[Mrs Snoodles]

Sylvia...is there no chance of getting some money upfront from customers that you know personally, a deposit to cover rearing costs? 

[benkt]

Cash flow for pigs is always a problem. It's part of the reason we do our community farming thing. The first year we sold halves for £50 deposit and £20 a month and were always cash flow positive. It works the same now with members paying a monthly sub. I just can't afford to put £100 of food into each piglet without some cash coming in along the way.

[Mrs Snoodles]

Excellent idea benkt.  Proper community set up

[Sylvia]

Sylvia...is there no chance of getting some money upfront from customers that you know personally, a deposit to cover rearing costs?

The worry with doing that is things happen, you may not be able to deliver the goods. I'd rather not be in debt, too much worry   The restaurant I sell to will take five of my pigs, the rest will go into family's freezers.

[kja]

Sylvia...is there no chance of getting some money upfront from customers that you know personally, a deposit to cover rearing costs?

The worry with doing that is things happen, you may not be able to deliver the goods. I'd rather not be in debt, too much worry   The restaurant I sell to will take five of my pigs, the rest will go into family's freezers.

my biggest fear atm would be to take a deposit you would have to agree on a end product price and with feed prices set to rise & rise to how much so you could end up under charging (and loosing money) i used to take a £10 deposit until i got to know the buyers but then i put myself in their place and would i want to pay up front for my food ? .......no so i stopped altogether. and as sylvia says things can happen and you cant deliver the goods you are than in debt to the buyer.

[Mrs Snoodles]

aaahhhh...ok I see.   I don't mind asking but then that's me 

[Victorian Farmer]

When Christmas has gone pigs chickins horses wont be worth no think for a tenner this week i could have 6 hens and 2 young pigs £10

[deepinthewoods]

mrs s, i agree with you, i reckon if you can produce the goods then take a deposit, i take a deposit when restoring windows,  1/3 up front. 1/3 half way through and 1/3 on completion. standard practice.  if the costs change i advise the client and we negotiate.