Fact Sheets
Displayed is a series of fact sheets covering a variety of business ideas has been produced to provide information and guidance to farmers and farm family members considering diversification. Each fact sheet is in Portable Document Format (PDF), if you need to you can download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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Series of fact sheets on the following topics
- Specialist Crops & Livestock
- Tourism and Leisure
- Manufacturing and Crafts
- Services
- Adding Value to Farm Produce
Dairy Goats (PDF 44 KB)
Goat’s milk provides and alternative for those who are allergic to cows milk. It is known to alleviate symptoms of asthma or eczema.
Goat’s milk provides and alternative for those who are allergic to cows milk. It is known to alleviate symptoms of asthma or eczema.
Worm Breeding (PDF 39 KB)
Few wormeries exist in Northern Ireland and the market is relatively under-explored. Worms produce a high output of eggs in specialized propagation boxes. The worms are then harvested and packed and sold.
Few wormeries exist in Northern Ireland and the market is relatively under-explored. Worms produce a high output of eggs in specialized propagation boxes. The worms are then harvested and packed and sold.
Biomass (PDF 82 KB)
Biomass crops offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. The market is well established in some Northern European countries. High yield crops resistant to pests and diseases are recommended.
Biomass crops offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. The market is well established in some Northern European countries. High yield crops resistant to pests and diseases are recommended.
Game Birds (PDF 84 KB)
Each year in Northern Ireland around 35 persons rear some 250,000 – 300,000 game birds. Twelve farming estates rear a large number of birds; surplus birds are sold to gun clubs and syndicated landowners. Many other individuals rear a small number of birds as a hobby.
Each year in Northern Ireland around 35 persons rear some 250,000 – 300,000 game birds. Twelve farming estates rear a large number of birds; surplus birds are sold to gun clubs and syndicated landowners. Many other individuals rear a small number of birds as a hobby.
Dairy sheep (PDF 83 KB)
The main outputs from this enterprise are milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. Sheep’s cheese provides an alternative to dairy cheese for those who are allergic to cows milk. Within Great Britain, new markets for milk are now easier to find and currently demand is greater than supply.
The main outputs from this enterprise are milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. Sheep’s cheese provides an alternative to dairy cheese for those who are allergic to cows milk. Within Great Britain, new markets for milk are now easier to find and currently demand is greater than supply.
Bed & Breakfast (PDF 40 KB)
Farm bed and breakfast has for many years been a popular choice for people whether on holiday, business trips or visiting relatives. Some farm families, particularly those living in scenic areas or close to urban areas have successfully integrated farm tourism with their farm business.
Farm bed and breakfast has for many years been a popular choice for people whether on holiday, business trips or visiting relatives. Some farm families, particularly those living in scenic areas or close to urban areas have successfully integrated farm tourism with their farm business.
Self-Catering Accommodation (PDF 40 KB)
The demand for good self-catering facilities seems to be increasing in a very competitive market. There are almost 300 self-catering establishments throughout Northern Ireland. A broad spectrum of people use self-catering accommodation. Units catering for four or five people are highest in demand.
The demand for good self-catering facilities seems to be increasing in a very competitive market. There are almost 300 self-catering establishments throughout Northern Ireland. A broad spectrum of people use self-catering accommodation. Units catering for four or five people are highest in demand.
Put and Take Fishery (PDF 83 KB)
Generally speaking the popularity of all types of fishing is growing and there appears to be a shortage of fish and waters available to cater for the ever-increasing number of anglers.
Generally speaking the popularity of all types of fishing is growing and there appears to be a shortage of fish and waters available to cater for the ever-increasing number of anglers.
Riding Centres (PDF 82 KB)
Riding centres offer a variety of services to the horse-riding public. These will include full exercise livery, riding lessons and horse shows.
Riding centres offer a variety of services to the horse-riding public. These will include full exercise livery, riding lessons and horse shows.
Cake Decorating (PDF 40 KB)
Major industrial bakeries account for at least 80 percent of the production of all bakery commodities in the United Kingdom. To ensure a cost-effective and efficient enterprise, their needs to be a capability to produce quality and volume as demand dictates, and the persistence to search for and access new markets.
Major industrial bakeries account for at least 80 percent of the production of all bakery commodities in the United Kingdom. To ensure a cost-effective and efficient enterprise, their needs to be a capability to produce quality and volume as demand dictates, and the persistence to search for and access new markets.
Boarding Kennels (PDF 39 KB)
There are already some 81 licensed boarding kennels in Northern Ireland providing various types of service. There seems to be a reasonable demand from dog owners for boarding kennel services, especially near large towns. Prospects for entering the market are improved if there are no boarding kennels in your vicinity.
There are already some 81 licensed boarding kennels in Northern Ireland providing various types of service. There seems to be a reasonable demand from dog owners for boarding kennel services, especially near large towns. Prospects for entering the market are improved if there are no boarding kennels in your vicinity.
Horse Livery (PDF 79 KB)
The scale of the equestrian industry in Northern Ireland has developed significantly in recent years. For farmers with the necessary skills and experience, there may be potential to expand into the livery sector. To date, approximately 238 farm businesses have diversified into an equine sport business representing 10 percent of all diversified farms.
The scale of the equestrian industry in Northern Ireland has developed significantly in recent years. For farmers with the necessary skills and experience, there may be potential to expand into the livery sector. To date, approximately 238 farm businesses have diversified into an equine sport business representing 10 percent of all diversified farms.
Farm Shop (PDF 85 KB)
Many farmers in Northern Ireland already offer sales at the farm gate, but to create a profitable enterprise that can operate all year round a more permanent outlet may be needed. To compete with local supermarkets and attract customers, the farm shop should offer something not available in local shops. Owners with a natural flair for business are more likely to be successful.
Many farmers in Northern Ireland already offer sales at the farm gate, but to create a profitable enterprise that can operate all year round a more permanent outlet may be needed. To compete with local supermarkets and attract customers, the farm shop should offer something not available in local shops. Owners with a natural flair for business are more likely to be successful.
Farmhouse Cheese (PDF 80 KB)
Cheese consumption in general is growing throughout the United Kingdom, with a substantial amount imported into Northern Ireland each year to meet demand. This would suggest that there may be a local market for ‘hand-made’ cheese. However, there are very few individuals in Northern Ireland with traditional cheese-making skills and it is one of the more difficult milk added-value enterprises.
Cheese consumption in general is growing throughout the United Kingdom, with a substantial amount imported into Northern Ireland each year to meet demand. This would suggest that there may be a local market for ‘hand-made’ cheese. However, there are very few individuals in Northern Ireland with traditional cheese-making skills and it is one of the more difficult milk added-value enterprises.