Thinking of getting out of dairying

[Nearly]

in the future they would convert into a nice court yard of houses but the old man wouldn't let me do it now he's not keen on me selling the cows says he's milked all these years and is easiest way to make money.

Can you prove to him that it isn't making money?
My Dad was always at work when I was growing up. I knew the reason why and every time I could be out there, I was. I got to spend a lot of time with him. The rewards were there at the end of the year.
My Dad accepted the cows had to go as the rewards were no longer there. This was 16 years ago. My kids are older now 18 16 and Dad and I have both seen them grow up.
Put together a business plan that will stack up better as a one man unit without 14 milkings. 12 acres at home and land away is a recipe for a rodeo catching beef cattle in autumn. Need permanent catching pens.
Have a long term plan for new farm on biggest block of land to make life easier for you?

 

[Clay52]

Family labour is free to a certain extent and is cheaper than paid labour but not only that if there was a son/daughter that was really keen on farming and/or milking then it would give you an incentive to carry on

Free. Ok what do they live off, fresh air. They could have a job elsewhere and be bringing in their own money vs draining the farm. Nothing is free.

Incentive to carry on. More like great way to break a family up. Seen it plenty of times.

 

[multi power]

HMMmm

depends on whether you like cows or ppl i suppose.....plus farming job is not what it was...it's not like it used to be...in farming we now have ppl with high viz vests and clipboards so dealing with ppl is part of the territory whatever you do

Well I find cow's pleasant and easy to deal with, you don't have to talk to the cow's if you don't want to

 

[Irish NZ]

Yeah because working with family and succession planning is so stress free.

Voice of experience....

Succession planning is the biggest hurdle on family farm and i reckon most get caught up to some degree on.

 

[Rossymons]

You can make good money out of cows - if its done right and you want to do it.

Sounds like you're funding your Dads hobby to me.

 

[wasted years]

1 robot would take most of labour away, can get older ones for next to nowt now and back up nearly on your doorstep.

 

[William Mellor]

Free. Ok what do they live off, fresh air. They could have a job elsewhere and be bringing in their own money vs draining the farm. Nothing is free.

Incentive to carry on. More like great way to break a family up. Seen it plenty of times.

They are doing it for the love of it without profit most of the time but yes I know it does sometimes not work and have know it to break a family up.

 

[farmerbill]

Pm'd you

 

[thewalrus]

Robot milking

 

[Durry cows]

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do it's been a long slog this past 2 years, my 2p worth sit on the idea for a month or so it's probably the worst time of year (winter slog waiting for spring turnout and those long summer days) on the plus side first milk looked to have turned the corner. As already said pretty sure your dairy cows will wipe the floor in terms of profit compared to beef as you suggest (over a few year average say) it's no secret. Sounds like the 12 acre at home farm makes the job not so easy. If your not enjoying them though, there not making the money you want and or not seeing the family enough there's no shame at all in selling the lot!

 

[Farmer1001]

There is life after cows; and you can always buy them back another day. The reality is simple, to be a dairy farmer your heart must be in it and if it isnt at the moment then take a view. We arent on this planet forever so enjoy it.

 

[wasted years]

He has no borrowing and they aren't making money?
Keeping 2 households!
Basic business course needed and get out to the wider world and realise how well off he is compared to others.

 

[Aircooled]

1 robot would take most of labour away, can get older ones for next to nowt now and back up nearly on your doorstep.

Can you put a figure on it please.cost of old robot.cost of installation assuming shed and dairy fairly suitable.ta

 

[vulcan]

I never said we weren't making out of if get a tax bill every year soust be doing something write as for robots neighbour has one and has good days and bad with it but there not for me.

 

[wasted years]

Can you put a figure on it please.cost of old robot.cost of installation assuming shed and dairy fairly suitable.ta

Lely A2 's are plentiful at 10k or less especially from France.
More modern A3 have been sold at less than 35k.
Idle boasting aside I could instal an A2 myself as an experienced user so lets say 3k for electric work, feed bin whatever.
Depends on the standard expected of infrastructure.

 

[wasted years]

I never said we weren't making out of if get a tax bill every year soust be doing something write as for robots neighbour has one and has good days and bad with it but there not for me.

Why not for you?
Just interested.

 

[vulcan]

Not planning on getting out just yet just thinking about it at the moment.

 

[vulcan]

Why not for you?
Just interested.

just not my thing prefer the more hands on approach with the milking and no of people that's had them only to take them out nearly put one off them in a early grave with the stress it caused him not got anything against robots they have there place.

 

[markpentre]

could you make a living off milking 50 cows but selling the calfs?

 

[wasted years]

just not my thing prefer the more hands on approach with the milking and no of people that's had them only to take them out nearly put one off them in a early grave with the stress it caused him not got anything against robots they have there place.

Yep they can be stressful , back up is key and not buying the wrong make.