What Motivates You?

[BeReyt]

This is aimed at all working in the industry really, owners, tenants and staff.

What motivates you to keep going when morale is low?

I find myself on a cycle of very high moods to very low moods. Sometimes that can vary within the day or it can be weeks of high then weeks of low. As Herdsman and being the only dairyman on the farm I find a lot of the time I have the responsibility and worry of the whole business depending on me, other than signing cheques.

Been at my current job for slightly less than a year (but have been in the industry for the past 10+), in this time and through the mismanagement/incompetence of landowners, contract farmers and previous employees the farm and cows were on the verge of being sold and the land ploughed up.

For better or worse I've stuck at it when I'd have been better off leaving, having several breakdowns and for most of last year being the only one doing all the work out of 4 people. Due to the old contract farmer not being a stockman and not taking heed of the advice I was giving him, a lot of cows went for cull and I've personally shot a dozen. 90% of these could have been avoided.

All those people have now gone, all other staff members and the contract farmer.

The farm has been taken back in hand by the owners and a very good young man has joined the team. Now I have people around me that listen, understand what I'm asking them to do and most importantly want the business and the cows to thrive.
Average yield is highest on record, total yield is highest on record, johnes cases are at an all time low, cows look healthy, grazing fields have grass in them, theres double the amount of good quality silage in the clamp compared to previous years and still 2nd cut to come, everyone more or less has a good work/life balance and people feel valued and in control of their respective roles. I could go on but basically the farm and cows haven't looked and performed this good for a number of years.

However I feel like I've lost a lot of the will for farming, and feel a lot of the time I'd be better off getting out of the industry, albeit for a short time. Like the vast majority of you all, I'd never be short of work.

I yearn for my own farm, most likely tenented, and have no doubts that given a bit of luck could run a successful herd but I fear that I've been broken..

How do you all cope when things start to get ahead?! Any advice or words would be greatly received.

Apologies for the long read, cows can listen but aren't brilliant at answering

 

[Lincs Lass]

I spent 23 years in agriculture ,long before leaving school ,,I loved the job ,the variety ,the peace when I was ploughing ,miles away from yard ,in the days before mobiles and CB radios .
I lost all interest when the bosses son left agri college,A right smart rs ,head full of books but no experience.
Started pushing his weight about ,trying to tell me how to do jobs Ide been doing while he was still in nappies .
It didnt sit well and the day came when sonny boy pushed it too far .
The money was crap then and it hasnt improved much in the last 20 years .
Now Im doing my own thing and by myself ,thats where my motivation comes from ,,Aiming for the finished result without having anybody looking over my shoulder every day .

 

[Jdunn55]

3 things really, the love of the cows, the Pedigree breeding of the cows and I promised my grandad the day before he died that I'd get them back for him

I really do love them and all their quirks and I love trying to breed the next generation and make them even better along with looking back through the generations etc

If it wasn't for the cows I'd be dead by now that's for sure, there's absolutely no way I could live without them which is kind of the thing that keeps me going really

 

[sidjon]

Fecking large mortgage , upside is can see light at end of tunnel, could be debt freeish within 4 years or be more stupid and purchase more land

 

[Gulli]

This is aimed at all working in the industry really, owners, tenants and staff.

What motivates you to keep going when morale is low?

I find myself on a cycle of very high moods to very low moods. Sometimes that can vary within the day or it can be weeks of high then weeks of low. As Herdsman and being the only dairyman on the farm I find a lot of the time I have the responsibility and worry of the whole business depending on me, other than signing cheques.

Been at my current job for slightly less than a year (but have been in the industry for the past 10+), in this time and through the mismanagement/incompetence of landowners, contract farmers and previous employees the farm and cows were on the verge of being sold and the land ploughed up.

For better or worse I've stuck at it when I'd have been better off leaving, having several breakdowns and for most of last year being the only one doing all the work out of 4 people. Due to the old contract farmer not being a stockman and not taking heed of the advice I was giving him, a lot of cows went for cull and I've personally shot a dozen. 90% of these could have been avoided.

All those people have now gone, all other staff members and the contract farmer.

The farm has been taken back in hand by the owners and a very good young man has joined the team. Now I have people around me that listen, understand what I'm asking them to do and most importantly want the business and the cows to thrive.
Average yield is highest on record, total yield is highest on record, johnes cases are at an all time low, cows look healthy, grazing fields have grass in them, theres double the amount of good quality silage in the clamp compared to previous years and still 2nd cut to come, everyone more or less has a good work/life balance and people feel valued and in control of their respective roles. I could go on but basically the farm and cows haven't looked and performed this good for a number of years.

