Absolutely loved the video, please keep making them. I have the same experience of being told to keep achieving academically because it is “so much better” than farming, but this isn’t necessarily true. Great to hear from somebody in a similar situation.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Farming is a tough but very enjoyable job.
@TheFarmerTheCheesemaker10 ай бұрын
Great idea! Love the data… BUT…. Flip the screens next time. In other words, show the charts/ spreadsheet big and you small in the corner. It’s too hard to read the data and follow along as it is. That aside, it’s great to hear other farmer’s processes. And I think it’s important messaging that we don’t get things handed to us, that so much affects our profit or loss, etc.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Oh yeah!!! No idea why I never thought of that. 😆 Thanks!
@sweed584 ай бұрын
Every young farmer should watch this
@FarmTheoryNI4 ай бұрын
It would be helpful I think! 🤷
@williammulholland7393 күн бұрын
Great video. Great to see your attention to detail and there are principles that can be applied to any business
@johnc366810 ай бұрын
Brilliant watch, I’m a young dairy farmer in the south and find you’re enthusiasm for farming refreshing compared to most of the doom and gloom we hear day in day out👍🏻
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it.
@chuckle3010 ай бұрын
Very interesting one of my mates has recently done benchmarking and they told him his suckler doesn't make any money which makes you question benchmarking as i would say he's in the top 20% if not 10% and is investing in his farm without borrowing we're both quite open with our finances which leads to some good discussions. Keep up the good work we need more like you in tge industry.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I really really appreciate feedback, I do feel very unsure about what I'm trying to do with youtube. 😆
@pjdee587910 ай бұрын
Great video. Good numbers for anyone thinking of doing it. It is a very complex business when you take the milk price and the input cost volatility into account. So many moving parts of the equation.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
So many moving parts. Farming is really hard and a lot of people don't get that.
@philipranyard293110 ай бұрын
I too thought you are wasted on dairy farming, until you said you don't use side sheets on the pits!! I'm now struggling to take you seriously 😂😂. Great videos keep it up.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I will have to do a video on side sheets this week and convince you they are a bad idea. 😆
@dekdek55110 ай бұрын
Fabulous insight into the real numbers. Interesting that you had some batches of heifers that underperformed, but that is a reality of breeding, no matter how good the bulls are, you should only breed your best cows and maiden heifers to dairy. Vets and medical are another big variable as well as your resending program and grass variety. Loved the share, absolutely 💯.
@michaeldoyle676610 ай бұрын
Well said, love the videos, from a full time dairy farmer/ full time teacher. Don’t need to do both but love both
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Thank you!!
@scottsalisbury11669 ай бұрын
I love the way your brain saw the opportunity. I can relate so well. Over the next 2 months my family and will sell our city home and take over an existing dairy farm. Thank you for this video. It was very informative. Brief and to the point.
@FarmTheoryNI9 ай бұрын
Amazing! Hope it helped! Your going to have a very interesting few years ahead!
@timatkinson879210 ай бұрын
Very well done It would have helped, but perhaps added another layer of complexity to cover land values and tax. Ie - that a lower trading business performance can be accepted if asset value is appreciating and tax advantages are used. There is a real separation between tenant farmers and owners. Also between family farms who perhaps have no intention of selling and those who have bought a farm for 20 years and farm it primarily for asset appreciation.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
So much I could have said, you could do a huge series on farm business.
@ronanlucid958810 ай бұрын
Love the videos very insightful and agree fully re how farmers are eunderappreciated by business community, when one consider how volatile revenue and indeed some Costa are farmers should be.massively applauded for their abilities, this coming from someone in another business.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Having a second business give me the perspective to appreciate how difficult farming is but also how simple it is having a guaranteed customer. 😅
@Martin-t9s4y10 ай бұрын
My hats go off to you very professional video and enjoyed the video and the channel ❤
@ryanlennox68410 ай бұрын
Fantastic video. Your switched on alright and thats what it takes to be good in business
@johnsweeney1712Ай бұрын
Great video. Keep up the good work.
