Just how much would it cost to set up a 1,500 acre mixed grain and cattle operation, if you bought everything new?
Students from Neepawa Area Collegiate Institute, in Neepawa, Man., were assigned the task of finding out during a field trip to Manitoba Ag Days Jan. 17.
They were given no budget restrictions for their shopping spree, which required them to buy a range of implements such as a combine, baler, tractor, swather and a 50 by 100 foot shed with a 14 foot sliding door.
The four Grade 10 students said the assignment was very informative, but “scary” to see how much it would cost to get into the farming game.
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Jena-Lee Misanchuk said she had just started ticking items off the list and had already spent about $50,000. Her schoolmate, Elizabeth Mandziuk, the only one of the group from a farm background, had gotten off to a roaring start, with a tab for equipment purchases of $1.4 million.
“It took us all of about 10 minutes,” said Elizabeth.
Chaperone Wade Misanchuk said the assignment is an excellent opportunity to learn life skills outside the classroom.
“What they are learning is all the aspects of farming and what it would take to run a farm,” said Misanchuk. “It gives them get an idea of the economics.”
After all they had seen and priced out, did it make them want to start farming?
“Probably not,” said Jena-Lee.
