So many Ag questions...

[simplegreen]

I've literally searched high and low for some of my questions. And I've been in the I.T. industry (on the technical side) for like 15 years. I just cant seem to find a solid answer.

Hopefully y'all can shed at least some light on my topics (which i admit are diverse). Admittedly most of my questions come from the perspective of living in Texas but any common advice across the board would be great as well.

Some background.

• Two parcels of property joined together physically equalling 15 acres
• 2 - 1/4 acre ponds
• 75% pasture 25% woods
• No ag exemption status

1) Ag exemptions.
On many Texas tax sites i hear the words "Ag Exemption" and "Open Space Exemption" used almost interchangeably. But from what i can determine they are in fact different. Where ag exemption is around making money from livestock. AKA breeding horses, raising cows/goats/exotics to sell.

Where Open Space sometimes get lumped into things like cutting grasses for haying, or having bee hives etc.

Which is it?

2) Again with the conflicting information. Is "Having" a horse considerable for applying for ag exemptions the same way "breeding horses" is? Or does it literally have to turn out a "product" aka new born folds

3) Does anyone have bee hives on their property that in turn they use to sell the honey and as a result of an open space or Ag exemption? I'd love to hear your story.

4) Im looking to barter with someone (east of dallas near greenville) in return for putting up a fence, managing the fence and the land (land in context of not over grazing etc) they can use the property to raise their product. In return i'd have one animal i've paid for on the property that i pay for and sell to satisfy the requirement for ag exemption.

What would be the best, low maintenance, animals in order of preference? Goats, Cows, Sheep, Horses (if this fulfills ag exemption), lamas etc etc Thoughts?

5) I have a pond with coontail growing, i did some research and there are a few products out there but i also came across this kit. Anyone have any words of wisdom with getting rid of coontail with this kid OR without these kits?
http://www.thepondguy.com/product/po...atic-herbicide

http://www.thepondguy.com/product/se...atic-herbicide

http://www.thepondguy.com/product/va...tic-herbicides


As part of the same question, our local fish truck is coming and they have channel cat, large mouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, hybrid bluegill, red ear bream, and fathead minnows. I have pretty much a clean slate and dont want to get too deep (pun included) in stocking the pond just yet but maybe invest in getting a baseline started.

1) Which fish are recommended
2) Will any of the chemicals in these kits above have an adverse effect on them?


Ok i'll come up for air now

thanks SOOO much for your advice.. im swimming up stream here.

[RichNC]

Before I spent ANY money on fish stocking I would make sure the pond is going to stay filled with water year around!!

[FarmboyBill]

Beins your pond is likely shallow, Id think yo would want more shade than one tree. AND IF its on the E or N or S side, its practically useless, as the sun is hottest in the W.

[simplegreen]

yeah disregard the volume of water. I've since solved that issue. the pond is back up to the trees on the banks. good to go on depth

[Muskrat]

Try starting with the Texas Department of Agriculture by whatever name. Most so-called "exemptions" are different standards for appraising property.

In Tennessee, yes, there is a difference between having an animal and raising animal.

"Bartering" such as you describe won't generally work here. A single animal doesn't usually qualify unless it's a stud and even then you'd have to jump through some hoops. And any bartering of exemption-related property will probably be disqualifying and you'll probably have to pay taxes on in-kind income. There might also be some question of gaming the system.

The Fish and Game guys can advise you on fish stocking and if they can't help you with the pond, they can put you in touch with someone who can.

[TnAndy]

I assume you are talking property taxes when you ask about Ag or Open exemptions, though you don't make that clear.

Call your local property assessor office. They should be able to provide you with the exact requirements to meet to reduce (no exempt) your property taxes. Here in Tennessee, we have Ag, Forest and Open space tax reductions, with different requirements for each.

IF you are referring to sales tax exemptions (a true NO PAY TAX) on agricultural items, that likely IS a State issue. You should be able to get a form from your State sales tax office (Dept of Revenue) and the rules that govern which items qualify and what requirements you must meet as a farm to qualify.

[Terri]

As for critters to raise, what Is the market? Some areas have good markets for hair sheep (Texas is a bit hot for a wool coat) but mine does not. Because you are in Texas cattle might do well for you, unless the place where you will sell them is half a day's drive away.

Also look at the ads in the paper: we just bought meat from someone who sells it for $4.80 a pound by the quarter, which means it does not matter that the auction house went under years ago.

This should also be a good place to take your questions http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/

[Jonb]

Hey buddy I live in Texas and have ag exemption on both sides for property taxes and sales tax. The easiest to get is the sales tax one you go online and Google texas agriculture or timber registration your looking for from 01-926 Rev 12-11/13 anyhow fill out the information such as your name etc etc and you can file that online and print your number out its good for a year. For your property tax ag exemption you go to your local tax office and fill out the ag form. the easiest in my opinion is cattle you need to list how many cattle currently on the property. Now since you are not currently ag exempt you have to keep cattle on the property for 5-7 yrs for this to take effect. I hope this helps you out. The hardest is the ag exemption for property taxes when the land currently does not have it.

[ninny]

I don't think horses qualify for "ag" exemption in Texas. I think they're considered a pet. Check with the county that you live in. Counties vary as to what will qualify for exemptions.

.