acreage uses and Plan?

[doulanobles]

Ok, here's my dilemma. I jusy moved on to 20 acres here iun the Spokane area. WE are in Zone 4-5 and elevation is about 2300ft. We have about 10-15 of our acres in pasture. Their are 3 separate fenced pastures. One is near the house and barn and is a bit hilly and brushy and treed. It is the smallest of the 3and 2 of the barn stalls connect to it. The upper pasture connects to the other 2 stalls of the barn and is gently rolling, dry above but green and fabulous in the lower section even now in late August. The 3rd is basically lowland/swampy, lots of quack grass. How should I best use this configuration??? We'd like to get a couple of cow/calf pairs in the spring and maybe a horse. My plan was to have the chickens ina tractor following the cows. We thought about highlands for the brushy pasture...but the fence is nowhere good enough for goats.

We have a large garden plot, 4 stall horse barn, large open hay barn/cover. Lanscape is varied, rock, trees, pasture, brush, etc..

Feeling a bit overwhelmed in this planning stage and could use some input. What would you do with this setup? Money is tight because we spent every last penny to get here .

We currently are leasing the swampy pasture to our neighbors who are running their Limosin cattle on it in exchange for some beef.

So, how about some words of wisdom? :baby04:

[FarmChiq]

If it's really swampy or wet you could plant curly willows in there and sell them for a fair $$.

That's all I can add.
Sounds like a nice place you've found.

[Christiaan]

I favor putting Highlands on it, but I'm prejudiced towards them. I'd forgo the horses, but I'm biased against them.
Seriously though, start small and be patient. The land isn't going anywhere. Save up and buy good breeding stock when you can (I really do like Highlands and think they are a great investment). Least costly way to start is with poultry and rabbits, then goats and/or sheep.
BTW, you can use the barn for many things, but if you do Highlands they won't need or want it, they prefer the great outdoors.

[pixelphotograph]

apple and fruit and nut trees need to be planted on the edges or fence rows

[Dirtslinger]

Unless you have bears in which case you need them in a fenced orchard charged to the max.
But do plant your orchard asap as they take time to mature.