From: broy@vaxa.weeg.uiowa.edu (Barbara Roy)
Subject: Re: Need advice re: cattle
Reply-To: broy@vaxa.weeg.uiowa.edu
Organization: U. of Iowa - Weeg Computing Center
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 15:16:09 GMT

In article <1992Dec21.132425.11566@ornl.gov>, de5@ORNL.GOV (Dave Sill) writes:
>
>Questions...
>
>1. What's the going rate for enough land to support 15 calves for a year?

I would check with the ag extension agent in your county first to determine
how many acres per calf are necessary and second to get some idea of the rental
rates for grazing land in your area. Here in Iowa where we have the best soil
possible for growing grass and hay, it takes 1-2 acres to sustain an adult 
horse or cow. My guess is that it would take considerably more in your area.

>
>2. What would be an equitable trade for the use of my land?  Should I ask
>him to buy my two calves, do all the tagging/deworming/vaccinations for
>them, feed them (he feeds crushed corn mixed with syrup), etc?  Is that
>asking too much or not enough?  How about if I do the daily
>feeding/watering?
>

Again, once you know the average per acre rental cost, you can check on cost
of calves to determine if this is an equitable trade. Much depends on the
age and size of the calves at purchase time. What if "your" calves die? You
might be better off just to ask for a half a beef for the freezer if you
are planning to raise them just for butchering.

>3. How should I provide him access to the land?  We've got plenty of common
>fenceline--he could put in a gate, but it'd be in the woods, not the cleared
>area.  There's a gate into the front piece by the road, but it's probably
>too steep to drive a pickup through.  There's another gate into the back
>piece, but getting to it requires driving through our back yard, and I
>really don't want a lot of traffic there (kids and dogs, privacy).
>

Just remember that once the gate is installed, it's one more chink in your
armor so to speak. I never have any problem with animals escaping through a
solid fence, but you'd be surprised how many times a gate can come unlatched,
be pushed open, knocked down, or just never shut.

>4. We've been enjoying hiking through the woods and fishing in the pond. 
>Will we still be able to do that with 17 calves running around in there? 
>How dangerous are they?  It would be pretty easy to fence off the woods if I
>had to.
>

Cattle can destroy your pond dam if allowed to roam freely over it. You should
fence off the dam area at least. 

>5. What kind of terms and conditions should we agree to?  Should I get
>something in writing?  If it looks like I'm going to do this, I'll talk to
>the local ag. ext. agent.

Best to get any type of contract in writing. Spelling it out on paper can avoid
any nasty misunderstandings that could arise otherwise.

>
>I'd appreciate any answers, advice, or comments anyone has to offer.  I need
>to decide ASAP, though, since he wants to buy the calves soon and start to
>"get them ready", as he says.
>
>-- 
>Dave Sill (de5@ornl.gov)                 Computers should work the way beginners
>Martin Marietta Energy Systems           expect them to, and one day they will.
>Workstation Support                                                -- Ted Nelson



Barbara Roy
Newsgroups: misc.rural