Rick
I sense fear in your reply and fear and greed are what keeps my
suggestions from happening.
Because I'm over 60 doesn't mean that my mind is gone. I still have the
ability to work at a slower pace but share management ideas with a new
young dairyman. I have said many times that a 50% net profit should be
the goal of a pasture based dairy farm. With that level of profit on a
farm of adequate size two families can live well, pay down debt and even
buy land. I believe that if I worked with a young family for a year or
few that I would know their goals and ambitions. I don't have a problem
with helping a young family that I have gotten to know, buy a farm by
using my equity. When they're ready to take their half of the herd to
their own farm there should be someone else ready to take my half of the
herd and start out again ( hopefully one of their employees). Our
seasonal herd has been growing at a rate of about 15% a year for the
last 10 years. We can sell breeding stock or expand if we desire.
Assuming I live for another 20 years I see no reason why I can't help at
least three people get started in the grass based dairy business in that
time. If even 10% of the 60 year old dairymen today did that look how
many young dairymen would have an opportunity.
Dave Forgey
