I have 18 ac in crp, wildlife hab and erosion control.. I signed up fo 15 years ,into 16.5 ac. of trees and 1.5 ac of NWSG .. I was given a sign up bonas of 3300 $ which I used to buy 5000 trees , and planting them and spraying them the frist year. The Gov. gave me back 90% of my cost..I recieve about 127 $ per ac. per year for 15 years..2100 $ a year. I can not do anything wit the Crp although in this years drought ,if in grass , I beleive for a fee you could cut the hay.. I also get money fo 55 ac. of cotton that I do not raise, and money for winter wheat that I do not plant..In total about 6,000$ per year on ave. since1999 when I quit share croping and start working the system. I raise cattle on my set aside land, short of fencing my cost are min. I run 20 cows , lease a Bull, feed little grain, give salt ,min., and vac/ivem. Feed hay through the winter.It is a lossing venture,that I use as a Tax wright off..My 80 ac. took 20 years of working to pay for it,IT IS PAID FOR. So my cost are min... I hear a lot of cring about fuel prices, corn prices, etc. But as I see Hummers,gaint suv,large dully trucks pass on the road, maybe just maybe A law that states all auto must get 40 mpg would save corn, oil for fer. and so on.Of all the B.S. I hear on this fouum, may a Cattleman as president vers a oil Men(Bush/chaney) might be the solution. I PERSONALLY THINK THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP OIL PRICES AND THE MEN WHOM ARE IN CHARGE OF THIS COUNTRY...
On a more positive note took 6 last years heifers to sale barn last week,325 to 385 lbs. , they brought 1.05 to1.09 $ a pound. They were Black Angus 3/4 plus Watched steers bring .10 to .15 per pound more then the girls...