format_quote Originally Posted by
ProfessorSunday
:sl:
I would be a terrible farmer, I don't hate animals but I wouldn't like to go anywhere near them...especially cows.
:sl:
I don't like cows either which is why I chose Tanaka. the tanaka(Bison) are native to this land and well adapted to the weather. they can also survive on the native grasses without needing food supplements as the cows do to live here. also they do not require any shelter for the harsh winters. In addition the meat is much tastier than beef, more tender and has less fat. they are very resistant to any of the native diseases that plague cows in this region. The draw back is they are not a domesticated animal and very difficult to slaughter in a halal manner. But for healthier meat they are worth the effort.
Now to go to step 2 estimating the initial set up cost.
Land cost-- Fortunatly large parcels of undeveloped acerage is affordable in this region. Looking for approx 6,000 acres I find this:
This is approx 5,000 acres, but could be made to work especially since it has 500 concrete storage buildings on it.
http://www.landandfarm.com/property/...y_Base-296799/
in reality about 10 families pooling together could make that work. So with 10 families working together the cost would be about $200,000 per family. That isLess than the cost of most city house
Now to look at the cost of the Initial Bison cows (Females) Going price for breeding stock is:
$2000 per head for Breeding stock so that is a total of $750,000 for the start up herd. Or $ 75,000 per family if 10 families work together.
Add another $1,000,000 for things like fencing and temporary living qurters, work horses and etc and we have a sart up cost of about 4,000,000 or $400,000 per family if 10 families pool together.
Now reduce this by the available farm grants and incentives for raising Bison and the set up costs drops to about $100,000 per family, with a 30 year no interest agriculture loan this can work out to an initial outlay of $10,000 per family. A workable plan.