If you have the land and want to find out, then do it. Once sold or committed long term to something else, it'd be a shame to be wishing you'd given it a go.
If you are able to put lambs in the freezer before winter then that would be your easiest first venture, time limited, no overwintering costs/workload and your mistakes won't cost you as much as if you go straight for breeding stock that you've fed over winter, sat up all night every night to lamb, and then lose enough to put you off as a first timer.
And/or I would also support sharing the hill ground with someone else so you aren't taking on too much this time and have experienced hands to help out with the chores and answer questions, particularly if you're looking at winter and potentially lambing etc. Maybe mark out two lots but run them together to save effort and get maximum expertise and experience.
Silage off your flat ground would be a very good investment whether you get a contractor in or one of your neighbours on a shared bale basis. One thing you should have, inheriting acreage like that, is some kind of family history within the region and folk willing to help, this way you both benefit and your credibility rises. If you do decide to keep going longer term then having cooperative farming neighbours is a huge plus.
Best of luck, whatever your final decision, at least you'll know what it really entails and whether you want it for life, for a few years, or just the one off trial run. You never regret what you try as much as what you wish you had, that's my view
Topic: Starting out farming- Is it worth it? (Read 9653 times)
