Acreage tips from the Fanatics

CyPhallus

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Oct 19, 2021
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I've used wires. I was even able to locate the underground water lines around a farm.
I've used wires and have never been very good at it, must not have the witching gift lol. My probe never fails though. I've seen guys who are good at it but I always wonder if they already have a good idea of where the tile or pipe should be and subconsciously let the wires come together in that area.
 

cdnlngld

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Feb 24, 2012
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Ames, IA
So, the current owners have already moved out. We don't take possession until the 4th, but I got permission to go out and mow the pastures. We are about 2 to 3 ft tall in all 4 pastures. I went out this weekend and had to make several passes in order to get all of the grass stocks cut. I am thinking the mover blades may need to be sharpened, or is it just what it takes when the grass gets that tall? I spent about 5 hours on the single pasture. I have never really had to mow grass that long before.
 
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cydnote

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Oct 24, 2023
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So, the current owners have already moved out. We don't take possetion until the 4th, but I got permision to go out and mow the pastures. We are about 2 to 3 ft tall in all 4 pastures. I went out this weekend and had to make several passes in order to get all of the grass stocks cut. I am thinking the mover blades may need to be sharpened, or is it just what it takes when the grass gets that tall? I spent about 5 hours on the single pasture. I have never really had to mow grass that long before.
Can you get someone in the area to bail it as opposed to you having to mow it? May not be good horse hay but even if someone uses it for bedding or cattle roughage you may come out ahead even if you have to give it away
 
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RLD4ISU

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Sep 13, 2018
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Otsego, MN
Can you get someone in the area to bail it as opposed to you having to mow it? May not be good horse hay but even if someone uses it for bedding or cattle roughage you may come out ahead even if you have to give it away
We would do this. The farmer that baled the grass hay for us would pay us the going rate for half the bales.
 

cdnlngld

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Feb 24, 2012
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Ames, IA
Update for those that care... We are moved in(not completely settled). We have done a LOT of mowing the early part of the summer. I have had to take the cub in twice to have the fuel system cleaned(dirt and water). Mechanic told me to flush a couple of gallons from the pump into the car before filling gas cans. I have already busted out the tractor for a couple of small projects. We have not started boarding yet, but have a couple of horses lined up starting in the fall. I need to get a brush hog for the pastures as they have gotten a little out of hand with no horses in them. Anyone know if it is worth it to buy or better to rent(the weed hog)? Where is the best place to rent one? We are really enjoying the space, privacy and nature! I cant wait to see how beautiful it will be in the winter.
 
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PineClone

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Jul 16, 2008
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Update for those that care... We are moved in(not completely settled). We have done a LOT of mowing the early part of the summer. I have had to take the cub in twice to have the fuel system cleaned(dirt and water). Mechanic told me to flush a couple of gallons from the pump into the car before filling gas cans. I have already busted out the tractor for a couple of small projects. We have not started boarding yet, but have a couple of horses lined up starting in the fall. I need to get a brush hog for the pastures as they have gotten a little out of hand with no horses in them. Anyone know if it is worth it to buy or better to rent? Where is the best place to rent one? We are really enjoying the space, privacy and nature!
Your situation is probably different than mine (we only have 2 acres of pasture) but, FWIW...We moved into our acreage about 3.5 years ago in December. That first summer I did a LOT of mowing. Each summer I've mowed less and less. This summer I've probably only mowed the pastures four times. I just let it grow long and then top cut it to make it look nice. I have to admit that the pastures look really nice when they're mowed short...but who really cares because they're pastures, not lawns.

Another note...Last fall I let one of our pastures go about six weeks without mowing. It stayed relatively green all winter, even after sub-zero temps and snow. I would occasionally turn out our alpacas into that pasture for a few hours and they absolutely loved having some grass instead of hay.

Thanks for the update!
 

cdnlngld

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Feb 24, 2012
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Ames, IA
Your situation is probably different than mine (we only have 2 acres of pasture) but, FWIW...We moved into our acreage about 3.5 years ago in December. That first summer I did a LOT of mowing. Each summer I've mowed less and less. This summer I've probably only mowed the pastures four times. I just let it grow long and then top cut it to make it look nice. I have to admit that the pastures look really nice when they're mowed short...but who really cares because they're pastures, not lawns.

