I had pines cut off about 30 acres in mid 2015. My intention has been to replant as soon as possible. I applied for a cost-share program with Natural Resources Conservation Service. I was approved for about $10,000 to apply herbicide, burn, and replant the 30 acres with Longleaf pine seedlings. I had the herbicide applied, and had the firebreaks plowed. Haven't been able to burn because of the drought and burn bans. Now, with the good rains of the last week (over four inches) I can burn and proceed with planting.
I'm not sure I want to.
Here's the deal. First, NRCS is requiring me to plant Longleaf, I would rather plant another variety. I love Longleaf, but it does better on non-fertile, deep sandy soil. Mine is good soil. Second, Longleaf is very slow growing. It would probably be 20 years before a thinning is required, which may or may not be income producing. Next, partly for aesthetic reasons, I would like to put it in pasture and put some cows on it.
My wife and I profited greatly from the pines her father planted on the property in the early 80s. They were Loblolly, a quicker growing variety. We thinned twice, realizing some nice income both times, and clear cut in 2015, getting a good price for saw logs and pulp. That was a different set of circumstances, or, I might just be rationalizing.
We want to do what is best economically for our just-married daughter.
I put a quality perimeter fence around the whole farm (about 70 acres) about four years ago, so that expense is taken care of. I piped water to the farthest reaches of the place, so that is covered. I own a good paid-for 55 hp John Deere tractor, with most equipment I would need. I already bought a dozen Angus cross bred cows, heavy with calves, to put on about 20 acres I already have in pasture. My daughter's FIL has a big ranch in South-Central Florida, and he might kick in a few head of Brangus so we can present the "chullen" with a producing herd, at no expense to them.
I can get the 30 acres in good shape within 24-36 months, with minimum expense. I can cross-fence it a couple of times, and get hybrid Bermuda Grass planted on it. My brother and I own another farm that has hybrid grass, and I can get clippings. I have a good man who takes care of my equipment working part time. I will be 68 in a few days, but I am in apparent good health. I hope to be around a few more years to manage things, but I realize that anything can happen at my age.
I've got it all figured out.
If after I'm gone they no longer wanted to fool with the cows, they could easily lease good fenced pasture and realize some yearly income. They live about 70 miles away, but that isn't necessarily a deal-breaker with cows. Good fences, good grass, and a reliable caretaker make absentee ownership viable.
My wife, of course, wants to plant the pines.
The "chullen" seem amenable to the pasture plan.
I'm not sure I want to.
Here's the deal. First, NRCS is requiring me to plant Longleaf, I would rather plant another variety. I love Longleaf, but it does better on non-fertile, deep sandy soil. Mine is good soil. Second, Longleaf is very slow growing. It would probably be 20 years before a thinning is required, which may or may not be income producing. Next, partly for aesthetic reasons, I would like to put it in pasture and put some cows on it.
My wife and I profited greatly from the pines her father planted on the property in the early 80s. They were Loblolly, a quicker growing variety. We thinned twice, realizing some nice income both times, and clear cut in 2015, getting a good price for saw logs and pulp. That was a different set of circumstances, or, I might just be rationalizing.
We want to do what is best economically for our just-married daughter.
I put a quality perimeter fence around the whole farm (about 70 acres) about four years ago, so that expense is taken care of. I piped water to the farthest reaches of the place, so that is covered. I own a good paid-for 55 hp John Deere tractor, with most equipment I would need. I already bought a dozen Angus cross bred cows, heavy with calves, to put on about 20 acres I already have in pasture. My daughter's FIL has a big ranch in South-Central Florida, and he might kick in a few head of Brangus so we can present the "chullen" with a producing herd, at no expense to them.
I can get the 30 acres in good shape within 24-36 months, with minimum expense. I can cross-fence it a couple of times, and get hybrid Bermuda Grass planted on it. My brother and I own another farm that has hybrid grass, and I can get clippings. I have a good man who takes care of my equipment working part time. I will be 68 in a few days, but I am in apparent good health. I hope to be around a few more years to manage things, but I realize that anything can happen at my age.
I've got it all figured out.
If after I'm gone they no longer wanted to fool with the cows, they could easily lease good fenced pasture and realize some yearly income. They live about 70 miles away, but that isn't necessarily a deal-breaker with cows. Good fences, good grass, and a reliable caretaker make absentee ownership viable.
My wife, of course, wants to plant the pines.
The "chullen" seem amenable to the pasture plan.
