2024 is coming, how ye fixed

roosterman71 · 27-12-2023 10:06pm #1

I couldn't find the 2023 corresponding thread to see how I fared on my plans, or indeed what they were.

I don't have much plans myself bar carry on doing what I'm at. I'd like to do more but the father is in charge and there's no sign of a transfer despite being prompted by me, mother, accountant and solicitor! Besides that stuff, I've no plans. I'd like to get the bale trailer updated to something road legal instead of the homemade yoke we have. I'm building a new house and that's taking any spare minute I have. Mainly making decisions and reigning in the wife and her "dream house" notions derived from Instagram and the like.

How's the rest of ye fixed?

Reggie. · 27-12-2023 10:25pm

Hope to just survive

whelan2 · 27-12-2023 10:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542168#Comment_121542168

Just hope 2024 is better than 2023

tikka16751 · 27-12-2023 10:34pm

I’m scheming schemes.

whelan2 · 27-12-2023 10:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542202#Comment_121542202

Good for you

Base price · 27-12-2023 10:54pm

We're going to just keep rolling on like most years although I hope we get a Summer in 2024.

Every year I keep saying it but I don't do it. I'd like to put aside time for a bit of fishing be onshore or in the boat. Having said that I'll probably have to pay a small fortune to get the outboard motor sorted on the boat as it's be layed up for a good few years.

Kevhog1988 · 27-12-2023 11:13pm

Plan is to keep pushing on. Took a big step in the career in 2023 so want to keep that ticking along and hopefully have more time for farming when we get all the heavy lifting done with work processes etc. Was a hectic 6 months put In up to Christmas.

I got engaged a few weeks ago also so will probably be attending a few wedding fairs 😅.

Farm wise I'm hoping to keep building infrastructure and get the place ticking well. Bought a weedlicker so I'm going to make use of that and hopefully grow more grass than rushes. Have a bit of work to do to my tractor too.

kk.man · 27-12-2023 11:32pm

Hope to kill more cattle at better profit. I reseeded 9 acres this year might do a few more next year. Not in acres now so only sub is basic payment but no restrictions either.

Bangoverthebar · 28-12-2023 5:31am

I hope to go up 30 more cows, build slurry storage and some more farm roads.

That all depends on getting a small loan, and forecasted milk price being correct.

I wont miss 2023, financially and personally been a bastard.

Grueller · 28-12-2023 7:28am

In 2023 I lost my Mother and I also lost my Father in Law, both to cancer. The suffering I watched both of them go through put a lot into perspective for me so, just have a better year personally in 2024 than 2023 is my wish. The farm can just tick along until I feel like driving on again.

Cushtie · 28-12-2023 7:59am

I'm not a farmer, but the farming forum is the one I find myself frequenting most in boards now. Still a great community feel in the place. (I grew up on a farm, but haven't been near a cow or tractor in nearly 30 years.)

Best of luck to all posters here whatever plans you have for your enterprise in 2024.

emaherx · 28-12-2023 8:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542732#Comment_121542732

I lost my sister suddenly in October, she went to work one day and never made it home.

Farmwise I had a good year, but big changes for 2024 with all of the cows sold and going looking for calves.

Siamsa Sessions · 28-12-2023 8:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542753#Comment_121542753

Welcome to farming forum. There’s a great bunch of posters on here. I probably wouldn’t be farming today if it wasn’t for all the help and discussions I see in here.

One of my aims for 2024 is to try answer more questions than I ask on this forum 😂

TinyMuffin · 28-12-2023 8:53am

Had a bad 2022 and an absolutely horrible 2023. But managed to keep the thing afloat. If I can survive those 2 years I thing I’ll be ok. Build a 5 span slatted shed in 2024 to house the weanlings. And try and sever a joint ownership agreement.

K.G. · 28-12-2023 10:11am

Not sorry to see the back of 2023.the only thing that was easy this year was the first cut silage everything else was pressurised.that said got through alot of work and got a a good few things sorted. As this year has gone on I ve started to change my thoughts on how to proceed.it looks like there will people to continue this business and up to this I adopted a veiw that I'd park to some extent building and capital expenditure until they took over but now I think we keep ploughing on.as they say its better to wear out than rust away.

Toplink · 28-12-2023 11:11am

Some sobering reading on this thread. I have a full time job and am in partnership with my Father but my input to the farm is no more than 10 hours a week. The job is flying it but trying to keep it to 40 hours a week remains a battle. Dad turned 70 this year and whilst he is healthy nothing can be taken for granted. I lost my Father In Law suddenly a few weeks ago, a seemingly fit 73 year old who was still tipping away on the farm.

To be honest, my approach is... maximize the grants, keep the numbers lowish and try and get the ould fella to cut down spending on manure and concentrates!

