135 acres

[icey]

Hi all,

I am new to TractorByNet. My family and I just purchased 135 acres in Tennessee. We are from the city and are looking to embrace a rural lifestyle, including homesteading, raising cattle, chickens, goats, and more. Our ultimate goal is to build two houses on the property. The land consists mostly of cleared rolling hills, with some flat areas suitable for homesites.

I have a question regarding farm equipment: What do you recommend for our needs, especially considering that we won't be moving for another 2-3 years? I would like to start treating the property in the meantime. It used to have cattle, but it has been neglected for the past year and a half, resulting in overgrown weeds, grass, and blackberry bushes.

Additionally, we are interested in connecting with local farmers to explore the possibility of having someone treat, grow, and harvest alfalfa on our land. We are hopeful to be compensated until we move there.

In terms of the size of the tractor required for 130 acres, what horsepower (HP) would you recommend? Also, what equipment do you have for your large property?

I'm happy to be here Thanks for all help.

 

[Hay Dude]

Is all the property open land that is pasture or fields? Or is part of it wooded? Is it steep where it’s open?
Need more details.

 

[Jchonline]

Usually pictures make slopes appear less severe....so I am going to assume you have a pretty steep grade in places. Tractors are not great on slopes, but as I am sure Hay Dude can attest you can make it work with the right equipment and operating discipline.

There is a bunch to unpack here. You said "raising" livestock. You did not mention how you were going to feed them, or how many. In the Winter, the grass usually goes dormant in most areas, so the livestock will need a supplemental food source. For example cattle will need hay in the Winter. You are either going to source that hay from your own fields (need someone to process the grass into hay) or you are going to buy it.

If your initial goal is alfalfa then I suggest you just focus on that for now and dont worry about livestock. Are you going to seed/grow it with your own equipment or pay someone to do it? Lets start there.

In general the tasks you want to accomplish dictate the type and size of tractor you need (as well as implements). It gets expensive and time consuming quickly so you really need to have a good plan. For instance, if you plan on producing hay you will need quite a bit more HP in a tractor than if you just want to mow. If you want to plow, you will need weight and HP. If you just want to move hay bales around...that will require ballast and less HP. So the best course of action is to list out the things you really want to do in say the first 5 years (critical to be realistic here) and then we can help you decide on an initial machine/implements.

You can do so much with land...it can be daunting to try and tackle it all at once. So break it down into a list of tasks and priorities to make it manageable.

 

[gstrom99]

Welcome to TBN. Do a search in the Buying/Pricing tab, since there are about a million options, depending on: budget, new/used, too big/small, usage, storage/security, loader?, local dealer(s), (well, everything)... Lots of opinions here/there.

 

[Thomas]

Welcome to TBN and congrats on your new piece of dirt.

gstorm99 pointed you in right direction.

 

[ericm979]

Do other farms in the area grow alfalfa? From the pic your land looks steeper and more rolling than I have seen used for hay in the western US but things might be different there, or there might be flatter and more level sections of the land that are not in the pic.

Out west alfalfa requires irrigation, which makes it easy to spot as the sprinkler rigs are big.

At a minimum you're going to need to mow the verges of the hayfield and mow/maintain/clear the parts that are not in hay. You'll want a decent size mower, 6' minimum, and enough tractor to handle it. If you're going to mow many acres you might want a wider mower, which means a larger tractor. A loader would be mandatory, it's so useful. If you're clearing brush, a grapple for the loader and/or a PTO chipper are both useful. Some people prefer to pile and burn brush vs chip it, but it can be a bad idea or even illegal to burn in the summer when there's a risk of fire.

A rear blade can be useful for moving dirt and making or fixing up dirt roads. The box blade is most common but there are others with more specialized uses.

You'll want a way to secure the tractor and implements, plus whatever other gear you keep there, and keep them out of the weather. Some people get used shipping containers for that. Eventually you'll want a barn or shop or both. Your zoning and permitting agency might let you build that before the house but many won't.

Most new compact utility tractors are four wheel drive. Depending on what you're doing and the land and soil, it's anywhere from not needed to vital. On slopes it's more important.

It's easy to roll a tractor on a side hill, and it's super dangerous.They can also flip over backwards when pulling a heavy load incorrectly. Modern tractors have big roll bars to keep them from crushing the operator when that happens but like chainsaw safety chaps it's something you don't want to use. Go easy on side hills and take any steep hills up or down only.

 

[icey]

Is all the property open land that is pasture or fields? Or is part of it wooded? Is it steep where it’s open?
Need more details.

It's wooded on the property line, but majority of it could be pasture...or once was. Some are steep, but in no way are they SUPER steep. Rolling hills is more like it.

 

[icey]

Do other farms in the area grow alfalfa? From the pic your land looks steeper and more rolling than I have seen used for hay in the western US but things might be different there, or there might be flatter and more level sections of the land that are not in the pic.

Out west alfalfa requires irrigation, which makes it easy to spot as the sprinkler rigs are big.

