New Home and ~70 Acres of Unknown Project

[TigerFanatic1]

A few years ago I purchased 40 acres of mostly wooded family property, with the intentions of building in the future. The land remained mostly untouched, with the exception of a deer stand and food plots, until Mrs. TigerFanatic1 decided 2023 was the future. We were able to clean up about 8 acres of the less dense area for our homesite by hiring someone to mulch (I wasn't happy with) and using a rented 12K excavator and skid steer with brush cutter. I used the excavator where the main yard would be since I wanted to get the stumps and roots out and swapped to the brush cutter for utility line right of way and property edge. Most of the excess material was placed in a burn pit and piled up, depending on when it was cleared.

 

[TigerFanatic1]

Fast forward a few months and we have a house pad, which I did not do myself.. Notice the box stand that got relocated. Little does Mrs. TigerFanatic1 know, I will be feeding heavily in the back yard and master plan is to hunt from back porch.

 

[TigerFanatic1]

Last week my aunt decided to sell the pasture that I've been trying to purchase for a few years. So, we are in the process of purchasing another ~29 acres. I am not certain what to do with the land, but wanted it since my house will be on a gravel road and this will allow me to run a driveway from the highway. At first, I planned to clear the underbrush from the remaining ~32 acres of woods and cut hay on the ~29 acres which is about 25 acres cleared with the remaining woods and a 3/4-1 acre pond. However, I don't think I can even break even on the hay, so open for suggestions. I may buy a skidsteer and mulcher for the wooded area, but would need to start doing some work on the side to offset the machine and fuel costs. Also, have to decided on whether I want to go with a smaller machine and disc mulcher since I don't have an issue with letting the unprocessed material rot in the woods and grapple the edges or go with a 100 HP machine and drum since that's what I think would attract some clients to assist with offsetting.

 

[civilian]

Can't answer your questions now, but want to follow along. Good luck with your endeavors. Jon

 

[BleedingOrange]

Out of curiosity, why do you want to clear such a big 8 acre space to build your new house ? That is a big plot of land, and a big expense that could be put towards the house cost.

 

[workinonit]

I cleared just enough to build my house in the middle of the woods. I'm sure happy I did. I don't cut a tree I don't have to, except for sweet gums. I hate a sweet gum tree.

 

[D&D]

At first, I planned to clear the underbrush from the remaining ~32 acres of woods and cut hay on the ~29 acres which is about 25 acres cleared with the remaining woods and a 3/4-1 acre pond. However, I don't think I can even break even on the hay, so open for suggestions.

One consideration is the taxable value. As a working farm, here, the taxes are ~2/3 less for ag use. Hay is also a commodity that is becoming rare in my area. As the older guys retire, the land is being converted to houses, not kept as a farm. Of course, cattle and hay can make a decent combination. Direct to consumer beef sales (interwebz, roadside) is fairly profitable. However, shipping costs for processing at a USDA licensed facility can become problematic.
Cotton is making a comeback to the east and south of me, don’t know the economics of it though.

 

[dodge man]

There is nothing wrong with just letting nature do its thing. It’s up to you how you want it to look.

 

[D&D]

Out of curiosity, why do you want to clear such a big 8 acre space to build your new house ? That is a big plot of land, and a big expense that could be put towards the house cost.

Sounds like he wants a clear fire zone. This year from the back porch, next year from the front porch, five year plan - open bedroom window

 

[TigerFanatic1]

Out of curiosity, why do you want to clear such a big 8 acre space to build your new house ? That is a big plot of land, and a big expense that could be put towards the house cost.

The land had an opening where we are building, which was shaped like a V and went the length of the property so we just started squaring it off for looks. Cost was pretty minimal since I did most of the work with rented equipment and chainsaw.

 

[TigerFanatic1]

One consideration is the taxable value. As a working farm, here, the taxes are ~2/3 less for ag use. Hay is also a commodity that is becoming rare in my area. As the older guys retire, the land is being converted to houses, not kept as a farm. Of course, cattle and hay can make a decent combination. Direct to consumer beef sales (interwebz, roadside) is fairly profitable. However, shipping costs for processing at a USDA licensed facility can become problematic.
Cotton is making a comeback to the east and south of me, don’t know the economics of it though.

I need to look into how to become ag property and the steps to become a farm. My first thought was hay for pasture, but after looking into equipment prices, I just don't see how I could pay it back with just 25 acres. I could possibly buy some older equipment, but I don't have the slightest idea on working on hay equipment.

Second thought was cattle, but I work in the oilfield 14/14 rotation and wouldn't have anyone to help on the time away.

 

[yanmars]

In my area woodland is taxed less. If feasible one could put the open area in CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and the Feds will pay you an annual rent for 10 or more years. Check out all the details first with your FSA and SWC people.

 

[TigerFanatic1]

We were able to get the cement trucks in between the rainy days.

 

[D&D]

I need to look into how to become ag property and the steps to become a farm. My first thought was hay for pasture, but after looking into equipment prices, I just don't see how I could pay it back with just 25 acres. I could possibly buy some older equipment, but I don't have the slightest idea on working on hay equipment.

Second thought was cattle, but I work in the oilfield 14/14 rotation and wouldn't have anyone to help on the time away.

Two other things you could look into that may be less time consuming

Find Your State's Tree Farm Program

Use this map to connect to your State's Tree Farm Program. Select the state in which your property is located. There are 44 state Tree Farm programs across the United States.

www.treefarmsystem.org

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/pollinator_fact_sht.pdf

 

[joeyd]

Have you thought about renting out the hay fields? Let someone else plant and harvest then no equipment costs to you except for the equipment you want for personal use.