Here was what needed to get done: Slaughter LP; Get him into primals, and put him in the fridge. Separate Boston and Bacon from Willy in their own pen and move all the pigs to some green stuff. Unstick the truck so we can do the rest of the list. Load T-bone, and make the trip to Mom's to drop him off, pick up Shay, Ms. Piggy, and an as-yet-undetermined buck. Pick up animal food.
My daughter pointed out that I had "forgotten" her. Meaning, she had a gymnastics meet in Bartlesville, that we had to leave the house at 4:30 pm to get to on time.
Everything got done, except the slaughter LP part. Saturday was the day for getting to the feed store (they close at noon), and getting Krys to the meet on time. By the time we got up, got caffeinated, got to the feed store and back, and got the truck unstuck, we didn't have enough time to take care of LP before we had to leave to get Krys to Bartlesville since the hoist was still in pieces from being transported back from mom's in the back of the station wagon. We had to grocery shop after the meet (we got out of there at 10:30 pm, THEN had to eat), got home at about 1am.
Sunday dawned bright and sunny, but we needed a rapid infusion of caffeine to actually be able to push the "Go" button. T-bone loaded fairly easily, soon as we candy-trailed the cow food to the front of the trailer. Me? Sneaky? Nah! The trip to Mom's took a little longer than expected (and we actually surprised her, cuz she wasn't expecting us til later) because somewhere along the route, the truck started feeling like it was out of balance, and we opted for the slow route. Unloading T-bone was easy. Ms. Piggy barely noticed that she was in the trailer; she was so intent on the feed bucket she was fairly oblivious to the surroundings....until the divider went "slam" right behind her. (It's metal on metal, it makes a god-awful racket, no matter what you do...and we were gentle).
Step 3: Load Shay. Oh, boy. Yippee. If you've read my blog...this is the same cow from the Great Cow Chase of Valentine's Day. Jim was backing the trailer to the pen where she was.....and started spinning tires....Um...so, we are NOT getting stuck....again. Nope, not gonna do it. We put some hay under the spinning tire, and gave it a heave-ho from the back when it didn't want to grab traction, and get it outta there. But, the trailer is now some feet away from the pen. STOCK PANELS to the rescue! Yep, those 16' panels sure do come in handy! Jim made a lane from the gate of the pen to the trailer. Mom had one side, I had the other, we opened up the trailer, and enticed Shay into the lane. (That required moving the feed bunker in--and the goats OUT). Jim used the feed bunker to push Shay into the trailer, and when she didn't want to make the commitment of backlegs in the trailer, we twisted her tail, and up she went.
Step 4: It is very hard to have goat babies, if you do not have a buck for your does. Mom had 3 to choose from: Black Bart, Doobie, and Harry Spotter. Harry Spotter was out...he's not a very growthy buck. First choice was BB, but he chose NOT to come for the food we put out, and frankly, time being a factor, I asked Mom if Doobie was catchable. Yep, silly goat didn't even know what was going on. He just went along for the petting. Then we shoved him in a trailer with a pig. He wasn't so sure about that.
Step 5: Get home. Unload Shay into the west pasture. Gumdrop chases her around the whole damn thing, but they get over it.
Step 6: Now we have to divide and conquer. We have 1 pig pen w/ 4 pigs in it. We need 2 pens, with 5 pigs between them. We get the pens separated with the right pigs in the right place (Ms. Piggy is still on the trailer). And move the pen w/ LP, Boston and Bacon to just north of the East Pasture. Willy gets moved to just north of the old goat pen (up wind of LP), and we back the trailer down, and let Ms. Piggy meet her paramour. Yeah, that went well. Willy was SOO happy to see a girl (um, perhaps he should have had the lecture on romancing the lady). So happy, in fact, that he ran her off. She scooted UNDER the fence, and was having NO part of any of that weird behavior. Willy was RUDE. Fortunately, Jim was very close, and grabbed that escaped pig by her back foot. He held her that way while Krys and I made that pig pen a lot more stable to the ground. 8 t-posts tied to the fence will do that. Willy appeared to have learned a bit from his mistake, and waited till the fence was tied to a few posts before persuing his ladyfaire once more.
