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| me and a few others versus the county. (Page 2/2) |
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blackrams
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SEP 30, 09:50 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by maryjane:
My meeting got postponed a week because of the potential of tropical storm Beta but finally met with the Chief Appraiser yesterday morning. It went well (I think) but the upshot of it is that I have been tasked with writing the new ag requirements for the county, as well as better defining certain aspects of small cow/calf operations. If my recommendations are accepted, there will be some positive changes as well as some small concessions in the 'proving period' but I think (hope) for future applicants we end up in a much better position than in past years which has always been my goal, to assure ag remains a vital part of the county's economy and to make it easier for young people to get in to it and qualify for the state's program.
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Excellent, good for you.
One thing I learned working for OHSA, someone has already written something close to what you (or I) am seeking. Finding it is the challenge. Such a document must be able to stand up in court should it be challenged. Some times it takes a combination of several documents to get to where you want to go. Of course then, you have to get it past the Powers that Be to get it accepted. I'm pulling for ya Don. Keep us informed please.
Rams[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 09-30-2020).]
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maryjane
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OCT 02, 04:36 AM
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Well, not exactly Ron. There are 254 counties in Texas and none of their regulations regarding Agriculture are the same. The State legislature passed the act enacting the ag exemptions but left it up to the State Comptroller to actually write the basic regulations. This state tho, is so big and varies so much in climate, geography, geology and soil types, that it would not be possible for the State to set a "one size fits all" intensity standard or minimum acreage requirements for any given ag enterprise. What works in my county, with average annual rainfal of about 40 inches won't work 200 miles West of here, much less 800 miles West or South of here.
There are over 40 different soil types in my area of the county alone and each has a different forage producing capability.
So, it is almost impossible to find a set of requirements already written that will fit this county, tho looking at 49 East and Deep East Texas county's requirements, I have discovered my county currently is way off the deep end with some of their requirements.
As I pointed out at the meeting in front of the ag advisory board, no one will ever convince me that I can walk 6 miles, and in thos 6 miles the forage producing ability is one constant, but take one more step over an invisible line into the next county and all of a sudden "IT'S A MIRACLE!!! THE LAND CAN NOW PRODUCE TWICE AS MUCH FORAGE, THEREFORE YA DON'T NEED AS MUCH ACREAGE IN THAT COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE SAME NUMBER OF COWS AS IT DID ONE STEP BACK.
( Yes I actually did the little one step forward thing as I made an invisible line on the floor and yelled "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition folks..it's a miracle ..just look at all the grass that one little step caused to grow! )
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blackrams
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OCT 02, 06:30 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by maryjane:
Well, not exactly Ron. There are 254 counties in Texas and none of their regulations regarding Agriculture are the same. The State legislature passed the act enacting the ag exemptions but left it up to the State Comptroller to actually write the basic regulations. This state tho, is so big and varies so much in climate, geography, geology and soil types, that it would not be possible for the State to set a "one size fits all" intensity standard or minimum acreage requirements for any given ag enterprise. What works in my county, with average annual rainfal of about 40 inches won't work 200 miles West of here, much less 800 miles West or South of here.
There are over 40 different soil types in my area of the county alone and each has a different forage producing capability.
So, it is almost impossible to find a set of requirements already written that will fit this county, tho looking at 49 East and Deep East Texas county's requirements, I have discovered my county currently is way off the deep end with some of their requirements.
As I pointed out at the meeting in front of the ag advisory board, no one will ever convince me that I can walk 6 miles, and in thos 6 miles the forage producing ability is one constant, but take one more step over an invisible line into the next county and all of a sudden "IT'S A MIRACLE!!! THE LAND CAN NOW PRODUCE TWICE AS MUCH FORAGE, THEREFORE YA DON'T NEED AS MUCH ACREAGE IN THAT COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE SAME NUMBER OF COWS AS IT DID ONE STEP BACK.
( Yes I actually did the little one step forward thing as I made an invisible line on the floor and yelled "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition folks..it's a miracle ..just look at all the grass that one little step caused to grow! ) |
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I simply meant that there should be some examples close to use for adopting a set of governing rules but, I see your point.
Rams
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maryjane
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DEC 15, 07:40 PM
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It appears the consensus is going to be a change from 20 acre to 15 acre minimum for cattle (with a case to case basis for slightly smaller parcels) and a waiver of the requirement that the property has to be 3/4 cleared.
The tradeoff, which I pushed for & endorse fully, is that there will be very close inspections of property and qualifications to ensure the landowner isn't simply playing the regs to get tax relief. There MUST be a real ag enterprise being carried out with some sort of viable and visible means to produce and market the ag product.
I'll know the details tomorrow after another face to face with the Chief Appraiser but I call this a win.
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sourmash
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DEC 15, 08:39 PM
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blackrams
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DEC 15, 11:37 PM
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Honestly, this one surprises me. Must be some darn good grass growing there if 20+ acres will keep six reproducing cows fed adequately.
| quote | SAN JACINTO County.
20 acres is required with 75% of the tract cleared open space for grazing. At Least 6 head of reproducing cows, with tracts larger than 20 ac having 1 additional cow to every 1-15 acres. |
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Regardless, this is the way the system is supposed to work with the public (Don and others) keeping officials in check. Congrats Don.
Rams
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maryjane
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DEC 16, 03:53 AM
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That's 3.3 acres per AU (1 Animal Unit = 1000 lb cow or 1500 lb bull)
The realworld standard for East Texas and most of the SE USA is around 2-2.5 ac/AU.
(We average just over 40" rain/year)
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blackrams
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DEC 16, 06:06 AM
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Yep, that rainfall and the milder temps makes a big difference in the growing season.
Rams[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-16-2020).]
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2.5
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DEC 16, 03:19 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by blackrams:
And that my friend is the way to get change. I appreciate your interest and involvement. Go Gett'em!
Rams |
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Agreed
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