At a minimum you're going to need to mow the verges of the hayfield and mow/maintain/clear the parts that are not in hay. You'll want a decent size mower, 6' minimum, and enough tractor to handle it. If you're going to mow many acres you might want a wider mower, which means a larger tractor. A loader would be mandatory, it's so useful. If you're clearing brush, a grapple for the loader and/or a PTO chipper are both useful. Some people prefer to pile and burn brush vs chip it, but it can be a bad idea or even illegal to burn in the summer when there's a risk of fire.

A rear blade can be useful for moving dirt and making or fixing up dirt roads. The box blade is most common but there are others with more specialized uses.

You'll want a way to secure the tractor and implements, plus whatever other gear you keep there, and keep them out of the weather. Some people get used shipping containers for that. Eventually you'll want a barn or shop or both. Your zoning and permitting agency might let you build that before the house but many won't.

Most new compact utility tractors are four wheel drive. Depending on what you're doing and the land and soil, it's anywhere from not needed to vital. On slopes it's more important.

It's easy to roll a tractor on a side hill, and it's super dangerous. They can also flip over backwards when pulling a heavy load incorrectly. Modern tractors have big roll bars to keep them from crushing the operator when that happens but like chainsaw safety chaps it's something you don't want to use. Go easy on side hills and take any steep hills up or down only.

Hey Eric,

Yes, others in the area grow that it looks like. Tennessee gets a lot of rain so not sure if that's an issue. Like I said, we're not looking to move there for another few years. Need to get the property right. We are about 8 hours away, so during our spare time, we will go up and take care of things. First things first, I want to talk to nearby neighbors to see if they would be interested in using our property for hay. I'd have to talk logistics and see if they'd do the leg work for a few years in return for hay for their cattle.

I appreciate the insight of the tractor. I've never operated one, only a zero turn for my current property where I live now, which is plenty.

Still talking to the wife to see what and when we want to build. I'd like the barndominium since it's cheaper. Convincing the wife might be harder, though.

 

[ericm979]

When I was a teen I met a man in his 20s who was paraplegic after a tractor accident. That's stuck with me all these years and makes me think before getting into something with the tractor.

One thing to avoid is driving with the loader up so you can see under the bucket. That puts a lot of weight up high making it much easier to tip over. Keep the loader as low as possible without hitting the ground and learn to look above or around it.

Modern tractors have a pivot at the center of the front axle which means that the stability all comes from the rear axle. If you're on a side hill and there's a lump the high side that the rear tire rolls over or a hole on the low side, the tractor will tilt more.

We're thinking of building a retirement home and my wife immediately nixed the barndominium idea. I wasn't all that keen on it myself as I haven't seen many that had enough windows. I also like the idea of a separate shop and house to keep shop smells out of the house and keep the house from getting damaged if the shop catches fire. I painted a motorcycle in a shop with a door to the house and it was hard keeping the paint smell out of the house.

 

[2manyrocks]

Hard to assess what your tractor needs really are without considering what work you intend to accomplish with it. For years, there have been some bushhogging operators who cut hillsides for people for pay in my area of Middle Tennessee. They have some fairly large tractors set up with dual rear wheels, 4 wheel drive, ballast, and who knows what else to work on hillsides.

 

[ponytug]

Congratulations! I hope that you have fun with it.

Do you have any reason to believe that the terrain is reasonable cropland in general and for alfalfa in particular?

I used to grow alfalfa, and that looks like more than challenging terrain. I might make the suggestion that you share crop it with an experienced farmer and then make your decision on equipment. That much "roll" will be hard to mow over and it will be hard to gather hay, and someone experienced at it can probably give you a few ideas on how to, and how not to, cope with it.

You might look into slope capable tractors for general use around the land, like Aebi, or Power-trac, but they are not traditional tractors and do not do well, at things like plowing. The Aebi has a lot more power, useful for heavy work on steep slopes, and a price tag to match.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Creamer]

I am looking at the land and thinking cattle. Is it fenced? Cattle do a great job of haying by themselves. Somebody mentioned haying but I wouldn't be very concerned about that as you are far enough south that even though the grass goes dormant as long a there is enough the cattle can still do well on it. Haying is a lot of work and you shouldn't really need to do it. There are areas of North Dakota that people do not have much hay and can graze all winter so you should have no problems with doing this as far south as you are. Cattle that can do well on grass will be important to you though. Some people create way more work than they need - besides cattle like to feed themselves.

If you pick this route there will not be a lot of tractor work but I would still look at something like a JD 3020 or 4020 - something you can purchase for under $20k and can handle a big round bale and most other farm jobs for something of this size. I would get 80-100 hp just because they are big enough for all jobs you will need to do but not too big to handle or get in smaller places.

BTW - it looks like beautiful country - Enjoy!

 

[Rustyiron]

Your first concern is showing your neighbors that this "city guy" doesn't fit their stereotype and seems like an OK guy!
If it comes up naturally in a conversation, mention that you have a lot to learn and might need to lean on your neighbors for "guidance" along your journey assuring them that agriculture and a family homestead are your goals.
At first I'd mention that your intrested in "horse trading" posturing, haying, etc. for whatever amount of mowing or pushing back mother nature's advancing into the farmland they feel is fair.
Being 8 hours away it's going to be hard to accomplish much and worrying about expensive machinery* from a distance is just another worry. Usually there's plenty of handwork to do along wood and fence lines that only takes a chainsaw and possibly a brush cutter (big "weed eater" with a blade) for saplings and woody brush.
Actually a plain 4x4 pickup added to the early plan will get you and your tools around the property for this above work.
Enjoy your journey and don't underestimate the value of your neighbors and the help that can be, including their seal of approval (or otherwise) to others.
* there's always a bad apple in every bushel no matter the group.

