A few years back I posted a thread about whether to replant my wife’s farm in pines, or to convert it to pasture and get some cows. At the time, I stated that my ultimate goal was to get her property in shape to possibly lease to a cow rancher in the future, insuring a stream of income that would make keeping the property less burdensome for her and our daughter.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/499720-grass-trees.html
We got cows, continued to improve pastures and fences. Things are in pretty good shape. However, I have been considering selling out while prices are high, and seeing if I can find someone to lease the pastures. I will be 75 in December. As long as everything is running smoothly, I’m fine. But I know that some kind of emergency, say a storm with multiple fences down, or a well failure in 100° heat, would really be a lot for me to handle. Beef on the hoof prices are way up now, and it would be a good time to sell.
Last week, out of the blue, I got a text from a young neighbor wanting to discuss leasing our pasture and facilities. I met with him on Saturday to ride over the property, and we soon agreed on a three year lease at about 50% above the going rate for pasture in our area. My fences and other infrastructure, plus his proximity (he lives less than 1/2 mile away) made the deal very advantageous for both of us. I’ll get my herd off asap, and he will take over on Jan 1, 2024.
We will continue to have unlimited access to the property, and be able to enjoy livestock grazing in picturesque pastures. Our granddaughter will get to keep her favorite old mama cow who lets us pet her. The renter will keep the pastures fertilized and sprayed for weeds. I have known his family all my life. I worked in law enforcement with his grandfather fifty years ago. It sure seems like a win-win deal.
He is raising Santa Gertrude’s breeding stock, using modern techniques like artificial insemination and embryo transplant. He wants to use our pastures as a place to separate out the heifers he wants to raise as herd replacement heifers. He is running cattle on 300-400 acres, so ours will be just a smaller but important part of his operation.
He sent me pictures of some of the stock he will be moving to our place.
The whiteface calf is one I will be sending to market. Should bring close to $1000.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/499720-grass-trees.html
We got cows, continued to improve pastures and fences. Things are in pretty good shape. However, I have been considering selling out while prices are high, and seeing if I can find someone to lease the pastures. I will be 75 in December. As long as everything is running smoothly, I’m fine. But I know that some kind of emergency, say a storm with multiple fences down, or a well failure in 100° heat, would really be a lot for me to handle. Beef on the hoof prices are way up now, and it would be a good time to sell.
Last week, out of the blue, I got a text from a young neighbor wanting to discuss leasing our pasture and facilities. I met with him on Saturday to ride over the property, and we soon agreed on a three year lease at about 50% above the going rate for pasture in our area. My fences and other infrastructure, plus his proximity (he lives less than 1/2 mile away) made the deal very advantageous for both of us. I’ll get my herd off asap, and he will take over on Jan 1, 2024.
We will continue to have unlimited access to the property, and be able to enjoy livestock grazing in picturesque pastures. Our granddaughter will get to keep her favorite old mama cow who lets us pet her. The renter will keep the pastures fertilized and sprayed for weeds. I have known his family all my life. I worked in law enforcement with his grandfather fifty years ago. It sure seems like a win-win deal.
He is raising Santa Gertrude’s breeding stock, using modern techniques like artificial insemination and embryo transplant. He wants to use our pastures as a place to separate out the heifers he wants to raise as herd replacement heifers. He is running cattle on 300-400 acres, so ours will be just a smaller but important part of his operation.
He sent me pictures of some of the stock he will be moving to our place.
The whiteface calf is one I will be sending to market. Should bring close to $1000.