However I feel like I've lost a lot of the will for farming, and feel a lot of the time I'd be better off getting out of the industry, albeit for a short time. Like the vast majority of you all, I'd never be short of work.

I yearn for my own farm, most likely tenented, and have no doubts that given a bit of luck could run a successful herd but I fear that I've been broken..

How do you all cope when things start to get ahead?! Any advice or words would be greatly received.

Apologies for the long read, cows can listen but aren't brilliant at answering

Find a way to ground yourself, for me its usually taking to dogs out for a walk or going down the woods, somewhere quiet you don't have to deal with all the "noise" that comes with farming. Recognising when you need to walk away and take a minute is important.

Most of my motivation comes from wanting to make the place better, I don't really have an end goal, it would be great to have a lot of things but at the same time I'm fairly content with what I've got and improving that is where I spend my time mostly.

 

[Rich_ard]

This is aimed at all working in the industry really, owners, tenants and staff.

What motivates you to keep going when morale is low?

I find myself on a cycle of very high moods to very low moods. Sometimes that can vary within the day or it can be weeks of high then weeks of low. As Herdsman and being the only dairyman on the farm I find a lot of the time I have the responsibility and worry of the whole business depending on me, other than signing cheques.

Been at my current job for slightly less than a year (but have been in the industry for the past 10+), in this time and through the mismanagement/incompetence of landowners, contract farmers and previous employees the farm and cows were on the verge of being sold and the land ploughed up.

For better or worse I've stuck at it when I'd have been better off leaving, having several breakdowns and for most of last year being the only one doing all the work out of 4 people. Due to the old contract farmer not being a stockman and not taking heed of the advice I was giving him, a lot of cows went for cull and I've personally shot a dozen. 90% of these could have been avoided.

All those people have now gone, all other staff members and the contract farmer.

The farm has been taken back in hand by the owners and a very good young man has joined the team. Now I have people around me that listen, understand what I'm asking them to do and most importantly want the business and the cows to thrive.
Average yield is highest on record, total yield is highest on record, johnes cases are at an all time low, cows look healthy, grazing fields have grass in them, theres double the amount of good quality silage in the clamp compared to previous years and still 2nd cut to come, everyone more or less has a good work/life balance and people feel valued and in control of their respective roles. I could go on but basically the farm and cows haven't looked and performed this good for a number of years.

However I feel like I've lost a lot of the will for farming, and feel a lot of the time I'd be better off getting out of the industry, albeit for a short time. Like the vast majority of you all, I'd never be short of work.

I yearn for my own farm, most likely tenented, and have no doubts that given a bit of luck could run a successful herd but I fear that I've been broken..

How do you all cope when things start to get ahead?! Any advice or words would be greatly received.

Apologies for the long read, cows can listen but aren't brilliant at answering

If you have turned the business around and your employers can see it try and negotiate a better deal. Get what you want out of it. If that means more time off or someone else to take more responsibilities else where then try that. If you want your own place then you need to plan how you are going to get there. Its all hard work your own stock are very tying too if you are on your own.

 

[Auckland Blue]

loved farming, still do, Totally different from any other job, defines me, us ,from anybody else. What cant we do when we really put our mind to it except make serious money !!. Joking aside i make a reasonable living and have sons coming into the business and the motivation is to give them a better start than I had. I don't give a sh7t what car I drive or how other people perceive me. i do my own thing and try to slowly build a stronger business for those coming down the track. That is two generations legacy and I hope to follow.. I Know that farmers and those that help us on the farm are one hell of a bunch of guys and girls and I am proud to be associated with them. I also know that I am in a very fortunate position. I have worked hard but I have had good foundations to work on . not everybody is so lucky. I appreciate that. Farmers and farm staff are special people, we've lived a thousand lives compared to most of Joe Public. Frontline farmers and staff present and past are staunch, for what its worth I raise my hat to you.
Sorry for the ramble. Whether you in the game or getting out your a star!

 

[lazy farmer]

Fecking large mortgage , upside is can see light at end of tunnel, could be debt freeish within 4 years or be more stupid and purchase more land

The above.
Farm debt is around £240 a cow if you discount seasonal debt
Personal debt is far higher due to divorce.
being honest there have been moments this spring that if it wasn’t for the debt I would have seriously considered walking.

 

[lazy farmer]

OH and days I actually enjoy the job.

