Any Farmers out there?

Crowbob · 12-31-2010, 07:06 AM

I am seriously thinking of changing gears. More like switching races. 30 Acres tillable + 10 mature hardwoods (for fuel) nearly decimated by unscrupulous loggers (selectively harvested walnut) 10 years ago. 2/3 soybeans rotated with corn, wheat, 1/3 alfalfa for feed. Excellent ground in the center of the Thumb. Can this perpetuate itself i.e., pay taxes and equipment cost?

Comments/advice?

MRM · 12-31-2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I am seriously thinking of changing gears. More like switching races. 30 Acres tillable + 10 mature hardwoods (for fuel) nearly decimated by unscrupulous loggers (selectively harvested walnut) 10 years ago. 2/3 soybeans rotated with corn, wheat, 1/3 alfalfa for feed. Excellent ground in the center of the Thumb. Can this perpetuate itself i.e., pay taxes and equipment cost?

Comments/advice?

Yes.

No.

It's not nearly enough land to support itself. Even if you pastured the 10 wooded acres, you won't have enough land to grow your own feed to raise many animals, so cow/pig farming doesn't look good. Feed prices will kill you if you can't grow your own. With only 20 acres in rotation (plus the hay), even at $7 corn and $14 beans, you can't grow enough crops to make a living as a crop farmer.

It is about the right size for a mixed use hobby farm with a half dozen cows, a litter or two of pigs, and some grain left over to sell at the end of the year. As a hobby farm, you might break even at the end of the year. If you have a good year.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

What would be the minimum size to break even/ be self sufficent? I'm looking for land for an "Ohh Crap" place.

Joeaksa · 12-31-2010, 07:29 AM

If you are going to farm or put animals on it, would like to see 50 minimum and really up to 200. Really depends on what you are going to do with it and where it is. West Texas would take a lot more than the mid-west or hill country in Texas.

targa911S · 12-31-2010, 07:36 AM

I agree 100+ acres to survive.

Seahawk · 12-31-2010, 07:37 AM

I'd need to know a lot more...what equipment you have, what you'd need, etc. Is there storage for the hay, how far from the grainy that buys soybeans, etc. Everything costs time and money.

MRM is right on the mark. Farming is legalized gambling.

I have 55 acres under till (or, no till these days). A good year here means 35 bushels of soybeans or corn per acre. Prices fluctuate quite a bit, but lets use $5.00 a bushel as your gross.

That is $175.00 an acre or, $9,625.00 per crop. I usually get one soybean or corn per year plus a crop of winter wheat...which I gross approximately $3,000.00 on.

So, my gross farm receipts, before expenses, is $12,625.00 on an average year. Again, prices fluctuate like any commodity.

Figure, after all receipts are in for expenses, including seed, fertilizer, machine hire, transportation of crops, equipment maintenance, etc., a minimum 50% overhead.

You may do better on your hay if you have excess. I grow enough for our horses.

My sincere advice is to visit your local county agent and get the real skinny for your area. A lot of folks make a go of it with non-standard crops, Christmas tree farms, etc.

I very much encourage the life-style, but no one I know with a farm the size you are contemplating (mine as well) does not have a steady second income.

PM if you want more details...I've been doing this for almost 20 years and have made enough mistakes to help

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

This would be Hill country...Although I might consider south Texas, south of San Antonio.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I can't imagine doing it without at least a 1/4 section. I'd prefer a full section with 1/2 wooded for hunting.

LakeCleElum · 12-31-2010, 07:48 AM

The happiest day of my life was when I was 15 and got a job working 7 days a week in a service station. Got me out of farm work and going to church.....

For your size, you're gonna be paying out of pocket to buy yourself a job.

Seahawk · 12-31-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

I can't imagine doing it without at least a 1/4 section. I'd prefer a full section with 1/2 wooded for hunting.

It is interesting you say that...I also have about 10 acres of woods which supports two deer stands and a duck blind.

There is real money in leasing land for hunters. I don't do it because I have enough friends that hunt and my son loves hunting.

