Put the whole farm in CRP?
- Thread starter UGUIDE
- Start date
M. R. Byrd
Well-known member
Go for it.
I would have a couple years ago if I could have retired my Ogallala aquifer depleting acres, but my water conservation got in the way.
I would have a couple years ago if I could have retired my Ogallala aquifer depleting acres, but my water conservation got in the way.
Prairie Drifter
Well-known member
Sure save on fuel, fertilizer, equipment, and seed costs. Of course you may have to get a burn rig put together for the maintenance. That's just part of the fun anyway. Go heavy on the brood-rearing habitat up front.
UGUIDE
Active member
The local FD is on board but I got a start on a burn rig too. Might need to invest in a 30' batwing mower to cut down mow time and also for mowing breaks. Would need hay rake too.
M. R. Byrd
Well-known member
My burns are not easy, but that is okay. The first time I burned I mowed every terrace and borrowed a side delivery rake and moved the windrow to the 'burn' terrace and burned every other terrace. Developed into the last sign up was annual food plots in the terrace channels. Now should I need to burn I have a fire break in every terrace channel so can burn every other terrace or every third terrace.
shorthairs4life
New member
Are you going to keep any food plots to hold the birds throughout the day and especially in the early season before the corn goes down?
moellermd
Super Moderator
I would be really curious has to how the numbers would compare.
mnmthunting
Banned
Hey not bad!:thumbsup: I would do CRP with the ranch except I want to control, not the gov. Maybe do part so I can keep planting stuff for the critters.
birddog456
Member
Re-planting 67 of 80 acres(woods,pond, creek bottoms)and got to put in what I wanted under CP4D, consisting of 46 acres tall grass prairie, 6.5 acres pollinator, 6 acres cave in rock switchgrass, 2.5 acres food plot, and 30 feet wide fire breaks totalling 5 acres( brood rearing habitat). Up to 50% cost share. My payment went from $80 to $145 per acre. Check is always in bank first week in October. Don't have to worry about crop insurance. Check out Jouney ready mix, talked to two guys that have used it. They swear by it, cuts down on mowing first two years. That's what I am using as tallgrass. Remind me and will let you know how it turns out next year. CRP is a no brainer ...my opinion.
FCSpringer
Moderator
LOL, your money and your land Chris. Can't say as I see a guy like you going wrong either way.:thumbsup:
UGUIDE
Active member
U Betcha. I do about 40 acres now and I would like to end up with a nice 5 acre swath of milo right thru the middle of each field which are on average about 40 acres in size.
I'm told the general signup allows and pays rent on 5 acres of food plots p[er field but not sure what constitutes "a field".
UGUIDE
Active member
Mike, PM me with specific questions. It would be different for a guy in pheasant belt SD vs. a guy in Iowa. I'd be happy to share details.
Since going to shares the whole aspect of marketing grain, etc has been on my mind. CRP gives peace of mind and the season off when not maintaining and hunting.
UGUIDE
Active member
Well, just got the first phase of the project complete. Got out of crop share arrangement and back into cash rent and the farmers agreed to plant everything to soybeans so I got a sweet seedbed to plant CRP grass into this fall or next spring.
I'm told that weed free soybean stubble is ideal to no-till CRP grass into for establishment.
moellermd
Super Moderator
Don't quit now. Remember your goal of creating the model farm. Creating balance between production Ag and habitat.
UGUIDE
Active member
It's become apparent that farming is not in my DNA as much as habitat. I'm throwing in the towel! Pheasant Farming is the thing for me:cheers:
CP-25 here I come!
M. R. Byrd
Well-known member
Hope you do and me too!
moellermd
Super Moderator
Woe is me. I had hopes that you would find the perfect balance for me to turn our 1500 acres into. What am I to do now? I guess I will call up the tiling guy and drain those last few spots and rip out that last mile of fence line. If Chris can't find the sym bionic balance needed I guess I too will throw in the towel and farm ditch to ditch.
pheasantaddict
New member
Md, I can find the right balance for you. You and your dogs will be happier and your seed dealer and chemical supplier will not be happier.
UGUIDE
Active member
I'm fighting BIG AG all the way Mike! Run for your lives!
Here is an interesting passage of scripture I read just the other day.
New International Version
"'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.'"
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FCSpringer
Moderator
So true, wise words. Maybe since farmers are known to attend church on a regular basis, we should send out requests to the preachers to give sermons on it every other week.:thumbsup: