Choosing the right system for your farming operation requires a due diligence process. In the past farmers have often "copied" the neighbors because it looks OK and seems to work... but does it really? Is it not better to thoroughly evaluate what you do and where you want to be, and then design around that, ensuring outcomes are achieved to your standards.
Which system will work for you? And how do you get from where you are to where you "need" to be? For starters allow plenty of time - from initial investigation work and possible feasibility work often a time frame of 3-6 months is realistic. In many areas we now also need to do full environmental assessments and project descriptions to assess the impact of the new system on the environment.
With lots of options and often a lot of misguided information driven by builders and providers only interested in selling concrete and steel without much consideration of the system you will need to operate its easy to get it wrong. It pays to get it right ...
Once you have decided to proceed, time is often needed to get finance in place and get the full project specifications out in the market place with construction companies and suppliers.
Allow at least an other 2-3 months for this process.
If resource consents and permits are needed a further 3 months time soon withers away.
After all that one can finally start doing some on site work. In most cases a construction period of 4 months is a good guideline.
Any professional will have to do all of these things to ensure things are done correctly, so when a builder indicates "it will only take a few weeks", be assured that he is just talking about his part of the job.
Independent farm systems expert input is often the best road to success, as the "mind and doors are open" for any alternative to be considered, and most experts have a vast network of support people as part of their resources available to you. Total project coordination by an experienced and skilled professional is vital for good project success. Talk to existing clients and ensure you get on with the person you are about to engage. After-project support can be a real bonus to ensure post build "inbedding", and to properly sort out any problems that arise.
Talking to other farmers is a good thing, but ensure you talk to farmers with similar systems and land/animal conditions to make comparisons valid; compare apples with apples.
Your accountant plays a vital role in providing information on past performance and consideration of the tax implications.
Economic analysis An economic analysis is a different skill set than an accountant's input, the economist can contribute greatly in both the feasibility stage, finance application stage and review and monitoring.
Banks are needed to support the new project fully, over and beyond the infrastructure building stage. Often initial year equity dips and cash support is needed to ensure longer term equity gains are realized.
Last but not least, ensure that you make your time work where its needed most, which for most farmers is the running of the farm. Often while projects are going on it is easy to lose track of day to day farm events, and often this can result in dropping the ball on farm or in highly inflated stress levels, which in reality are an additional cost to the project. If your day to day job is to manage projects, by all means do your own, but if this is a "once in a lifetime" dream, do not try and manage a project yourself (unless you have plenty of money to waste).
Cowhouseâ„¢ Limited
Phone: 0800 80 90 98
E-mail: sales@cowhouse.co.nz