We have a 2.5ha block that we will build on eventually, but since we have owned it (about 2 years) we have let the farmer (that subdivided the farm) to graze it/cut hay free of charge. We are paying the rates, but he is keeping the grass down.
Should we charge him anything? Our accountant thinks he should at least pay the equivalent of the rates.
Yes I also think that he should be paying the rates, or part of them, normally if he had cattle grazing its so much each animal each week, so do a ring around the stock firms. Does he do any repairs to the place if his animals damage anything? Who supplies the water for the animals, do you have to? If he is cutting the hay off it, does he then turn around and put manure or fertilizer back on it, or is he just stripping the place of any goodness? Do you have to give him any notice of bringing animals of your own onto the place? or does he tell you when he is putting his cattle etc on the property? This fellow is getting it pretty good, first he takes your money then he just carries on using the property at no cost to him!!
I agree in a way, but if he has a digger or a fence basher-in-er, or will be of farming use when you start to use it yourself sometimes the good barter credit might work out to be the best for you..
but when do you intend to start using it yourself..?????? will you be using his water supply, is he a decent guy otherwise.
but time to mention that you do expect some repayment, of kind when you need it.. how to broach the subject is the sticky toffee part. 2.5hectares of grass/hay/grazing amounts to a bit of dosh over the 2yrs..
A bit of "fair barter" is the way we handle things in our neighbourhood - it is only decent. A neighbour without stock lets us graze his block occasionally - he gets lamb roasts and free range eggs from us. We also lend out our farm equipment sometimes, and get to lend the neighbour's stuff in kind. Eg this weekend one neighbour is bringing their tractor to shift a few loads of dirt for us.
It's all about a fair amount of give and take. Not just take, take, take.
5 acres, husband, daughter, son, me, about 12 sheep and their lambs, currently no ram (yay!), 2 Galloways, about 35 chooks, 3 cats and 2 budgies.
In our area, on average, the grazier paying for fertiliser and weed control pays for the grazing. Some years the fertiliser and weed control costs more than the worth of half the value of the grazed animals, so the land owner does better. In other years the animal owner does better.
Hi, a friend is looking at grazing sheep on a property a friend of a friend has offered them, however they are not sure what is a fair and reasonable price to pay per acrea. The property is in the Banks peninsula area. I would love some suggestions please.
Until the beginning of last year, $100 per acre per year for fertile land that had stock water and yards was a fair price. Now that the price of animals have doubled, I land owner would want to double that. For me, that price would only be worthwhile if the land owner fertilised and controlled his weeds, and I would need the price to be reviewable 6 monthly, because sometime soon the value of meat is going to crash.
We charge very close to that $100 + GST per acre (incl water, no yards) and the stock owners are responsible for all aspects of pasture management including fert, weed control and the contract spells out as well that the stock owners accept full liability for damage to our and/or anyone elses property that might be caused by their animals. We also state that they are fully responsible for animal welfare and legal obligations associated with the keeping of stock.
We specify the type of stock (cattle) and a maximum number of units able to be grazed at any one time.
Payment is monthly by way of d/c to our bank account.
The stock owners (and stock) can walk to our pasture - hence making it very convenient for the owners to tend to and move the animals.
Our agreements are reviewed annually with a 3 months notice of termination from either party.
Aria, that is very reasonable at todays prices, because the fertilising etc costs about $100 per year. If you are dairy grazing or horse grazing, then you are a bit generous .
LongRidge;409880 wrote: Aria, that is very reasonable at todays prices, because the fertilising etc costs about $100 per year. If you are dairy grazing or horse grazing, then you are a bit generous .
No, it's beef cattle - and yes it's a good price for us (I think that's what you meant? - very reasonable to us?)made reasonable to the stock owners because they live so close and move the animals only a short distance along the road between our paddocks and their own.
If they downsize their holdings to what their own land can sustain, I imagine we'll lose the business - hence we're always looking at what else we might do with it to replace the income. Funny how that's easier said than done!!!!
Hi my name is Di and im from Glen Eden, Auckland, im looking for same grazing in west Auckland for my 18 year old mare, who is now turned out, she is very well behaved, her days of running around paddocks are over, she still has the sting in her, but only when you ride her.
Thanking you
Di Page
Glen Eden[8D]
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