In the 80's I knew of several young couples that were trying to get started in the dairy business, most with FHA loans.  Typically, they would be financed at or over 100% of assets, trying to keep going with worn out facilities, worn out machinery, and the belief that if they just kept going things would somehow turn their way.  It didn't help that FHA kept pushing them to borrow more or that they were too tired out to make good decisions or even be able to look at their situation objectively.  Few if any of them are still in business today.  It sounds to me like you are making the right decisions; you just aren't old enough yet to have gone through a couple of cycles.  It will get better.