7. Types of Farms
Small Scale Farming
What kinds of farming are suitable for a 21-hectare plot? Should I farm with cows or grow crops? Small-scale farming can provide a good living
Smaller farms are easier to manage. You need a genuine interest in farming if you want to be successful. A farmer is a businessman first and a farmer second. You should have an entrepreneurial flair, be quality-conscious and self-motivated.
A. Dairy farming
To be a successful dairy farmer one has to have a love of cattle and experience in this field.
A person who wants to become a dairy farmer should spend time working on a dairy farm before striking out on their own. It is important to have an understanding of animal anatomy, cattle health, and milk production.
If you have no experience, take classes in livestock production and business management to help develop the skills needed to run a successful dairy farm. These include:
- Animal handling
- Practical skills such as the ability to do fencing and use mechanical tools
- Mathematical and business skills
- Communication and organisational skills
Dairy farming is a lifestyle
You have to work long hours every day of the year, and rise early to milk and feed the cows. You have to be detail orientated. Farmers must keep careful records on each cow so they can measure the cost of keeping it against the income produced.
To run a small community farm with 10 head of dairy cows where crops are also grown and sold, you need skills in both disciplines. These include being able to work independently, understand soils, crops and dairy production as well as the ability to observe herd health and behaviour
These are a few of the responsibilities you have to think about:
- Manage pasture, stock and stock breeding programmes
- Hire, organise and supervise farm staff
- Buy feed, machinery and other farm materials
- Attend stock sales to buy and sell stock
- Dip cattle to ensure good health and remove parasites
- Wean calves
- Manage and prepare stock for slaughter
- Control pests and weeds
- Maintain farm buildings, yards and fences
You can make money by selling products produced at the farm to big dairy companies, or sell your own products if you can afford the processing equipment.
B. Crops
In South Africa, only about 12% of the country can be used for crop production. High-potential arable land comprises only 22% of total arable land.
Therefore you need to find out what crops would be suitable for the farm you have. This depends on soil type, water supply and a host of other considerations. Contact the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for more information.
Legislation
Before you go ahead and start farming check details of any legislation and regulations governing the industry, product and production processes.
Consult with the local municipal authorities to ensure that the land is zoned for farming and that there are no by laws that could affect the farm negatively.
Register the business with SARS so that you are compliant with tax and labour legislation.