The cost of keeping sheep.

[unlacedgecko]

Isn't that when you buy a combi clamp

One of the reasons why I invested in one early. I aim to have all necessary equipment in place before I buy a sheep. I have to put an opportunity cost on my time so I couldn't be doing with making pens out of pallets tied together with string.

If more farmers accurately costed their time I think many farm businesses would change dramatically.

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

One of the reasons why I invested in one early. I aim to have all necessary equipment in place before I buy a sheep. I have to put an opportunity cost on my time so I couldn't be doing with making pens out of pallets tied together with string.

If more farmers accurately costed their time I think many farm businesses would change dramatically.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

At what age will i be classed as past my prime?

In my case it was 50
But i cant explain why I was happy to look after 600 cattle on my own but looking after 2000 ewes I viewed as an unthinkable horror

 

[hally]

Isn't that when you buy a combi clamp

My day with the combi clamp demo was one of the hardest sheep days I've had for a while, the guy who had the demo before us a few miles away said the same, so for various reasons they are not everything to all men. Personally think ewe breed has a good influence on how sheep run into one.

 

[Henarar]

One of the reasons why I invested in one early. I aim to have all necessary equipment in place before I buy a sheep. I have to put an opportunity cost on my time so I couldn't be doing with making pens out of pallets tied together with string.

If more farmers accurately costed their time I think many farm businesses would change dramatically.

if you haven't got the money you can't buy the equipment

 

[spin cycle]

i've looked at combi clamps before thinking 'wow i must aspire to one of those'....but then i thought you only handle ewes a couple of times/yr treatment wise surely... hept and if you use injectable wormer it's easy just to crowd them up with hurdles .....otherwise run them through a race for fly or drafting

 

[Henarar]

Nart wrong with tying stuff together to get the job done very often that's when you make the money when you have been suckered in to buying all the gear you so called need and then changing it every year or so for the latest stuff just so you can keep a few more animals then you find you are worse off cos the money is all lost on equipment

 

[It was already broken.]

You only need to walk round the NSA event to see some of this kit is there to catch farmers and not sheep.

 

[unlacedgecko]

My day with the combi clamp demo was one of the hardest sheep days I've had for a while, the guy who had the demo before us a few miles away said the same, so for various reasons they are not everything to all men. Personally think ewe breed has a good influence on how sheep run into one.

I've had everything from Glamorgan Welsh to Lleyn to Aberdale through mine. Put a strong dog behind them and I'd never had a problem with them running.

 

[unlacedgecko]

if you haven't got the money you can't buy the equipment

Contracting jobs generate cash to equip the business before investing in my own stock.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

What equipment would help with lambing out doors apart from a quad and a good dog and dosing 5000 sheep on your own is a lot if work what ever system u used

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

What equipment would help with lambing out doors apart from a quad and a good dog and dosing 5000 sheep on your own is a lot if work what ever system u used

2 good dogs

 

[CopperBeech]

The old saying, buy flesh not metal, has a lot of sense in it!

 

[Tim W]

The old saying, buy flesh not metal, has a lot of sense in it!

Exactly my thoughts ---it's great to have good equipment but if you can avoid the task to start with by using the right genetics and sound management then you are onto a winner

 

[CopperBeech]

Exactly my thoughts ---it's great to have good equipment but if you can avoid the task to start with by using the right genetics and sound management then you are onto a winner

Having good equipment is great. But if you want to make it work without, you will, somehow.

Can't make it work without the sheep!

My biggest drive, is keeping costs as low as possible and building equity in the flock.

The output from my own sheep, pay the bills and cover costs, but it's the increase in flock size and equity that's the key for me.

When I've got to where I want and have done what I feel I can in this current incarnation, I'll cash it all in and use the money to bank roll the next adventure.

Maybe....

 

[irish dom]

Having good equipment is great. But if you want to make it work without, you will, somehow.

Can't make it work without the sheep!

My biggest drive, is keeping costs as low as possible and building equity in the flock.

The output from my own sheep, pay the bills and cover costs, but it's the increase in flock size and equity that's the key for me.

When I've got to where I want and have done what I feel I can in this current incarnation, I'll cash it all in and use the money to bank roll the next adventure.

Maybe....

Its like a disease. The more you have the more you want( well my problem anyway). Could be addicted to worse stuff than sheep. Never a dull moment

 

[unlacedgecko]

What equipment would help with lambing out doors apart from a quad and a good dog and dosing 5000 sheep on your own is a lot if work what ever system u used

Dosing, injecting, crutching. All are much much better with a combi clamp.

I did a job for a client who didn't have one, and wouldn't let me bring mine. I was having to mess on with filling a race and forcing pen. Took me much longer and my knees really felt it at the end of the day.

 

[Bossfarmer]

Whats this combi clamp and what do they cost?

 

[Tim W]

Whats this combi clamp and what do they cost?

A quick Google search will take you to the Ritchie page and relieve you of about £2600 (£4300 if you want a trailer )

 

[jamesy]

At what age will i be classed as past my prime?

Problem is you don't realise when you are in your prime..... only once you're past it!!