*When you simply give up and say this or that won't work, it's time to get out of the way.*

Its not about giving up, 579, its about being able to use a calculator and not letting emotion interfere with clear rational
thought. Its why they pay some managers so well, some can do it,
a great deal cannot.

I am all for innovation, all for change, but also all for not
kidding oneself, as you seem to think is required. I have complete
analysis here, done over many years over many farms, the numbers are
enlightening. The only thing that really is worth doing is owning
land if you buy it right, for it will slowly creep up in value and
at least keep up with inflation. Let some other bugger take the
risk of growing food on it and invest that capital elsewhere, like
bank shares, where its more profitable and less risk involved.

Prime farmland in QLD has gone from about $400 per acre, to $2000+ per acre in less than ten years.

What this means in simple terms is, that unless you have owned your land for decades, or, you have inherited it, you don't stand a chance, as the returns on farming are simply not consistent enough to risk borrowing the millions on needs to have a sustainable farm.

Meanwhile, urban sprall continues to swallow up prime land and, that land that is not developed becomes even more cost prohibitive.

I am afraid, as they say, the writing is on the wall.

I am truly quite amused by the thought we are doomed.
It is true that poem.
We see yabby, quite rightly defending the banks rights to make a profit.
But join in with Rechtub is giving us that poem over and again.
INNOVATION! farming is no longer bib and brace overalls and a hay fork.
We are in safe hands wheat and grains are if the price is right and weather growing every year.
As is the case find a need we can fill it.
Let us not forget when talking about tax's.
We support the land with interest free loans and more after flood fire storm , and try to remember it costs us.
Yes the big two rip farmers and consumers deeply.
But what else? socialize? surely not.
Government owned shops? no.
Rechtub you probably sold your left thumb ten thousand times when measuring the chops just press harder!

*But join in with Rechtub is giving us that poem over and again.*

I'm not giving you that poem, Belly. I am simply pointing out
some statistical realities, taken from some of the most innovative
broadacre farms in Australia. Bankwest assemble the largest and
most comprehensive farm business report in Australia and I have
a copy of their latest one, right here.

Over 6 years, various districts etc, average return on capital
was a bit over 1%. So what I am pointing out, its pointless for
farmers to go and borrow money at 9% and earn 1%, so losing money.

If you want your farming nirvana, best we use your super fund and
579s super fund money, as you clearly won't mind a 1% return every
year.

I see no one else is prepared to comment on the UN forecast that we need to increase food production by 70% to feed the population in 2050.

Putting your heads in the sand and simply accusing Butch and Yabby of Hanrahan's doomsday sayings is hardly constructive comment.

It is also strange that those that willingly accept the UNs, now much discredited predictions, on global warming are quite happy to ignore the UN forecasts on food production.

Belly, I am a bit surprized, you are a practical bloke and an avid gardener, how do we increase food production by 70% in 38 years?

Or do we just accept that millions will starve.

Maybe you think the PM is right that we will become a food superpower and able to feed the world and get paid for it. I would like to know how we do that. Farmers have always been innovative and gamblers so are willing to experiment with new production methods.

Banyo, I would suggestbthat the reason why so may go without regular food, is due to not having enough money. How do you suggest we fix that problem?

Producing more food is only a portion of the problem. Getting it to where it's needed is the real problem.

There is plentry of food wasted, it's just too hard, too expensive, or too risky to get it to where it is needed.

I have said for years that if governmets provided a guarantee to farmers, whereby they guarantee to get their costs back, where the sell price is less than production, a common problem, then, this food, most of which is left to rot in the paddock, could be sent to the needy, as part of our foriegn aid.