How to Make Money Farming in a World of Commercial Giants. If you’re thinking about making money through farming, be prepared to work extremely hard. Farming is notoriously difficult to succeed in due to factors such as the unreliable British weather, rising costs, and expensive machinery.
With a few commercial giants dominating the market, it can be daunting to enter the farming industry. However, you can still make a profit if you know what you’re doing. Do your research on the area and diversify in unique ways to keep a steady flow of income.
Agriculture covers 71% of the UK’s land usage, which provides ample opportunity for those looking to get into profitable farming.
But with so many methods out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth your time and effort. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to make money farming, so you can find the best methods for your farm.
Lease vs Use
The first big decision when it comes to your land is choosing whether to lease it out or farm it by yourself. Both come with their own set of pros and cons:
When it comes to your land, you have two main options: leasing it out or farming it yourself. Both can provide an income, but they work in very different ways. As with anything, there are pros and cons to both approaches:
PROS:
- -You don’t need farming experience or knowledge to succeed
- -No initial capital required for machinery and infrastructure
- -A steady income from the monthly rent, plus the chance to negotiate a share of the profits
- -A low-risk option. You’re not reliant on weather conditions and a volatile market
- -You can determine how tenants farm the land
CONS:
- -Limited income
- -Reliant on the tenant using your land in the right way
- PROS:
- -Higher earning potential
- -You can farm the land however you choose
- – Higher risk
In a nutshell, leasing land doesn’t offer as much chance for profit, but it minimises risks and secures a steady income. Farming the land requires experience, investment and staff, but there’s more chance of greater returns in profitable farming.
However, if you decide to farm the land, let’s look at the key areas to consider when thinking about how to make money farming.
You’ll need to have experience in running a farm and be able to invest money into the equipment and staff needed. Even with those factors, there’s still a greater chance that you’ll make more money farming than you would by leasing the land.
Planning
Before you start anything else, plan! Speak to other local farmers in your area to gain a better understanding of what it is you’re getting yourself into. They can provide a wealth of information, such as the best contractors and how they plan to use their land.
Knowing their plans forms a basis for you to decide what to do with yours, once you’ve understood your land, that is. Is it best suited to arable or pastoral? What’s the soil like?
You may go down the organic route to charge a premium for your produce. It’s particularly worthwhile if your farm is near an affluent town or city where people are willing to pay the extra for quality. However, before making any decisions, be sure to do your research so that you are well-informed about all of your options!
Budgeting
It can be tricky to find the right balance between profitability and farming expenses. You need to account for things like initial investment costs, water, labour, and animal feed, while also keeping an eye on an unpredictable market. This is where budgeting comes in – it’s the key to making money from farming.
It’s worth seeking professional help to get your business on track. A business consultant with experience in agribusiness can help you navigate changes in the market, which can save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.
Diversify
If you want to make money farming, you need to think of yourself as an entrepreneur as well as a farmer. Utilise every opportunity to make money from your land. From opening farm shops and glamping areas to getting local fishing groups on board, here are some ways you can diversify your farming business.