Relocating to Texas (Spring, Sulphur Springs, Cameron: broker, buying, living)

[Mizzou]

My family is contemplating moving to Texas. We would like to know what part of Texas would be the best to raise beef cattle and horses and still be in a scenic area. Where are the land prices most reasonable (for productive ground)?

[awecelot]

"And a bully for old Mizzou, rah rah rah rah!" - I've known several Mizzou alums - good people, and I always cheer for the Tigers to do well.

In order to answer your question, I'm going to throw a question back to you: what do you consider scenic? Do there have to be large hills? Trees? Mesas?

Texas is extremely diverse geographically, and the key is going to be balancing the climate that allows for raising beef cattle and horses with your idea of scenic views.

[TexasHorseLady]

I second the questions above. Right off the top of my head, Central Texas and East Texas spring to mind, but there are parts of North Texas and West Texas and even South Texas that would fit the bill. So, what do YOU like and we can give you better answers!

[SaladoSam]

Mizzou, go to the Texas Travel website and get your free copy of the Texas Travel guide to do your locale shopping. IT'S FREE ! ! !

[Mizzou]

Thanks for the replies. To me, scenic means green grass (which is a must for cattle and horses) and trees and water (streams, creeks, rivers).

[TexasHorseLady]

Okay. What kind of cattle and horses do you raise, by the way? We've got Murray Greys and Morgans.

I'd say that East Texas would fit the bill, but I haven't lived there in donkeys' years, even though we still own a bit of the old family farm there, so I couldn't tell you where exactly would be best today. So would parts of Central Texas, mostly east of IH35 (Milam County comes to mind, as do Lee and Cameron and Bastrop Counties). East because of the kind of soil - it tends to be rockier west of IH35, though some do raise cattle and horses there in the pockets of good land - and because it tends to be greener - get more rain, though right now the whole state is hurting due to drought, on a more consistent basis.

[awecelot]

Look around the Sulphur Springs area, and see if that fits your definition of scenic. There are a lot of people raising horses and cattle on the ranchland around town out there.

THL is also spot on with her suggestion.

[loves2read]

be aware that there is dought going on over most of TX and going to get worse--there is also problem in some areas with getting enough water in outlying areas--you need to think ahead especially if you are buying raw land vs land already in use
there are plenty of sites on line that are broker sites for ag/ranch land---check out some of those to see what is pricing for what you are looking for...
does not sound like you have done too much homework
do you have any experience
most people in ranching/beef industry are living off their o/g receipts and those are shrinking lately

[Mizzou]

Loves2read: Well, you have to start somewhere. I thought this forum might be a good place to start my homework. I thought the advice I would get from people who actually live in Texas would be better than a website where they are trying to sell something. Maybe I was wrong. I'll go elsewhere to do my homework.

[TexasHorseLady]

Don't do that just because of one person! We're here to help - just take what's useful and ignore the rest.

Heads up, I'm off to a horse show for the next two days, so if I don't respond, it's not because I'm ignoring you!