Packrat · 28-12-2023 11:24am

I hope to settle my stock numbers a bit, do some work on the shed and handling facilities and hopefully replace the tractor.

The tractor was meant to be done in 2023 but no value to be had secondhand so I'm thinking new whenever the computer says yes.

Job wise, I want to drop back a few days again - I found I was away too much in 2023.

The house needs a few bob spent on it as well this year.

Smokes going any day now, and probably dry Jan Feb March as well.

If half that gets done it'll be a lot.

grange mac · 28-12-2023 11:25am

Got a health scare in 2023 that put things into perspective for me. Started year at 17 stone ended at 17 stone despite climbing carrauntoohil 25 times since March and ended summit and back sub 4 hours.. So I'm putting it down that my body fat turned to Muscle 😂😂 at least I'm v tall so doesn't show 😂..that was my achievement for my mindset.

Hpfly get there one more time this year.

Farming took a back seat, I'm changing my system more to maximise grants and minimise stock. Acres payment held, lime payment held but it's ok I'll account for them according.

Try control rushes and see if can put up 2 buildings is my aim for next year... Most farm reseeded at this stage so it's black ground is left to be worked on. Not going into organic as of we don't spray rushes just take over..

Anyways good ridden 2023 ya bastsrd ya.

Mooooo · 28-12-2023 12:09pm

Found 23 tough mentally, small things built up along with a share of losses weighed heavy so plan is get back to basics take each day or week at a time.

Still tried a few things and learned what worked and didn't so have a bit more clarity

Setting up the calf shed with feeder properly in the next couple of weeks so will have plenty space even if all calves need to be held, hopefully won't be needed in that regard for a while if at all.

Will get in a few builders and see what can be done in the main yard and try and get a plan together in 24 and take action on implementing it

Siamsa Sessions · 28-12-2023 12:39pm

The first 3-4 weeks of 2024 will probably affect what I do farm-wise for at least 2 years, and possibly for the next 20 years.

I’ve applied to SBCI for the govt-backed loan and got dairy projection figures from the accountant that the banks wanted. AIB are slow but I’m dealing with a very efficient lady in PTSB. If they give a thumbs up for the loan (€80k gross, €50k nett after VAT back and TAMS), then I’ll drive on with cows. Instead of buying 30 calves in Feb, I’ll buy 12-15 maiden FR heifers instead and bull them with the 20 I already have. Milking will start then in Feb-2025. If that goes well, I’ll hopefully go full-time farming in 2026.

If the banks won’t give me that much, I’ll see how much they will give me and build whatever kind of slatted shed that’ll allow me to build. In this case, I’ll forget about cows. And buy 30 AA bull calves to drive on with calf-to-beef. That’d mean staying at the off-farm job for quite a few more years.

So the coming weeks will tell a lot.

GrasstoMilk · 28-12-2023 1:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121543438#Comment_121543438

Don’t doubt yourself on it. If milking is what you really want to do Kieran forget about all else and focus your mind on it soley. If it doesn’t happen so be it but I wouldn’t be talking about plan B yet. I think they call it manifesting

I see no reason why the bank wouldn’t give you money. Just make sure you borrow enough aswell that you don’t end up doing too much out of cash and killling cash flow as a result. Been that soldier here and it takes it’s toll

Siamsa Sessions · 28-12-2023 2:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121543617#Comment_121543617

Thanks for that. I’d have a few bits like replacing old 3-legged cubicles and tidying up roadways that I’d hope to do out of cash flow but aiming to do as much as possible up front. It’s not decided yet but I’m kinda starting to look at the farm thru different eyes over the past few weeks, after the latest round of talks with the banks and accountants.

Succession is another thing I’m aiming to progress in 2024. What’ll happen seems straightforward but the devil will probably be in the detail as ever. An ex-boss of mine used to say, “You never really know your wife til you divorce her” and I’m wondering if people ever really know their parents til they go thru succession with them 😂

Kevhog1988 · 28-12-2023 3:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542774#Comment_121542774

It is a great place. I didn't grow up on a farm (we only had an acre when I was a child) and find this place & twitter brilliant. I find it helps if you don't care what ppl think of you and just ask questions wether they're stupid or not. A mentor of mine in the off farm job always said to me there's no such thing as a stupid question... just a stupid answer. I try to say the same to my juniors in work now.

Dozer1 · 28-12-2023 3:47pm

2024 probably is another holding what I have year here, 2023 was the quietest year we've had after a few years of building up the house and new farm facilities.

There is the option of 50 acres for rent outside the ditch but in the greater scheme of things I won't go for it, 10 years ago I'd have given the right arm but not now with the school runs, training every evening with the kids and the full time job aswell.

