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We were recently contacted by a large, international corporation to help them develop a plan for some of the thousands of acres they own throughout the US.  Of primary concern to them was the liability they have where farmers, ranchers and even sportsmen are using their land without written authorization or in some cases without compensation.

While we have worked with farmland and cropland sales and leasing before this opportunity provided multiple challenges due to the vast and varying types and locations of land.

So we decided to focus on our home area area and since we are licensed in Missouri and Kansas it seemed reasonable to act on those states only at this time.

Our primary concern was the liability exposure this client had with people trespassing on their properties for extended periods of time, and being tacitly allowed to stay. The first order of business is to identify, mark and post all of the property perimeters! That may require surveys, fencing and most importantly signage.

Secondly we must look at the contractual agreements with the users of their land. Contracts of leases must outline the following.
  • Specific areas to be leased
  • Duration and expiration
  • Limitations and restrictions of land use
  • Compensation to owner
  • Requirements of Liability insurance and waiver of liability
  • Remedies for failure to comply
  • Right of entry and inspection
  • Legal and environmental compliance requirements
  • Maintenance and limitations of additions or changes to structures
  • Mineral rights including solar, wind, water and others
  • Items specific to that property
In the event that the lease is part of a crop share, or their are existing structures to be leased on the property then the list grows.

Your State University is usually a great resource for finding out what standard cropland and pasture rental rates are in your area, but nothing compares to boots on the ground. If you don't know your local market you should get in touch with those that do. Extension centers, local farmers, Coops, or the folks at the local grain elevator or livestock auction can point you in the right direction for finding what you need.

Missouri and Kansas as well as Iowa and several other states have a wealth of information available online that can be printed or even downloaded for your use.  They also offer historical lease data organized in various ways. The University of Missouri Extension offers rental rates based on average yield per acre per crop as well as pasture rents based on a three tiered system of grading.

While K-State Research and Extension breaks it down more by region and whether the property is irrigated or not.  Both of these fine organizations also offer classes, and a wealth of information that will be helpful in this process.  Also take a look at AgManager.

I will attach some of that information below in PDF format.

Lease rates differ vastly depending on the type of property, location, productivity and soil type. Heavily timbered land is considerably less desirable to a cattle rancher or corn grower than large areas of open field. Tillable cropland will bring significantly more than rocky or uneven land that can support cattle or other livestock.

Other factors also weigh heavily into the value such as accessibility, access to water, overall size of the parcel and proximity to market.
 
 
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Kholster Little Moon Holster
I've waited several months before posting a review of my Kholster concealed carry holster, I wanted to have plenty of time to break it in and see how it held up.

I purchased a "little moon" Kholster in February of 2012 and started wearing it right away. The first few weeks it took some getting used to, but as it broke in and became more pliable I found it to be very comfortable. 

Kholster Discount Code Listed Below:...

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Kholster Tuckable Metal Clips
I was carrying concealed before it was fashionable or even legal. Somewhere around the mid 80's I was working the midnight shift in a 7-Eleven, after several incidents I decided I would purchase my first handgun, with which I thwarted a robbery attempt; and I have carried one every since!

I've had many occasion to be thankful I had it with me, from searching vacant buildings to holding burglars at gun-point until the Police arrived, even having to dispatch a (presumably) rabid raccoon that was on the attack.  I have been fortunate to have never have had to fire on another human being.

For many years I had tried to find a holster that would accommodate my style of carry in the 80's the fanny pack was fashionable and even though it wasn't legal in Missouri, no-one suspected a thing. Since I usually keep my shirts tucked in carrying in the summer was just miserable because of the need to wear a vest or jacket.  I wore out many pockets in my jeans by carrying an AMT Backup .45 ACP in my right rear pocket for over a decade.

Finally there came the "Tuckable Holster" several companies offered varying options but Kholster seemed to be well reviewed and very affordable. The package arrived in a timely manner and the product was well made. The thick leather looked like it would last a long time and the metal clips held it securely in place on my belt and allowed me to tuck my shirt in.

While the metal clips were very secure they wreaked havoc on my upholstery both in my vehicles and in my home, so I ordered the Kydex clips. Once they arrived I changed them over only to find that the screws frequently fell out and I lost them. So I put some Perma-Lock thread locker on them and it seems to be fine now.
Kholster Discount Coupon Code: 02-11798

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Smith & Wesson J-Frame .38 in a Kholster
The firearm requires a significant amount of effort to pull it from the holster, but having had many other holsters that wouldn't secure the gun I'd rather have to pull hard than have it fall out on the floor in a public restroom. The Kydex is rugged and forms perfectly to the weapon. The Kydex clips do a great job of securing the holster and they don't tear up my upholstery like the steel did.

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Back of the leather of a Kholster Holster
The leather forms well to your body and because it is secured to your waste under your belt there is no rising or rubbing like some holsters I've tried.

After only a few weeks, the leather had conformed perfectly to my side and with a few easy adjustments to the location of the clips I had my J-Frame riding exactly where I wanted it.

The concealability of this holster is excellent, I carry almost everywhere I go and no-one knows its there. After carrying the J-Frame and finding it so comfortable I am now planning on moving up to my Ruger SP101 .357 Mag. I had initially opted for the J-Frame because it was lighter and more concealable, but as well as the Kholster works I don't think I will notice any difference with the larger heavier Ruger.
Kholster Discount Coupon Code: 02-11798


 
 
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A very important election is headed our way, one which may carry with it the rights, sovereignty and freedom of our Nation! The National Rifle Association (NRA) has fought for our rights since 1871.

As a long-time NRA member I want to help get the word out and the NRA has even given me the privilege of providing voter information, NRA flyers, bumper stickers and other various forms of information.

Below I will provide you with information from the NRA on how you can help elect Pro-Gun Lawmakers to office.
NRA-ILA Election Action Manual and the NRA-ILA Legislative Action Manual.

We must take our country back before our freedoms are lost forever, We are indeed, and we are today, the last best hope of man on earth. 

 

Bates County Real Estate is a top equestrian real estate agent in the Butler, Missouri Equestrian Real Estate Agents guide on NewHorse.com.