Well i'm at that age where i'm deciding what i'm gonna do with my life. well i was expected to decide already. All i know is its diesel. But i was wondering. what does it take to start farming. i've always respected farmers a lot. i dont think a lot of people realize that a lot of things that they've become used to have something to do with a farm. I'm more interested in the for lack of a better term coming to mind crop harvesting side of it but i'm also not completely opposed to livestock as well. if anybody could give me some information and insight that would be great.

Thanks guys,
Erik

 

To farm you got to have some land and a tractor. But every farmer I know is a pretty smart fellow. Get to know your county extension Agent.

 

What is a county extension agent? i'm also looking for any knowledge as to what financial investment it would take for "crop only" "livestock only" or both and what has really the best return on investment. all i know is it takes "a lot of money" does the government aid new farmers or is it all bank loan? i'm thinking up new questions by the second. oh now some more. what would be a good amount of land and a good sized tractor. also would you need more than one type of tractor? like harvester and such?

 

a county extension agent is the agents at your local 4h office. usually you have one one or more that deals with 4h and then one that deals with crops and livestock full time. As far as the finacial investment to start in either one of the ag enterprise you mentioned it is steep. last year alone to feed our 100 head we spent almost 15k in hay alone.

all it takes to get started in farming or ranching is money and time

 

Now is this something i can succeed at as a full time job?

 

i know some guys that do it full time and make a decent living however these guys are running at least 4000 or 5000 acres and these farms have been in full production since the 50s or 60s.

ag is so hit and miss that i would say it wouldnt be good to try it full time starting with nothing.

 

so what would be good to start with i'm assuming crops. after tech school i plan to head south so i'm also wondering what would be a good state.

 

If you have a half a million or so layin around burnin a hole in your pocket then farming might just be for you. To start up from scratch a complete ag operation, I can't even fathom the expense.

 

i would suggest get your 20 or so acres and start with a niche market like organic vegtables or animals.

i had my students do a project to come up with a livestock facility and most were at least 2 million as a start up for a profitable venture. i had some come up with a ranch where the inital investment was $9.5 million

 

dam. i sort of lean towards things that are extremely difficult or next to impossible to do. if i have to work my *** off every day i dont mind that. i just mind it a little more when i'm gonna have to do it forever and never get outta debt. i really want to but from the sounds of it if i do i will never make it out of debt.

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actually if i did start with a small part time operation do you think it could be, over time, expanded and become profitable more so than starting big and just goin for it?