Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Where should I start??

Hi all,

I recently acquired a small farm in Southern Ontario, and was wondering what my best options are.

I have approx. 15 workable acres, which has grown ginseng in the past. I also have a 2 floor, 10,000 square foot barn, that is approx. 20 years old, and in great shape. It was used to grow poultry.

Should I rent the land out? Or should I hire somebody to plant corn? Or other ideas?

Also what should I do with the barn? I'd like to do something in there, just hoping for ideas.

Thanks.

Views: 757

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on January 24, 2012 at 1:50am
Permalink Reply by Tom Cox on January 27, 2012 at 3:31am

Congratulations on the new purchase.  Assuming that your land is reasonably productive you shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone interested in renting from you.  15 acres is a fairly small parcel but providing there is adequate access to the field from an adjoining road there will be quite a few takers. There are great variations in the prices being offered for rental land and often a sizable gap between what numbers get tossed around in the coffee shops and what is actually getting paid.  You could go to an established agri business -farm equipment dealer, fertilizer dealer and ask for a recommendation of who is reputable and does a good job.  A sign on the field would likely be enough to get you some offers but no assurance of the calibre of renter.  I'd want at least some cash upfront if I was renting it out.

If you decide to have it planted yourself you're likely looking at $500 in costs per acre vs. renting it out where you'll get $1-200 in income.  There is more upside to doing it yourself but you really need to find the right custom operator if that's where you head.

 

No clue on uses for an old chicken barn....do your kids like ball hockey ?  Stay away from pidgeons...

 

Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Teresa Ainslie on February 2, 2012 at 4:08am



T. Ainslie said:

I'm assuming you have an empty barn and all the chicken equipment except the fans and air inlet controllers has been removed. Otherwise you should get quota and raise broiler chickens :)

We have an old (empty) chicken barn too and removed part of the second floor to create a "cathedral ceiling" in one half and a storage loft in the other. Put a good set of stairs and railing up to the loft as opposed to a ladder so storage access is easier and safer. We have mainly hay and straw storage (small square bales) in the loft but also store lumber and household "overflow" up there because it is much dryer than our basement and cleaner than our driveshed. The high ceiling allows us to use the loader tractor to get heavy stuff in & out of the loft. A high ceiling also would make a suitable area for horses.

Taking down part of the ceiling got rid of a maze of support posts so now larger vehicles and equipment can move around easily. The 2nd floor had a 2 1/2 inch layer of concrete which was broken up and used to build a ramp ("barn bank" lol) in front of one of the barn's big doors and created a drive-through barn. If I were to make additional changes I would widen and raise the door at the high-ceilinged end of the barn to allow entry with a full haywagon. We are gradually exchanging many of the fans for windows so we don't have to use so many lights.

Check with your local building inspector before you do any changes to make sure the barn's structure will still support itself with part of the 2nd floor missing. You will also need an electrician to help you with the wiring that will have to be removed and rerouted. Propane or natural gas lines have to be capped safely too.

Hope that gives you some useful ideas....

Good luck!

 

Permalink Reply by Teresa Ainslie on February 2, 2012 at 4:11am



 

Permalink Reply by Teresa Ainslie on February 2, 2012 at 4:29am

The considerable lumber we got from the removal of part of the 2nd story of our old chicken barn was reused for various other building projects around the farm.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Pulse Market Insight #308

Monsoon Shortfall Makes India the Market to Watch for Peas and Lentils For Canadian pea and lentil markets, no single buyer matters more in 2026/27 than India, and developments there keep pointing in a friendly direction. This year’s southwest monsoon ended roughly 15% below normal, with the shortfalls concentrated in the southern half of the country where most of the tur (pigeon pea) crop is grown. The kharif harvest is getting underway this month and poor results are widely expected. For Alberta growers, the question is how that crop damage translates into import demand for peas and lentils, and on what timeline. Because it’s a kharif crop, the tur harvest is where the damage shows up first. Prices for tur have rallied over US$230 per tonne from the early July low and now sit at their highest point since August 2024. Because green lentils are the main substitute for tur, Indian buyers are already backfilling with imports, and prices for Canadian green lentils in India are at their

How Grower Dollars Drive More Research Investment

Each year, Alberta canola farmers use their service charge dollars to support research. However, these contributions are just one piece of the bigger picture. Every season brings new challenges, from insect pressure and disease to challenging weather and rising input costs. Research helps canola growers tackle today’s issues and get ready for what’s ahead. That is why research remains a key priority for Alberta Canola. Investing in research that matters to growers Farmers often work at the leading edge, facing challenges with no playbook to follow. That is why Alberta Canola, as a farmer-led organization, sees research as a cornerstone of a competitive canola industry. Research helps identify and manage the challenges farmers face today while anticipating those that may emerge tomorrow. Whether it is managing pests, improving crop resilience, or finding ways to use inputs more efficiently, research gives growers practical tools and knowledge they can apply on their farms. In the e

Ohi Ahmed Joins Alberta Canola as Policy Analyst

We’re pleased to welcome Ohi Ahmed to Alberta Canola as our new Policy Analyst. Prior to joining Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Ohi worked at The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy as a Policy Analyst. His work primarily focused on analyzing public policies and political affairs and their impact on the agri-food sector at the provincial and federal levels. He also has client relationship and portfolio management experience from his banking career, where he held multiple roles in corporate and retail banking. He holds degrees in Public Policy (University of Calgary), Business Administration, and International Relations (University of Dhaka). In his leisure time, Ohi enjoys playing soccer, watching F1 races, and learning about world history. He looks forward to advocating for the interests of Alberta canola producers.

Alberta Grains calls for farmer nominations for director and delegate positions

Alberta Grains regional meetings are held in regional locations across the province each year. Regional meetings are organized by each region's directors and delegates to provide farmers with information about the commission’s activities for the past year, review audited financials and help shape the future of the industry. Regional meetings are also held to conduct elections for open director and delegate positions. Check our Nominations & Elections page to see open positions in your region. These meetings are also a great opportunity for eligible producers to put forward resolutions to provide input into the commission. Each regional meeting is free to attend and pre-registration is required to claim a free hot lunch. Guest speakers are also present to share farm management tips, market insights and new agronomy research.

Updated subsoil investigation guideline for manure storage facilities

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG), a collaboration among the Government of Alberta, the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and agricultural industry representatives, has released an updated technical guideline, Subsoil Investigations for Manure Storage Facilities and Manure Collection Areas. “Whether planning a new or expanding an existing manure storage facility or manure collection area, knowing what's beneath the surface is critical,” says Vince Murray, Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) engineer with the Alberta government and co-chair of TAG. “Understanding site conditions informs the planning process, identifies potential challenges, supports informed decisions with facility location and design, and reduces the risk of unexpected issues later on.” While the guideline is intended primarily for qualified professionals who conduct site investigations, it can also be a valuable resource for industry advisors and consultants, as well as owners and operators of con

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service