land terms

[pcdreams]

I keep seeing several terms in reference to land and I'd like to clarify what they mean.

Cropland vs pasture/meadow/range. Do these terms refer to what the land is best used for or its current/possible future use?

Is there a difference between the last 3 terms?


Tillable vs non-tillable -- I assumed that tillable means it could be used for crops/pasture/ etc. Non-tillable I would assume means its not fit to be used to propagate plants.

Am I way off base here?

[rambler]

Such words have slight different meanings in different areas of the country. Where I live, I would take it as the following:

Pasture is something livestock can graze, is already fenced, and is an eastern 1/2 of the country term moreso. It is probably not suited for raising crops for varoius reasons.

Range is much like 'pasture', but is a western term, would be too dry to support other crops in addition to possibly other reasons, and may not be fenced - at least as well. 'Free range' idea....

Medow is a pasture that doesn't have a fence around it.

Cropland has topsoil, can be tilled, gets enough rain to raise a grain crop, is not too steep to farm, and generally is better land free of trees, bedrock, wetlands, etc. Now, not all cropland is perfect, can still be lots of 'issues', but I would expect cropland to be suited for growing a row crop most all years.

The others will be too treed, too rocky, too shallow soil, too dry, too steep, too wet, or some other issue that does not allow row crop farming.

The differences tho are small on some of those terms, and can interchange pretty easily.

--->Paul

[pcdreams]

thanks rambler. Sounds aboout like I though it was, Just wanted to make sure both oars were touching water

[insanity]

Found out a few years ago that (Gently Rolling) really means (steep hill sides)!
Not even fit for goats! LOL

[donsgal]

Often times terms will be used that determine the tax rate for the particular county. For instance land that might be considered "pasture" would not receive the agricultural tax rate, which is usually lower.

Also, sometimes there are different forms used by real estate boards for different kinds of property. For instance, where I live there is one form for "development" property and a different one used for farms/recreational property.

If you aren't sure, ask the tax assessor's office or a realtor in your area.

donsgal

[BeckyW]

Be careful if you are looking at pasture or meadow land. At least out west, that type of land rarely will pass perculation (perc) tests - which means the soil doesn't drain water fast enough to allow building on. If your whole acreage is this kind of land you'll have a nice place for livestock but nothing you can live on.
If the best building spot on the property is meadow/pasture, make sure you put a get-out contingency clause and have perc test done before closing escrow.

[Cornhusker]

Around here, pasture is usually rough, sandy, rocky, any soil not fit or flat enough to plant.
Meadows are generally lush with grass, good for hay ground, but too wet for crops, usually due to a high water table. Meadows are usually along creeks and rivers, but the sandhills have many meadows and springs.
Cropland is just what it sounds like, land suited for farming.