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I see nothing wrong with wanting to farm, and nothing wrong with working up a business plan and then doing it. Yes, it can be said tha farming is a troubled industry however I respectfully disagree. Steel is a troubled industry, textiles is a troubled industry, tobacco farming is a troubled industry, commododty farming of anything is a troubled industry (milk, pigs, chickens, corn, whatever). Specialty market farming focused on meeting unmet demand in the local area, adaptability by the operator to changing conditions, and a strong commitment to qaulity control, speedy delivery, at a contrlled cost is a receipe for success no matter the aspect. I would much rather raise beef cattle, sell at the auction barn right off the cow, and get the kind of $ year in and year out that I am today. Doesnt work that way though, I am a price taker with that and ever 10 years or so income drops below production cost. For me horse hay in small squares fr the 2nd and 3rd tier breeder is my niche, 20 years ago it was rolled hay, 10 years ago it was custom rolling. In each case excessive competition came into the market and I either had to match the prices of my competitors or change enterprises. This year, inspite of a glut of hay in the local market I was able to do a 20% price increase accross the board. Wish I could go to the stockyards and do that because I tell them I need it. Competition is building up, I hauled 7 NH bale wagons in here where 5 years ago I had one of 4 (now there are 35). I cant stop the change but I can market my expertise in buying and repairing them.
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