Preserving farmland

[ianben]

Cowman
I had a deal in 2001 for the sale of just my house and farm buildings standing on less than 2acres for conversion to pub/restraunt, which would nearly have paid for the 2080acres I looked at outside N. Battleford.
It is still for sale I believe at same price while my yard should be worth even more as house prices here continue to spiral.
It was super land and a house to "die for", but you are right, we did think I was just to far away from the amenities we are used to.
9/11 destroyed the twin towers and my deal so we never got to make the final choice but I think an hours drive from large city and international airport would have been my wifes bottom line.

What makes people move from these places. Is it the lack of oppertunity jobs etc or the lure of the bright lights.
Perhaps the question I am asking is how many young people would love to farm that land in Battleford if they could make it pay?
Would they too be unwilling to give up the ameneties being close to a city affords?

[cowman]

Ian: I live 10 minutes from a fairly large city(by Prairie standards). I believe I have the best of both worlds. When my great grandfather came here it was basically the frontier. Personally I wouldn't want to move out to the sticks but then I'm not all that young. I suspect women find it tougher than men and families even more so.
I think you would have to be very dedicated to farming to live in a remote area but I can't really answer your question because I've always lived here and had access to the things a city brings.
So how were your crops this year? How was the weather? It is -27 C here this morning!

[dnach]

ian, i know this farm you are looking at, only ten miles from my farm. Yes it is a nice set up, with a very good house. But way over priced, be carefull!!! The asking price for this land is too high, you will never get any rate of return, even if you don't borrow the money. There is a reason it has been for sale for quite some time, it is simply over priced for what it is worth. Ian, offer them 30% less at best, and you should still have no other bidders. Do not forget, we have had 3 years of drought, nobody else has money here, except first nations, and they will not pay anything for farm yards, espesially a good one like this. I would love to see anyone except first nations purchase this land, someone like you Ian, that can contribute things like tax's back into the community.
As for the Battlefords, we have everthing you need right here, plus all outdoor the activities and scenery to go with it.
Remember, re-max in this area always asks 30% to 40% over market values, and look at the numbers they don't lie, 35-40 bus/ac hrsw, 25-30 bus/ac canola, 50-60bus/ac barley, 20-30 bus/ac peas. These are average, and the last three years yeilds have been -50%. Although this is typically a good area, just be carefull, and good luck!

[countryguy]

I really like the N Battleford area.From what I have seen of Sask it would be one of my top places to go if I ever decided to move.Can't wait to go through there again next week.

[ianben]

Thanks dnach
Canada is off the agenda for now till children finish their education at least.
Cowman is right about amenitities once you have had them it is hard to give them up so I would want to live near a city.
Also I now look at my pescky neighbours a little differently after seeing Canada.
I saw where ag was the only industry the towns where reducing looking tired Battleford for instance. If you have had three years drought bet things are worse today.
If everybody depends on agriculture for a living then roads health and education are bound to follow ag.
Sask seems to be too much dependant on ag for me.
I now see that these neighbours and hobby farmers are customers or a potential sourse of income which is not governed by commodity prices and the weather.

I look for ways I can help my neighbours and hope some of their cash gets in my pocket.

Cowman Average yeilds. Perfect weather Next years crop all looking good. Best ever I would say but a long way to go yet. Prices about double a year ago and getting to where life becomes pleasant!!

I never was unhappy but life does seem pretty good at the moment!!