@simondennis26210 ай бұрын
Great video. I’m a beef farmer and was told similar things when coming home from. ‘good’ job 😉 I am not up to date with my bench marking at the moment, but when I have done it in the past, I moved away from profit per cow, profit per ha or yield as my primary figure to simple percentage return (Annual Equivalent Rate like a bank account) on cash or other value (eg unpaid labor) as I felt this was ultimately the most important. When I mentioned this at a benchmarking meeting (in England) a few years ago that was yield / income / health KPI focused, I was practically asked to leave 😂
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I think I understand what you mean, basically how much of a "wage" you actually get?
@simondennis2629 ай бұрын
Not so much a wage. More like the interest you get on an investment. Or savings. i.e. the profit made on the value tied up in the business. Both cash / actual money and unpaid value (like my wages at times when cash flow is tight). The engineering firm I worked for did the same in quarterly profit share meetings. I look at profit overall and on an individual animal basis so I can see if specific ages, sexes, breeds etc seem more profitable (the biggest difference for me is the price paid per kg for stores, which makes me despair at markets that don’t sell on or show weights of stores). All fairly easy if individual animal performance is recorded. I account for wages separately as either wages / drawings actually taken from the business, or the amount I would have had to pay someone else (even if sometimes I haven’t, e.g. when I haven’t paid myself fully in the short term for cash flow reasons)
@gerrymulligan260210 ай бұрын
Fair play.ya.no farmer tell nothing all no say.no money in farming but still keep farming no alot work long hours
@conor-breathnach10 ай бұрын
Very interesting and honest video!
@grahamsmith975610 ай бұрын
Great video More please on your breeding decisions good and bad
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Starting AI in 2 weeks, lots to come!
@farmstyle92macd5510 ай бұрын
Soon as I seen your face I subscribed. I seen you on farm flix. Smart lad can wait to get a look over your channel 👍
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Thanks!!
@tkinvy975010 ай бұрын
Top video & one that was missing in this space 👌 Would you consider moving away from profit per cow as main benchmark to profit per hectare/acre utilised? Just my personal view but the profit per hectare benchmark levels out the performance between high input, low input & all systems in between at the same time highlights the increased risk associated with increased inputs.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I often say the same thing to others as advice for between farms but when looking within my own business I still think per cow is the best metric.
@danmurphy654110 ай бұрын
Great vid as usual, plenty of common sense..and encouraging to the young people..
@johnhughes211310 ай бұрын
Im new to your chanel north wales based, interesting content a sensible aproach to a farming buisness, so many call farming a way of life in some respect it is, but as you sensibly point out its the bottom line that pays the bills, get that right and you will be rewarded with a better lifestyle, i shall look forward to your next vlog, good luck.
@thedairydiary853110 ай бұрын
Brilliant and honest video. Is the milk price in NI only based on volume not solids is that way volume is more important in NI?
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Volume pays yes. That is slowly changing.
@JRCSounds10 ай бұрын
I might be nit picking, but the graph at the start silages are just kpi’s not management accounts- they are more so used in correlation with management accounts/ financial statements. Profit also doesn’t equal cashflow with neither equaling what in your pocket. You can have all the information but it’s what practically happening and what you can do it with. You seem to be brilliant at using this information to make your decisions
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
All valid points. 😅 It's one of them topics which is never ending with caveats and context. I'm a big fan of not striving for perfection and just doing my best and moving on to the next thing.
@S_Eglington10 ай бұрын
I'm going to check the dinner then watch this again. I spent a lot of time thinking, hang on a minute.
@S_Eglington10 ай бұрын
So what you're saying is that your total cost of production is not the total of all your costs of production?
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Not even close, we need another 6-8ppl to be cash neutral.
@finbarreburn511210 ай бұрын
He who hesitates is lost 🤔
@jeromelinehan159710 ай бұрын
Excellent video. Perhaps a goal of profit per cow rather than yield per cow is better, a lot of profit is forgone chasing yield. Hard to read the rather small chart but did your fixed costs fluctuate in tandem with yield?
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I watch KZbin on a 27" 4k screen, often forget everyone doesn't. 😅 Yield matters more than I appreciated tbh, it's a goal I will chase even at extra cost at this point.
@paulfinnan198410 ай бұрын
Great video. Ive watched it 3 times all ready.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Thanks! Im not sure that you gained the second or third time. 🤣
@paulfinnan198410 ай бұрын
Did u put in feed to yeild so or how did u reduce your feed bill
@ciaranconeely857910 ай бұрын
Support for your channel Andrew 👍.
