corn/soybeans start up needs......

dave85 · Aug 16, 2006

I may be taking over an acreage that has been leased to a large "commercial" farm operation. I know NOTHING about regular farming.
SW Iowa, 80 acres, gently rolling land, been in corn/soybean rotation for years.
our goal is to take it slowly into organic or natural methods a few acres at a time.

What would it take, tractor size and implements.
I know I will have to get custom picker/combiner for harvest

Want older small er equipment.

Yes, i know it's not the best way to go, just thinking.
dave

Farmwithjunk · Aug 16, 2006

dave85 said:
I may be taking over an acreage that has been leased to a large "commercial" farm operation. I know NOTHING about regular farming.
SW Iowa, 80 acres, gently rolling land, been in corn/soybean rotation for years.
our goal is to take it slowly into organic or natural methods a few acres at a time.

What would it take, tractor size and implements.
I know I will have to get custom picker/combiner for harvest

Want older small er equipment.

Yes, i know it's not the best way to go, just thinking.
dave

Right up my alley!

With only 80 acres total, and 2 different crops, you won't need big equipment. You'll do 40 acres of corn then 40 acres of beans. 2 different planting schedules.

Trying organic, you won't be doing no-till in all likelyhood. That requires MEGA chemicals to work right.

For a big part of my life, I farmed anywhere from 90 to 130 acres. Small by any standards, muchless todays giant farms. I usually did 30 to 40 acres of corn, maybe 25 acres of beans, and the rest was pasture/hay/woods.

I had a 4 row planter. 494 Deere, then #71 flex planter. A 4 row cultivator. plow(s), disc, and a smaller combine. (Massey 300, then Deere 4400) I planted my beans in rows (as opposed to solid stand with a drill) to make use of my smaller tractors. (a pair of 40 HP, and a 60 HP in my final years of planting a crop) No-till drills because of their size, generally need at least 100 HP tractors.

IN all likelyhood, you'll be able to find 4 row or 6 row equipment, tractors in the 75 to 100 HP range, and tillage equipment to match that size tractor cheaper than smaller OR bigger equipment.

I'd start with a decision on a tractor (or TRACTORS) then match equipment to their capabilities.

One of the LEAST thought out parts of a start up operation is, WHO or WHERE is your market? Why grow a crop you don't have a use for or a way to sell it. And you'll need a way to store and/or haul your crop.

WhyNot · Aug 16, 2006

Not much more to add to what Farmwithjunk said but an added bonus to planting your bean's in row's is that you only need one planter. Plant your corn then change the plates and plant your bean's. then put it away for another 360 day's.

dave85 · Aug 17, 2006

Well, that is less than I thought.
the main purpose is to keep the grain allotments in place as we phase into organic or whatever.

I'm thinking 2 older tractors in the 40 HP range. (redundancy)
For storage,there are grain bins on the place.
For hauling,Again, back to yesteryear, I'm thinking of a 1 1/2 or 2 ton grain truck.maybe an old 70's Loadstar

Market for the crops:
The farmer now farming this place farms several thousand acres, mostly leased. I have a good relationship with him so I will be asking him for advice.

I've had a little sheep experience long time ago, so looking at the auction reports from des moines, I might feed a few lambs.

BIL (successful real estate broker in CA) owns these farms and wants to kind of get this one set up as a retreat/haven incase economy goes down.

There are several farmers' markets within an hour's drive which is a whole nother ball game.

Do they still have farm auctions like they used to?
Thanks,
Dave

CATMAN · Aug 17, 2006

Farm auctions in Iowa are usually winter time. (Ex-Southwest Iowa farmboy= Atlantic,IA) For your smaller 4 row wide (36"-40"), you should find good deals on these pieces. Tractorwise, I was thinking 55-100 hp range. John deere 3010,3020,4020(4020 are very popular and a **** good tractor=they hold their value) These are older tractors (1961-1972 range, 2 wheel drive). My Dad has both 3010 and 4020, and my uncle had 3020. Sure they have had one or two overhauls so for, but one has to remember that in 1961 that JD 3010(55-60 hp) was brand new and did all the work on a 320 acre dairy farm and before that, it was a 1949 JD "B". The 1964 JD 4020 w/powershift was purchased used in 1966, then it became the main tractor. Before 4 wheel drive, farm tractors got everything done with 2 wheel drive and dual wheels for tillage. Dad still has duals for the 3010 and 4020, but they never get used because he uses 130-165 hp tractors for discing and planting and hauling 500 bushel wagons during harvest. 3010 has the frontend loader on it=gets used a lot. 4020 still gets used to haul in corn silage in forage wagons, run grain auger ,pull manure speader, etc. I just thought I would share this info to inform you that old tractors(tough iron) still run and get a lot of work done. By the way, these were diesel engines(except the "B") Dad has heard about some problems the the gas models(neighbors had one)

CATMAN · Aug 17, 2006

One other suggestion, start monitoring websites like deertracs.com and fastline.com so you get an idea of retail prices and you will somewhat know what a deal is at an auction. Dad says some items like 4 row front end cultivator will sell for 15 to 25 dollars a few years ago. I'm sure prices have gone up because scrap metal prices have really jumped up there. He has seen "scrap guys" take torches to old equipment right at the end of some winter/spring auctions just for the metal. You might talk with small town tractor mechanics and they know where good old tractors and equipment is setting inside some retired or almost retired farmer's machine shed thru out Iowa. Maybe show up at a tractor dealership (just before break-time) with donuts for the service manager/foreman and his mechanics with your phone number on some cards and a description of what you are looking for and you may get some good leads and they (the mechanics) have a tendency to know the shape/condition of their customer's equipment and if that owner is a possible seller.

kensfarm · Aug 18, 2006

Dave,

Just a few suggestions..

1) equipment specs - 80 HP, grain wagons, grain bin augers functional?, chisal plow, disk, planter, sprayer, bush hog, cutivator,

-match equipment to tractor hp, # hydralic connections, hydrolic flow requirements, pto hp requirements

2) Safety - plan it.. talk about it.. keeps young children away from farm equipment areas & paths, newer equipment will have more safety features,

3) discuss your plans w/ your local county Agriculture Extension Agent
Organic Turnover -
Nutrient Management Plans - required in your area?
Soil Tests -
Fertilizer Spreading - permit required?
Spray Permit - required?
Seed, Ferlizer, Fuel Costs? - $1000's of dollars
Crop Insurance
Profit Expectations - what are the bushels/per acre history?

4) CPA - discuss your business plans w/ your CPA to max your deductions for your farm operation.. nothing wrong w/ used equipment... but a new tractor may be more affordable if properly planned.

Good Luck & be safe!