Suggestions on Purchasing Land for Livestock

[Ms. Research]

After reading the informative thread of "Feeding Stock" that Old Ram started, it's brought up a lot that I need to look at when purchasing my land for my Livestock Adventure. As DH and I make plans, our plans are looking to get at least 1-2 acres. I think we can utilize that land for what we want. But what should that 1-2 acres be like? I think soil samples are a good way to find out what your land has abundance of and what it is lacking for grazers. All the reading I've been doing about feed for sheep and goats means that both need different minerals to be healthy, happy animals. Also, being in New Jersey, and really knowing what the water quality is, wouldn't this also affect the grazers since they drink the water, wouldn't that also affect the animals? Possibly taking in something that is throwing off their digestive system. Adding more minerals than thought. Like copper? Testing the water also should be looked at. Especially not just the drinking water, but if your land should but up to a stream. Believe, storm water runoff is pretty bad here and does flush a lot of bad things into the streams, along with what leaches down into the aquifer system.

Just throwing thoughts out there. Would love some feedback.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

The main thing to be concerned with is zoning!!! Make sure you talk to your Planning and Zoning people to make absolutely sure that livestock are allowed on the property you want to buy. I asked THREE different times before we bought our place, because I didn't want to buy it and then find out we weren't allowed to have livestock! Also, go to your local soil conservation district and ask them to find the soil types for the property in question. You won't want to buy it if there are wetlands covering the whole property, or hydric (wet) soils. If you have to keep livestock on wet soils, you and your livestock will be miserable. You want a well-drained soil that wont' turn into a mud bog with every rain.

Soil samples are good, but really you can change your soil nutrients and pH with adding (or not adding) nutrients and lime. You can work with soil quality more than with soil type. And to be safe with worrying about what's in the stream, you'll fence your animals away from the stream. Many people let their animals drink from the streams, but like you said that water may not be clean, and you're dirtying the water by letting animals urinate and defecate in the stream. Imagine someone upstream from you letting your animals poo in the stream. You wouldn't want your animals to drink it, and you wouldn't want others downstream drinking water your animals are defecating in. Plus, water quality is really harmed by fecal matter.

Those are the main things I'd be concerned with. Good luck in your search!!! It's a fun and exciting thing, planning your future!!

 

[freemotion]

Yes, you can change the quality of the soil, even by just adding free compost sometimes.

1-2 acres is not very much once you subtract the area needed for the house, driveway, yard, etc. I have four and it is still overstocked for someone who would like to be self-sufficient. We have to bring in a LOT of purchased food. Overgrazing can ruin land quicker than you can improve it.

What animals are you considering and how many? Know, of course, that the numbers tend to climb....

 

[redtailgal]

x

 

[DonnaBelle]

Call and see if you have a "County Extension Agent' in your area. In Oklahoma and lots of other states, they are State agencies that work very closely with colleges and universities with agriculture sciences.

We have gotten a lot of information on plants, animals and anything relating to farming/ranching.

DonnaBelle

 

[Ms. Research]

Thanks EVERYONE for all the GREAT information.

DH and I looked over everything you all posted.

Definitely I was thinking 1-2 acres, but DH was thinking more. He agrees with the more land the better. Aggie: Zoning and Planning Board questions is a MUST! Thanks for that suggestion. Know all too well about starting something and then finding things change without your knowledge or consent. Everyone should watch what their Planning and Zoning Board does in their area.

Freemotion: Looking at acquiring (2) ewes for lambs and meat, (2) dairy goats (2) meat goats, chickens, rabbits, and hopefully a Llama or Donkey (my pleasure). But as you know plans do change and if I can get more land I will. DH is a property inspector so he's got his eyes open for property up for sale or Sheriff sale.

Also definitely get a good well. Nothing less that 800 foot. And regarding the soil, we live in New Jersey. Every piece of soil must be tested. We have no idea what they have dumped and hidden on these grounds.

County extention and Vets; Salem County is a Rural County and has lots of farmers. Not big farms anymore. More like home farms that everyone here has. There are no corporate farms here. Except for Corn and tomatoes. So I know I will have no problems finding land there. And the way the economy is right now, a lot of those small farmers are losing their properties. Which is sad in itself. 4-H is very big in that area. And though I hear there are not many Livestock Vets, they do have some. A few local vets that alot of the livestock farms rely on. We have an older lady here in the area, known as the "Goat Guru" who the farmers turn to more than vets. So I have many options. And I know I'm going to have to be completely hands on but prepared to learn.

Regarding neighbors: Know the problem of neighbors. Will be very careful and ask LOTS of questions. RTG: thanks for the heads-up regarding the care of other livestock around us. knowing that I can really watch my fence line and if I had my way, I would buy 5 extra acres just to have an acre surrounding me to KEEP the neighbors out. I don't mean to sound like a isolationist, but you have no idea what we have to deal with with neighbors or the human species. Nah, more faith in animals.

Also thanks for explaining that I can fix my soil with certain nutrients. Starting a compost here so I can work with and learn the qualities of soil. I will research successful small farms in the area and request their soil sample to see how they do it as well. See most people want to spend money trying, we believe in talking and listening and learning.

Anyway, again thank you all for the valuable information.

 

[that's*satyrical]

If you are trying to set up a homestead on a limited space, The Backyard Homestead by Storey is a great resource. It will tell you what you can do on what size piece of land & give you a good idea of what kind of land & how much you will need to accomplish what it is you're looking for!! Good luck & have fun!!

 

[Ms. Research]

If you are trying to set up a homestead on a limited space, The Backyard Homestead by Storey is a great resource. It will tell you what you can do on what size piece of land & give you a good idea of what kind of land & how much you will need to accomplish what it is you're looking for!! Good luck & have fun!!

Thank you for that info. Will look that book up.

Also are you familiar with offthegridnews.com. Very interesting site with LOTS of good articles on survival. And self sustaining living. You should look it up.

 

[that's*satyrical]

Oooohhh. Very nice reference. Thanks!!

 

[freemotion]

Have you researched Joel Salatin's methods yet? There are a bunch of videos on youtube and he's written several books. An organic farmer here said he visited a couple of years ago, and Polyface Farm stood out from the neighboring farms because it was so much more green and lush. He doesn't use fertilizer, just poop and intensive rotational grazing using multiple species.