Starting a farm is no small feat. You have to calculate many variables, from where you want it to how you want it; what do you want to breed and how big do you want it. There are many things to consider and while this guide gives you some ideas to get started, the rest will be up to you.
Steps
Step 1. Design
Having a work plan before you start is best. Make sure you have reviewed and written down everything that is in your favor, against, opportunities and impediments (a so-called 'macroscopic analysis'). Consider where you have come, where you want to go and how to do it. It also calculates financial and market goals as well as personal ones.
-
Before throwing yourself headlong and starting it all, inspect the farm you want to buy by examining the land and every weak point; the positive aspects and the areas for improvement. Draw up a map of the entire farm and its various locations. If you want you can design another similar but ideal one, the farm you want to have within ten years of starting.
Start a Farm Step 1Bullet1
Step 2. Check the climate and terrain
Soil is the "base" of what, how and where you will grow or breed.
-
Look for topographical features, reliefs and soil composition.
Start a Farm Step 2Bullet1 -
Study it or test it to see if it is better for growing or breeding.
Start a Farm Step 2Bullet2 -
Look for native plants around, especially grasses if you intend to raise livestock.
Start a Farm Step 2Bullet3 -
Talk to other factors besides the one who will sell you everything (if you buy instead of inheriting) to understand what kind of crop performs best (if there are any), where and when to sow, when to reap. If the area is for grazing, have a forage analysis done along with a soil test.
Start a Farm Step 2Bullet4 -
Go to the municipal office in charge and look for news on the different climatic conditions of recent years that have occurred in the area where the farm is located.
Do this only if you are unfamiliar with the area and before or after speaking to the seller and any neighbors
Step 3. Capitalize
If the farm you buy doesn't have buildings already there, you will need to have them built in order to turn it into your ideal farm. Sometimes many of the existing ones need only be repaired and others demolished because they are ruins or too old.
-
If you create a farm to cultivate, you will also need to have the machinery necessary to sow, care for crops, till and harvest. For example, tractors are very important.
Start a Farm Step 3Bullet1 -
On the other hand, if you buy a farm to raise livestock and continue with the one already there, you will need to look after it, the fences, the management areas, the water systems and feeding them. There are chances of having to change existing fence structures, renovate pastures and create a more suitable habitat for the beasts that have degraded it over time and neglect.
Start a Farm Step 3Bullet2
Step 4. The end is just the beginning
Learn what is best to grow, what fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to use. Be prepared to be flexible as you learn along the way. As for livestock, it's a good time to buy animals. Make sure they are good and not third-rate. Follow your projects and you will see that your business will come to life.
-
Choose your pets wisely. If you want herds you will only need one male for several females. For example, a bull can cover about 50 cows or heifers. One boar is for 20 sows and one ram for 20-25 ewes. If you start with a group of cows Not take a bull for each! This also applies to other farms. Better to artificially inseminate two or three cows or borrow a bull from another breeder. Same thing for pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, horses etc.
Start a Farm Step 4Bullet1 - Expect the unexpected. Always review your plan and make necessary changes such as new ideas, new insights as problems arise.
Advice
- Always expect the unexpected. You never know what might happen as soon as you kick it all off.
- If you need help or advice, fear not and ask.
- Don't take things for granted. Always keep in mind the environment, what you do and how you feel.
-
START LITTLE AND SLOWLY.
If you want to avoid debts and bankruptcy, don't start in fourth place. Let five or ten years go by. If you have a lot of land you could rent it out for the first five years until the rest goes to the regime you want.
- Don't buy latest generation machinery. This is a good way to get broke right away. There are many machines that can be found at auctions for less than their initial value, depending on who is bidding and how many people want them.
- You know the market, be it wheat or poultry. Learn when to sell and buy, from whom and to whom.
- Estimate a budget before you start and think about a loan to start the farm.
- You are very beware of Murphy's Law: If something can go wrong, it will go wrong.
Warnings
- Sticking to a budget is a good way to avoid running over initial costs.
- You will have little profit at first. Minimize costs and you won't go red.
- Don't put too much meat on the fire. You may get tired or dejected or get in serious trouble with the bank for your lack of discrimination.
