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re: Official OB Farm Thread
Posted on 6/21/17 at 6:53 am to countryboy2
Posted on 6/21/17 at 6:53 am to countryboy2
The most fertile land in the US is in the Midwest and Great Plains region. But for a long arse time the Miss river has been taking their soil and depositing it down here in the Delta where we have the climate to do the most with it. The Central Valley of Cali is fertile as all get out too.
2
Posted on 6/21/17 at 7:59 am to LSUballs
It seems to me in order to be a farmer these days and in the future, you need to understand real estate prices and who is buying land. It's not just corporations and funds looking for yields, tons of land is bought as a diversification by wealthy people and for recreation.
The key starting out is figuring out how you can make some money off of those people. I know quite a few people with recreational farms for hunting, 4 wheeling, etc. that would be more than happy to have a row cropper or cattle farmer come in on 50-150 acres for basically free or a small amount just to use the land properly. Now some certainly get competitive prices especially with larger tracts and more usable land, but many don't and most have no idea where to start on stuff like that if a farmer wasn't already leasing the land when they bought it. I know just getting equipment on site for 50 acres may not be worth it financially for many farmers, but if someone can get multiple small tracts in the same area that changes things. It just seems like that kind of farming has a lot of future for someone that can make the numbers work.
The key starting out is figuring out how you can make some money off of those people. I know quite a few people with recreational farms for hunting, 4 wheeling, etc. that would be more than happy to have a row cropper or cattle farmer come in on 50-150 acres for basically free or a small amount just to use the land properly. Now some certainly get competitive prices especially with larger tracts and more usable land, but many don't and most have no idea where to start on stuff like that if a farmer wasn't already leasing the land when they bought it. I know just getting equipment on site for 50 acres may not be worth it financially for many farmers, but if someone can get multiple small tracts in the same area that changes things. It just seems like that kind of farming has a lot of future for someone that can make the numbers work.
This post was edited on 6/21/17 at 8:01 am
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:27 am to baldona
quote:
50 acres may not be worth it financially for many farmers, but if someone can get multiple small tracts in the same area that changes things. It just seems like that kind of farming has a lot of future for someone that can make the numbers work.
As cattle go, this is what many people do. In my area there are 2-3 guys that have all available land leased for cattle. One has around 12k acres leased spread throughout 2 counties and 3 parishes. Not a lot of row crop farmers in this area but I know a guy that's working on trying to get a sugar cane lease. He says that if he can show its productivity here every land owner will pull cattle off and lease to him. I understand a cane lease runs about 100/acre vs cattle going for 25-50 and acre
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:47 am to FelicianaTigerfan
quote:
understand a cane lease runs about 100/acre vs cattle going for 25-50 and acre
Most cane land owners take either a 1/6 or 1/5 share of the crop (after the mill takes its share).
With the prices we have right now and average yields, the landowner is looking at $250-$300 an acre in return.
Compared with $100 - $150 in soybeans (1/5 crop share).
Grain returns can beat cane returns for the farmer and landowner but over a 10-15 year cycle, cane will provide more consistent returns.
This post was edited on 6/21/17 at 8:48 am
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:04 am to stewie
quote:
With the prices we have right now and average yields, the landowner is looking at $250-$300 an acre in return.
That's just ridiculous. Im surprised there are any cattle pastures left in S La.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:07 am to GREENHEAD22
There's a lot of Dundee down there, but I'm pretty sure the best ground in the country isn't in Concordia Parish.
Not for Corn, not for Soybeans and not for Cotton.
Doesn't mean that's not God's country down there though.
Not for Corn, not for Soybeans and not for Cotton.
Doesn't mean that's not God's country down there though.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:34 am to Huntinguy
Only "farming" my family does is run a decent little stockpile of cattle (less than 50 head). Grandpa used to custom combine for people in the area long time ago. Now most of my ties to it come from work as I work for a consulting company that helps farmers market their crops and make trades on the Chicago board of trade.
As for Texas our most fertile land is in the panhandle by far, guys up there with pivots can run 200+ bushel easily whereas here in central Texas irrigated guys are happy with 120-140, dryland is happy to just average in the triple digits most years. As someone else already said the best land in the US is up in the Midwest, they can really make a crop up there. 250-300 on corn in places and 60+ on beans.
The Ag sector as a whole is down right now, sure it's a great time to buy but you can't show good returns with current markets so good luck getting a loan for stuff. Then when it picks back up everything will get more expensive and it's harder to buy. Same story, different year.
