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Post by Peter on Jan 12, 2018 22:00:19 GMT 10
Mrs Pete and I are again considering leaving the rat race and going bush. We'd both be happiest on an acreage or rural property down towards the south coast of WA, for more reasons than I care to list. Many of the properties available are rural (>50ha), but as I have no intention of being a commercial farmer there's no way I could maintain this amount of land so much of it would be left completely untended.
Question: What are things to consider if farmland is purchased, but most of it neglected? Obviously much of it would turn pretty crappy and nature would reclaim it over time, but are there any concerns I should have about taking this approach?
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Post by SA Hunter on Jan 12, 2018 23:32:29 GMT 10
Fencing, weeds, soil quality, water runoff.............
Check your local library for books, even chat with your local Elders agent, and surrounding farmers/property owners.
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Post by SA Hunter on Jan 13, 2018 15:35:44 GMT 10
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Post by spinifex on Jan 13, 2018 18:11:49 GMT 10
The big one everyone finds out about AFTER a bushfire ... get the right insurance cover. Also there are mandatory requirements for weed control (NRM Act) and fire hazard management.
There might also be opportunities to lease most of your land to a farmer. That way they take care of weeds, fox baiting etc and you get something in return. Either cash or better yet ... 'in kind'. Meat, grain for your chooks, earthworks, etc.
Beware that if a farmer crops your land they will have to be using chemicals. Also if your place adjoins commercial farms that they will be using chemicals.
Worth having a quick look if there are mineral or petroleum exploration leases over the land. (Not a deal breaker but you don't want to buy a place that ends up being next door to a new mine in 10 years time).
Check groundwater maps and databases to see if you have good or bad water below the ground. Check if you're in a prescribed wells area or similar (Can affect land use and your ability to use groundwater).
Check if there are any development applications for urban subdivisions right next door.
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Post by Peter on Jan 13, 2018 22:08:12 GMT 10
So much good information, most of which I'm completely ignorant of... Thanks heaps guys.
Fire safety is one thing that's been on the forefront of my mind; I have a few ideas for this and other issues which I'll put on the forum as things start moving; I'll also speak with local farmers, fire volunteers, etc closer to the time. Obviously I'll also look at a variety of web sources (including those that SA Hunter posted above), and then I'll scrutinize them all as best I'm able...
As this is a major change to most areas of my family's lives it will take some time. I'm not about to rush into such a major change.
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Post by Peter on Jan 13, 2018 23:13:24 GMT 10
frostbite that's something I'm concerned about... I've often experienced a certain arrogance from some farmers once they learned I was from the city. I'll happily start the give-take relationship with giving, but I'm certainly no walkover. The biggest problem as I see it is that if someone who's lived in the area for decades starts telling everyone bad/false information about me, they're more likely to believe the guy who's lived there the longest.
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Post by Fractus on Jan 14, 2018 7:31:21 GMT 10
My first couple of far lets were around64 and 73 acres. Now I have 12ish. Stock keep the gras down but you have to have a good balance as feeding stock is prohibitively high. All sizes need tending and you may get a good local to agist their stock so you make a little cash.
My list of work requirements. In close to my order of time consumption.
Stock- chickens and sheep
Fire fuel clean up- particularly in spring
Fences and driveways
Trees- fruit and firewood
Cups of tea on the porch to admire the work done.
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Post by spinifex on Jan 14, 2018 9:39:41 GMT 10
The biggest problem as I see it is that if someone who's lived in the area for decades starts telling everyone bad/false information about me, they're more likely to believe the guy who's lived there the longest. You'll be ok. Growing up in, and subsequently remaining in farming/pastoral communities, I assure you that farmers, (like ANY group), are a spectrum of personalities ranging from total R-soles to nicest folks ever. Avoid the former and engage with the latter. Rest assured that THEY know, amongst themselves, which is which too. A good number love to gripe about each other ... as an 'outsider' keep a zipped lip. Just control your weeds, don't let your dog wander ... and don't start complaining about their use of chemicals unless it actually damages crop or pasture on your side of the fence. Any of those will put you on the wrong foot with anyone, anywhere on the spectrum. |
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Post by SA Hunter on Jan 14, 2018 22:13:31 GMT 10
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spatial
Senior Member
Posts: 2,396 
Likes: 1,560
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Post by spatial on Jan 14, 2018 23:27:42 GMT 10
I mange over 150,000 acres for the mine I work for. There are a fair bit of goats on the property used to be called feral now politically correct name is 'rangeland'. They mostly keep the weeds down. Get mine employees that own properties to collect the goats on a 50/50 split of sales price.
Issues;
Remove African boxthorn and spray for mother of millions esp during wet periods cost is very minimal. We dont worry about other weeds as they are now naturalised in the area and there is no chance of getting rid of them
Do some road maintenance which is easy as just get one of the mining graders, the same when dam silt up. Access tracks can get overgrown and need some work
After storms remove trees and limbs that have fallen over fences.
Repair fences - mostly due to illegal entry activities and poachers.
Do fox and cat trapping using a cage - no firearms allowed, once or twice a year - they are actually quiet easy to catch - the cages are a once off purchase. It is also mostly the animals coming into the mine bins.
Roo populations can get quit high so if fence off all farm dams then one can control large mammals on the property quiet easily, there can be a issue with animals feeding on your property then drinking on neighbouring property
Depending on drainage and soil types, rainfall dams could need desilting every 10-20years
It sounds like a lot of things but not much to do - take up little of my time - monthly site inspection. In NSW the gov owns 83% of all property and they do very little management on vacant land. 50 acres is easily doable. Th local shire concil only give building permits if you put up like 100Kl tank that can be use by rural fire services if there is a fire on your property. Biggest issue people find in outback NSW is getting services like power water and internet. The one guys spent $200k on an off grid power supply then his batteries failed and spent another $100k getting council power lines out to his property. Internet and other access...
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