The Farming Simulator franchise may seem straightforward to people that are new to the games. However, there's a reason why well-run farms net millions of dollars. Planting, growing, and harvesting crops takes a lot of work. More importantly, farming requires knowledge and experience.
No one can jump into the game and run a profitable business without at least some guidance. To generalize, farmin' ain't easy. The lack of a detailed guide in-game makes learning to farm even more challenging. People new to Farm Simulator will want to read through the following tips before beginning their first venture.
Updated May 1st, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Farming Simulator 19 is a fantastic addition to the franchise and although some players are moving onto the newest game in the series, there are still some that are just now starting their adventure through the 2019 version of the in-depth simulation game. Those that enjoy titles like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon but want to take their farming prowess to the next level should definitely consider diving into the realistic series. That said, Farming Simulator 2019 is definitely overwhelming to new players. Those that aren't familiar with farming or heavy simulation games, in general, may struggle a bit starting out. To better help those players make it as virtual farmers, the following list of Farming Simulator 2019 tips has been updated with even more entries.
13 Start In New Farm Mode
New Farm mode is the best way to learn the game hassle-free. Players are given land, equipment, and anything else they would need to start farming in-game.
It is not recommended for those that understand the mechanics, but a good way to get started. Learning how to farm and what equipment to use can be challenging for those just picking up Farming Simulator, so it's best to ease into the gameplay.
12 Don't Try To Do Everything From The Start
Not only is it important to start in New Farm mode for the ease of it all, but players also shouldn't be concerned with trying to be the "biggest and best" right from the start. There are a variety of modes to play in Farming Simulator 2019, including modes that will start players out with much more freedom than New Farm Mode. The reason the New Farm Mode is so popular among most beginner players is that it starts them out with a small amount of money (comparatively) and then gives them access to everything they need to start farming, including pre-planted crops, equipment, and land.
Those that prefer to "do it all" will find themselves quickly overwhelmed by the sheer size and scale of Farming Simulator 2019, as they'll be plopped into a new area with a hefty sum of money and forced to buy land, tools, and anything else they need. Those that are unfamiliar with the mechanics will soon find themselves broke and needed to take out a loan as they've spent too much money from lack of experience.
11 Turn Off Destroy Plants In The Options
Farming Simulator 2019 is one of the best farming simulators on the market because it attempts to infuse real-world practices and farming techniques into its gameplay. While most farming titles are a bit laxer and don't take a lot of variables into play, Farming Simulator 2019 will give players the full experience, forcing them to learn details about crop growth, weather, and a multitude of other things in-between.
One of the interesting things about Farming Simulator 2019 is that it's possible for players to destroy their plants and crops by driving over them with their tractors and other devices. It's recommended that players turn off this realism-based setting in the options when they're first starting out as they can accidentally do significant damage to their crops. Once they've learned the ins and outs of driving and harvesting they can turn it back on for extra realism.
10 Don't Be Afraid To Lease
One of the best mechanics hidden throughout Farming Simulator 2019 is the ability to lease and borrow things. Players may be tempted to save up large amounts of money to purchase expensive tractors and harvesters, but there are actually a wide array of vehicles and tools that players can lease to begin their adventure. These items won't be able to be customized or upgraded as traditional vehicles can be but the cheaper cost will allow players to take on tasks and harvest crops that are above what their current purchased equipment is capable of.
This can be the perfect way to bring in more cash without committing to heavier machinery out of pocket.
9 Do Contracts As Much As Possible
In New Farm mode, farmers will only have four different fields to tend to. In between learning the game and taking care of crops, every newcomer will want to pick up contracts. The contracts tab can be found in the center of the main menu, and it will always have a handful of options.
Borrowing the items will save people money, and it is a great option for a new farm. Borrowing items will lower the reward, however. Contracts pay out a decent amount of money and allow newcomers to learn about different farming activities.
8 Get Rid Of Excess Items
Upgraded items and vehicles cost a lot of money, so new players will need to have spare change early in the game. People start out with a ton of decorative stuff that is not essential to maintain a farm.
Many of these items sell for tens of thousands of dollars. People can save all of the fancy aesthetic items for later on in a playthrough. Sheds, garages, and houses are not that important for newcomers and can be sold off for hundreds of thousands of in-game currency.
7 Begin Planting Simple Crops
Just like in the real world, every crop requires a different level of care. The simplest crops to farm are Barley, Canola, Oats, Soy, and Wheat. Even in New Farmer Mode, users will not have all of the equipment they need to properly care for any of the other available crops.
Start basic and expand to more complicated plants after running a successful farm. In-game tutorials are not very helpful, creating a lot of unknowns for inexperienced farmers.
6 Animals Are A Hassle
It may seem like a nice side hustle, but managing farm animals is much more complicated than dealing with plants. Expenses aside, living creatures need a lot more care.
There is a ton of equipment players will need, and farmers will make mistakes if they fail to do the research beforehand. A lot of people think that all pigs need are a sow and food. Anyone with that mindset might fall into a money pit they can't get out of.
5 Start Off Without Mods
There is a lot to learn in Farming Simulator. Adding the confusion of mods and modded maps will make understanding the game a nightmare. New Farm Mode provides everything the user needs. Getting started without mods will pay off in the end. It is also extremely overwhelming looking at all the mods and selecting ones that will actually be beneficial.
There are thousands of mods and modded maps for gamers to explore after they get a feel for the game. The mod hub is in the main menu for those that want to explore some of the options.
4 Frugality Is Key In Farm Manager
After exploring the new farm mode, people will want to take on the challenge and start from scratch. Users must have a plan before they start buying a bunch of items.
For example, players may have a tractor and are in the market for a cultivator. Cultivators need a certain type of tractor to be used properly. Buying the wrong tractor or cultivator will result in the loss of a lot of money. A million dollars might seem like a lot, but the fees add up.
3 Avoid Grass If Possible
Dealing with grass can be profitable, but it is an expert's profession. New farmers will have no idea what they are getting into if they begin the game by doing a lot of grass work. The maps in New Farm Mode do not provide most of the materials gamers will need, and like most of the equipment in-game, it will cost a lot of money.
Those seeking to produce hay will have to buy a Tedder, which is far from a layman's term. Stick to those basic crops before becoming an adept grass farmer.
2 Tutorials Can Be Perplexing
As stated, the in-game tutorials are not the best. It will be a hassle to figure out what to do when expanding the farms and planting new crops. Reaching out to other players is one option to gain valuable knowledge, but there is a wealth of information out there.
Every player should find a dedicated source and do their research before attempting to diversify the farm. There are plenty of small creators and forums that have detailed instructions on crops, equipment, methods, and much more.
1 Use Help For Basic Knowledge
While the tutorials can be more misleading than anything, the help tab is a useful resource for gamers. It will only take a few minutes to read through and will provide at least some information about the essential functions of the game.
A lot of people jump on the game to get away from the written word, but those that enjoy reading will actually find the short tips quite helpful.