wild life plots

deere755 · Jan 28, 2006

I have been approached about planting some wild life plots for my neighbor and his son. They also want me to plant some sweet corn for them about an acre. These plots are about an acre a piece but I can't get to them with the big tractor and planter so I will be forced to use my 755 and one row. What is a fair price for doing this? Should I charge so much an acre or by the hour, or just so much per job? All total we are looking at 3 acres. Thanks for any input you may have.

beenthere · Jan 28, 2006

If you want a fair price, then decide what you want for your tractor time and your time. I'd say a minimum of $25 an hour for each, or $50 an hour.
If you want to hedge on that and give some of your time to the cause, then drop it as much as you'd like.
I charged that (or tried) with an aquaintance several miles away, for 5 hours work, and he thought it was too much. I had to haul my tractor and equipment, set up, finish the job, and head home to fix up the equipment. He ended up offering me $50 less which I settled for, but don't plan on going back again.
You have to decide what is worth it to you, (not us), and if you want to continue doing this in the future. If the crop fails, will you get blamed or the weather. I've seen pretty marginal success with food plots, probably because the soil isn't fully prepared and the seed isn't the highest quality for germination.

Wish you luck.

sweettractors · Jan 28, 2006

I'd say a minimum of $25 an hour for each, or $50 an hour. 

That would be a more than fair deal for the foodplot guy, especially using 1 row equipment. --Ken Sweet

ksmmoto · Jan 28, 2006

The small engine/tractor repair shop I get parts from mentioned that he had a lot of people asking about food plots. They wanted him to do the work because he always has several 8N's for sale out front. He told me because I mentioned that I was starting a business with my Kubota.

I did some research and my insurance premium would go up if I wanted to do chemical application (including Roundup). Also I don't have a seeder.

At the county fair last summer I met a local man that had advertised food plots in the paper. I was asking about prices and he said about $400 to $500 per acre plus hauling. I had come up with about the same prices. He said that a lot of people ask, but back out when they hear the price. He had about six customers in 2005.

I have decided not to do food plots, if anyone asks, I will send him to the guy I talked to. Unless they just want it worked up and will handle the rest.

The steps to do the job right as I have researched:

1. Brush Hog any tall grass and clear any brush and rock.

2. Spray Roundup and wait for several weeks to kill off well and rot down.

3. Disk or Field Cultivate to break up soil.

4. Rototill or possible plow if heavy sod.

5. Test soil and spread lime or fertilizer as needed.

6. Spike Tooth or Spring Tooth Harrow in lime or fertilizer.

7. Plant seed.

8. Kick back and hope all grows well!

Some steps can be skipped depending on the situation.

I think a lot of people that want food plots don't realize how much time and work getting decent crops from rough ground can be. Have said all this, I would still do food plots for relatives or friends myself, just not as a commercial business.

ksmmoto

ksmmoto · Jan 28, 2006

Forgot to mention that a Chemical Applicators License is required also for any applications other than very small amounts on your own property. Have to take training to get a license.

ksmmoto

deere755 · Jan 29, 2006

This plot was tilled last year and drlled into oats using a broad cast spreader and a drag harrow to work them in and tilled again this fall. They will be tilling it up this spring and furnishing all the seed all I have to do is plant it.

scesnick · Jan 29, 2006

Last summer I brush hogged an old guys 14 acre field with my 5ft.er. It took quite some time and it was all on a side of a hill. We set a price but there was some mis communication and i ended up eating the fuel bill which set me back about $50 or so. So he got a REALLY good deal that he won't bne seing this year that's for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Be sure and include the fuel and tell them that you will do it for $XXX PLUS fuel. At $2.50 a gallon it adds up in a hurry.

Farmwithjunk · Jan 29, 2006

( Forgot to mention that a Chemical Applicators License is required also for any applications other than very small amounts on your own property. Have to take training to get a license.

ksmmoto )

The AMOUNT you spray (on your own property doesn't really have anything to do with the "permit". It's legal to spray (unlicensed) on your own property. What comes in to play is BUYING certain chemicals. Ones on the "restricted use" list are off limits unless you have proper license. You can't even buy them, muchless spray them. Glyphosate and 2,4-D products are still available without licence.

Take your act off of your property and all bets are off. It's illegal to spray for hire, or spray on property belonging to someone else, even applying non-restricted chemicals, unless you are properly certified.

There is a laundry list of sub-sections on the test and licensing proceedure for such things as commercial lawn care, AG, golf course, maintaining right-of-ways,

The testing covers saftey issues mostly. They deal with weather conditions, spill preparedness, and documentation of use. After the test, you must prove you have proper insurance to get the license.

The real catch 22 is, for MOST commercial application permits, you must also prove past experience with handling pesticides. WIthout a permit you can't spray. Without experience spraying, you can't get a permit. (Can you say typical Government B.S.) The only alternative is to work for a licensed applicator to gain required experience.

The entire proceedure is regulated on a state level, based on federal (EPA) guidelines.

In some states, it's even against the law to apply fertilizer on non-owned property or for hire without permit. Some states allow you to spread only granular fertilizer without permit.

Most of this came about with the popularity of "Lawn Care Operators". They needed regulation (as well as some farmers). Now that they are required to be licensed,(as well as license required insurance) they are serving as their own "police". Most legal applicators will turn in NONlegals in a heartbeat. Fines are steep.

With all the red tape involved, it is becoming more practical to hire a licensed applicator for most spraying jobs.

And I just bought a 3-point spray rig.

andrewj · Jan 29, 2006

I would come up with a price per acre. Reason being everyone knows up front how muchit's gonna cost, and he can send you some referral business and he'll be able to remember the price.

This requires you to do some math about how much fuel you will use, how much time, etc. But I think it' s the fairest way.

Overall, remember he's your neighbor. I do things for my neighbors all the time that I would never take money for. They have all done the same for me. Remember what he is planting - food plots. your work may turn into some venison later on this year.