There is no doubt that expansion is one of the most exciting and anticipated periods in a farmer’s career. Whether this means acquiring more fields from a neighbouring farmer, more staff to work the fields with more attention and labor, or more farming buildings, machines and hardware to process your crops through; you’ll be sure to see more cash pass through your farm if you manage to secure an expansion. This article provides tips to ensure that you’re prepared and well-informed for any farm extension and expansion – now, or in the future of your farming career.
Talk to a Lawyer
You may feel that an agreement between farmers and landowners feels itself like a kind of law, but you’re going to need expert legal advice on some of the deals you’ll be striking out in the countryside. This is especially true of land deeds, which you’ll need to present to prove your ownership should government officials ask to see your papers. Ensure you’re getting the documents you require by talking regularly to a lawyer to help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Consider Resources
While most farming expansions provide some with an increased yield in harvest, and thus an increased profit margin and bottom line, you shouldn’t automatically equate your purchase of extra land or resources with your ability to earn more money. Actually, some of the shrewder farmers look to buy more land, fields or farming machines in order to deliberately diversify their crop take. This is seen to guard farmers against difficult months for certain types of crops.
Find Trusted Personnel
Your next step, if you’re expanding your farm, is to look into the personal you’ll need to pick up the extra work you’ve just created. This is wonderful news for your local economy, which relies on farmers such as yourself to create new jobs for the local workforce. It’s also great news for you, as during the recruitment process, you’ll be able to find the right partner to work alongside in your ambitious new plans for your farm.
Buy Storage Space
Many farmers tend to buy more land, sow more seeds, yet neglect the fact that they’ll be handling a great deal more, in terms of crops, next harvest season. Without adequate new storage space, they’ll find that they’re unable to store some of their crop. This is of course a disaster well worth avoiding and, simple-to-build, steel-paneled quonset farm buildings are an excellent way to quickly establish a little more space in which to store your crops after the harvest.
Don’t Overstretch
While expanding your farm, building new improved facilities and adopting different farming methods is exciting and rewarding, there can be a risk that the most ambitious farmers tend to overstretch themselves a little, taking on too much work and leaving themselves exhausted and unable to make the best use of all of their assets. To be a truly successful farmer, beware this overstretch and burn-out – it can happen to anyone.
These five tips are provided to help farming professionals decide when and how to increase the size and scope of their farm – without losing business or failing certain crops in the process.
