nikky1234

Hi all

My husband is 54 and has been farming all his life in a family farm. I am 42 next and a healthcare worker, we want to move to N saskatchewan and start our own farm . However we are tied into the family farm until his brothers retire in 2/3 years. Is it worth starting the process now? Will he be classed as too old??? We have money tied up in our own house and personal finances (£300,000) but the majority of money is tied up in the farm until his brothers retire. Unsure what to do for the best and wondering if we are living a pipe dream. can anyone advise?

Peterfrombournemouth

Hi Nikky , I do not think your hubby will be too old , he will be 57 ish . by then?
but to be honest, I do not know . I live in Toronto Ont. but northern Saskatchewan would be bloody cold and remote !! don`t think too many folk would want to go up there ,so that would be in your favour once you get landed here you can move anywhere in Canada , at least thats what it was 32 yeara ago when I came , and I dont think it has changed.. any way dont give up on your dream , Canada is by far the best place on Earth

Aviator

You might want to investigate other areas before deciding. Your husband could choose to come via the Self Employed route as a farmer if he meets the criteria. Is 57 too old to start a farm? Only you guys know that, not sure I would though. I'd still go for it though, do some investigating and get the ball rolling, the years slip by pretty quick.

R I C H

Too broad a statement.

Try BC

Peterfrombournemouth

B.C. may be second best , but did not want to brag too much about Toronto and Ontario . ONLY 25 % of Canada`s population live in the G.T .A. !!!

R I C H

Aviator

The GTA ain't going to be much good for farming! Still lets hope they keep thinking BC is second best, otherwise it would get way too crowded out here.

Jim Humphries

I don't think there are many farmers on this group. Farming is Saskatchewan is quite different from that in England so it depends upon what type of farm you are considering. Most there is dry land farming of grains on large (1000s of acres) spreads. There are other grain dependent farms such as hog farming and range beef as well. I am hoping some one more expert than I will provide further info. I do think BC would be a better fit for UK farming skills.

vegasrockstar

I live in Southern Sask and have farmer friends who came over from the UK and seem to be doing very well.
I should imagine you have already done some investigation into the area you are looking to locate to but just in case, here is a link that to the wikipedia page on agriculture in saskatchewan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricul...n_Saskatchewan

Good luck!

Simon Legree

Local farming humor.
"If I win the lottery jackpot I'll buy a farm and work my buns off 24/7 until the money runs out".
It is very tough in the farming business and the much loved family farm is a thing of the past. Hog, beef, chicken and dairy producers are all having a very difficult time. Losing money on every head most of the time. At least that is the way it is in this agricultural part of the world. It's maybe not as bad here as in the UK in some ways. At least we don't have TB riddled badgers spreading diseases and such.
At this stage of your life I think you should keep the loot in an old sock, under your mattress and spend it in blissful retirement. It will last longer than "investing" it in a farm.

nikky1234

Thanks so much for your replies, we spent 2 weeks in sept in sk on farms etc.fell in love with the place. we are arable farmers here in uk but had the same probs organising the holiday. EVERYONE asked why we had picked sk? ha ha. The main differences were we work 24/7 and they work 4 months a year. we live on subsidies but they manage without.the farming has a lot of similarities but is more relaxed. the lifestyle is just amazing the people just so welcoming. We want some of that!

Nicky and Alan

jamesmc

you might want to look at manitoba,,came across couple of brits farming around baldour and brandon..will look up their #ph,..
james

Aviator

And MB is better than SK why? I thought just as many people were leaving both

vegasrockstar

Don't u just love these a-holes who look down on the Prairies?

nikky1234

we just loved the praries !! bit like home we live in lincolnshire ha ha It is such an understated province! So would like any contact suggestions for the North and North east if poss. Also any experiences from ex pats.

thanks in advance
Nicky