Old lad has gone downhill alot last 6 months aswell, we'd never have towed too well but given what others have gone through here at least he transferred everything to me years ago.

whelan2 · 28-12-2023 4:01pm

Found 2023 very tough going. Need to get my siblings to help out more with my parents, I know everyone is busy but I just need to man up and get them to help. Got the milking parlour built and running which is the best thing I've ever done. Hopefully 2024 will bring a nice drought.

weatherbyfoxer · 28-12-2023 8:25pm

2024 will be a strange one here, will have my father's funeral on Saturday, farm will be a different place without him even if he hasn't been active on it for a few years.Was looking very hard at dairy conversion for the previous 18 months but nitrates and conversion costs have firmly put that to bed. So it looks like a year of improving what we are already at as apposed to much change

whelan2 · 28-12-2023 8:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121544866#Comment_121544866

Sorry for your loss

Tileman · 28-12-2023 8:52pm

Last 2 years have been very expensive with building new shed on farm 2 years ago and garage at the house here this year. Did it all through cash flow and felt it. Was planning on changing the tractor but will see how the year goes first.

mr.stonewall · 28-12-2023 9:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121544866#Comment_121544866

Sorry for your loss@weatherbyfoxer when you get back on the pony you will be able to drive some of his vision on the farm

dohc turbo2 · 28-12-2023 10:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121544866#Comment_121544866

No good time for a funeral, but Christmas is a horrible time for one, sorry for yer loss, may he rest in peace

tractorporn · 28-12-2023 10:49pm

This year is going to be a year of massive change for me. Change that has been blocked for the last four years since the farm was signed over. My father went into hospital 6 weeks ago and won't be home for another month or two.

We are hoping to build this year and have a deposit sown on a modular concrete house to speed up the build. On the farm I have arranged a dispersal sale in Ballymahon for the cows in the new year and have started buying calves already, sheep were sold as in lamb before Christmas. 30 acres of an outfarm is gonna be leased this year and things get too tight I've another outfarm that can be leased too. No plans for any spending above the completely necessary.

I changed jobs this year to a good state job but only on a contract so will push hard to get permanent this year and possibly a move closer to home as I'm commuting 3 hours a day at the min. Like most on here I'll be glad to see the back of 2023.

Jb1989 · 28-12-2023 11:03pm

Sorry for your loss lad

_Brian · 28-12-2023 11:43pm

We won’t change much. Usual story, same stock numbers, strive to do it better and cheaper.

looking to start a renovation of wife’s home place. The house is in rag order. Have a lad set up to do roof and hoping to get €70k grant from council. We will run some stock on the bit of land we kept with it.

looking at holidays at moment.

Dunedin · 28-12-2023 11:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121544866#Comment_121544866

Sorry for your loss. I always say to people that might be giving out about the parents that the day will come when you wish they were here to still to give out

look after yourself.

Grueller · 28-12-2023 11:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121544866#Comment_121544866

Look after yourself weatherbyfoxer. I know how you feel.

Pinsnbushings · 29-12-2023 1:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121544866#Comment_121544866

Sorry for your loss, thank god I haven't lost a parent yet but my grandmother died Christmas Eve a few years back..I know it's a tough time for all the family..take care an look after yourself

Finty Lemon · 29-12-2023 1:48pm

Looking forward to 2024 after a year that got away. Quite happy in general after switching to calf-beef from sucklers a few years ago, seemed like a huge deal at the time but personally I wouldn't go back now. Those worries seem petty now compared to some of the things mentioned here.

We have a deal done with the same couple of dairy lads, they've used beef AI of better quality so it will be interesting to see the difference (if any) in calves. AA and some Limos and Aubrac on the way. Plan is to have all in the yard by 10th March - we will see. They had looked into using the crypto vaccine but not available in time- one for 2025. Dabbling with the though of red clover on a bit of ground that needs reseeding- report mixed from farms feeding RC silage to weanlings and you'd wonder about having 5 to 6 acres of an oddball crop - will it complicate things etc. Jury still out.

Main management target for the year is to get better at grazing at the right times and to the right residence time in paddocks. I think we are missing out on 25-30kg gain over the main grass season by making 'they'll be happy enough until the weekend' type decisions. An extra move in the week would be worth it.

Biggest decision for the year will be whether to start into renovating an old standalone house on the farm as a rental prospect. Good grants available and it has an asset value but you would be heading in the opposite direction to every other accidental landlord in the country. Rough quotes are all north of 260k. The grant could make it break-even over a 15-yr period and a house for one of the lads when its done. Worried about the cash implications though!

