Frequently Asked Questions
What types of farming operations are common on Alabama farmland?
Farmers in the Black Belt and the Tennessee Valley mostly grow row crops like corn, soybeans, and cotton. Down in the southeast corner of the state, peanuts are the big crop. In central Alabama, where the land rolls a bit more, you see a lot of cattle grazing on bermudagrass and bahiagrass. According to state agricultural data, raising broiler chickens is one of Alabama’s biggest farming sectors, mostly located in the north-central and west-central counties near the big chicken processing plants. A lot of farms mix it up, running some cattle on the pasture and growing timber in the woods to spread out their income.
What is farmland worth per acre in Alabama compared to the broader Southeast?
According to data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Alabama farmland is cheaper than similar land in Georgia, Tennessee, or the Carolinas. The best, flat row-crop land in the Black Belt goes for $2,500 to $5,000 per acre. Good grass pasture for cattle runs $1,500 to $3,500 per acre. The land is just as good for growing crops as the neighboring states; it is only cheaper because Alabama has a more rural economy and less urban sprawl, pushing prices up. If you just want good land to farm without overpaying, Alabama is hard to beat.
How does the broiler chicken contract farming model work in Alabama?
In contract chicken farming, you own the land and the chicken houses, and a big company (like Tyson or Koch Foods) owns the birds and provides the feed and vet support. The company pays you based on how well your chickens grow compared to other local farmers. The pay is fairly steady, but it depends on keeping the birds healthy and your equipment running perfectly. According to agricultural extension data from universities like Auburn, building a brand new chicken house costs $300,000 to $500,000, and most farms have four to eight of them. If you buy a farm that already has chicken houses on it, the income from raising birds can go a long way toward paying your mortgage.
