You need to have this....country living.

[CptSydor]

Sound like you'll be living the dream!!!

I have this book....that I find interesting reading.
The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It
http://www.amazon.ca/Self-Sufficient...how+to+live+it

Thanks, will have to look into this book.

[GoldenLakePete]

The guys have given you some great advice re: tractors. I had no money when I made the break to the farm and so didn't get a tractor. I regretted that so much! I did, however, buy a 7hp Troybilt tiller which was great for the gardens.

If you change your mind about critters: along with rabbits and chickens, Muscovy ducks are really a good choice. \they grow really quickly, will eat anything (even meat scraps) and are delicious.

[CptSydor]

The guys have given you some great advice re: tractors. I had no money when I made the break to the farm and so didn't get a tractor. I regretted that so much! I did, however, buy a 7hp Troybilt tiller which was great for the gardens.

If you change your mind about critters: along with rabbits and chickens, Muscovy ducks are really a good choice. \they grow really quickly, will eat anything (even meat scraps) and are delicious.

Thanks. I've had too many people suggesting a tractor now not to look into it a little more seriously again.

As for the critters....beyond the travel, it's not going to happen. My partner is vegan. Raising animals for consumption is just not something that as a team we want to do. I don't eat much meat anyway and what I do will come from fishing and hunting, or doing my best to support a local farm or fishery.

[seabast]

Muscovy ducks, best tasting duck after been force-fed.

[fishy steve]

Thanks. I've had too many people suggesting a tractor now not to look into it a little more seriously again.

As for the critters....beyond the travel, it's not going to happen. My partner is vegan. Raising animals for consumption is just not something that as a team we want to do. I don't eat much meat anyway and what I do will come from fishing and hunting, or doing my best to support a local farm or fishery.

when we first bought the farm i bought a large old tractor... spent more time doing stuff for other people then for myself (plowing snow for example took me 3 hours, 10 minutes to do my driveway, 2 hours and 50 minutes to do all my neighbours LOL) then you get into repairs and downtime, i decided to just sell it and rely on my atv, and havent regretted it... the odd time i do need a tractor i just ask a neighbour with a tractor to come do the work... eventually i do plan on buying another tractor, a small compact would be ideal, but wont be in the budget for a few years but am hoping to get a old ford 8N or a ferguson 35 just something light and simple...

as for plowing snow i will take a walk behind snowblower over the tractor or a plow on the atv anyday...

[CptSydor]

when we first bought the farm i bought a large old tractor... spent more time doing stuff for other people then for myself (plowing snow for example took me 3 hours, 10 minutes to do my driveway, 2 hours and 50 minutes to do all my neighbours LOL) then you get into repairs and downtime, i decided to just sell it and rely on my atv, and havent regretted it... the odd time i do need a tractor i just ask a neighbour with a tractor to come do the work... eventually i do plan on buying another tractor, a small compact would be ideal, but wont be in the budget for a few years but am hoping to get a old ford 8N or a ferguson 35 just something light and simple...

as for plowing snow i will take a walk behind snowblower over the tractor or a plow on the atv anyday...

I really looked hard today and just don't think a sub compact tractor is in my budget. Or I should say, I have to make hard choices and I choose not to extend my budget up to one. So I'll stick with smaller, individual implements, try to get good quality ones and hope they treat me right.

[fishy steve]

yes i would definately put the money towards a good atv... if you still wanted a tractor go the 8N route, ussually find a decent one for $1500-2000... not sure whats available out NB way but the amount of stuff you can rent now adays that you dont need a tractor for... when i fenced my property i just rented a tow behind auger and did all my fence posts with it, which worked out good as a tractor wouldve just gotton stuck in the low land...

[Angus]

And we get 1/2 a grass fed beef later in the year at just $1.50/lb, because i'm doing more work to help out with the beef and it won't have had any bought feed.

And here I am getting close to 2.5 a pound on the hoof. You are an agricultural genius!

[Fishy Wishy]

And here I am getting close to 2.5 a pound on the hoof. You are an agricultural genius!

But he's paying the rest in "sweat equity". Ain't nothing wrong with that.

[Angus]

But he's paying the rest in "sweat equity". Ain't nothing wrong with that.

Then he is paying more than 1.5 a pound.
If you don't know your costs and inputs why post.