Silly question perhaps - how to start playing this?

[wallasaurus]

Hi folks, naive question, but I have played some hours on the previous game, and on earlier ones even, but I never really 'got' it. e.g. on the last version, i mostly did contracts as it was easier money and got to play with various equipment. But after a while I was not sure this was proper. What is proper, well maybe nothing, but this time I had a bigger sense of "what am I doing"

The tutorial was not super helpful or perhaps I skipped crucial parts. I thought maybe I should watch a youtube channel but that also feels a bit defeatist.

So, any tips what to do to get going?

I've got a harvester, sower, cultivator,trailer and a couple of tractors. So I am getting my 3 little fields sorted out and then I guess I'll wait for them to grow or do contracts like last time while I wait. What else? There's a few cows here but how do I feed the poor fellas? Grass or silage I suppose - I'll look for a shop?

I'm clueless, apologies! help welcomed.

[The Big Brzezinski]

I recommend starting with no farm, no debt, and minimal money. You're far less likely to become overwhelmed that way.

If your first project, you could try growing some lettuce in greenhouses. It's steady income you can use cover expenses and loan interest. If you use the Selling option instead of Storing, all the equipment you'll need is a way to supply them with water.

[Redmen]

Just pick a specific crop or animal that you are interested in and focus on that rather than trying to do multiple things at once. I would sell the three cows that you get in the starter pen. If you're interested in cattle buy calves. You would need hay or silage to feed them. Ideally you produce it yourself, but you can also buy it. You will need to trade in some equipment to convert to a hay/silage operation.

Do contracts for extra money, or if you enjoy it. Heck, I've done entire playthroughs of FS22 as a contractor.