Farmers and Agriculture communities, who have weathered crises in the past, did so because of low or no debt. Today, farmer debt is on the rise and has increased 38% in the past year. It is now seeing about a 5% annual rise. Most of the debt incurred is in livestock productions, with soaring feed prices in the weak economy.
Also, younger less experienced farmers and large farms with over one million in assets affected that increase, with real estate values the prime reason.
If debt is managed well, is not always a bad thing. It can be appropriate to long range plans and future increases in revenue and assets.
Future farmers, however, should begin with a vision and manageable debt. Aspiring farmers are acquiring skills now as interns to learn everything they need to know as they save money. Starting their farming endeavors should be part-time at first until sufficient equity is built. Buying used farm equipment and leasing land long term instead of purchasing, will allow start-up farming with as little as $25,000 to $80,000.
Care should be taken on selection of land. New farmers should not buy or accept inheritance of mediocre, poor farmland in bad locations. The soil, the slope of the land, the climate conditions and access to irrigation and marketing are all essential to successful farming.
However, high interest rates, when incomes decline, causes farm stress, to both bottom line and personal. Debt-to-asset ratios and debt-to-equity figures need to be monitored closely.
A farm already affected by high debt will be at additional risk from unexpected natural disasters, stock market fluctuations and changing technology. The best balance sheets will receive the best loans. Keeping the farming operation small and simple, with conservative borrowing will allow for the best recovery procedures if needed.
Install Gutter Guard Products That Really Make a Difference
Many homes in Australia install gutter guard systems for good reason. They protect your home from damage, prevent fire and keep the family healthy.
If you don’t currently have gutter guards installed on your roof, you may want to read through the reasons why I think it is important for you to consider it. I am sure you will find them quite compelling.
When there’s a bushfire, hot embers travel with the wind and occasionally will land on a roof. A little breeze helps to keep them red hot and move them to your gutters. The gum leaves that collect in gutters are highly flammable and can be the cause of many a house fire.
In the event of major storms, sometimes your downpipes will not cope with the sheer volume of water coming off the roof. When leaves and other debris have collected in the gutters, this often blocks the flow of water and your gutters will overflow. It doesn’t take a lot of leaves for this to happen and the consequences can be quite devastating.
If overflow finds its way into your roof, it will usually cause considerable damage. The cost of repairing your roof and ceilings can be very high. So it’s important to keep your gutters free of clutter that may cause blockages during rainfall.
Many rural properties rely on water tanks to store the water captured from their roofs. This water is used for all sorts of things not least of which is drinking. If vermin, birds and other animals find their way into your gutters and then die, their bodies will be flushed into your water storage when the rains come.
One way this can happen is from poisoning mice. When mice eat baits, they will often feel very thirsty and head for their regular water supply to drink. This is often the gutter because water may collect there from time to time and these little critters know that. What often happens is that these poisoned rats then die in the gutter. When the rain comes, they get flushed into your water supply.
If you live on a rural property, you already know how important it is to capture as much water as you can during rainfall. You also know how important it is to keep that water clean. The last thing you want is to have to empty your tanks because the water has become contaminated in any way.
I have had the experience of mice being washed into my water tank. During a rain storm, I ventured out to the water tank to make sure that the water was flowing into the tank properly. What I found were the bones of two mice on the sieve where the water enters the tank. This means that the decayed flesh of the rodents had gone into the tank!
Who wants to drink that water? Anyway, a couple of cups of chlorine solved that particular situation. Even so, it was always on my mind when having a drink!
What’s the Solution?
A simple solution to all these problems is to install a quality gutter guard.
These days there are some excellent products available. The better ones will keep your gutters clean and will not inhibit water from flowing into the gutter. Any leaves that land on your roof are simply blown away in the wind.
Most of the better installations use an aluminum mesh. This will not corrode and is known to provide protection for many years. There are many manufacturers of gutter mesh and we suggest you ask your installer about what your options are.
Another option is a do it yourself gutter guard solution. I have added a link for you to consider if you want to save some money and install your own solution.
Not all Gutter Guards Are Created Equal
The vide below shows the performance of different solutions. It’s important to understand that some solutions will simply not work. It pays to have a professional advise you on what’s best for your roof. Watch the video…
We prefer a diamond mesh because water loss is minimised. The last thing you want is your water to flow over the top of your mesh and onto the ground. That kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? Again, I suggest that you talk to your service provider and if you are still concerned, ask for references.
One bonus for people who have gutter guards installed is that you no longer have to climb onto your roof to clean your gutters. That’s a big job than most people would prefer to avoid. Now you can.
If you live in the Brisbane area and are looking for an excellent option for your gutter guard needs, then check out Shane’s gutter cleaning solutions. Shane has a reputation for quality and his service is second to none. Please note that we do not benefit from promoting Shane’s products or services. We just know his company provided an excellent service.
I hope that you have found this article interesting. If you want more information on what’s available, click the links in the article. I am sure you will find it interesting.
Get your roof protected with gutter guard and make life easy for yourself and your family!