Finally, a hope for 2024 is that farmers of all sectors, and systems within sector, can come together with a more sensible and unified message when dealing with each other, the public, interest groups and legislators. The fracturing of farmer representation into narrower factions has been very damaging- also the recent move to anti-science stances will not serve rural concerns well over time. The anti-Ag organisations must be delighted at the discord and self-inflicted caricatures that Agri-lobbies now present. If we spend all our time and energy arguing over which type of cow and how much to feed her, and fighting over the price of land, we are easy pickings. Deal in facts and redirect the energy in a more productive direction.

dzer2 · 29-12-2023 3:54pm

Sorry for your loss weatherby

White Clover · 29-12-2023 6:23pm

Very sorry to read of your loss @weatherbyfoxer

memorystick · 30-12-2023 1:11pm

It’s been a terrible year but on the farm and in the school. Do many funerals this past year. My plan is to lose a good bit of weight and get fit. Improve the farm and control costs better. I got a penalty for being overstocked. I’m thinking of setting 17 acres for first cut silage and let the farmer pay for the manure. How much is worth?

epfff · 30-12-2023 7:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550004#Comment_121550004

Over stocked penalty? Nitrates was it?

memorystick · 30-12-2023 8:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121551421#Comment_121551421

Yes. Going to keep fewer and less pressure.

epfff · 31-12-2023 1:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121551639#Comment_121551639

Hmmm

I'm wondering should I make same new year's resolution.

older by the day · 31-12-2023 1:57am

I'm sorry to hear about all the people here who have lost loved ones in 2023. It's seems that it was a bad year for deaths. I'm truly sorry.

I don't really make plans, it's just trying to stay up with life, I have a lot of elderly relatives and the kids to help and it's seems that to be there for them is my make objective.

In my little wet patch, it's the weather that makes or breaks my year. I hope for an early spring, a dry summer and a fine October. And media and politicians to fuuuck off and give farmers a break. That's all LOL

31-12-2023 2:10am

Planis too try buy or rent property & go farming!!

I Have had enough working for the man & want to start my own farming business.

Farmers are the most important group of people we have & need.

Looking at anything from 1 - 5 acres to find my way, will most likely start with market garden vegetables & some form of poultry.

All management decision’s will be guided by a clear holistic goal.

Any suggestions welcome

Dunedin · 31-12-2023 8:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121552785#Comment_121552785

Early spring, dry summer and a fine October……. That’s my dream too.

mr.stonewall · 31-12-2023 2:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121552950#Comment_121552950

That's perfection in my swamp

carrollsno1 · 31-12-2023 10:48pm

Glad to see the back of 2023 lost my mother to cancer back in March. Hoping to be just about nearly qualified by the end of 2024 so hopefully next years thread will see me posting about booking a flight out of the country onto the next chapter, long overdue. Have a wedding abroad in the fall of the year twill be the first proper holiday ill have had since returning home and looking forward to that. Gonna continue the Animal Based/Carnivore lifestyle fell off the wagon a bit over the festivities but should be back on track this week, will also try look more into the workings of the human body in laymans terms i.e. Gary Brecka and Andrew Huberman. Havent ran since July was up to doing 10km on my own of a Friday evening but injuries caught up on me so hopefully start from the start again this month. Put in a tough few months in the run up to Christmas with work 3-4hrs commute a lot of days think im going to be 1hr-1hr15 each way away from site until i go to my next college block. Usually work 7-5 mon-thurs and 7-1330 Friday thinking of going back to 7-4 mon-thurs and stay the same Friday going by my calculations its €40 less/week but ill have a lot more time to train in the evenings. Could go back to the later finish if im feeling up to it aftera few weeks again anyways. "Off the fags" three years this January would love to be able to do without them of a night out by the end of this year awful **** things altogether they are.

DJ98 · 31-12-2023 11:35pm

Took over the farm year here 5 years ago and while I have made significant improvement they have all only been small so hoping in the coming year to carry out my first building project of such and expand the existing sheep shed and roof the handling yard which was supposed to be done 3 years ago when the yard originally went in.

Bass Reeves · 01-01-2024 12:27am

Just discovered this thread in the last ten minutes. Sorry for your about your father @weatherbyfoxer from your father's age it was a bit too soon.

62 in first quarter of 2024 myself. Eldest lad is going into partnership with me. He has the Green Cert done. We will probably try to double the land base ober the next year and a bit.

Change the system slightly to carrying cattle 3-4 months longer on average. He was 30 last October so will have to sign over the existing farm to him in 2028 same time as I will start collecting the OAP.

Aggressive expansion there is life in the old dog yet

kk.man · 01-01-2024 2:37am

Forward cattle (mid summer) pure shite in 2024 but yearling to beef and stragglers were v good. Resending more and more to do. Ewe lamb to hogget mixed but going to change that. Looking forward to aggressive 2024 ....I might hit Kerry big time and another slatted shed.... sorry to hear the family losses on this forum...all the best in 24.

2024 is coming, how ye fixed

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