Suggestions on Purchasing Land for Livestock

[Ms. Research]

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.

Thank you. First I've ever heard of this person. Will definitely look him up. Don't believe in man-made fertilizer, so this is right up our alley. Thank you again.

 

[greybeard]

I realize this may not apply in your case, but some states offer Ag Exemptions when it comes to your property taxes and they can save you a lot in yearly property taxes if you qualify. Here, you need 10 acres (State of Texas), but it varies from state to state and even county to county. I once bought a piece of property for pasture use, never thinking about it and came in exactly 1/2 acre short on the minimum acreage requirement, which meant I had to pay the full assessed taxes. (I won't make that mistake again)

 

[Ms. Research]

I realize this may not apply in your case, but some states offer Ag Exemptions when it comes to your property taxes and they can save you a lot in yearly property taxes if you qualify. Here, you need 10 acres (State of Texas), but it varies from state to state and even county to county. I once bought a piece of property for pasture use, never thinking about it and came in exactly 1/2 acre short on the minimum acreage requirement, which meant I had to pay the full assessed taxes. (I won't make that mistake again)

Texas IS America. That works well there. Here in the "Nanny" State if you are elected or appointed and have ONE goat on your property you get a pass. BUT if you are not an elected and appointed official you get FINED and shut down.

We have elected officials who blantantly use this "Farm" Status as a scape goat. Excuse the expression, but you know how the "insiders' work. Have a nice day.

BTW, I'm neither elected or appointed so if I tried for "Farm" Status I wouldn't get it even if I had 100 Goats!

 

[SheepGirl]

If the land you purchase has buildings on it, make sure they're big enough for the number of animals you want to house (include space for babies in addition to the adults). Also make sure that if the land has fencing, that the fencing is all intact and doesn't need much fixing up. Also see if the fencing and building placement/attachment works well for the livestock management you have in mind.

I'm not sure if New Jersey is considered "mid-atlantic," but the University of Maryland suggests that the mid-atlantic region can support 1 animal unit per acre, if animals are to be grazed. One animal unit is equal to 1,000 pounds of livestock. Sheep and goats, as a rule of thumb, are 0.2 AU, so you would need 1.2 acres for the six you want. An equine (I don't know if it's horse-specific or if it applies to all equines) is 1.2 AU. So far, you will be needing 2.4 acres if you plan on grazing animals. And that doesn't factor in space for what your house and front/back yard will take up, as well as any barns you may have/want, and a small lot/corral for winter feeding (since grass doesn't really have any nutritional value during winter months).

Just some other things to think about.