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Becoming a rancher?

Now the curiosity kicks in. What is land worth in your world? How much would it take to make a decent living?
 
Oh Per, now you've got my curiosity firing too. Although I can't imagine running cows somewhere without snow, but I think I could adjust. After all, Mexico is responsible for some of the greatest wonders of the world.......like Salma Hayek. :lol:
 
You can buy good ranch land for $100-$200USD/acre. Farm land $1000-$3000USD/acre (7 cuttings of alfalfa/year). No more winter feeding, just year-round grazing. I feed alfalfa ony to the remuda (working horses). Oh yeah, a couple of top notch cowboys (vaqueros) for about $30USD/day each. And all the cowboys you need for the roundups on a couple days notice.
I don't know what you consider a decent living. The more you have to start with, the more you can make.
 
What is the stocking rate? I dont' know about Sonora Mexico (or where it is unless you are talking about the border) but if I remember correctly Sonora Tx you have to have a lot of country for very many cows. sounds like I might like to move a little further south as i've always wanted
 
The stocking rate varies considerably depending on the area. But in my area the average is between 20-30 acres/AU. Last year we received 31 inches of rainfall, and the average is about 26 inches. We've already recieved 22 inches from June 24 to Sept. 15. We are in a sub-tropical oak forrest environment. All my water is provided by live springs and creeks.
 
Ranchero said:
It is very easy to buy land legally here in Mexico. After finding your dream ranch/farm.
First you must get a FM-3 visa $300, then you apply for permission to buy land as a foreigner $600, you must agree to abide by all Mexican laws. That's it. Buy your land and work. Each year you must re-new your visa. After 5 years you can apply for citizenship. You can maintain dual citizenship forever.
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Sounds like paradise. I used to do business with several gentlemen from Calexico, CA, (the US side of Mexicali). Having been to the Philippines numerous times, I was used to the smell of raw human sewage emanating from Mexicali. I got used to the folks jumping the border in the middle of the night. I was used to the US Border Patrol stopping me and searching my truck every week when I went to Calexico. I was used to hearing nothing but Espanol in my ears. My partners also never let me enter Mexico at any time. In fact, the only time I have ever been to Mexico was at Progresso, by Harlingen/McAllen, TX. That is a long way from Mexicali. I have Mexican friends here who refuse to drive at night when they return to Mexico to visit. Go figure.

The thing that kept me in dinero was the fact that the gangs, drug lords, etc. kept destroying lawful Mexican citizen's property while routinely doing their business. I know a thing or three about graft, corruption, payoffs, bribes, etc., from the Philippines (also a Spanish colony). I would expect an American would encounter the same or worse in Mexico. You could have your own private army, and still not be able to trust a soul. Even marrying a local would not ensure squat, and would probably make one an even bigger target. I fear that EVERYBODY would have their hand out, and, if you refuse to cooperate/pay, you may have had all your cattle stolen/killed the next day. You can't tell the good guys from the bad guys. And you can bet that government/province officials would be right in on it too.

It may work out and be swell for some folks, but being an American in a country like the Philippines, or Mexico, just means you have a huge target on your back. Just my 2 pesos, but I had to play Devil's Advocate here, Ranchero.
 
I'm glad you got in here with some experiences to share, my thoughts are only based on what I've read or heard. Cities lik Nuevo Laredo concern me and wonder how many other places have fallen to corruption and control of the drug lords. Also, the fact that the Zeta's now work for the Cartels is pretty scary. Here's a thought, if we keep allowing citizens to flee Mexico into the US for a better life, then what is going to push them to better their life in Mexico. It's not like Mexico is without resources. I don't know what the answer is down there. I mentoned before that many States have "Farm Link" programs where people with available land list there land, farmers looking for land get listed, then the organization makes the matches.
 