 

[paulsharvey]

I would look at a 4wd tractor starting in the 60hp range, on upto 85hp. So, I think your heaviest HP requirements are going to be soil prep for lime/seed; and bushhogging. Your disc mower/haybine might only take 45 hp, but your probably gonn want to look at 9 ft disc, drill, ect. The larger machine will be nice for moving hay around as well.

You might want to consider a 45-60hp as well as a 75-85hp, or maybe a 45hp and a 70hp. To do hay, you'll find, although not 100% necessary, a 2nd tractor is pretty handy. Also, some times your largest HP/body size/weight, isn't great at routine daily chores. Another thing; you probably want one of the machines to be an enclosed cab machine; but at the same time, if your going to barn store hay, and your working with existing barns; a large cab machine will probably not fit. So, maybe your larger, primary tillage and bailing machine can be a cab; but your rake/Ted, chore tractor, might be a 45hp loader, open station.

Edit: I think I might have miss read your intentions at first; I thought You wanted cattle and alfalfa hay fields; if the long term is just some mixed livestock, maybe 8 acres of hay, and mowing; you could probably do just fine with a 40-50hp machine, with loader, 6 ft disc, 6 ft bush hog, and buy or hire hay/planting hay. You will probably want a chain harrow for breaking manure piles;

 

[paulsharvey]

Something too add; you can possibly lease the property to someone for the 2-3 years for cattle if the fences are at least OK. Just don't expect to make very much $$$ if it's just unimproved pasture land and yes, fence maintenance would be on them for that field, but not new fencing or "material betterment", and this assumes someone very local has a need. But, that's not a bad idea, if any existing fences are laid out appropriately, where they can have full use of the leased land, while you can work on the part you want to improve in the mean time.

 

[paulsharvey]

Also, for I think the 7th post now, I'll suggest the same exact thing; get some 24"×36" plans/maps/aerial photos; showing existing improvements, lot line, and definitely in your case, Topography, and soil types; draw your plans on it; creek crossings, home site, home access, yard, field access, watering plans, sketch out pastures/hay fields, ect. You really want to have a good idea before you lock yourself into a life long annoying problem, like a creek crossing that is a pain to drive across, a barn that is only accessed though your best hay field, ect. Once you have this plan, you will be able to see if your going to be tackling 8 acre fields, or 40 acre fields, and thats totally different equipment. Also, once your happy with your plan, and it's QC'd by the old lady, talk to ag extension office. It might look good on paper, but not in real life, and they should be able to offer suggestions.

 

[newbury]

Hi all,

I am new to TractorByNet. My family and I just purchased 135 acres in Tennessee. We are from the city and are looking to embrace a rural lifestyle, including homesteading, raising cattle, chickens, goats, and more. Our ultimate goal is to build two houses on the property. The land consists mostly of cleared rolling hills, with some flat areas suitable for homesites.
<snip>

Welcome aboard and join the crowd.

If you pay taxes one of the FIRST things you should do is contact your employees.
The local extension agents for farming and forestry can be a great help.

Also it would help us if you told us what main resources you have to put into this endeavor.
Labor
Knowledge
Materials
Finances

In terms of the size of the tractor required for 130 acres, what horsepower (HP) would you recommend? Also, what equipment do you have for your large property?

As soon as you mention "135 acres in Tennessee" some of us envision 70HP plus tractors to conquer anything, others would squeak by with a 30HP tractor.

I've two tractors, a 50HP Kubota and a 23HP Kubota and they are suited for different jobs.
I've about 400 acres in east Mississippi but the tractors are only used on a 73 acre parcel.

Like others wrote - get yourself a good pickup. Also get a good trailer so you can haul everything around.

 

[gstrom99]

Any buildings on this parcel? If you're not gonna be around, a used container to safely store your possessions, should be first.

 

[newbury]

Any buildings on this parcel? If you're not gonna be around, a used container to safely store your possessions, should be first.

But remember they are easily defeated by a battery operated:
Saw
Sawzall
Angle Grinder
etc.
Good neighbors provide security also.

 

[drssg]

Welcome, and congratulations on your land purchase! For the items you mentioned, I think a good first step would be to see if any of the local farmers are interested in leasing and farming some of the land.

Second, I suggest getting moved onto the property. It's easier to do projects when you are there in the property, and thieves love to steal stuff from unoccupied property.

That would give you time to figure out what structures and fencing you need. The specific tractor and implements you need will become more apparent when you have a more specific idea of what you want to accomplish.

I strongly recommend against having any animals before you are living on the property. "Temporary" solutions can have a tendency to take several years to get upgraded, so I suggest being satisfied with the facilities before adding animals.

Good luck and have fun!