Another note...Last fall I let one of our pastures go about six weeks without mowing. It stayed relatively green all winter, even after sub-zero temps and snow. I would occasionally turn out our alpacas into that pasture for a few hours and they absolutely loved having some grass instead of hay.

Thanks for the update!
The previous owner didn't treat the pastures at all this year, and I did not have time to mow all of the pastures, so weeds are really becoming a problem. when the rain is good, I found I could mow at a two and only mow every other week. Now that we are getting a little dryer, I will probably start mowing at a 3-4 every other week.
 

DSMCy

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SuperFanatic T2
Feb 1, 2013
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West Des Moines
Update for those that care... We are moved in(not completely settled). We have done a LOT of mowing the early part of the summer. I have had to take the cub in twice to have the fuel system cleaned(dirt and water). Mechanic told me to flush a couple of gallons from the pump into the car before filling gas cans. I have already busted out the tractor for a couple of small projects. We have not started boarding yet, but have a couple of horses lined up starting in the fall. I need to get a brush hog for the pastures as they have gotten a little out of hand with no horses in them. Anyone know if it is worth it to buy or better to rent? Where is the best place to rent one? We are really enjoying the space, privacy and nature! I cant wait to see how beautiful it will be in the winter.
Would you be willing to list the equipment you ended up buying, and then anything you plan to buy?

I’m looking at a place with 5.5ac. Mostly lawn but some timber, so won’t have to mow all 5ac.
Trying to decide what to get for a mower next year but thinking a zero turn.

Driveway isn’t real long but long enough that I’ll need to upgrade on my walk behind snow blower.
Thinking maybe a blade on a 4wheeler this year.
 

cdnlngld

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Feb 24, 2012
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Ames, IA
Would you be willing to list the equipment you ended up buying, and then anything you plan to buy?

I’m looking at a place with 5.5ac. Mostly lawn but some timber, so won’t have to mow all 5ac.
Trying to decide what to get for a mower next year but thinking a zero turn.

Driveway isn’t real long but long enough that I’ll need to upgrade on my walk behind snow blower.
Thinking maybe a blade on a 4wheeler this year.
Currently we have a (zero turn) Cub Cadet ZT1 50" mower, a John deere 1025R with a bucket, box plow, and yard rake, We have also purchaced a two stroke weed eater with a replacement head that has the rigid blades. We are currently looking at a four wheeler or side by side for chores and as a utility vehicle. we also bought a mesh wagon w/ water bladdder for pulling behind the mower for wattering. I would really like to have a brush mower attachment for the back of the tractor(about $2000-new). If we end up getting a side by side, I would like to get a plow for it. Right now I plan on using the box plow witht the tractor in reverse, but driving the tractor like that will surely lead to a sore neck.
 
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Chelseaczech

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Jul 26, 2021
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Currently we have a (zero turn) Cub Cadet ZT1 50" mower, a John deere 1025R with a bucket, box plow, and yard rake, We have also purchaced a two stroke weed eater with a replacement head that has the rigid blades. We are currently looking at a four wheeler or side by side for chores and as a utility vehicle. we also bought a mesh wagon w/ water bladdder for pulling behind the mower for wattering. I would really like to have a brush mower attachment for the back of the tractor(about $2000-new). If we end up getting a side by side, I would like to get a plow for it. Right now I plan on using the box plow witht the tractor in reverse, but driving the tractor like that will surely lead to a sore neck.
Good information- We are moving to NE Iowa and will have a similar situation. Have you tried the 1025R with the box blade yet? I really like the looks of that tractor but wonder if the power is sufficient for those kinds of tasks or to operate the bush hog through a pasture type blend.
 

cdnlngld

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Feb 24, 2012
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Ames, IA
Good information- We are moving to NE Iowa and will have a similar situation. Have you tried the 1025R with the box blade yet? I really like the looks of that tractor but wonder if the power is sufficient for those kinds of tasks or to operate the bush hog through a pasture type blend.
I have used the tractor to haul yard waste, pull some bushes out of the ground, remove some metal stakes from the ground, lift up a very large swingset, and have used the boxplow to grade the gravel drive. I have not found an instance where it has inadequite power. In the fall, I will be demolishing a garden and moving it to a different area of the yard. I will post the results after we are done.
 

CoachHines3

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Oct 29, 2019
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with my 6ish acres I mow, i am ready for the grass to go dormant. ive reached my limit for mowing and now it just sucks to have to do
 

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