Myself I see plenty of opportunity right where I am no need to switch countries.If it's so nice down there why in the hell are so many Mexican's trying to live here risking their lives just to get into the United States.
 
loomixguy said:
In fact, the only time I have ever been to Mexico was at Progresso, by Harlingen/McAllen, TX.
Just my 2 pesos, but I had to play Devil's Advocate here, Ranchero.
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I'd have to say your opinion isn't even worth 2 pesos, given you don't even have any real life experience to base it on (one time visit to a border town).
I live in a small rural town in the mountains. The people here a simple, kind, caring, clean, country folk. I haven't EVER seen or experienced the Mexico, that you describe and know so much about, after one visit to a border town.
I am amazed each day with how many opportunities are missed due to fear of the unknown. Stay in your comfort zone. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
You really shouldn't bad mouth the whole country. There are many bad cities and areas in the US as well. But you can't lable and judge the whole country by those few bad apples alone.
 
Ranchero said:
loomixguy said:
In fact, the only time I have ever been to Mexico was at Progresso, by Harlingen/McAllen, TX.
Just my 2 pesos, but I had to play Devil's Advocate here, Ranchero.
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I'd have to say your opinion isn't even worth 2 pesos, given you don't even have any real life experience to base it on (one time visit to a border town).
I live in a small rural town in the mountains. The people here a simple, kind, caring, clean, country folk. I haven't EVER seen or experienced the Mexico, that you describe and know so much about, after one visit to a border town.
I am amazed each day with how many opportunities are missed due to fear of the unknown. Stay in your comfort zone. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
You really shouldn't bad mouth the whole country. There are many bad cities and areas in the US as well. But you can't lable and judge the whole country by those few bad apples alone.
Click to expand...

You missed the point of my post entirely. My business partners in Calexico WOULD NOT allow me to enter into Mexicali, due to the problems I explained. They needed me alive and able to go back there every 2 weeks. My visit to Progreso was a trip to the pharmacy, then the leather shops, and then we did the sidewalk superintendent thing walking past the bordellos. In the Philippines, thoughts of Communist rebels, Abu Saayaf (Islamic terrorists), corrupt police, and scammers were always on my mind. I have a close friend who makes an enormous living freeing kidnap victims and hostages all over Asia...by any means necessary. I know what happens to folks held for ransom over there. I did build a house in the Philippines and we also purchased a farm there, too. Our house is 2 miles from the ocean, and on the second story you can open all the windows and catch wonderful cooling breezes coming straight off the water. Some of the best snorkeling in the world is less than 10 minutes away. Our farm grows rice and the nicest, sweetest mangoes you have ever eaten. My brother in law lives in the house and runs things for us. When my wife visits, all it costs is the airfare and a couple hundred for drivers to and from the airport. Everything else is provided for her. Sadly, due to the politics and economic despair over there, I doubt that I or my children will ever go back. I refuse to put their lives, or mine, in jeopardy. My wife wears old shorts, T shirts and flip flops while there and blends in seamlessly. Kinda sounds like paradise, but I'd sell it all in a heartbeat to somebody from China or Japan for the right price.
I am sure there are wonderful places in Mexico, just like the Philippines, and wonderful people, too. I am happy for you and your life.
 
Redclay, I read this topic in it's entirety this morning so I am going to give you my thoughts. At this point I wouldn't try to encourage or discourage you, but to suggest you get more first hand experience before you invest more of your time or money. The reason I say that is I think from the comments you make ie... you like the senic West, and you could get some horses and have trail rides to bring in extra money, you have a romantic view of ranching. The advice I agree with is get a job on a working ranch before you do anything else. If after 6 months you still feel the same way go for it. Driving down the highway doesn't give you the side of ranching where you have cow manure everywhere including in your mouth, dirty wet clothes, pain from being kicked or run over, or fingers to cold and numb to work a tatto machine. Or choking on dust in a sorting pen, or trying to stuff a prolapse back in by pickup light in a cold rain, etc.... etc.... Am, I trying to discourage you ? NO. I am just saying do that for 6 months. If you still want to be a rancher go for it. One of the best ranch management courses I know of is the TCU Ranch Management Course. It is run by men who practice what they teach.
 

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