. Never seen bed before 2am and was always up before 6am again. During the winter months I sold between 2000 & 3000 bags of firewood per year.

I remember I made a quick £1000 one Saturday morning buy buying 20 x springing ewes all carrying doubles for £100 each, and within 2 hours of advertising online had them sold for £150 each. I bough a beat up international 784 2wd tractor with the remains - I was so proud!

As I progressed within engineering, my studies turned to night classes and I attained my engineering degree by the age of 22. I can distinctly remember going in to do my final exams at 9am in the morning, having milked 200 cows starting at 10pm the night before.
Just before I qualified the opportunity arose to buy the 20 acres at home and the house that was on it. I had 100 ewes build up and some savings. I sold them all with lambs at foot and was able to raise enough money along with 2 personal loans to buy the place. (1 loan was for a 'car' and the other was 'to get married' haha)

I bought myself a set of Lister sheep clippers and started clipping ewes to all hours of the morning after milking and in my free time!

So at 22 I had bought 20 acres and a house with just 2 x personal loans to pay off. I reduced my night milking's to 3 nights per week, but took on another mans farm (milking when he was on holidays, odd morning and evenings etc).

For 2 weeks last July this was my day:

4am up - milk farmer A's 80 cows

8am - start day time job as engineer

6pm - milk farmer A's 80 cows again

10pm - Milk farmer B's 200 cows

2am - bed

Roll on the next years profits from selling the ewes and lambs, I exchanged the old international for a new 4wd duetz 2002 model. One of the proudest days I have had to date was the day I bought her my pride and joy!

A promotion recently arose in the corporation for which I work, and at 23 years of age now earn more than some of the people here nearly twice my age.(Note - by no means do I earn a fortune) I have attained my full herd number, build two sheds (no tanks yet), full crush, sheep wired 60% of the place, bought my tractor, and have secured another 35 acres on conacre for the foreseeable future. I now have built up to 13 cows, and sheep numbers fluctuate. At present I have 87 ready to lamb March 17th. I sold 25 xmas lambers as springers.

Sorry for the essay, but I have posted on here before asking for how people got started and could never get many good replies. By no means am I a big farmer - but look what I have achieved to date! I had absolutely nothing to begin with, not even a hammer!

My goal is to buy another farm within the next 5 years with approx. 30 acres. I believe I can work full time and still keep 20 cows, and 100 ewes. I would like to have home set up well enough to retire and farm full time by the age of 45!

Ps. I still work at the livestock market, 10 years on and before anyone questions - yes I have a girlfriend - 5 years now I have also never got any financial support from family or friends - I wouldn't even ask!

Hope this motivates you!!!!!!!!

Bloody well done!

I don't know about the OP, but by fuk it's motivated me!

Confirmation, if any were needed, that I need to secure some year round grazing and use it as a base from which to trade stock.

 

[unlacedgecko]

+1 you'll never do it once you've got kids and a mortgage.

Not to necessarily.

Among our family and friends the standing joke is that my wife met a soldier, fell in love with a lorry driver, had a child with a manager and is now married to a sheep farmer. They just all happen to be the same person.

 

[ImLost]

@sheep&cows&stuff , i have just read your post.... impressed? motivated by it? does it help? yes, yes and definitely yes. I may drop you a message later if thats ok asking for one or two specific details if thats ok with you?

 

[Man_in_black]

I have looked on here but cant seem to find too much (probably haven't looked in the right place as usual).
How would you recommend a young person from a non - farming background, with a (very!) strong passion for farming, little support, a fair bit of experience with livestock and good work ethic should start out in farming?
I've got plenty of my own ideas ranging from the unimaginative to the ridiculous, so thought I would ask you guys and girls to try and bring some sanity back into the situation!

I am fully aware this thread will probably attract a lot of the usual comments saying invest your time/money elsewhere, its a waste of time, blah blah, which I don't mind IF YOU CAN BACK IT UP WITH FACTS, FIGURES AND EVEN EXPERIENCE!

I look forward to your responses

I was exactly the same. Non farming background but all I've ever want to do. Grew up helping on sheep farms. I've worked on 2 sheep places & managed a pig unit. Then life shook me into saying if you wanna do something then do it.

Choose what you want to do, one thing. Don't try copy the big boys. Be in it for the long term & plan ahead but don't rush ahead. You'll make mistakes but write things down in a diary when they go wrong (5 year diaries are best) then ensure same mistake doesn't happen again. Be sensible & suspicious!! Good luck.

 

[Man_in_black]

Here is my two pence - for all it may be worth.

What age are you?

