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?
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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.