Wow, I didn’t realize prices were so cheap other places!!!
We get over $20,000/year for 76 acres… Granted, farm taxes are $14,000/year, but still…
[QUOTE=cutter99;9015397]
The USDA tracks land lease rates. They are generally a good resource.
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Cash_Rents_by_County/[/QUOTE]
Thanks for these links!! Interesting…
[QUOTE=goldenrow;9016589]
Hi - Aerial Applicator Consultant here. 
Did you know that the majority of the products we spray, are the same active ingredients - in lower potencies! - as the fly spray you use on your horse?
When we are spraying soybeans and corn, our most common mix is 1 gallon per acre - looks like a lot more, doesn’t it? Crazy!
In the 1 gallon per acre, we are applying 122 oz of WATER, and 6 oz of an insecticide - only 6 fluid ounces on 43,560 square feet!!! We often use insecticide called ‘Hero.’ It is a pyrethroid - like the Pyranha fly spray. It is labelled for use corn, soybeans, lettuce, peas, tomatoes, peppers, tree nuts, and a whole list of other edibles.
Other times, we are spraying important micro-nutrients that are most effective when sprayed foliarly, rather than soil applied. Things like Boron, Zinc, and Manganese. We also spray a few fungicides, which are also labelled for your garden.
We always have drift control agents in the tank, and we have all taken multiple licensing exams. Every field is scouted by an agronomist to diagnose insect and disease problems, and we don’t spray unless the field has reached an economic threshold.
So although those ‘crop-dusting’ places can seem a bit scary, and it is ok to be concerned, please don’t jump to conclusions about them being dangerous.
The most dangerous part about them, is going out on the town with those ex-Navy pilots. Dang, they can hold their liquor. ;)[/QUOTE]
I am glad you know what your company is applying, most of the time.
What concentration is ‘the chemical’ before you add it to the water?
I am a bit concerned that you believe that is what everyone everywhere is applying all the time.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/pesticide-drift/
And I know the FAA does not approve of hung over pilots.
[QUOTE=astrohip;9015052]
I suspect every area is different. Here in Texas, leases are dirt cheap (unless it’s an oil lease). For example, in our part of the state, leases are around $25/acre/yr. People don’t do it for income, they do it to get the ag exemption. Land goes for $10,000+ an acre, so the ROI is… well, it ain’t there.
:no:[/QUOTE]
Land in Brenham is going for $10,000 an acre? Where? Around here, ag land is going for $1-2k per acre. The big ranch across from me that’s around 3000 acres was for sale for a million but didn’t sell. Its pasture land though. I believe its leased out now. Around here people are always looking for pasture to lease but they pay by the animal unit not per acre.
Land in Brenham is going for $10,000 an acre? Where?
Land close to Houston is going for a premium, especially if it's idyllic (rolling hills, etc). Brenham, Round Top, Chappell Hill--all go for $10K and acre or more. Check out farm & ranch listings for this area, it's amazing. Unbelievable, really.
Go 50 miles north or south (land is not as pretty), prices drop to $3-5K/acre.
[QUOTE=astrohip;9018914]
Land close to Houston is going for a premium, especially if it’s idyllic (rolling hills, etc). Brenham, Round Top, Chappell Hill–all go for $10K and acre or more. Check out farm & ranch listings for this area, it’s amazing. Unbelievable, really.
Go 50 miles north or south (land is not as pretty), prices drop to $3-5K/acre.[/QUOTE]
So they’re buying it for development rather than actual agricultural use.
Lease for corn ground is going for $35/acre in central Mass. Nothing to write home about but it let’s the dairy men keep milking. And it’s priceless when your dog learns to uproot a stalk and pick ears
[QUOTE=wireweiners;9018506]
Land in Brenham is going for $10,000 an acre? Where? Around here, ag land is going for $1-2k per acre. The big ranch across from me that’s around 3000 acres was for sale for a million but didn’t sell. Its pasture land though. I believe its leased out now. Around here people are always looking for pasture to lease but they pay by the animal unit not per acre.[/QUOTE]
It comes down to the quality of land being bought for Ag purposes. The amount and quality of the top soil, versatility of things that can be grown. Quantity and quality per acre.
We are located in one of the best Ag areas in the country. Excellent soil and an excellent climate for growing “staples”.
An 80 acre Ag property about a 1/2 mile from our farm with a generic farm house (rental) on a busy road just sold at auction for $14,500 per acre. No development rights. It is about an hour east of Philly.
csaper58:
"I am glad you know what your company is applying, most of the time.
What concentration is ‘the chemical’ before you add it to the water?
I am a bit concerned that you believe that is what everyone everywhere is applying all the time. "
I am just trying to bring some experienced perspective to the discussion. I know what we are spraying ALL THE TIME - concentrations, mixing partners, adjuvants, rates, pest, acres, obstacles, registered sensitive crops, and numerous other details required to do our jobs. Not to mention, it’s the law. We are audited on our spray records every year - state mandatory. We have not had a violation or fine, since I have been in charge. I don’t know what OTHER operations are always using, but I am providing good examples of products that are highly likely.
csaper58: “And I know the FAA does not approve of hung over pilots.”
I never said that they flew hung over - and that is a gross overreach on your part. When there are 7" of rain in the forecast for tomorrow, and the pilots live in a hotel for 6-8 weeks, and don’t plan on going anywhere for a couple days, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a few drinks. PLEASE. Do NOT jump to such shameful accusations. These guys know they would lose their job AND THEIR $450,000 PLANES, if they were ever caught intoxicated on the job.
After leasing my farmland for many many years, I finally decided to sell the land to the farmers. I was no longer breaking even. Not even with select cut logging and gas rights. Plus I had to worry about insurance coverage associated both with their employees/equipment being on my land and their livestock potentially getting out of where ever they were supposed to be.
Now, if you were offsetting a portion of expense on land you lived on you might not mind so much. It does give you an Ag exemption on that portion but then again, you have the responsibility to maintain the paperwork on that exemption which in my town was a damned hassle.
We bought our farm last year and because of a myriad of reasons (Easement, space, costs, etc) we chose to do a land lease with my hay/straw guy. Last year it was corn and this year it’ll be soy. We managed to plant on almost 20 acres out of our 47. We were paid $225 an acre. This works out nicely to reduce a chunk of our annual property taxes. Plus not that I get lower prices or anything, but my hay guy is much easier about delivering loads to my barn and helping me out when I need hay or straw.
Emily
