Buying tractor for the first time!

[Bob Vanderlinde]

Hi,
I'm closing on a 95.6 acre piece of land within 3-4 weeks. The land is tillable (about 60 acres, and the rest, wooded, previously farmed-now overgrown (about 30 acres), and wet (about 5 acres).
The 60 acre field hasn't been farmed inn about 6 years, and needs bushhogging and maybe more but has no sig rocks and should be tillable without too much work. I may let the next door farmer work this land provided he plants at least some corn (deer!). I want to work on the other 35 that is overgrown (20+ years not farmed). I need to put in a short (200 yd) driveway onto the property, and want to get a tractor and do this myself as much as possible. Also want to put up cover for the tractor and hunting stuff.
I need all kinds of advice on all of this!!
For starters, can I get by with a compact tractor with a FEL and pot to put in the gravel driveway? Am thinking about one of those steel pole and fabric structures to protect the tractor this coming winter-- then maybe a pole barn next spring.
I know I'm not supplying enough detais-- but hopefully this is a start!!
Thanks in advance,
Bob
--No tractor YET!!

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[dex3361]

Welcome to TBN Bob. You are right that a few more details will help in the advice. Some of the questions to think about are what will the long term usage of the tractor be? Are you going to into hay making? If so will it be round bales or small square bales? All kinds of questions will need to be addressed to help in the decision making.
Yes you may be able to make a road into your place with a CUT and a Box Blade as long as you don't hit rock or stumps and then you may need a track hoe or a back hoe. Sometimes it is better to rent a larger piece of equipment to get the really heavy work done and the size your tractor for the long haul.
I tend to think you will need a tractor in the 35- 45 HP range just to keep up with the maintenance of the property and then if you go into haying it goes up from there.

 

[rmully]

With that much land a compact tractor would be a lot of extra work on you and the tractor. I would look mid range 40 to 60 hp. Take time and really review your options so you know what kind of implements you are going to need and run. Best of luck!!

 

[Bob Vanderlinde]

Thanks for the help.
I'm pretty sure I'll turn over the large field (50-60 acres) to the farmer next door provided he'll put in some corn.
So that really leaves my needs as follows:
Put in 200 yd driveway (there is already a driveway there but it's dirt, no gravel, and wet and boggy in spring--so I'm thinking about putting down that fabric I've heard about then gravel, (I may get an engineer to help an it-what do you guys think, considering I'm new to all this). But I would like to do the actual driveway work myself, if the tractor I get will do it.
Also, I want to recover most of the 30 or so acres that was being tilled in the 70's. Maybe this is where I should rent a larger tractor to take out brush/small trees (2-3 inches). Then (please help me here), I would like to plow, disc, and whatever to return it to tilled land). I'll leave some for deer sanctuary. -- seems like a lot of farmers around here put down Lyme --how do you know if your soil needs Lyme?
Lots of questions, so please go easy on the newbie!
Thanks

 

[Briana03]

Hello & WELCOME to TBN!

I moved your thread to the Projects Forum.

 

[Western]

Thanks for the help.
I'm pretty sure I'll turn over the large field (50-60 acres) to the farmer next door provided he'll put in some corn.
So that really leaves my needs as follows:
Put in 200 yd driveway (there is already a driveway there but it's dirt, no gravel, and wet and boggy in spring--so I'm thinking about putting down that fabric I've heard about then gravel, (I may get an engineer to help an it-what do you guys think, considering I'm new to all this). But I would like to do the actual driveway work myself, if the tractor I get will do it.
Also, I want to recover most of the 30 or so acres that was being tilled in the 70's. Maybe this is where I should rent a larger tractor to take out brush/small trees (2-3 inches). Then (please help me here), I would like to plow, disc, and whatever to return it to tilled land). I'll leave some for deer sanctuary. -- seems like a lot of farmers around here put down Lyme --how do you know if your soil needs Lyme?
Lots of questions, so please go easy on the newbie!
Thanks

Welcome Bob,

As far as lime goes, you can have your soil tested, easy to do and a great idea. I would suggest having your local Agriculture agent or DNR guy come out, it is free and they have a wealth of knowledge for your particular area. They can also tell you how to submit a soil sample, or you can find it on your states Ag web page most likely.

As far as Tractors go, I agree with the other guy's, Think long term, that is where most folks loose out and go to small, either way I would strongly consider a 4x4 tractor for a variety of reasons. For me, with that much acreage and it's possibilities, I would also be thinking in the 50 hp + range.

As far as the drive, I don't think you need and engineer IMO. There are enough of us "arm chair " ones on here that are likely to be more help..

 

[Bob Vanderlinde]

Western,
Thank you for the helpful info.
If I were to farm with hay and a little sweet corn the 50-60 acres myself, (with the help pf the farming brain trust on this forum), about how much time wouldit take me (estimate in man hours). I have lots of time (retired), and I will get a tractor (big enough after the advice on this forum),
This might include bushog, plow, cutting hay, bailing etc. I have a friendly Amish neighbor, I might be able to share production, with him, and he could supply some of the equipment, and help me with his knowledge. I figure I could also rent some of the accessories for the tractor( I'm not buying a hay bailer!
Am I crazy to try this not ever having farmed before? Would I simply loose my shirt!
This is simply a dream for me (because i spent summers on my grandfathers farm in VA) that would have never been possible when I was working
Thanks again for the help.
Bob

 

[smstonypoint]

If I were to farm with hay and a little sweet corn the 50-60 acres myself, (with the help pf the farming brain trust on this forum), about how much time wouldit take me (estimate in man hours).

Bob,

The agricultural economics (or similar) departments at most land-grant universities publish prototype enterprise budgets for various crops. Those budgets will include estimates of labor requirements based upon assumptions regarding cropping system (e.g., no-till versus conventional tillage, irrigated versus non-irrigated, etc.), tractor and implement sizes, etc.

Here's an example of an enterprise budget for sweet corn for SC that shows an estimate of 12+ hours of labor/acre -- http://www.clemson.edu/extension/aes/budgets/files/SweetCorn-LocalIRR.pdf. The SC budget for fescue hay (2 cuttings, small bales) shows an estimate of 7.7 + hours of labor/acre -- http://www.clemson.edu/extension/aes/budgets/files/Fescue.pdf. It is likely that the enterprise budgets for these crops in other states will have different estimated labor requirments due to different assumptions about field operations, machinery sizes, etc. This link provides a convenient way to search for enterprise budgets for alternative crops by state/region -- :: AG RISK EDUCATION LIBRARY ::.

Am I crazy to try this not ever having farmed before? Would I simply loose my shirt!

Your best bet is to develop a farm plan to determine the economic feasibility of your proposed operation. This Cornell U. site has some good resources for new farmers that will help you in this regard: New Farmer Hub | Northeast Beginning Farmers.


Good luck.

Steve

 

[BeezFun]

I wouldn't buy anything until you have some experience. I rented 3 different tractors before I bought mine, you can try that. Ask the neighbor who's going to work the land what he thinks you need. If you're going to let him work 60 acres, why not just let him clear the other 30 and work it too?

I'd start small, rent a compact and plant 5 acres the first year. If you like it and want to do more, you'll have some idea of what you need. If you screw up you won't lose much.

It's hard to make money farming, even if you've done it all your life. My family's been farming for 100 years and they told their kids to go into something else. If you want to have fun and relive your youth on the farm, I'd say go for it and have a ball.