I don't know about Crow's local area, but that is another potential income angle should he want to try. There are, of course, costs associated with leasing land for hunting.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I am seriously thinking of changing gears. More like switching races. 30 Acres tillable + 10 mature hardwoods (for fuel) nearly decimated by unscrupulous loggers (selectively harvested walnut) 10 years ago. 2/3 soybeans rotated with corn, wheat, 1/3 alfalfa for feed. Excellent ground in the center of the Thumb. Can this perpetuate itself i.e., pay taxes and equipment cost?

Comments/advice?

It depends on how hands-on you are and what you intend to grow. Conventional farming - no, you can't compete with mega-farms on 30 acres.
But I know a woman who is making a living on 2 acres of lavender - picking it, drying it, selling it. Another is doing well with a dairy goat farm. Local and organic foods are getting bigger every day and bring a premium. There is a growing demand from organic and local marketers and packagers for produce, so you don't have to do the whole dirt-to-consumer marketing like you used to. You find the right niche crop and you can do well, but you aren't going to make it with corn and soy beans.

Gogar · 12-31-2010, 07:55 AM

+1 there's no way that amount of land can support you unless you're doing something VERY boutique. Soybeans and Corn, absolutely not.

I don't know if you've ever watched "King Corn", but it's worth 90 minutes, IMO.

King Corn (2007) - IMDb

Seahawk · 12-31-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

There is a growing demand from organic and local marketers and packagers for produce, so you don't have to do the whole dirt-to-consumer marketing like you used to. You find the right niche crop and you can do well, but you aren't going to make it with corn and soy beans.

Excellent post. The local Amish community here does extremely well in any number of standard and non-standard farming commodities...they absolutely nail it with flowers, organic vegetables, etc.

They also have a very vibrant local co-operative (for Amish and others) that is essential for the youngsters getting started.

Scuba Steve · 12-31-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

This would be Hill country...Although I might consider south Texas, south of San Antonio.

Anywhere in particular in the hill country? I grew up there, between San Marcos / Hunter / Wimberly. Land prices in Travis, Hays, Comal, Guadalupe, Blanco, and Bexar County are probably way too much because of proximity to Austin, San Antonio or what will be the metroplex between the two. That land is becoming housing - either tract or acreage depending on the scenery.

You'd need to look farther out, or go west or south (Pleasanton or beyond). Deep hill country I can't see being used for much beyond cattle or goats, but you may be able to grow crops outside of that area. It's too arid and for the most part there's not enough soil, although there is some arable land in the Bandera / Pipe Creek area.

edit: you probably already know it, but deer, dove and hog hunting is serious business in the hill country. Hogs can be hunted year round.

Crowbob · 12-31-2010, 07:59 AM

Woah. Let me digest some of this information. Paul, as I learn, questions will follow-thank you for your offer. Joe, no animals save for chickens. Taxes is the only cost. I have no equipment. Thinking cash for a 30-35 hp diesel 4WD compact tractor for all around use-mowing (grass), snow removal, digging posts, etc. Initially, I was contemplating renting the land to neighboring agribusinesses. A couple years down the road I'd take it over as a hobby. Short-term goal is to maintain itself. I'll take a hit on the tractor because it's part toy-thinking $15K all set up.

Crobie

kaisen · 12-31-2010, 08:05 AM

Must be a well used tractor for $15K

vash · vash's Garage

you already own this land?

i cant imagine that small plot making farmer money. maybe veggies to take to a farmer's market setting. i have talked to some of the folks..(alot of them Hmong folks) and they have small farms. these people farm and spend all their lives taking veggies to farmers markets. hard work.

if you already own the land, grow a food plot for deer. get the land healthy to grow antlers. big racks pull in big money. just a thought.

Crowbob · 12-31-2010, 08:34 AM

Yes. Free and clear, vash. A food plot for deer? I'm wondering why deer would feed from me when I'm surrounded by 1000 sq mi of flat as a pancake, black dirt planted in beets, soy, corn and beans. I could go out and hit a big buck w/ a shovel darn near as it is now. Hence the fence posts as a deterrent for the protection of a truck garden. Hops as a cash crop may be in the picture, eventually.

vash · vash's Garage

COOL!!

i'm jealous. i want to live on a plot where i cant see my neighbors.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

A young farmer won $10 million in the lottery. When the presenter gave him the check he asked, "What are you going to do with all this money?" The kid said, "Well, I figger I'll keep farming 'til it's all gone, then I'll get a job."