The Farming Thread

[Fruity]

I've been saying lately that if I win the Lotto, I'll start a farm. Any farmers on here or would-be-farmers like myself who have tips or hints on how to farm? If there are any farmers on here, what do you farm?

[Chainsaw]

ditto for me. Cattle or sheep. Problem though if you dont have a big herd you have a long payback time and need a cash crop to keep you going between sales. I lived for 20 years on a sugar estate and most farmers supplimented with a bit of timber. I live in Natal Midlands. Perfect country for it. I would never go dairy though. Those guys have a tough time. A lot of locals are going for chickens but again a lot of PT involved and you have to go large scale to make it viable.

 

Stock theft is also a big problem in Kzn and close to the Lesotho border is worse. A local sheep farmer reckons there hardly a day he isn't having to chase people off the farm trying to scoop his sheep. granted its on a busy road on the way to Lesotho.

 

I can only comment on my experience of local conditions. I dont know what crop farmers in Free state/Gauteng experience.

 

Also game farming seems to be popular now days.

[Ed-Zulu]

Ever heard the story about the farmer that won the lotto jackpot, when asked what he'll be doing with the money he replied..."pay my debts and then farm till the money's done"

It's a difficult thing to do right, make no mistake.

 

[MTBeer]

how do you make a million from farming?

 

you start with 10 million...

[mazambaan]

Nice thread; farming can be more of a lifestyle than money spinner and, if you play it right (and EWC, CGT etc etc) doesn't derail you, the asset can fund retirement.  I have a farm and keep finger on pulse but do not farm myself as the place is too small to sustain me, I don't have the energy or risk profile, although I dabble. As I see it the agriculture industry has some broad cycles; specialisation and geographically. What I see currently is grain crops (maize, wheat, sunflower etc etc) extending (Ukraine effect), dairy not doing badly and some things like avos, macs etc very promising but berries, fruit and other nuts a bit risky; climate and Transnet. Stock farming has a theft issue as noted but can be reasonable. Input costs have rocketed; fertiliser, fuel, insurance, labour and electricity (when you have it and generators are pricey). Cane may be on the wane (sic) and timber is vulnerable to fire etc and has a long cycle but they are tariff protected.

Geographically Zambia seems popular now but it has been Botswana, Congo, Russia, Georgia, Zim etc.

Finally, you have to be skilled, sharp and instinctive. Farming operations are becoming bigger and bigger, consolidating so smaller guys must have alternative income and all think outside the box; one guy makes good money flipping farms.

[fanievb]

How do you become a millionaire by farming? 

 

Start with 10 million 

[deanbean]

Buy a farm and live there, but let the farm to an established farmer, is what I'd suggest. As my 60th approaches, I'm heading that way. You get the lifestyle, but not the stress. My newest expense is security, I'm paying R6200 a month for armed security.