QUESTION: In 2018, In Acres, What is a Small, Medium, Large and Mega Farm

[Partners]

Here it's mostly Greed..
One farm around us is the last done seeding/ harvesting..some yrs in the spring when all others are done..Rented another 10 quarters this spring..
One group rented land not knowing where all the land was..just so the neighbor didn't get it..
Neither are done seeding now..lol..have fun boys..

[fjlip]

IMO, on average half or more of farmed acres are rented near us. According to farm census in Sk, 1449 acres is the average size. That would be us, me wife and sons on some weekends. Darn few that size all around. Young fellows very aggressive/busy/indebted. MNP accountants opinion based on their clients suggests 2500 acres is sweet spot for profitability/viability.But if young go for it, my age did. But agree over 3000 need multiples of machinery/bodies. Costs go way up per acre, so need more acres. 6000 acre neighbor needs the NET income from 500 acres just to pay for hired guys. Like a viscous circle, more acres=more iron=more debt=more risk=more stress. Think hard about what is important in your life, don't just work for iron companies, landlords, input suppliers. Life is short, most important is be happy with less and perhaps simpler lives. Soon to cash out here, 50 years went by FAST.

[grassfarmer]

The answer would have to measured gross sales rather than physical size.

Better still measure net returns - the rest is just fluff.

.... Life is short, most important is be happy with less and perhaps simpler lives. Soon to cash out here, 50 years went by FAST.

Good advice fjlip!

[bigzee]

Isn’t bigger always better? I know of some farms that arent “farms” anymore. I do admire one of them in what they’ve done but really what’s the point? When is enough, enough? Yes the work gets done but when do you enjoy what you are working for? These operations take an army of men, I have a hard time getting decent guys and couldn’t imagine what these guys go through. To me it’s a headache!! But, neighbours of mine who farm small acres would say same about me.
Each to their own but there’s just not enough in it to have a bigger headache.

[Sheepwheat]

Better still measure net returns - the rest is just fluff.

I know a guy with 800 acres, who probably nets more than many guys with 8000 acres. Gross means nothing. It is all about the net. How you arrive there is up to you. No cookie cutter in farming.

[Crestliner]

Congratulations FJLIP on 50 years! You have seen a lot and probably have the most valuable thing time can give you....Experience.....and yes time goes fast...30 years for me this year.

[GDR]

Big difference in location to answer that question. Some areas have fields that are square and whole sections, some places a 100 acre field would be considered big. Some dryland that is suited well for no till, other areas conventional tillage and multiple passes is a must. Some areas have shorter growing seasons but more importantly shorter harvest windows. Some guys do everything some guys get custom help. No easy answer. We seed 1250ac and have 75 cows and 50 ewes, grow all our own feed and do everything ourselves, Wife and I. We are maxed out with that here, but think that would still keep us in the small farm category. Always wonder the economics of the larger guys, can't imagine net dollars to be much different after the labour and machinery costs, may be more or less stress depending how you look at it.

[GDR]

In the seventies when there were lots of farms around here.....there was softball....community...tournaments...etc. ....now it's just desolate and isolated...

But it's easier to see how it happens now looking back....

And it continues to this day...

Mega farms just create transient workers....after watching the trend for 30 years ....I would rather see 5 -150 or 10- 75cow herds than one 750 cattle operation.......

Better community.....

Agree with that.

I know farming is a business but sometimes wish the true business crowd would stay out of farming, not the same atmosphere of the family farm anymore. More and more farmers not living on the farm anymore too.

[SASKFARMER3]

Reality is its one tough game.

We have for every three quarters two are owned. I would like to get three but with land prices, I'm done buying. More profit buying Oil stocks on down days etc.

I do live in the city and drive out which has its advantages and disadvantages. You're the parts courier for lots of people other than the farm.

But the house prices in the city compared to what a farm home is are quite a way apart. Better investment.

Funny at the end of the Day you get the same plot of land or your ashes are spread on your farm (Hawaii) and someone else moves on it and continues.

We grow food and its the only occupation every one needs but no one really wants to pay 2018 prices for it. Sad really.

37 th. crop this year not sure ill go to 50 but congratulations.

[bgmb]

"Here" operations around 1000 ac are on the smaller end of the spectrum. Lots in the 2000-4000 and in the 8000-12000 would be considered BTOs. Here almost all farms do a good job so they should be making money there are some gongshows though. Large farms are not so large they cant manage things and all do a good job.