[NRT]

Hi,
i have a small farm (well small holding really) and have been renting 15 acres for £600 to a local farmer who makes hay and grazes his cows. he has also registered my land to recieve SFP (but thats another topic). i have been considering stopping this arrangement and offering 8 acres up for sheep grazing...is that a good idea and what could i expect is return pa?
many thanks...quite new to all this and don't want to upset the farmer but need to be a bit more commercial..
thanks

[Crofterloon]

I pay £80 per acre for an 11 month rent, some in my area charge £60 for summer and 25P per head per week. £80 per acre works out at £16 per head per year at which I can make a profit (Thats 5 to the acre).I do not claim by sfp on this ground.But I think you can see £16 for grazing, £x for the tup, shearing £1, hay and drenching still leaves me a good bit of money.
The guy on your ground is getting a really good deal as you are carging £40 an acre. Whats your fencing like will it keep in sheep?

[SteveHants]

8 ac? Can hold 3ewes + lambs in summer and 1.5 sheep in winter per acre so thats 24 summer and 12 in winter. If its grazinf only id offer £10/ ewe/yr so in this case about £20/ac approx which is £160.

Personally, Id offer a couple of lambs for the freezer instead of money changing hands for that ammount of land.