Another thing, surely with the number of dispersal's happening at the moment, there must be options of other farms coming available?
What to do when the cows are gone
- Thread starter Jdunn55
- Start date
Happy at it
Member
- Location
- NI
A little part of me feels that we're collectively guilty of this, in that we failed to highlight successfully the fact that milking cows isn't the brilliant, profitable rock and roll lifestyle that it's made out to be, and at times can really be quite grim.
Regardless of facilities, is there ever a situation where a tenanted unit could be started up, without the support and help of close/extended family, that could be able to provide an income and quality of life that would be better than you would receive in employment at such a young age?
Regardless of facilities, is there ever a situation where a tenanted unit could be started up, without the support and help of close/extended family, that could be able to provide an income and quality of life that would be better than you would receive in employment at such a young age?
Sorry I haven’t been on here for a while, fighting our own battles after our milk price crashed 14 months ago and still not recovered and now even if it does recover in line with other milk companies it is probably too late. Interest rates, electricity and an average milk price of under 31ppl has killed us. Protecting our capital now must be the priority and was our original objective when we paid out other partners 3 years ago.
Firstly 23 wow I’m shocked I assumed you were about 40. Tenancy, partner with child, you have really lived already and have so much responsibility. In comparison my daughter at 19 at ag college, works part time at Semex, milks here and party’s like there is no tomorrow. My son 20 currently at home but been away two summers at harvest and probably going away again.
Secondly you have done your figures so you know the score. Dairy is hard to do part time whereas I have a few sheep and pedigree beef and work. Trying to achieve that with dairy is hard but look at people like Sam Wake who works for Ayrshire cattle services and still breed at a top level. I would definitely try and keep your best cows in someone else’s herd. It is becoming more and more common to get herdsmen positions where you can take 10 of your own cows due to lack of staff.
thirdly I totally get the pedigree bit as that is the camp we stand in too. My husband now has a wee AI run where he inseminates on two farms daily and on another few as required. He also sells semen for an AI company on a commission basis and loves it. It allows him still to be involved and keeps him focused on world wide genetics even though we appreciate the way to make money in dairying is to operate a grass based block calving system probably with crossbreed othere are huge opportunities in agriculture and also in construction whether that is getting a trade or working building sheds.
it sounds like you are getting support from RSABI or RABI in your area. Take counselling from them as you are in no way a failure.
I really want to commend you on coming on here and telling your woes as it can be harsh and you are braver than me. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
look up Fed by farmers podcast on YouTube and listen to Brendan’s podcast as they are looking for guys like you.
Firstly 23 wow I’m shocked I assumed you were about 40. Tenancy, partner with child, you have really lived already and have so much responsibility. In comparison my daughter at 19 at ag college, works part time at Semex, milks here and party’s like there is no tomorrow. My son 20 currently at home but been away two summers at harvest and probably going away again.
Secondly you have done your figures so you know the score. Dairy is hard to do part time whereas I have a few sheep and pedigree beef and work. Trying to achieve that with dairy is hard but look at people like Sam Wake who works for Ayrshire cattle services and still breed at a top level. I would definitely try and keep your best cows in someone else’s herd. It is becoming more and more common to get herdsmen positions where you can take 10 of your own cows due to lack of staff.
thirdly I totally get the pedigree bit as that is the camp we stand in too. My husband now has a wee AI run where he inseminates on two farms daily and on another few as required. He also sells semen for an AI company on a commission basis and loves it. It allows him still to be involved and keeps him focused on world wide genetics even though we appreciate the way to make money in dairying is to operate a grass based block calving system probably with crossbreed othere are huge opportunities in agriculture and also in construction whether that is getting a trade or working building sheds.
it sounds like you are getting support from RSABI or RABI in your area. Take counselling from them as you are in no way a failure.
I really want to commend you on coming on here and telling your woes as it can be harsh and you are braver than me. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
look up Fed by farmers podcast on YouTube and listen to Brendan’s podcast as they are looking for guys like you.
- Location
- North Wales
With the limiedt details I've gained it sounds like the farm infrastructure is redundant but it isn't really the farm for you to invest in being limited tendency with ailing landlord.
So a few of my thoughts.
Spring is here and cows are out /mainly out reducing the need for the housing until the autumn. Silage clamp will be getting empty and slurry will be spread. The infrastructure problem is less important than the begining of winter.
This gives breathing space to formulate and action a plan for the future.
