what to do with 40 slopping acres

[suburbanite]

My husband and I have always lived in the suburbs. Now that the kids are grown, we have decided to live in the country so we have bought 40 acres in Colorado with the idea of building our retirement home there. LOL my husband spends more hours looking at pictures of tractors than planning for the future house. To keep the agriculture tax rating we have to use the land accordingly. We have thought about leasing the land for cattle grazing. I know nothing about rural living. Will cows co-exist with a house, do they need to be fenced off? What is done with all the cow poop? Does anyone have any better ideas? I don't want to come off as a fluff, but I am looking at a retirement lifestyle, so there is a limit too how much hard dirty work I am willing to take on.

 

[dave1949]

Welcome to TBN and the retirement lifestyle !

How much is the agriculture tax rating worth annually, and does it amount to enough to be worth it? You will need fencing, so there will be an upfront cost to be paid back by the tax savings. Is there someone who will rent/lease the land for cattle grazing? Is it good enough grassland to do that? Water seems to be an issue to deal with too.

There are other ways to get an agriculture reduction in taxes, it depends on what you are willing to be tied down to. Also, CO may have other land use tax reduction programs other than agriculture.

 

[tractchores]

You could grow hay or some other easy crop and let someone mow it and keep they hay. I know a guy who does that and it works out well, keeps his fields open with no work on his part and looks nice.

 

[dave1949]

Here is some reading: NRCS Colorado Programs | Conservation Stewardship Program

 

[MikeFarm]

Hi

Nice that you have joined. My wife and I were newbies to rural stuff just two years ago too.

> We have thought about leasing the land for cattle grazing.
It works well. We have about 15 cows and their calves agisted on our land. Their owner looks after them and we get paid per cow per week. But you are usually responsible for fence maintenance and ensuring dam access or other water supply for them.

> Will cows co-exist with a house, do they need to be fenced off?
It depends on whether you want a garden or not As you don't have a house yet don't worry. Let cows keep the grass down. When you have a house then you would want to fence off the yard as the cows will eat or push down your nice shrubs and also you might grow trees that are poisonous to stock (Google for "plants poisonous to stock colorado").

> What is done with all the cow poop?
In Aust we have dung beetles that bury the poop (a South African species). Here is a link to a Youtube video of some in Colorado: Dung Beetle in action - Boulder, Colorado - YouTube . In warm weather the poop is gone in a few days. In colder times the beetles will be inactive and it will remain for some months or longer. It will eventually breakdown. Basically just get to ignore it but watch where you step.

Mike

 

[MossRoad]

My husband and I have always lived in the suburbs. Now that the kids are grown, we have decided to live in the country so we have bought 40 acres in Colorado with the idea of building our retirement home there. LOL my husband spends more hours looking at pictures of tractors than planning for the future house. To keep the agriculture tax rating we have to use the land accordingly. We have thought about leasing the land for cattle grazing. I know nothing about rural living. Will cows co-exist with a house, do they need to be fenced off? What is done with all the cow poop? Does anyone have any better ideas? I don't want to come off as a fluff, but I am looking at a retirement lifestyle, so there is a limit too how much hard dirty work I am willing to take on.

Timber farm!
Row of pines.
Row of mixed hardwoods.
Row of pines.
Row of mixed hardwoods.
Repeat.
The pines grow fast and like a pyrimid shape. It puts stress on the mixed hardwoods, which makes them grow tall and straight, perfect for veneer timber.
Basically, you plant them, mow between the rows twice a year to keep weed competition down, and after 5 or 6 years you don't have to mow anymore because the pines will fill in and keep the weeds down.
Its low maintenance, qualifies as AG, and can qualify for state reimbusement for errosion control programs, conservation reserve, classified forest, classified wildlife habitat, etc....
You won't see any profit from it, but your kids or grandkids might.
We planted ours around 1980. The tress are topping 40-50 feet and the hardwoods are finally topping out over the pines.
Fun to watch the passage of time with the growth of trees.

