Would it be possible to cast your eye over this excert from my business plan which is a 1 page schedule of my intended business.
Could you advise whether in your opinion, I would meet all of the tests with this or whether I should be looking to increase say the pig production to justify the functionality and productivity tests.
I am aware that the book highlights at least 50 sows should be kept, however as I intend to diversify and have two main enterprises, ie. highland cattle and pigs, combined with the other activities how do you think this would be viewed or should I concentrate on say 50 sows initially.
The reason I want to keep both as a main enterprise is that due to the feed costs, I could feed both with the harvesting of 2 wheat crops a year.
NB : I have spoken to a councillor who is on the planning committee (for past 20 years), knows an awful lot about planning and he has offered to assist me and suggests that we meet, he advises that he can liaise with the planning department on my behalf to clarify anything and that I should not set my sights too low with a 2 bed bungalow, that I should consider something more substantial initially, athough he did say there were no guarantees and it might be a simpler option to buy land close to a village or town so as to buy a house off site, and travel to the smallholding, althouh he said he wasnt trying to be negative, just giving me options.
I was wondering whether it would be wise providing him with a business plan or this schedule of intentions or whether it would be best to just give a verbal overview and see what he can do to assist.
Acreage Crop/animal Purpose Yield Est. Profit
8 Wheat and hay from Animal feed 48 tonnes hay Nil
two crops per year. wheat for pigs/foul and hay for cattle. 21.3 tonnes wheat
10 Highland cattle from 6 Build herd to 12 heifers & sell 12 calves p.a. from year 4. £ 11,500
pregnant females and at 30mth
1 unrelated bull.
2 Pigs x 5 (+1 boar) To sell progeny at age 23 weeks. piglets £ 15,500
from year 2.
1/4 Chickens x 10 To sell eggs 2500 eggs @90p per ½ doz. £360
1/4 Turkeys x 2f, 1m To sell progeny 50 turkeys at £50 per turkey £ 2,500
In Orchard Bees for honey/pollination To sell retail In around 6 years negligible
1 Potatoes To sell retail and spoilt for animal feed At market - guestimate £ 1,000
1 Sweet potatoes To sell retail and spoilt for animal feed At market - guestimate £ 1,000
1 Turnips To sell retail and spoilt for animal feed At market - guestimate £ 1,000
2 Xmas trees To sell retail Ready from year 7, £ 7,500
sell 250 a year at £30 each
4 Orchard dwarf fruit trees. To sell retail and spoilt for animal feed Ready to sell fruit in year 6 £ 11,200
1/4 Polytunnels To sell retail and direct guestimate £ 2,000
Garlic/asparagusPlants/trees
1/4 Barn/buildings/mobile home Housing, self/stock/food etc n/a Nil
I have also attached the schedule as a file.
Thank you.
Robin.