10 ways to reduce farm costs

When running a farm, the expenses can seem never-ending. Fortunately, there are several ways to lower the price of your farm operations and improve profitability. In this article, we share the top 10 ways to reduce the costs of running your farm.

1. Negotiate your lease

If you lease your farmland, you may be able to negotiate with your landlord to lower the rate or arrange some perks. Prices and interest rates change frequently so it’s worth asking if you can get a better deal.

2. Weed control

Weeds can cost your farm a lot of time and money so it’s worth investing in an effective management process. For weed control, consider using weed wipers instead of sprayers as they will allow you to apply weed control in windy weather without spray drift, causing far less waste and crop loss.

3. Upgrade to efficient farm equipment

If your machines are using power inefficiently, it’s worth upgrading to a more efficient alternative. By opting for reputable brands like McConnel and Bomford, you can streamline your operations and quickly recover the costs in energy savings over time.

4. Consider second-hand farm equipment

If you don’t have the funds for brand-new machinery, you can find reliable used equipment instead. This allows you to streamline your operations without going over budget.

At Agriquip, we supply an extensive range of second-hand agricultural equipment, delivered nationwide with a warranty of up to 3 months. We thoroughly inspect every piece and provide complete servicing to ensure your attachment arrives in top-notch condition at a competitive price.

5. Network with other local farmers

When you invest in reliable, efficient farm equipment, you may be able to offset the farm costs by contracting with other local farmers. For example, if you have a tractor-mounted reach mower, your neighbours may be interested in hiring you to complete their hedge trimming at the same time as doing your own. Another product that's particularly suited for sharing is PTO Generators, which can be an invaluable asset for farmers. By pooling resources, multiple farms can share a generator, ensuring power availability during outages or heavy workloads without each farm needing to invest in one individually.

6. Reduce labour costs

Labour takes a huge cut of your budget so it’s worth investing in specialised equipment that can streamline your operations. For example, instead of having staff sweep your yard by hand, use a tractor-attached sweeper instead. This way, you can complete the job faster and free up staff to work on other tasks that drive productivity. Not only does this improve efficiency, but it also helps reduce long-term labour costs and keeps your operations running smoothly.

7. Supplier discounts

If you purchase supplies from multiple suppliers, you may be missing out on bulk discounts.
By consolidating and purchasing your seed, pesticides, and fertiliser from one supplier, you can establish a relationship and build up substantial savings. In some cases, you may even be eligible for cheaper shipping rates.

8. Optimise your fertiliser

We recommend testing your soil to determine what the best fertiliser is for your crops. If you are using the wrong fertiliser, you will likely be spending too much and still yielding poor results. By optimising your fertiliser, you can ensure better crops while eliminating unnecessary spending.

9. Regular rotation

By rotating crops and livestock regularly, you can reduce the risk of diseases. To find the best prevention advice, do some research into the prevalent diseases in your area and speak with your local experts. Though it may take a bit of time, it’s worth it if you can reduce the loss of crops and stock.

10. Stop hiring contractors

Paying contractors can be avoided by investing in on-site equipment. This is especially true when you already have a tractor, allowing you to use various tractor attachments, such as concrete mixers, mowers, shakaerators, spreaders, sweepers, and more. Whenever the job arises, you can complete when it suits you and at no extra cost. 

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Farm equipment NZ

At Agriquip, we specialise in importing high-quality farm machinery and implements from industry-leading brands, such as McConnel, Bomford, Spearhead, Tuchel, Duvelsdorf, Energreen, Greenpower Generators and Major Equipment.

To reduce running costs and improve operational efficiency, browse our range of farm equipment today or ask our team for product recommendations tailored to your needs. We have everything you need, including:

• Concrete Mixers
• Major Mowers, Reach Mowers, and Multicut Rotary Mowers
• PTO Generators
• Robocut
• Sawbenches and Sawblade Attachments
• Shakaerators
• Spreaders
• Sweepers
• Transport Trays
• Trenchers
• Vacuum Machines
• Used Equipment
• And more…