Margali's Griffin Wood Ranch

[Margali]

I always plan on worst case when budgeting including taxes. That’s why we are still above water with me out of work for 4months. And why that 11.6 acre property is off the list. ~$700/mo extra tax is annoying but not ruinous.

Brazoria CAD is 3yrs out of last 5yrs to apply. Most of the properties I will have to add bees back along with sheep for the exemption. There it is 9acres and 15 head of sheep or 6 hives on 5 acres plus more hives up to 20 acres. That doesn’t include the homestead land. Form isn’t clear if they assume 1acre or will use less so my minimum parcel size is 6acres.

 

[Ridgetop]

Brazoria CAD is 3yrs out of last 5yrs to apply. Most of the properties I will have to add bees back along with sheep for the exemption. There it is 9acres and 15 head of sheep or 6 hives on 5 acres plus more hives up to 20 acres.

Each county is different in required acreage for the AG and each county has a different meaning for "animal unit". Hay pastures also qualify as AG land too so if you have a decent pasture area and have it cut for hay it qualifies. Another thing to do is to offer some of the acreage for cattle pasture. Lots of peope rent pasture, especially of there s a pond available as a water source.

 

[Margali]

I just dropped off both rams and the wether at auction. We'll see what I get tomorrow since I gave the ram's papers. Fred was nice but not worth worrying about Cassandra having to manage around a ram by herself.

That reduces to 8 ewes with 2 more to be picked up August 8th. That should be easy to manage for Cassandra. Gell is ~9months old so she might be bred. The rest are seasoned ewes.

 

[SageHill]

I just dropped off both rams and the wether at auction. We'll see what I get tomorrow since I gave the ram's papers. Fred was nice but not worth worrying about Cassandra having to manage around a ram by herself.

That reduces to 8 ewes with 2 more to be picked up August 8th. That should be easy to manage for Cassandra. Gell is ~9months old so she might be bred. The rest are seasoned ewes.

Geeze -- almost what I just did. Ram, old wether and old ewe here. Ram was 320, ewe and wether not as much. Good luck at the sale.

 

[Margali]

Having fun with Cassandra.

A handsome stocky moonspotted boer buck went for $500+. Ewes were running $140-$260 depending on size and condition. Nice Dorper ram lambs were going ~$155-$205 with matted ones much lower.

They called out the ram lamb papers. I think ~$200 for first ram and $150 for slighter built one. The wether was ~$160.

 

[Margali]

So I was off a little but still happy with the total.
Ram1 $175
Ram2 $130
Wether $160
- holding overnight & commissions
NET $433.04
That will be useful for the move next week. Then when I get the relocation allowance I will pay back the ranch account.

 

[Mini Horses]

Plus -- you made it safer for the kids to be caretakers at this changing time. That's worth everything.

 

[Margali]

MID YEAR UPDATE
I'm (temporarily) net POSITIVE!!
I have enough equipment now that capital investment isn't huge. I will be upside down when I pick up the 2 ewe lambs especially since I will not have a fall breeding season. Oh well.
Sales
Registered fall 2024 1 ram sold
Registered spring 2024 ewes 4 sold!
3 rams/ wethers sold at auction
Loses
2 predator loss recorded 2024 ewes (Socks and Scarf )
1 predator loss ram lamb pre-weaning
1 illness lost wether