Hubby and I have the hair-brained idea to buy land and get cattle for an agricultural exemption and all. Now I consider myself in the country being on 5 acres just outside the Woodlands N. of Houston! I'm 3 miles from a Walmart! But then again, who isn't?!?
Sooooooooo, how much work is involved?????????????? Just let me know if we've lost our minds! :o)
Need Info From People With Cattle On Acreage
No valid information here... as far as we are concerned, the only cow we want fits on our plate! Sorry... BTW, 22 miles from the nearest WM and that is TOO darn close!
Yes, it is a lot of work. As for losing your minds, welllllllllll, we did the same thing 10 years ago. This is some of what we have experienced in the last nine years.
While we were in negotiations for the ranch (Lasting from February to late June in 1998), Texas experienced a baaaaad drought. That year, the corn crop dried up before it could mature. Hay was almost non-existent. By the end of the year, hay had to be brought into the state by the National Guard because it couldn't be found here in Texas. We hadn't bought any livestock yet so didn't think much about it. My husband wanted to come into the area so badly that he tended to ignore a number of things, such as, neither one of us knew anything about ranching, cattle, grass, what equipment was needed, price of the equipment, etc. The land had been overgrazed and was overgrown with weeds and mesquite.
Something to consider: On average, Texas experiences sever drought every 80 years which lasts about 10 years long. This is year 3 of the current drought period. In 2005, we got most of our annual rainfall, but it came in such a quirky way that our pasture grass, Bermuda, kept going in and out of dormancy. We had to purchase supplement feed much of the year, last year. We lucked out and had enough rain to grow some winter rye, but had to let the cattle in to feed early because we didn't get any rain in February. And the drought continues. Ranchers started selling parts or all of their herd last year. Those sales are continuing this year.
Fortunately, there is an incredible amount information on the web. Both of us have learned a lot in the last nine years, but we've also lost cows and calves. We should have had a larger coral and hay pen built. We started out with a very mixed herd and one that was long in the tooth. I'm sure the seller saw the "S" stamped on our foreheads. The Simmenthals developed oversized udders and teets. As a consequence, I've hand raised three heifers . Our 2 Brahman cows were fine in the pastures, but hell in the coral and chute. We ended up with mostly St. Gertrudis and Angus with a few 7/8 Angus - 1/8 Brangus cows. Quite by accident, we lucked onto a good cross-breed for our area. Mostly Angus, with the Angus look, but with a bit of St. Gertrudis which helps them get through winter in good shape. The Brangus is down to 1/32. Most of our commercial herd is made up of replacement heifers bred and raised here on the ranch. My DH fussed ((*&%(*&^HKJG###) when I insisted we keep the heifers. We have a registered Angus bull because we also have some registered Angus cows. I couldn't handle sending calves off to the auction barn so I started asking for a registered heifer, preferably a bred one, for my birthday.
We have been pushed around, stepped on, licked, snorted (Ugh!) on and sprayed with unmentionable stuff. We've had to dray dead cows off to a corner of the property, wash the soiled rear end on ill calves, cried over the loss of our favorites, fumed at how clever cattle can be. We have one cow who learned to open the faucet to get water. They know how to take the top off the creep feeder to get to the development food. They know the feed is in the barn and try to get in there whenever they can. They are a lot of trouble. Right now, we have a cow and her heifer here in our replacement heifer pasture so we can keep an eye on the newborn. She wouldn't nurse. Another trip to the vet. Get to your new vet well.
There are compensations. The little ones are so cute. I feel really relaxed around them.
If you are really serious about this, I would suggest you learn as much as you can before actually buying the land. Contact the USDA office and the local Extension office in the county you are interested in. In general, the annual rainfall diminishes as you get away from the coast. Coastal Bermuda seems to be the pasture grass of choice, but it needs a minimum of 30" of rain. There are better and more palatable grasses, but some have to be sprigged. They are not as hardy as common Bermuda so you have to kill any common Bermuda present (Easier said than done.). It helps if one of you gets their Applicator's license. It is very expensive to hire someone to spray weeds and mesquite for you.
We lost our minds back in 1997. Were looking for 15-20 acres with pasture, running creek, pond, woods, rolling hills, etc. We found our dream the day it came on the market, all 84 acres of it. We were able to move here in 2000, after spending lots of time & $$$$ fixing the old farm house( its still a working project). We have a grazing lease with one of our neighbors, so have the pleasures of having the cattle without the expense or work. I can vegtable garden in my front yard, (without the homeowners assc. harrassment), raise chickens for the eggs and to feed the coyotes, skunks, racoons, opossums; and we can see the stars at night. The only downside is the 120 mile round trip commute to Houston everyday, but that allows the stress to disappear as we get closer to HOME. We would do it again in a heartbeat. Best wishes, Donna
Evidently the pioneer spirit lives in Texas. Congratulations to those of you who have followed a dream and despite all the hassle are still there. To have no dreams and continue to live the same ol' same ol' look at you and are so impressed.
Ann
Donna, Oooooo, I LOVE Chappel Hill! Sounds like you have the perfect setup!
We're looking into a wildlife exemption ;o)...............that should allow my husband to keep all his greenery, no cattle to care for.............what would a city girl like me do?!?..............AND lots and lots of gardening for me! :o)
we have cattle, land ,small farm please tell me about these exemptions.Is this on your Texas tax return?
Bite your tongue Riverland : )) ~ No Texas tax returns in Texas... ain't life grand!
Geeze we get it in both ends La is the most screwed up state politically but you gatta admit it's entertaining. If you want to report to our ins commisioner you have to contact the state pen.
My tax man hasn't enlightened me to any special exemptions. Course the cattle is always in the hole. I would like to know about the wildlife exemption. Got that too.
This message was edited Mar 5, 2007 9:56 PM
It's a Texas state property tax exemption.
Also if you own a ranch or farm and buy material for use on the ranch, you don't pay sales tax. That's for ranching purposes only. Anything bought for use in the yard or house is not tax exempt. It can get confusing. Example: No tax on cattle panels if used to fence off newly planted trees out in a pasture, but you pay taxes if the panels are used to protect the newly planted trees in that portion of the ranch you call your yard.
If the agricultural-use exemption doesn't come with the property when you buy it, you have to ranch without it for 5 years before you can apply AND if you do have one, you don't want to lose it. Here's a better explanation:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:HhxrmYHNV98J:recenter.tamu.edu/pdf/1361.pdf+Texas+agricultural+exemption&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
Thanks all! We're not cattle people, so we're looking into a wildlife exemption! ;o)
Look though this USDA link on the conservation programs.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=CONSERVATION&parentnav=AGRICULTURE&navtype=RT
If you apply for level 2 access, you can submit forms on line, communicate with the USDA and track the progress of your submissions.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!
ladyborg, Yes, cattle are a lot of work, even on a small piece of land, but worth it if you are stay-at-homes. One of the worst things is you can't go away for a few days without having someone to feed your cattle, or at least take a look at them every day to be sure they have water & are ok. You'd be surprised at what can go wrong quickly - they get snakebitten, or eat a plant in the wrong stage & get bloated & so sick you have to get the vet.. Good Luck.
I wish A & M offered classes for ranchers. I don't want to take over our vet's job. I am tires of learn new lessons the hard way — another death.
bettydee, check with your county agent. they have seminars & classes. they also coordinate with A&M & Praireview. Washington county used to do mailings, but have switched to emails so you have to get on their list to receive the info. Donna
Donna, thanks for reminding me about the extension service. I've checked with the agents in the area before, have found continuing ed classes to maintain my Applicator's license, but not on cattle management. I'll check again. Maybe they have something different to offer.