Homestead mailing list

["Lynn Wigglesworth" <lynnw1366 AT hotmail.com>]

> Okay, so a typical homestead (with cattle) might have a milk cow, and have 
> one steer to butcher later for meat?  If you have nine, then you would be 
> a small commercial farmer?
Yeah; I file a Schedule F, although I  never make very much farming.

> ranchers out here have alot of cattle, but they let them wander over many 
> thousands of acres.  We have a "range law".. Ranchers are not required to 
> fence their cattle.  You need to fence off your propwerty if you don't 
> want the cattle to graze your land.  Of course, it doesn't affect those of 
> us in metro >areas.............................

Here we are required to keep our animals on our own property. If my cows 
damage my neighbors property, or cause a car accident, I can get sued (I 
have farm insurance covering that). Last year I spent $25,000 to have my 
whole property fenced...it was either do that or get out of farming....I'm 
still not sure I made the right choice. But I do like my animals, and 
pasture-raised beef.  I had a Delmonico steak to die for last night....

Lynn Wigglesworth
Tioga Co. PA