CFC, Sounds like you already have a lot going for you since you have worked well in the construction business. Wow, what an opportunity to be able to move where you are going. Talk about dreams! In my mind, you hit the jackpot. Sounds like a nice piece of land to get started on. Iron Pants can work on the plans of a house that she has always wanted.
I already know you don't mind hard work since you are in the construction business. Just be sure that you like messing with the cattle. I would start out small for the first year. Starting off from the beginning will cost a dollar to two. Buy a few head to see if you like messing with them. Be sure to find a positive minded person for help in the beginning. Someone that can help you and you in return, can help him. Negative people make things worse than what they are. Be sure to see if you like messing with the cattle. They are big and extremely strong, and not often do you have to catch to vaccinate and doctor them, but it will happen. Feeding is a good time to check your cattle each day. If you dread going out to tend a few, then it will get really bad when your herd grows. So a few will be a sort of themometer to see where you stand.
Your Extension Agent in your county is a good person to get in contact with. If he is a good one, he will have a lot of good ideas to help you get started in the right direction as far as getting set up. Such as dimensions of work areas, storage of hay or sileage, etc..... It is easy to put money into something that doesn't work that well if you aren't familiar with it. Been there, done that too.
I can't think of a better place to raise two boys. Being taught to drive a tractor and make them feel the work couldn't have been done without them is a sure confidence builder. It teaches them to get in and pull their load. I see a big difference in a kid that has been given responsibilities vs those that never lift a finger other than to press a button on the TV remote or a video game. I loved it when I was a kid and I still do. It gets in your blood. Keep us informed on how things go and I hope your plans work out the way you want.
I already know you don't mind hard work since you are in the construction business. Just be sure that you like messing with the cattle. I would start out small for the first year. Starting off from the beginning will cost a dollar to two. Buy a few head to see if you like messing with them. Be sure to find a positive minded person for help in the beginning. Someone that can help you and you in return, can help him. Negative people make things worse than what they are. Be sure to see if you like messing with the cattle. They are big and extremely strong, and not often do you have to catch to vaccinate and doctor them, but it will happen. Feeding is a good time to check your cattle each day. If you dread going out to tend a few, then it will get really bad when your herd grows. So a few will be a sort of themometer to see where you stand.
Your Extension Agent in your county is a good person to get in contact with. If he is a good one, he will have a lot of good ideas to help you get started in the right direction as far as getting set up. Such as dimensions of work areas, storage of hay or sileage, etc..... It is easy to put money into something that doesn't work that well if you aren't familiar with it. Been there, done that too.
I can't think of a better place to raise two boys. Being taught to drive a tractor and make them feel the work couldn't have been done without them is a sure confidence builder. It teaches them to get in and pull their load. I see a big difference in a kid that has been given responsibilities vs those that never lift a finger other than to press a button on the TV remote or a video game. I loved it when I was a kid and I still do. It gets in your blood. Keep us informed on how things go and I hope your plans work out the way you want.
