Clearing Land

[Lorne]

Hello All,
I'm new hare and when I retire from the US Govt. in 9 years I plan on farming. I have bought about 40 Acres in North Carolina and expect to buy more land before I retire. My problem is the land needs to be cleared for farmimg. It was previously a tobacco farm years ago but is now grown over. Have any of you cleared land and if so, any suggestions or tips on doing it?

[chris]

Goats

[Glen Groth]

What is growing on it? Ditto on the goats, also try scottish highland cows, not sure how they tolerate heat in NC

[Lorne]

Glen Groth said:

What is growing on it? Ditto on the goats, also try scottish highland cows, not sure how they tolerate heat in NC

It has brush and small trees that are about 5 - 6 inches wide. They grow really fast. I may try goats if i can get something to keep the coyotes away from them 0 maybe electric fencing and donkeys.

[dale a. Brandt]

Hello!

the previous posts have good 'ideas" but are far from reality.... you are talking 40 acres..... hire a bulldozer or an excavator they will get it done!!!! and right now!

Another thing you should find out.... can you do it legally? contact a local u.s.d.a. office and find out.

Dale

[Dale Holdgrafer]

Just get a dozer to clear it. Then you can start farming it right away once it's done.

[Bryant Roberson]

What part of NC? U really got to be careful on the legality side esp the closer to the coast that u get, if any areas have esp dryland reeds growing that can sumtimes cause problems getting approval best way to find out is contact the NRCS in NC in that county and theyll help you with figuring out your options and keep u from falling in a legal hole at the same time...we've had several areas we've cleared in the past that we had to establish SMZs; I currently have goats in a area we are looking to clear in the future and we've already had SMZs established there

[Curt Elmore]

Trevor Wells said:

Glen,
What are "Scottish highland cows"?


They're a breed-rugged, but may not be suited for the hot NC climate
Glen Groth said:

What is growing on it? Ditto on the goats, also try scottish highland cows, not sure how they tolerate heat in NC

[Bryant Roberson]

we've actually incorporated our goats into our system, we allow them an endless supply of vegetation in the summer they forage off our cut overs and areas where we have well developed pine plantations and in the winter they graze our no-till cover crops throughout the farm...I dont see them as an ecological threat but more as a tool that nonetheless does need management but the positives way out way the negatives espically in our area

Trevor Wells said:

Bryant,
Goats and pigs and an electric fence if not controlled properly can do more damage than chemicals to the ecology!

Bryant Roberson said:

What part of NC? U really got to be careful on the legality side esp the closer to the coast that u get, if any areas have esp dryland reeds growing that can sumtimes cause problems getting approval best way to find out is contact the NRCS in NC in that county and theyll help you with figuring out your options and keep u from falling in a legal hole at the same time...we've had several areas we've cleared in the past that we had to establish SMZs; I currently have goats in a area we are looking to clear in the future and we've already had SMZs established there

[jeremy gerow]

i agree your talking 40 acres not 4 get some heavy machinary in there .... if you can buy a cheap dozer and do it alittle at a time so NRCS wont notice clear a patch put something in it to buid up the soil then clear another patch and so on goats and pigs might be nice but the couple of years that you waiting on for them your still paying taxes on the property money down the drain ... also putting it under production would make you qualify for ag tax exemptions

[Bryant Roberson]

Actually in the state of NC goats would qualify the property for tax exemption benefits as well as allow for the submission of state tax exemption for items bought for the property but at the same time u will always have that fencing investment unless u intended to continue using it but he also looking at 9 years before really getting into farming it if understanding correctly either way management is gonna be required and depending on the area hes in land rent could be substantial benefit over 9 years and getting the soil built back at the same time and not at his expense

jeremy gerow said:

i agree your talking 40 acres not 4 get some heavy machinary in there .... if you can buy a cheap dozer and do it alittle at a time so NRCS wont notice clear a patch put something in it to buid up the soil then clear another patch and so on goats and pigs might be nice but the couple of years that you waiting on for them your still paying taxes on the property money down the drain ... also putting it under production would make you qualify for ag tax exemptions

[Deborah Niles]

Dominiquer60 is correct....if you don't have the $$$$ for the dozer and are not in a rush to have your land cleared use animals ....too bad our horses couldn't take out our pines....they are a heck of a lot cheaper than the person hired to take the stumps out...stupid us....we bought a back hoe for the price it cost us to take the initial section of pines out.....we have a lot of bobcat and coyete around our farm....our guineas do a great job of sounding the alarm....yes, we have lost some guineas and chickens but not very much gets by them before the alarms is going off....we have Heifer in with our goats, I will swear by her protecting them goats.....she was young when she was put in with our first two goats so, she thinks Dude is her personal playmate.....don't mess with her goats and especially the kids....she is usually standing guard outside of their goat crib at night too....good luck with your farming endeavors

[Lorne]

Thanks for all the responses. This forum is great - I have some things to think over now. Seems like I'll be renting a bulldozer.

Deborah Niles said:

Dominiquer60 is correct....if you don't have the $$$$ for the dozer and are not in a rush to have your land cleared use animals ....too bad our horses couldn't take out our pines....they are a heck of a lot cheaper than the person hired to take the stumps out...stupid us....we bought a back hoe for the price it cost us to take the initial section of pines out.....we have a lot of bobcat and coyete around our farm....our guineas do a great job of sounding the alarm....yes, we have lost some guineas and chickens but not very much gets by them before the alarms is going off....we have Heifer in with our goats, I will swear by her protecting them goats.....she was young when she was put in with our first two goats so, she thinks Dude is her personal playmate.....don't mess with her goats and especially the kids....she is usually standing guard outside of their goat crib at night too....good luck with your farming endeavors