 

[Milkcow365]

The above.
Farm debt is around £240 a cow if you discount seasonal debt
Personal debt is far higher due to divorce.
being honest there have been moments this spring that if it wasn’t for the debt I would have seriously considered walking.

£240 a cow I think you could walk easily!

 

[Happy at it]

This is aimed at all working in the industry really, owners, tenants and staff.

What motivates you to keep going when morale is low?

I find myself on a cycle of very high moods to very low moods. Sometimes that can vary within the day or it can be weeks of high then weeks of low. As Herdsman and being the only dairyman on the farm I find a lot of the time I have the responsibility and worry of the whole business depending on me, other than signing cheques.

Been at my current job for slightly less than a year (but have been in the industry for the past 10+), in this time and through the mismanagement/incompetence of landowners, contract farmers and previous employees the farm and cows were on the verge of being sold and the land ploughed up.

For better or worse I've stuck at it when I'd have been better off leaving, having several breakdowns and for most of last year being the only one doing all the work out of 4 people. Due to the old contract farmer not being a stockman and not taking heed of the advice I was giving him, a lot of cows went for cull and I've personally shot a dozen. 90% of these could have been avoided.

All those people have now gone, all other staff members and the contract farmer.

The farm has been taken back in hand by the owners and a very good young man has joined the team. Now I have people around me that listen, understand what I'm asking them to do and most importantly want the business and the cows to thrive.
Average yield is highest on record, total yield is highest on record, johnes cases are at an all time low, cows look healthy, grazing fields have grass in them, theres double the amount of good quality silage in the clamp compared to previous years and still 2nd cut to come, everyone more or less has a good work/life balance and people feel valued and in control of their respective roles. I could go on but basically the farm and cows haven't looked and performed this good for a number of years.

However I feel like I've lost a lot of the will for farming, and feel a lot of the time I'd be better off getting out of the industry, albeit for a short time. Like the vast majority of you all, I'd never be short of work.

I yearn for my own farm, most likely tenented, and have no doubts that given a bit of luck could run a successful herd but I fear that I've been broken..

How do you all cope when things start to get ahead?! Any advice or words would be greatly received.

Apologies for the long read, cows can listen but aren't brilliant at answering

I'm no person to be giving advice, but have always thought that in many cases it would be a very hard thing to be a herdsperson/manager working someone else's cows.

The amount of hassle and effort required in many cases to keep things running would take more than the wage could reward. Its a big commitment for anyone with a conscience. I wouldn't be feared to walk from any yard or job if I didn't think there was a future in it. As owners, we just tend to work through trouble and hassle, but for employees it has to be different....

 

[lazy farmer]

£240 a cow I think you could walk easily!

Personal debt is twice that.

 

[Rich_ard]

Personal debt is twice that.

Not sure I get the debt thing as a motivation. So if you were debt free you wouldn't do it?

 

[Banana Bar]

If you’re on Twitter give it up, I find it a real mental drain.

 

[vantage]

The above.
Farm debt is around £240 a cow if you discount seasonal debt
Personal debt is far higher due to divorce.
being honest there have been moments this spring that if it wasn’t for the debt I would have seriously considered walking.

Are you sure you haven’t missed a 0 off! That amount of debt isn’t worth worrying about!

 

[vantage]

The above.
Farm debt is around £240 a cow if you discount seasonal debt
Personal debt is far higher due to divorce.
being honest there have been moments this spring that if it wasn’t for the debt I would have seriously considered walking.

The price of a posh set of wheels, allegedly, not that I especially aspire to have any.

 

[lazy farmer]

Not sure I get the debt thing as a motivation. So if you were debt free you wouldn't do it?

Being debt free gives you different options

 

[lazy farmer]

Are you sure you haven’t missed a 0 off! That amount of debt isn’t worth worrying about!

As we go through life Our relationship with debt changes. Once it was my friend now I see it as a millstone. It’s probably because we’ve bought everything from land to a house on 10yr money or less and funded other stuff from all our concrete tracks to 2 solar schemes via the overdraft. Its become a real grind keeping all the plates spinning.

 

[Rich_ard]

Being debt free gives you different options

No doubt. I don't think about the debt day to day. I'm not feeding cows thinking if I don't do this I'm not going make any money. I just feed them as they need feeding.

 

[lazy farmer]

No doubt. I don't think about the debt day to day. I'm not feeding cows thinking if I don't do this I'm not going make any money. I just feed them as they need feeding.

good for you. I never used to either