Row Crops

[Justin Watkins]

Im a young guy with a small cow/calf operation here in Arkansas, love the cows but something is missing. I want to grow some crops wheat, corn, soybeans. I have enough equipment to get started but onlt have 20-30 acres of ground. We do not have an elevator close its about 60mi south of where I live. I guess my question is do i have enough to even mess with to get started? I am a fireman so im not doing this to support the family more of a hobby and maybe make a little money too. With that said there will be room to expand if this works out, im planning to go strictly no till in my operation. Then there is another issue, what to do with the grain, I dont have any bins although there are some 3600 bu bins around for about 2K. I may be foolish but I believe the only thing that stands between you and what you wish to achieve is you, so any tips would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Rick Houston]

Justin, I have thought about the same thing. My cousin used to row crop and had cattle. He would grow milo, sell the grain and bale what was left. He also grew soybeans and didnt have any storage. The grain elevator stored his crop for a fee and he would book a price or just watch the prices and call them when he wanted to sell. He sold alot at harvest since he paid his land rent (25% of the crop) then.He never spent any money unless he had to either...Rick

[Adam Gaska]

It could be worth it. You could use the grain to finish some of your steers. You could feed out some hogs. Raise turkeys for Thanksgiving. You could also do some agritourism if you are a people person. Things like corn mazes and pumpkin patches can be pretty profitable if you live close enough to population centers.