You can only invest so much at once and by the sounds you've invested in the stock. There isn't a endless pot of money to keep spending/investing so until the initial investment is paid back you can't keep investing more and more. Farmers putting in new slutty pits or sheds will have already set themselves up with herds and parlours so have moved on from where you are.
I'm not a dairy farmer but I can't see the value in selling the cows after all they're the ones putting milk in the tank and money in the bank. Sell the young stock by all means, keep a few of the best heifers but anything extra goes out the door, reduce housing infrastructure and bring in income and reduce work load.
Sell poorest performing cows, reduce parlour time to feed up time for repairs.
Like mentioned above, can you put winter any on fodder beet? Reduce housing need and slurry storage, your type of cow, or some at least may not cope with that system but this definitely sound like you need to start thinking outside the box.
Then look for another farm to rent, there would be a bit of cost in moving but could be a whole lot cheaper then investing in new infrastructure.
So a few of my thoughts.
Spring is here and cows are out /mainly out reducing the need for the housing until the autumn. Silage clamp will be getting empty and slurry will be spread. The infrastructure problem is less important than the begining of winter.
This gives breathing space to formulate and action a plan for the future.
You can only invest so much at once and by the sounds you've invested in the stock. There isn't a endless pot of money to keep spending/investing so until the initial investment is paid back you can't keep investing more and more. Farmers putting in new slutty pits or sheds will have already set themselves up with herds and parlours so have moved on from where you are.
I'm not a dairy farmer but I can't see the value in selling the cows after all they're the ones putting milk in the tank and money in the bank. Sell the young stock by all means, keep a few of the best heifers but anything extra goes out the door, reduce housing infrastructure and bring in income and reduce work load.
Sell poorest performing cows, reduce parlour time to feed up time for repairs.
Like mentioned above, can you put winter any on fodder beet? Reduce housing need and slurry storage, your type of cow, or some at least may not cope with that system but this definitely sound like you need to start thinking outside the box.
Then look for another farm to rent, there would be a bit of cost in moving but could be a whole lot cheaper then investing in new infrastructure.
Hanspree
Member
- Location
- Lancashire
How can you say you’ve failed? There are so many people in this industry trying to pull farmers down to try and justify their own existence by thinking they’re an expert.
It’s a credit to you that you realise how much work is involved in dairying at 23. Many more out there have left college at that age expecting to go straight into management and want to work 5 days a week.
kp_n_plghng
Member
Can you please please consider the AI tech route. But set up on your own as there's next to no overheads required. With Genus hiking the prices on service AI, seems like perfect timing too.
This can make very very good money and most definitely provide you with a good annual wage. £10/serve it really adds up to decent money! You also have really good control over your work load.
Its hard to advise on the tenant farm and the rest of it but I would certainly try to keep the tenancy but sell the cows and remove that need to milk twice/day. You could contract rear heifers or just rear your own and sell. Red tractor can't touch you as a contractor. The EA wont have the same leverage against you, yes they can still fine you if you pollute but as you have no milkers I cant see you being a high risk farm.
Wish a spring would pop up on the farm here!
This can make very very good money and most definitely provide you with a good annual wage. £10/serve it really adds up to decent money! You also have really good control over your work load.
Its hard to advise on the tenant farm and the rest of it but I would certainly try to keep the tenancy but sell the cows and remove that need to milk twice/day. You could contract rear heifers or just rear your own and sell. Red tractor can't touch you as a contractor. The EA wont have the same leverage against you, yes they can still fine you if you pollute but as you have no milkers I cant see you being a high risk farm.
Wish a spring would pop up on the farm here!
Jasper
Member
Don’t take this the wrong way but I think you will get stressed however many cows you have I think it’s just the way you are .from other posts it seems only your way is the right way .when you have relief milkers as long as the end result is the same let them get on with it . Learn to delegate it makes for a much easier life
ollie989898
Member
Maybe I am making this a bit simple but if you love cows and low the work and want to keep some of your own, would a herdsman/dairy manager position where you can take the best of your herd with you and get paid in real cash maybe not be the way forward?
I don't want to appear out of line with this but I can't be alone in thinking that for a younger person a lot of your posts seem to convey the sense of the weight of the world on your shoulders. You can cope with that kind of psychological strain for a time but I don't think anyone would really recommend it long term.
If you find the right person to work for and who understands your view and passion for the job you would be paid handsome money, almost any figure you could name and be given housing and a solid base to live and work a bit more comfortably within?