Most of the customers we work with are Texas based so I'm curious what the size of the average Louisiana farm is (both owned and leased land)? Over here I'd say the average size operation is 900-1300 acres give or take. Largest account I manage is ~5000 acres but my boss has an over 20,000 acre account. Plenty of 600 acre guys to balance those out though.
As for Texas our most fertile land is in the panhandle by far, guys up there with pivots can run 200+ bushel easily whereas here in central Texas irrigated guys are happy with 120-140, dryland is happy to just average in the triple digits most years. As someone else already said the best land in the US is up in the Midwest, they can really make a crop up there. 250-300 on corn in places and 60+ on beans.
The Ag sector as a whole is down right now, sure it's a great time to buy but you can't show good returns with current markets so good luck getting a loan for stuff. Then when it picks back up everything will get more expensive and it's harder to buy. Same story, different year.
Most of the customers we work with are Texas based so I'm curious what the size of the average Louisiana farm is (both owned and leased land)? Over here I'd say the average size operation is 900-1300 acres give or take. Largest account I manage is ~5000 acres but my boss has an over 20,000 acre account. Plenty of 600 acre guys to balance those out though.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:41 am to FelicianaTigerfan
quote:
That's just ridiculous. Im surprised there are any cattle pastures left in S La.
I should have clarified, that's cane land along the river.
When you get to the western part of the state, the soil is a good bit older and less fertile and the yields generally aren't as high.
Additionally, in that area the rent is in the 1/6 range. That'll put you closer to the $175-$225 range for the landowner.
The problem with most south LA land is drainage. You see a lot of cattle land because those fields don't necessarily have the internal nor external drainage.
You also have mill proximity.
This post was edited on 6/21/17 at 9:47 am
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:52 am to stewie
quote:WEre yall sweating the Mexico/US sugar deal a few weeks ago?
Most cane land owners
Posted on 6/21/17 at 10:10 am to White Bear
quote:
WEre yall sweating the Mexico/US sugar deal a few weeks ago?
Yes, I'll still angry that they were dumping (well below their cost of production) sugar into the US market to prop up their own domestic market.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 10:12 am to Huntinguy
Well I guess I should have narrowed the question. I feel like this may start a glock vs 1991 type debate but what area of the state has the most fertile soil?
Posted on 6/21/17 at 11:10 am to GREENHEAD22
quote:
what area of the state has the most fertile soil?
I'd guess areas in north eastern LA, along the delta flood planes.
You'll find highly productive soils all along the river but in smaller patches as you head south.
This post was edited on 6/21/17 at 11:11 am
Posted on 6/21/17 at 11:19 am to stewie
Yea I would say East Carroll, Madison, Tensas, Concordia would have the largest areas of fertile alluvial soil.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:10 pm to No Colors
No Colors, I'm looking for some shed antlers to make knife handles with. Please email me at bpinson2037@gmail.com if you can help. Thanks.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:31 pm to FelicianaTigerfan
quote:
quote:With the prices we have right now and average yields, the landowner is looking at $250-$300 an acre in return. That's just ridiculous. Im surprised there are any cattle pastures left in S La.
I don't have much experience with cane, but as said a lot of cattle are on land that is very rocky, hilly, or otherwise not good for crops. Additionally, smaller tract owners to an extent would prefer to own pasture to a degree over something like cane. It can look nicer and have more recreational use. Up north for example, lot of guys will only put cows on your land seasonally.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 4:25 pm to fishfighter
quote:
it's going to be another shitty year in my area for pecans. That is going to be three back to back
sorry you're in the pecan doldrums, but glad to know it isn't just my trees. I thought something had gone wrong with mine. The quantity and quality of pecans turned to shite all of a sudden.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 4:26 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
No better way to make a millionaire out of a billionaire
try race horses!!
Posted on 6/21/17 at 4:38 pm to tigerinthebueche
Super wet springs are a killer to pecan tree production. 
Posted on 6/22/17 at 10:16 am to GREENHEAD22
No major arguments when you say in the state. We used to own a farm in down at Acme, so I'm fairly familiar with that area.
Like Balls said, ECarroll, Mad, Tensas, Concordia, Pt. Coupee etc.
There are pockets of Class 1 soils all over, including some in Morehouse parish that are as good as anywhere in the state.
Like Balls said, ECarroll, Mad, Tensas, Concordia, Pt. Coupee etc.
There are pockets of Class 1 soils all over, including some in Morehouse parish that are as good as anywhere in the state.
This post was edited on 6/22/17 at 10:18 am
Posted on 7/10/17 at 7:20 pm to stewie
Someone learn me on crop insurance...
Federally backed (like flood) or private insurance carriers?
Always wandered
Federally backed (like flood) or private insurance carriers?
Always wandered
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