I am 23. I have always loved farming from an early age, as my uncle/granddad farmed. Both parents were brought up on farms, but neither carried on. During my whole childhood I more or less lived with my granny on the farm. I spend morning to night outside during my holidays tidying up, looking at the cattle and basically doing what ever I was allowed.

I always wanted to become a vet - but had a dismal attendance at school. Natural intelligence carried me through my GCSE'S with A'S and A*s. Started off with my A-Levels thinking that I could do maths, chemistry, biology and technology (4 A-Levels) without any revising, Long story short, I was kicked out of school before I could finish my studies - so there went my dreams of becoming a vet.
Mean while my dads side of the family had a small 20 acre piece of land that was neglected for years and hadn't been fenced. As soon as I turned 18 I applied and got a hobby flock number. I was unable to attain a herd number as I could not afford a crush, shed or to fence the place properly. I have spent more hours erecting electric fence wire than I care to think about.

I should have mentioned that I got myself a job at the local livestock market when I was 13 twice a week at cattle and sheep sales. So once I got my hobby flock number I started buying and selling sheep. My main money maker was buying dry ewes, or springer's, lambing them and selling on with lambs at foot. I must add that I have a good eye on me for stock.

During the day I entered into an engineering apprenticeship with a global firm - this was a 4 year program. I worked my ass off (to be fair I was lucky that I was naturally brainy) and topped every class I was in. This coupled with my flair for engineering, I was soon doing work way past my age & pay grade.

I got myself 2 x relief night milking jobs, and started selling firewood from home. From I was 18 - 21 I milked nearly every night of the week. Never seen bed before 2am and was always up before 6am again. During the winter months I sold between 2000 & 3000 bags of firewood per year.

I remember I made a quick £1000 one Saturday morning buy buying 20 x springing ewes all carrying doubles for £100 each, and within 2 hours of advertising online had them sold for £150 each. I bough a beat up international 784 2wd tractor with the remains - I was so proud!

As I progressed within engineering, my studies turned to night classes and I attained my engineering degree by the age of 22. I can distinctly remember going in to do my final exams at 9am in the morning, having milked 200 cows starting at 10pm the night before.
Just before I qualified the opportunity arose to buy the 20 acres at home and the house that was on it. I had 100 ewes build up and some savings. I sold them all with lambs at foot and was able to raise enough money along with 2 personal loans to buy the place. (1 loan was for a 'car' and the other was 'to get married' haha)

I bought myself a set of Lister sheep clippers and started clipping ewes to all hours of the morning after milking and in my free time!

So at 22 I had bought 20 acres and a house with just 2 x personal loans to pay off. I reduced my night milking's to 3 nights per week, but took on another mans farm (milking when he was on holidays, odd morning and evenings etc).

For 2 weeks last July this was my day:

4am up - milk farmer A's 80 cows

8am - start day time job as engineer

6pm - milk farmer A's 80 cows again

10pm - Milk farmer B's 200 cows

2am - bed

Roll on the next years profits from selling the ewes and lambs, I exchanged the old international for a new 4wd duetz 2002 model. One of the proudest days I have had to date was the day I bought her my pride and joy!

A promotion recently arose in the corporation for which I work, and at 23 years of age now earn more than some of the people here nearly twice my age.(Note - by no means do I earn a fortune) I have attained my full herd number, build two sheds (no tanks yet), full crush, sheep wired 60% of the place, bought my tractor, and have secured another 35 acres on conacre for the foreseeable future. I now have built up to 13 cows, and sheep numbers fluctuate. At present I have 87 ready to lamb March 17th. I sold 25 xmas lambers as springers.

Sorry for the essay, but I have posted on here before asking for how people got started and could never get many good replies. By no means am I a big farmer - but look what I have achieved to date! I had absolutely nothing to begin with, not even a hammer!

My goal is to buy another farm within the next 5 years with approx. 30 acres. I believe I can work full time and still keep 20 cows, and 100 ewes. I would like to have home set up well enough to retire and farm full time by the age of 45!

Ps. I still work at the livestock market, 10 years on and before anyone questions - yes I have a girlfriend - 5 years now I have also never got any financial support from family or friends - I wouldn't even ask!

Hope this motivates you!!!!!!!!

Respect. You should be a youth ambassador.

 

[sheep&cows&stuff]

@sheep&cows&stuff , i have just read your post.... impressed? motivated by it? does it help? yes, yes and definitely yes. I may drop you a message later if thats ok asking for one or two specific details if thats ok with you?

Yes ask away!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Not to necessarily.

