Third in a series of six articles on
how to get started in farming.
NEWARK, Del. Good farms
rarely come on the open market.
They’re often bought up by other
farmers who’ve made a purchase
option arrangement with the
previous owner in order to enlarge
their own operations. So potential
buyers or renters often have to
look hard to find what they want. If
you want to acquire some land to
farm, be prepared for a search.
“Most people who become
established in commercial far
ming want to own their own land,”
says University of Delaware ex
tension farm management
specialist Dr. Don Tilmon.
“Ownership gives you more
security and more control over the
SPECIAL FINANCING ON
MF COMPACT TRACTORS
Our money-saving offer on MF
Compact Tractors starts with hefty
rebates of $3OO to $5OO. Of, if you
choose, you’ll pay no finance charges
until October 1, 1981 (with qualify
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you finance your new tractor with
Massey. It’s your choice, but you’ll
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Offer ends July 31, 1981.
MACHINE
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MF 210 and 2104
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♦Manufacturer’s rated horsepower
NEIMAN EQUIPMENT GO. MEYERS IMPLEMENTS INC.
RD4
Dover, PA
Ph: (717)292-2101
S. ti. LEWIS AND SON MARLIN W. SEBREFFIER N. H. FUCKER & SDKS, INC.
West Grove, PA Pitman, PA Maxatawny, PA
Ph: (215) 869-9440 Ph; (717) 648-1120 pj,. (215) 683-7252
or (215) 869-2214
ICE-lURISIA, INC. WEB SNYDER INC.
RD 1
Tunkhannock. PA 18657
Ph: (717) 836-2610 Ph < 7l7 > 538-5555
PETERMAN FARM EQUIPMENT LEBANON VALLEY IMPLEMENT CO.
225 York Road
Carlisle. PA
Ph: (717) 249-5338
Getting started in farming
operation. Renting leaves you with
more capital to invest in
production inputs. But there’s the
risk of having the farm sold out
from under you, or of losing it for
some other reason.”
Today a lot of operators farm
both owned and rented land.
County extension agents and
farm supply dealers sometimes
know of farms for sale or rent.
Local banks or auctioneers are
also worth checking.
Once you find an available farm,
find out as much as you can about
its current productivity and
potential. Talk to neighbors in the
area, including some good nearby
farmers. Check with credit
agencies, the Soil Conservation
Service and the Agricultural
YOUR CHOICE -
REBATES OR
IT'S
GOOD
NEWS
SEE
400 N. Antrim Way
Greencastle, PA
Ph: (717) 597-2176
700 E. Linden St.
Richland, PA
Ph; (717) 866-7518
Stabilization and Conservation
Service to find out what they think
of the place and its prospects.
Some bankers are also quite
knowledgeable about farm worth.
Determine the size of the farm in
actual acres. Buying on the basis
of “more or less acreage” at the
current price may result in you’re
paying for land that isn’t there.
Examine the distribution of land
on the property the percentage
in cropland, pasture, woodlot, and
wasteland. Usable cropland
usually determines the value of a
farm, so total cropland currently
available, plus potential cropland,
should be a major focus of your
prepurchase inspection.
Before you commit yourself,
determine the productivity of the
$3OO
$4OO
$5OO
MF
Massey Ferguson
SWARTZ’S GARAGE
RD2
Richfield, PA 17086
Ph: (717) 694-3861
ABRAGZINSKAS FARM EQUIP. INC.
RDI, Catawissa, PA
717-356-2323
(South on Rt. 42)
WYNNE'S GARAGE RANDALL FRANZEN INC.
RD2 RDI2
Canton, PA 17724 Woodstown. N.J. 08098
Ph; (717) 673-8456 Ph: (609) 769-2300
farm in terms of future income.
Unless you have another source of
income, it will have to pay for itself
and provide your living expenses.
Ask yourself, “Why is this farm
on the market?” If the seller or
renter wants to retire or move to
another farm, perhaps it’s just
another business transaction. But
be sure there are no hidden
problems.
Check buildings from roof to
foundation, inside and out. Look
for dry rot and termites. Check for
running water, adequate electrical
facilities and other factors that
may affect use or cost of struc
tures.
If you buy a farm that’s a going
business, and a good one, usually
there won’t be problems with
Until Oct. 1, 1981
LAWN CARE OF PA.
Martindale, PA 17549
1 Mile North of
Martindale on
Grist Mill Road
Ph: (215)445-4541
M.M. WEAVER & SON
N. Groffdale Rd,
Leola, PA 17540
Ph: (717)656-2321
ARNETT'S GARAGE
Rt. 9 Box 125
Hagerstown. MO
Ph: (301) 733-0515
Lancaster Farming, Friday, July 3,1981—€
building conditions and field
layout. But find out for yourself.
Try to get over the land several
times during the year before you
buy. Find out when crops are
planted and harvested and note the
condition of fields during the
growing season. Are there problem
spots—too wet, too dry, too rocky?
Are there other conditions that can
cut yields?
The physical features of the land
will affect both the type of farming
you do and the efficiency of your
operation, points out Tilmon. It’s
more expensive, for example, to
work hilly or rolling land than flat
land. Small fields are harder to
work because of the need for
smaller equipment and more
space is lost in turning rows,
fences, or hedgerows. Erosion is
more of a problem when the land is
hilly. Stoniness affects land use
and causes wear and tear on
machinery.
“Implement life can be cut in
half on very stony ground,’’ he
says.
Farm layout includes the
arrangement, shape, and size of
(Turn to Page C3B)
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Round 3 Section Slant Bar Feeder
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SCENIC ROAD FARM SUPPLY
3539 Scenic Road
Gordonville, Pa. 17529
3 mi. S.W. of New Holland
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