6 replies to this topic

[skye]

I finally have my land and am putting my business case together. Have my first meeting with planners next week regarding the barn etc.

I am ok on pigs, chickens, goats etc. but need help with my orchard. I have several acreas of Conference Pears and have no idea how to cost these into the business case e.g. cost of pickers, spraying and how much the pears are worth per acre. Can anyone with an orchard help me out here or point me in the right direction to get the information.

Many thanks

[Cornish Gems]

Hi - congrats on getting the land! Do you not have enough land then to give the council a Prior Notification?

If not, make sure that you have as many agricultural doings on your land as possible before the planners see it and get the wrong impression. It has been our experience that planners like to see action before reading business plans for full planning permission.

[skye]

Hi Cornish Gems, thank you for your response. Should have made myself a bit clearer. I have 20 acres and am applying for PD for barn, track and polytunnels.

I am trying to put the business case together for my own benefit and will probably need it for the bank manager in the not too distant future !!!!! It would be good to understand the profit that can be made from the pears so I can work out how many acres I should keep. At the moment though, have no outlet for them all, only so much pear chutney you can make!

[greenmeadow]

Just a thought but what about pear juice and pear cider?

[Piglet]

Just a thought but what about pear juice and pear cider?

It has to be said that pear cider is both very popular and very delicious Piglet

[Cornish Gems]

As we were not sure how to store apples long enough to be a successful crop, last year we turned them into an apple sauce which proved to be very popular. We just now have to work out how to do the sauce again this year in larger quantities.

[greenmeadow]

Apples are also excellent in chutney - particularly with curry type spices.