Among our family and friends the standing joke is that my wife met a soldier, fell in love with a lorry driver, had a child with a manager and is now married to a sheep farmer. They just all happen to be the same person.

made me smile

 

[Greenbeast]

Here is my two pence - for all it may be worth.

What age are you?

I am 23. I have always loved farming from an early age, as my uncle/granddad farmed. Both parents were brought up on farms, but neither carried on. During my whole childhood I more or less lived with my granny on the farm. I spend morning to night outside during my holidays tidying up, looking at the cattle and basically doing what ever I was allowed.

I always wanted to become a vet - but had a dismal attendance at school. Natural intelligence carried me through my GCSE'S with A'S and A*s. Started off with my A-Levels thinking that I could do maths, chemistry, biology and technology (4 A-Levels) without any revising, Long story short, I was kicked out of school before I could finish my studies - so there went my dreams of becoming a vet.
Mean while my dads side of the family had a small 20 acre piece of land that was neglected for years and hadn't been fenced. As soon as I turned 18 I applied and got a hobby flock number. I was unable to attain a herd number as I could not afford a crush, shed or to fence the place properly. I have spent more hours erecting electric fence wire than I care to think about.

I should have mentioned that I got myself a job at the local livestock market when I was 13 twice a week at cattle and sheep sales. So once I got my hobby flock number I started buying and selling sheep. My main money maker was buying dry ewes, or springer's, lambing them and selling on with lambs at foot. I must add that I have a good eye on me for stock.

During the day I entered into an engineering apprenticeship with a global firm - this was a 4 year program. I worked my ass off (to be fair I was lucky that I was naturally brainy) and topped every class I was in. This coupled with my flair for engineering, I was soon doing work way past my age & pay grade.

I got myself 2 x relief night milking jobs, and started selling firewood from home. From I was 18 - 21 I milked nearly every night of the week. Never seen bed before 2am and was always up before 6am again. During the winter months I sold between 2000 & 3000 bags of firewood per year.

I remember I made a quick £1000 one Saturday morning buy buying 20 x springing ewes all carrying doubles for £100 each, and within 2 hours of advertising online had them sold for £150 each. I bough a beat up international 784 2wd tractor with the remains - I was so proud!

As I progressed within engineering, my studies turned to night classes and I attained my engineering degree by the age of 22. I can distinctly remember going in to do my final exams at 9am in the morning, having milked 200 cows starting at 10pm the night before.
Just before I qualified the opportunity arose to buy the 20 acres at home and the house that was on it. I had 100 ewes build up and some savings. I sold them all with lambs at foot and was able to raise enough money along with 2 personal loans to buy the place. (1 loan was for a 'car' and the other was 'to get married' haha)

I bought myself a set of Lister sheep clippers and started clipping ewes to all hours of the morning after milking and in my free time!

So at 22 I had bought 20 acres and a house with just 2 x personal loans to pay off. I reduced my night milking's to 3 nights per week, but took on another mans farm (milking when he was on holidays, odd morning and evenings etc).

For 2 weeks last July this was my day:

4am up - milk farmer A's 80 cows

8am - start day time job as engineer

6pm - milk farmer A's 80 cows again

10pm - Milk farmer B's 200 cows

2am - bed

Roll on the next years profits from selling the ewes and lambs, I exchanged the old international for a new 4wd duetz 2002 model. One of the proudest days I have had to date was the day I bought her my pride and joy!

A promotion recently arose in the corporation for which I work, and at 23 years of age now earn more than some of the people here nearly twice my age.(Note - by no means do I earn a fortune) I have attained my full herd number, build two sheds (no tanks yet), full crush, sheep wired 60% of the place, bought my tractor, and have secured another 35 acres on conacre for the foreseeable future. I now have built up to 13 cows, and sheep numbers fluctuate. At present I have 87 ready to lamb March 17th. I sold 25 xmas lambers as springers.

Sorry for the essay, but I have posted on here before asking for how people got started and could never get many good replies. By no means am I a big farmer - but look what I have achieved to date! I had absolutely nothing to begin with, not even a hammer!

My goal is to buy another farm within the next 5 years with approx. 30 acres. I believe I can work full time and still keep 20 cows, and 100 ewes. I would like to have home set up well enough to retire and farm full time by the age of 45!

Ps. I still work at the livestock market, 10 years on and before anyone questions - yes I have a girlfriend - 5 years now I have also never got any financial support from family or friends - I wouldn't even ask!

Hope this motivates you!!!!!!!!

That is frankly incredible and all respect to you. Not many could do that

 

[Suffolk Serf]

Respect. You should be a youth ambassador.

I don't think that he has the time.
What an awesome story and incredible work ethic.