I totally admire your enthusiasm for the job and wish I had that level of drive, passion and bravery for want of another word?
You are still tenderly young, your 20s is supposed to be a fun time of your life.
My concern is that you'll follow the mould of a few farmers I have known in previous lives, a couple of them stand out because they worked like a dog endlessly and always seemed to be 'working' flat out even if they were sat in a chair at their kitchen table. I think for many of us pursuing that kind of working regime would put us in a box, invoke a stroke or give us a nervous breakdown.
You have not failed and none of it is your fault, that much is evident. You could go on and milk cows for someone for 10 years and then completely change your mind and go back to Uni (not that I am so sure I would recommend people went to Uni these days) if you still wishes. You would have lost nothing and in fact you have lost nothing.
I disagree that you would enjoy being a rep for Cogent etc. I don't think that is what drives you at all going from your posts.
I don't want to appear out of line with this but I can't be alone in thinking that for a younger person a lot of your posts seem to convey the sense of the weight of the world on your shoulders. You can cope with that kind of psychological strain for a time but I don't think anyone would really recommend it long term.
If you find the right person to work for and who understands your view and passion for the job you would be paid handsome money, almost any figure you could name and be given housing and a solid base to live and work a bit more comfortably within?
I totally admire your enthusiasm for the job and wish I had that level of drive, passion and bravery for want of another word?
You are still tenderly young, your 20s is supposed to be a fun time of your life.
My concern is that you'll follow the mould of a few farmers I have known in previous lives, a couple of them stand out because they worked like a dog endlessly and always seemed to be 'working' flat out even if they were sat in a chair at their kitchen table. I think for many of us pursuing that kind of working regime would put us in a box, invoke a stroke or give us a nervous breakdown.
You have not failed and none of it is your fault, that much is evident. You could go on and milk cows for someone for 10 years and then completely change your mind and go back to Uni (not that I am so sure I would recommend people went to Uni these days) if you still wishes. You would have lost nothing and in fact you have lost nothing.
I disagree that you would enjoy being a rep for Cogent etc. I don't think that is what drives you at all going from your posts.
TheRanger
Member
- Location
- SW Scotland
You posted on the insurance thread that you had cover for “loss of assurance”, what does this cover you for? Might be useful if you decide to try and keep going?
- Location
- Fife
Sell everything and move to NZ.
You can get a working holiday visa, valid for 3yrs. During that you'll find an employer to sponsor you for a residency visa.
With a bit of luck you'll own a farm by the time you're 35.
You can get a working holiday visa, valid for 3yrs. During that you'll find an employer to sponsor you for a residency visa.
With a bit of luck you'll own a farm by the time you're 35.
Rich_ard
Member
Own it or having just bought it?
Scholsey
Member
- Location
- Herefordshire
Not wanting to be negative but is NZ still the land of milk and honey that it was?
- Location
- Fife
Who knows? Depends on payout and business nouse.
But I believe the form is to share milk and build a huge herd of cows, then sell half and buy a farm for cash. Then put your own share milker in there and enjoy the passive income.
- Location
- Fife
It's not what it once was, no. But there are still plenty of people starting with nothing and becoming farm owners in less than a decade.
As a percentage of farm employees, it will be a hell of a lot higher there than here.
FonterraFarmer
Member
- Location
- Waikato, New Zealand
Well if you like milk and honey its probably the best place in the world.
Can the suggestion of farm ownership be a real possibility, yes but it won't be easy.
Headless chicken
Member
- Location
- West Wales
Job Vacancy - Field Development Officer
Not sure if above link works but surely this is like all of your prayers being answered at once. Travelling around looking at lots of high genetic herds. Would be like a constant busman’s holiday
Rich_ard
Member
Always someone with more cash. I suppose there must be succession problems if these share farms are getting traction. Can only think of one or two farms that have gone to a non farming/farming families around here without going on the land market.
Dead Rabbits
Member
- Location
- 'Merica
I know a guy in his mid thirties over there in an equity partnership on 2000 cow operation with the goal of owning it. He’s on track so far.
@unlacedgecko depends if you value money and work above family and friends. I wouldn't move to New Zealand if you swapped my 70 cows for 700 and gave me a farm. Unless of course I could just sell everything and move back! Depends on your situation but as @Jdunn55 has a partner and family here I don't see moving abroad would solve anything in this instance.