@tinnie183510 ай бұрын
And that is the problem of family farms, they see it as a tradition but could be making losses as it is not valued as bussines
@finbarreburn511210 ай бұрын
'A very noble profession' My old schoolteacher once said 🤔
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Very accurate.
@BJW-01010 ай бұрын
Very big thanks for making this video, your vids are always interesting. What are your thoughts about buying a feeding wagon and how that could influence the milk yields? Kind regards of a vet student.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Hey Vet Student! We don't use a feeder wagon because we prioritise grazing, so the days to repay the investment are limited. It would definitely help milk yields.
@BJW-01010 ай бұрын
@@FarmTheoryNI okay, sounds fair. Keep up the high quality of the videos, they are a pleasure to watch!
@BJW-01010 ай бұрын
Can you think about doing a video of the management changes you did on the farm since you run it?
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Sure, it was meant to be this video but it got to complex. I could do a series. One item at a time.
@BJW-01010 ай бұрын
@@FarmTheoryNI hahah I understand, the most interesting topics are the most difficult as well. I”ll have some patience!
@johnhannon653210 ай бұрын
Great video did you ever consider going down a lower output lower input more grass based system ? Easier on man cow and less machinery.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I don't think it delivers the turnover needed to make decent money tbh.
@philiptyndall496810 ай бұрын
@@FarmTheoryNIin my own group of discussion group /friends farming last year the range of profit /ha last year was 3200€ to 4300€/ha Spring calving systems are highly profitable
@disamcontractors563610 ай бұрын
Great video. Watching from Nigeria. Please can you share your graphs, kpi
@davidkellet100610 ай бұрын
When british farmers pay contractors for many silo crops forage wheat and maize etc how can it make money renting land aswell as owning farms
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Renting would be even more difficult. Its possible but I don't imagine it would be easy.
@davidporter955610 ай бұрын
Wen ur counting on profit on cows u need to count everything machinery sheds labour the lot that’s a totally different number. And people say u can’t count all that but if the cows put them costs Ther and it has to come out of the milk cheque it needs to b counted
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
It is included as depreciation, but the capital cost is incurred sooner, also replacements and drawings, as I tried to make clear, the figures are for comparison between years not real life figures that end in my bank account.
@davidporter955610 ай бұрын
@@FarmTheoryNII don’t want to no what’s in ur bank account 😂 but the money that’s in your account is what u made. I no the way u said is the proper way to do it but it’s not the real proper figures
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
@@davidporter9556 it's not, this is why cost of production is such a complex topic, 100 ways to work it out. 😅 I say the most accurate measure is the average price we are paid, we are always held at just about surviving! 🤔
@liamturner931110 ай бұрын
Thanks for the video. When benchmarking your figures is it against averages or from other particular farms that you share data with? Your co-op or discussion group? I’d like to learn more on benchmarking but unsure how to get started. I did it with a discussion group for a few years so understand the general idea but am not in said group now.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I found people don't want to share their data so I have only ever really compared within my own business.
@michaelmonthey597410 ай бұрын
If you want to start dairy farming, watch Larry Tranel’s video, Economics of Dairy Grazing
@declandonoghue902310 ай бұрын
When you mention the cost per cow have you deduct your labour cost before you show the profit per cow? And are these cost allowing an hourly wage or just a weekly/monthly salary.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
There is a tiny cost under family labour value but the reality is you need to add +5ppl for me and my dad's labour.
@mattynorris858710 ай бұрын
@ farm theory Could you do a bit of homework on the sustainability payment being offered by Lakeland, i feel like theres a lot there not saying on it and what it means going forward, Thanks Matty Oh i love the environmental videos
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
For once, no I can't. 🤣 It's a very long, rediculous story. Your spot on, there is a lot not being said, and it's going to bite us very quick. However I don't see any options for farmers, they will simply force it on us.
@mattynorris858710 ай бұрын
@@FarmTheoryNI I've a feeling it could be something to with you being a bad Dale Farm representative .
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
@@mattynorris8587 WELL DONE!! 🤣👏 Didn't think you would join them dots tbh.
