Need help from all you FARMERS out there!!

[chickadee]

Hello everyone
We are new to all this,we are trying to fill out application forms from N.S farm loan board.We have never farmed before but are excited,willing & determined to.Any advice would be greatly appreciated...especially with these forms!!!

[rain]

chickadee: I am interested in what has attracted you to farming. What are you planning to rise? You have choosen a challenging career. Good Luck in your new adventure.

[chickadee]

Dear Palexand;
Hi,we have wanted to farm for the past couple years.Now that 3 of our 4 children are teens,they very much want to do this also.we are all hard workers and believe this is a good way of life.Although it will be labor intensive,we are not looking to make alot of money...especially in the first few years.We have no farming back ground but are determined to learn at the mercy of others!!!

[15444]

Good for you chickadee! Very nice to see people still entering this occupation. I wish you the very best and will try to answer any questions you may have.

[chickadee]

Dear 15444;
Hello there . Thanks for the encouragement.We were trying to buy a $8o.ooo farm but couldn't get the backing to help us.I guess we will have to wait 1 more yr. then we will be in a better position.It's too bad most people we talked to thought it was too much of a risk to enter farming.This might have slowed us down but certainly wont stop us!! Any advice on what we should start out with? Animals,or vegetables?

[15444]

Chickadee:
I had dairy (cream) between 1975 to 1993 as well as beef. The only reason I left dairy was because the cream quota was going to be amalgamated into the milk quota system and I was not set up properly for high end milk production. I then went 100% beef (purebred and commercial Herefords). The dairy was hard work but the steady paycheck was a welcomed sight. Beef is risky and its hard to make a buck at it. I would recommend going into vegetables, especially organic ones. Veggie guys have high startup costs but can make a lot of money with very few acres, once again, especially in organics. Stay away from specialty animals like elk, deer, buffalo, emu's, etc. Stay with beef or dairy if you want animals, at least you know you have a market for them if you decide that cattle is not for you.

Anyways, I welcome all of your questions.

[cswilson]

Chickadee it's great u want to get into farming-but as a fairly young rancher who started with government money please be pessimistic in your projections-your government ag specialists often can sugercoat things.
If there is an older farmer you know and trust I'd get him to help you. Remember if your projections don't work it will be your fault not the lenders-so please be cautious. Borry on things that will make u money-easy on the fixed depreciable assets rust,rot, depreciation will kill you.

[RICHARDJ]

Keep trying to find the financing! Credit companies don't know a thing. I tried to finance 10 cows 4 yrs back and FCC turned me down 10 cows $10,000 The next week I bought a $18,000 truck and the credit department manager told me I had perfect credit. My boss at the time gave at FCC request a employer recomendation and confermation of employment. This yr (five yrs farming) I have invested & spent $280,000 into my farm. If you really want to farm in Canada you can still start with nothing. When I started I lived in my parents basement in town. Not working and taking over from dad. If you want it bad enough you will get it.

[WantsToFarm]

Hey i am in the same posistion as chickadee only i am a bit younger and have family in farming

i am 17 years old and will be taking a agriculture course in university then working a few years before hopefully purchasing a farm, i am interested in Grain Farming such as Canola,Wheat,Barley,oats ETC
do ppl here think iam crazy for this, but my uncles are big time farmers in Saskatchewan ( 8000 acres ) and i love the lifestyle of being ur own boss working for ur self rural life style, machinery ETC

so once agian,,
i am not crazy for wanting to do this am i?
Brad

[farmar]

a week of stunned silence on your question probably isn't that encouraging. You are not crazy in my opinion but I am a farmer myself who is busy trying to build a grain farm. I sure picked some crazy years to expand and it creates some stress.

I completely agree and identify with the lifestyle aspect of farming. I say go for it - many will tell you your nuts - but go for it anyway.

My advice is to attack farming with a positive attitude and maintain it at all costs. You can do this by keeping perspective. I have many friends in other businesses who face many similiar stresses to farmers. Some farmers seem to think that they are the only ones affected by factors outside their control. But anybody who strives to operate a small business and be their own boss will face adversity and variables outside their control. Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can't. Do not be paralyzed by fear or doubt. Plan ahead and work hard. Build friendships along the way. Have fun!

Just my opinion (sorry - I got a little carried away)

[shamus]

Don't ever be afraid to ask the neighbours that seem to be the most successful, on what they are doing right.Most will tell you. I have farmed 29 years; last 16 on my own and still not too proud to ask. Even a couple friends who came home to farm have asked for my advice on things and one still can't thank me enough!! It makes you feel good.