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: 650

▶ 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

Welcoming Visitors: Show Off Your Herd Safely

Welcoming visitors onto your beef operation for tours, sales or informal stock viewings is a great way to connect and tell your story, but it also opens the door to a serious risk: disease. Every visit—whether from neighbours, tourists or family—carries the potential to introduce or spread disease to or from your operation. Good biosecurity practices help manage these risks while also reducing the probability of disease at the herd, national and even international levels. It’s important to understand why biosecurity matters during tours, as well as what actions should be in place before, during and after tours to minimize risk. Why Biosecurity Matters During Tours Biosecurity planning and precautions should be implemented during tours to limit the potential spread of disease to your livestock. This not only helps protect against significant reportable and trade-limiting diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, but also helps reduce the spread of endemic diseases, such as bovine viral

Health Canada opens consultations on drone pesticide applications

Health Canada is looking at allowing drone applications of pesticides

CWRC review of Canadian wheat breeding innovation system confirms significant gaps and risks

The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has completed its review of the Canadian wheat breeding innovation system. The review, which was conducted by Synthesis Agri-Food Network, featured comprehensive analysis of related reports and studies, as well as interviews with 29 key stakeholders. This process confirmed three crucial facts about the current wheat breeding landscape in Western Canada: 1. The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) wheat breeding program is an integral part of western Canadian wheat variety development. 2. The current wheat breeding system is at risk from recent and historic budget cuts, especially at the variety development and pre-market evaluation stages. 3. Wheat breeding is a long-term process and decisions made today will impact agriculture decades into the future. “It’s clear that the status quo is not a viable path forward,” says CWRC chair Jocelyn Velestuk, CWRC chair and a farmer near Broadview, SK. “Our system has been incredibly productive

Protein Industries Canada partners with nine companies to boost domestic food production and strengthen Canada’s food supply chain

Today, Protein Industries Canada announced the second cohort of companies participating in its Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain Program: nine companies that span the value chain, focused on bringing their supply chains home to Canada and advancing the country’s value-added opportunity. This initiative builds on Protein Industries Canada’s efforts to increase domestic food and ingredient processing as a key market for Canadian crops. By working with companies to Make It Here, Protein Industries Canada is driving increased food production and value-added agriculture in Canada—critical factors for strengthening Canada’s supply chain and economy. “The Government of Canada is committed to shifting Canada’s economy from reliance to resilience—building strength at home and reinforcing the supply chains that secure our prosperity,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “Through Protein Indust

Rollins, Vaden, and Forst Announce Disposal of Dilapidated USDA Facilities

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Deputy Secretary Stephen A. Vaden, joined by General Services Administrator Edward C. Forst, announced the imminent disposal of the South Building and Braddock Place, returning resources to the American taxpayer, effectuating the vision of President Donald J. Trump, and reducing the real estate footprint of the U.S. Government in the National Capital Region. “This is a long overdue move to protect American taxpayer dollars from being wasted on expensive real estate inside the Washington, D.C. area when our government should be closer to the farmers and ranchers we serve,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “More than 85 percent of the South Building is unoccupied and there is a $1.6 billion backlog in deferred maintenance. It is simply unacceptable to put these costs on the taxpayer. We are being strong stewards of taxpayer dollars while also ensuring top notch customer service and fulfilling our promises to American farmers.” “P

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service