@PVAglue-fi4kc10 ай бұрын
Your the the "Harry's farm" for dairying. On paper farmers made money in 22 but with capital allowances write downs lower than repayments and abig tax and preliminary tax bill to pay in 23 and cash flow on the floor, any farms with big borrowings could struggle if milk price's don't rebound next year. The farm always owes you money, 10/15 pounds an hour for a 70 hour week. Is that a 3d model of yourself on the table beside you?
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
What a compliment! Thanks! YES, it's a bobble head my wife bought me, inspired by "the office us".
@harryknott194410 ай бұрын
Good video! Do you not hire any full time labour I noticed your paid labour was only £19000?
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
A lot of my labour is in my "contracting" costs. Currently it's about £40k/yr
@Alejandrogarcia-fp1fr10 ай бұрын
really nice video very interesting
@ycymro149510 ай бұрын
excellent video
@pachipachi5038 ай бұрын
Please fix the volume on the videos, I’ve tried to watch several and the volume is very low
@FarmTheoryNI8 ай бұрын
Is it? I will increase the master volume for the next one.
@pachipachi5038 ай бұрын
Thank u, love the videos btw very informative
@ctl57810 ай бұрын
How many cows would you think is enough to make profit to support 2 people on the farm?
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I know of some very good farmers doing it with 120. However don't make the mistake of assuming you will be very good. 😅
@padraigking518510 ай бұрын
Good stuff
@Aidy30810 ай бұрын
Great video
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Thanks, I was very unsure. 😅
@Deryck-ol7to10 ай бұрын
Would you go farming if you rented all the farm? I enjoy watching all your videos
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
No, for the work it's already a tough business and I own the farmyard and 200/350ac I farm.
@rescuecow9010 ай бұрын
You either own 350ac or not,why the 150ac difference quoted? Good video,I farmed the same when I got 50p as when I got 18p,basically never let anything slip.
@barrett228810 ай бұрын
he means he owns 200 out of the 350 acres he farms@@rescuecow90
@samuelrobinson901210 ай бұрын
@@rescuecow90 I'm assuming he owns 200 and rents the other 150. But then again, I'm only a gobshite, you'll be more intelligent than me.🙄
@kennethorr-v5x10 ай бұрын
Great video, what are your views on the use of slurry buts?
@kennethorr-v5x10 ай бұрын
Sorry bugs
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Did you not watch my tiktok this week? 🤣
@kennethorr-v5x10 ай бұрын
No I'm not on tiktok
@unaoconnor362810 ай бұрын
Shame that you were considered too good for farming. Expert farmers like you are needed to lead and to advocate for farming.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Thanks! I understand why people say it, much easier life. 🤣 However farming also has its moments of greatness.
@gerrymulligan260210 ай бұрын
How many acres have milking many cows
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
350ac, 500 animals, 190 cows.
@dermotwoodland10 ай бұрын
350 acres @ £15k an acre leaves the farm worth around £5.5 mil. If you invested that money @ 8% you would make £440k with no hard work. @@FarmTheoryNI
@eoinoc349510 ай бұрын
Some man! Great insight for the general public💪🏼👍🏼. Dairy myself… two things.. 1: fair play for giving the time and effort and some private info 2:…. You would talk the hind legs off a f**king DONKEY! Mother of divine…. Relax… take it handy. Your video was great and this comes across in this message as abuse … I mean this in the least abusive way possible I sound like an awful bo** Feck me…..you’re some man to talk. You’re video has great info for the general pubic and farmers also… but hey… you could bend the ear off a donkey. Christ on a bike relax.. you are really passionate about the farm and that’s super. It’s so intense! Not in the top 10% myself either not far below it though..but hey… the cows work for you……. You don’t work for the cows!!!! 🤷🏼♂️
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
Thanks! I also absolutely get what your saying, my idea with KZbin is very much to just try something different, this style of video is me trying to find the balance and see what works.
@garethbryson10 ай бұрын
could you give us a video about your breeding strategy's, aims and failures you mentioned.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I will! Breeding starts again in 2 weeks.
@Ai-lm9pb10 ай бұрын
One disagreement Andrew. Once you farm for a while you couldn't work for anyone else. You'd get the sack after the first day for arguing with your boss.
@FarmTheoryNI10 ай бұрын
I absolutely agree with that. 😅 Farmers are very independent individuals
@SeanMcIntyreBiker10 ай бұрын
Great insights. I sent you an email to farmtheoryni would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the numbers etc there. Thanks.