 

[jerrybob]

Welcome aboard......up here in the Northwest......many folks plant Christmas trees. Keeps their farm status....low maintenance.....cut em after a few years and re-plant. Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Lou66]

cut out an acre for the house and garden,, fence off,, let someone else take care of the rest of it with an ag account,, they can maintain the fences and pay the taxes on the other 39 acres,, you pay the taxes on your one acre and house..if you can timber ag it then do that..that way you don't have to worry about it and you can use it for hunting or riding or whatever,, you can do it also with leasing it,, just make sure they understand what you want.. Lou

 

[rmorey]

Timber farmer sounds like a better retirement job than cow poop manager! LOL :laughing:

 

[whistlepig]

Build a run in shed and let them poop outdoors. Nature will take care of the outdoor poop. As far as the poop in the run in shed that's what your husband's tractor is for. Let him take care of the poop in the run in shed. Poop's not a big problem. Feeding, haying, and watering them in a hard winter would be something I would be more concerned about.

 

[MacLawn]

I guess slopping acres would be a good hog farm. You'd be slopping hogs on slopping acres!:laughing:

Sorry, but got a good laugh out of meself!

 

[smstonypoint]

Forestry has been mentioned.

That alternative has minimal labor and equipment requirements and offers the opportunity to obtain lower property taxes.

It looks like Colorado requires a minimum of 40 acres, 10% of land covered by forest trees, and a management plan to qualify for the tax break (Colorado Property Taxes as Financial Incentive Programs for Non-industrial Private Forest Owners).

I don't know about Colorado, but the county rangers of the NC Forest Service prepare forest management plans free of charge.

You should check with your county's tax assessment office as to whether the exclusion of your homestead acreage would allow you to meet the minimum acreage requirement.

Steve

 

[nybirdman]

How about grapes?Apple orchard?I wouldn't mess with live animals(even tho I do).

 

[clemsonfor]

is this open or timber land that will make a difference. Most areas you can "tree farm" i know the feds allow it as n IRS deduction. You wont make out on cattle after building a fence. And NO you cant let cows run wild, not on 40 acres, and you dont want them around your house. they will poop all over your yard eat your garden and flowers, bushes trees etc. They will rub themselves on your porch railings, knocking them over, rub on your house side busting up the siding etc. That would be a disaster!!!! IF you get cows you have to fence.

 

[rekees4300]

You describe the parcel as "slopping". What does that mean? Is it a marsh, swamp or in a flood plain? If it is then honestly just sell it, cut your loses, and go to Plan B. Never underestimate the power of water. If the land is wet all the time then you guys are gong to be miserable trying to adapt.

View attachment 310318

 

[MacLawn]

You describe the parcel as "slopping". What does that mean? Is it a marsh, swamp or in a flood plain? If it is then honestly just sell it, cut your loses, and go to Plan B. Never underestimate the power of water. If the land is wet all the time then you guys are gong to be miserable trying to adapt.

View attachment 310318

You know, rek, I was just jesting above, but maybe they really did mean slopping, as in wet all the time. You're right, if that's the case, if the local EPA or whatever does that would allow, a pond would be great there.

 

[clemsonfor]

If its slopping acres adn not slopeing acres then pond raising catfish. I took it as a misspelling?

 

[SPIKER]

You COULD start at the top with a BIG Bulldozer and PUSH until it is LEVEL

I also suggest trees like above alternate pines & hardwoods..
mark

 

[MacLawn]

Hopefully she'll post back and let us know. If sloping, orchards, vineyards as someone mentioned. Cattle, goats, etc. I know a retired couple who raises goats and they told me they are all sold before they are even born! Need dog, donkey or something to keep yotes off.

 

[brin]

Timber farm!
Row of pines.
Row of mixed hardwoods.
Row of pines.
Row of mixed hardwoods.
Repeat.
The pines grow fast and like a pyrimid shape. It puts stress on the mixed hardwoods, which makes them grow tall and straight, perfect for veneer timber.
Basically, you plant them, mow between the rows twice a year to keep weed competition down, and after 5 or 6 years you don't have to mow anymore because the pines will fill in and keep the weeds down.
Its low maintenance, qualifies as AG, and can qualify for state reimbusement for errosion control programs, conservation reserve, classified forest, classified wildlife habitat, etc....
You won't see any profit from it, but your kids or grandkids might.
We planted ours around 1980. The tress are topping 40-50 feet and the hardwoods are finally topping out over the pines.
Fun to watch the passage of time with the growth of trees.

I agree with Moss...plant some pines...they are inexpensive to plant they go in as tiny bare root seedlings and there are outfits that do in a day...for that many acres...then you are done...no worry and you are now agricultural and you get to watch the trees grow...and you mix in the hardwoods like Moss said...that is what I would do if you want to enjoy retirement...anything else requires work...work... Good Luck to you and your Hubby...