Farming Simulator 23: 5 Best Tips for Beginners

Whoever said managing a farm would be all sunshine and rainbows needs to take another stroll around the fields of Farming Simulator 23. Truth is, reaping what you sow has never been more complex, and as for all that sunshine and rainbow talk, well, let’s just say too much of either can lead to a one-way ticket to disaster. It’s a good thing you’re in charge of keeping the entire ship afloat then, eh? And don’t even get us started on the livestock. That’s a whole other ball game that we’ll discuss in a little while.

So, why am I telling you this? If making a living out of farming is so unnecessarily difficult and time-consuming, then why do it? Well, as much as it pains me to admit it — Farming Simulator 23, in particular, is one of those games that gives out just as much as it takes. It’s rewarding, to put it short, and it’s equally as addicting when faced with the pressures of making ends meet with the weight of the world on your shoulders. And honestly, if a few days of grinding means obtaining an infinite wealth of knowledge and in-game perks, then sure — hand me a few dozen udders to squeeze.

Anyway, if you yourself have just purchased a plot of land and are looking to flip a profit, then you’re probably wondering how to get that first foot on the agricultural ladder. If that’s the case, then be sure to read on for a few pointers. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining a profitable cash cow in Farming Simulator 23.

5. Don’t Blow Your Budget on Short-Term Tools

Once you’ve been handed your desolate plot of land somewhere on Elm Creek, you’ll want to start investing in the essentials. And when we say essentials, we mean a tractor, which will serve as the beating heart of your entire operation. A combine harvester, on the other hand, isn’t as compulsory, as it’ll only be in action during specific seasons of the calendar year. The good news there, of course, is that you can actually lease certain things — harvesters included. So, rather than blowing your entire budget on all the gadgets and gizmos right off the bat, it’s recommended that you only stick to the basics, i.e, a tractor, and a field that’s both conveniently located and adequately sized.

Like a lot of farming sims, profits don’t come overnight, and are often locked behind weeks, months, and sometimes even years’ worth of hard work. To this end, you’ll want to start off small, and save as much of that initial budget as possible. In other words, don’t get greedy and start buying everything that’s available without considering its value to you at the time. Fact is, you won’t be needing a few thousands acres of land to feed a few chickens. Not at first, anyway.

4. Grow What You Know

As tempting as it may be to jump right in and start growing corn, grapes, and olives, the fact of the matter is, you won’t be needing to undertake any of these yields for a fair amount of time. On the contrary, your earliest income will stem from Grain Crops, which consist of wheat, barley, oats, canola, sorghum, and soybeans. This is where you’ll earn your living during the introductory phase, so before you go investing in one too many fields and applying seeds that you don’t have the machinery to cultivate — aim to start small. With time, those small crops will give you the bank needed to expand your land and yield better resources.

Of course, if you’re playing on the sandbox mode and budgeting isn’t really an issue, then by all means — grow whatever it is that tickles your fancy. But if you’re starting out slow and only want what’s best for your business, then do what every other successful farmer has done and start with the basics. There’s nothing wrong with farming wheat and barley — even if it does pay less to produce it.

3. Don’t Neglect Your Animals

It’s all well and good being able to turn a dusty field into a mighty money-making empire, but if you’re not spending time with your animals, then you’ll struggle to fund the resources needed to convert it. So, to make a little extra cash on the side, aim to invest in chickens as early on as possible; you can have up to 30 in a pen, but will only start with three. The more you have under your wing, the more money you’ll make. Simple.

While your bog-standard chicken won’t be laying any diamond-encrusted eggs anytime soon, they will provide a passive income to help fund your primary ventures. And they’re easy to feed and look after, too, with the help of the crops already grown and stored in your local silo. So, if the weather is looking a tad patchy and there’s isn’t a whole lot of cultivating to be done, then be sure to spend some time with your egg-laying squad and the other animals around your yard.

2. Store & Sell Crops

Once you’ve harvested your first few batches of wheat and what have you, you’ll want to sell them to the local dealers around town. However, much like a lot of stocks, shipping such items can either wind up landing you with more coin than you bargained for, or a disappointing amount, depending on the time of year that you’re offloading it. In the case of the latter, you’ll want to store your crops in a silo — at least until the asking price has risen enough to make your efforts somewhat worthwhile.

When it comes to selling your produce, you’ll want to search around a bit, and refrain from shaking hands with the first person you come into contact with. Again, depending on the time of year, certain individuals may be willing to pay more than the person next door. So, before selling anything at all, make sure you’re getting a good deal out of it.

1. Only Use AI Workers When Necessary

Although it is convenient to have an entire army of AI workers in your network, the fact is, enabling them to do your dirty work for you will actually end up with you spending more money than what’s needed. As they tend to refuel your stocks at full-blown prices, it does mean you’re losing a pretty penny by not going out to town and buying them yourself. And given the fact that some dealers in town can offer you trade items at discounted rates, it’s definitely worth spending a little more time on doing the shopping runs yourself.

When it comes to putting the AI to work, it’s often best to let them tend to the time-consuming jobs, which includes planting and harvesting seeds. If you can let them deal with the tiresome chores, then it’ll leave you with more time do deal with the other items on the daily agenda. Just try not to push them too hard, as it’ll only put you out of pocket in the long run.

So, what’s your take? Do you have any quality tips for Farming Simulator 23 newcomers? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.