We own a place and have an abandoned oilfield caliche pad. A neighbor who owns a dozer, tractor to load, and 4-6 yard dump trailer is interested in using his equipment to push up the caliche and haul it to his place plus subsoil the area so I can reclaim it for pasture. What is the going rate for good caliche per load (assuming his trailer)? He threw out a number of $25 per load but I wasn't sure if that's a fair price since he's doing all the work or if it's worth more. I don't want to remove it all because I use the area to store farm equipment (drains well so it stays dry) but I was considering selling half. Thoughts?

We paid $3 to $5 a yard, with us doing the work. But that's oilfield prices

He's cleaning up caliche you didn't pay for on your place and wants to pay you for it? Just let him take it.

I'm with Apache. Sounds like he's helping you out to "reclaim pasture". At the prices posted, how much is there really to be made anyway?

A happy and cooperative neighbor will prob go a lot further than that little bit of cash.

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A happy and cooperative neighbor will prob definitely go a lot further than that little bit of cash.

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FIFY

STX Ag said:

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I'm with Apache. Sounds like he's helping you out to "reclaim pasture". At the prices posted, how much is there really to be made anyway?

A happy and cooperative neighbor will prob go a lot further than that little bit of cash.

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Not much to be made but I was thinking that if I ever wanted that caliche for my own use, it might cost more to replace it. The amount of pasture reclaimed isn't much so I'm beginning to think that doesn't factor in.

On half of the pad, I currently use it to store farm equipment and trailers (well drained, dry, level area is nice to have) and to burn brush so I want to keep at least that much for myself.

I do agree though, a good neighbor goes a long way. We get along well and I've hired him in the past to do some brush clearing so I would like to sell him some but be fair at the same time.

I've got a 75 yard stretch of old caliche road that I want scrapped up and the area re-claimed. I'll have to pay someone to do it, I'm sure. Agree with others - you're getting the best of all worlds - work done, happy neighbor, pocketing a little beer money.

Limestone base or just rock is around $30 a ton in se Tx. Price will vary by area and distance to source. It's hauled or mainly railed into the Houston area. Nice to have an extra supply for future road repairs or to use around corrals/load out areas. I'd definitely keep it there.

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if I ever wanted that caliche for my own use, it might cost more to replace it.

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If you want it for your own use, you'll have to dig it up, put it in a dump trunk to move it & then re-spread it.
You're much, much better off getting a new load of clean caliche dumped where you want it. Your time (I hope) is much more valuable than the material costs. Unless of course you have all the machinery and just enjoy the work.

Definitely a good point

If I had land and a neighbor with a dozer, tractor, and dump trailer, I'd let him have all the crushed base material you're willing to part with and just ask that one day when you need to borrow said equipment you call it even then.

I was just looking at a 400 acre place next to a huge caliche pit. The owner told me caliche is so cheap that the cost to get is actually for the transportation cost to get it where it needs to go. Not the material itself. with that said, let the guy do you the favor and clean up the area so you can reclaim it. If nothing else, its good kharma to have a happy neighbor and get the benefit. Dont be a miser to the guy.

Can buy crushed rock for $7 or $8 per yard locally. Superior product to straight caliche. I have done this type of dirt work and responses above are correct. Anything you reclaim will be comingled with subsoil. I would tell my neighbor he could have it. Create a little good will. May go a long way down the road. Sounds like he has some equipment that could be beneficial to you down the road.

Thanks everyone for the advice. While I have my own equipment, minus a dozer (actually paid him going rate to do quite a bit of work last year), I agree that it's good to be neighborly.

Yep, would be great to have a happy neighbor w a working dozer.

If he offered $25 a load I'd take it and be done. Probably fair for what he's getting and he's doing all the work.

While on this topic, anyone know where I can get a dozen or two yards of roadbase/gravel in the Giddings area? I could use a truckload or two of it for driveway resurfacing in places. I don't find much searching the webs locally.

Martin Marietta in Garfield