Step 7: Take Doobie to his girls. This was easy. He walked right on in.
But we now only had an hour or so of daylight, and that is NOT enough to butcher a pig. Guess what we are doing next weekend. Rain, or shine.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pictures? Who'da Thunk It?
Ok, OK, I know I'm the worst when it comes to getting pictures up. I just hate resizing and working with all the pics I need to work with to get them up. So, this morning, thanks to my kids NOT doing their chores, I'm at home and working on a few things. But this picture is one of the ones I did this morning.
Paint is a Boer doe, and I think she's pretty.
Paint is a Boer doe, and I think she's pretty.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Here Piggy Piggy........
So, for the last long while Boss Hawg has been out at Mom's helping fertilize her garden, and root up the weeds.
He taped out at 260 lbs on Saturday when we went out and did the deed. We shot, skinned and gutted the big boy, and cut him into sub-primals because we do not yet have a cold room to hang our animals, so they need to be in parts small enough for our refrigerators, and in our case, the coolers we take in order to transport them BACK to our refrigerator.
Yesterday, I went back out to mom's, sub-primals in tow, to cut him into usable parts for our family freezer. With the help of videos from Ask the Meatman, Mom and I puzzled out how to cut the big boy down into meal-sized portions. It took the better part of 5 hours, but the result was 169.9 pounds of usable parts.
This might be a good time to identify our definition of usable. The hide and head and offal from last weekend to Mom's LGDs...so, while they weren't accounted for in the "usable" parts numbers above, they certainly were "usable." Bones from boned out roasts, or steaks were put in the "Strider" tub. Strider is our LGD, and will get these as a treat. Other bones, that had significant amounts of meat left, were relegated to the "soup bone" tub. These will be used to flavor beans, and soups, and to make pork stock. All pure fat will be rendered into lard, but we only got 3.3 pounds of the stuff. That is not to say that Boss was a skinny boy, just that when I was trimming, I had to make sure there was enough fat going into the "trim" bucket for the ground meat. The "trim" bucket only contained, maybe 4 pounds of trim when I made the decision to take one of the Boston butt portions and turn it into ground meat. We like sausage, but I tend to make it as we need it, so that I can adjust seasonings depending on what we need, and also so that we aren't stuck with 25 pounds of a sausage we don't like.
So, what wasn't usable? The quarter sized part of the ball joint that I sliced off when cutting through a ham. And 2 other less-than-1/2" pieces of cartilage that ended up in the trim bucket.
What I brought home (or will, once the bacons are cured and smoked) was 169.9 pounds of dog bones, soup bones, bacon, ground pork and "regular" cuts of meat. All from one 260 pound pig. We wasted nothing. This is the way things should be done.
The other option for the offal, if you don't have dogs to give it to, is to put it in the compost pile, completely surrounded by 18 inches of carbonaceous material. 18 to 24 inches of carbon, surrounding the offal, will keep the varmints away.
So, guess what's for dinner!
He taped out at 260 lbs on Saturday when we went out and did the deed. We shot, skinned and gutted the big boy, and cut him into sub-primals because we do not yet have a cold room to hang our animals, so they need to be in parts small enough for our refrigerators, and in our case, the coolers we take in order to transport them BACK to our refrigerator.
Yesterday, I went back out to mom's, sub-primals in tow, to cut him into usable parts for our family freezer. With the help of videos from Ask the Meatman, Mom and I puzzled out how to cut the big boy down into meal-sized portions. It took the better part of 5 hours, but the result was 169.9 pounds of usable parts.
This might be a good time to identify our definition of usable. The hide and head and offal from last weekend to Mom's LGDs...so, while they weren't accounted for in the "usable" parts numbers above, they certainly were "usable." Bones from boned out roasts, or steaks were put in the "Strider" tub. Strider is our LGD, and will get these as a treat. Other bones, that had significant amounts of meat left, were relegated to the "soup bone" tub. These will be used to flavor beans, and soups, and to make pork stock. All pure fat will be rendered into lard, but we only got 3.3 pounds of the stuff. That is not to say that Boss was a skinny boy, just that when I was trimming, I had to make sure there was enough fat going into the "trim" bucket for the ground meat. The "trim" bucket only contained, maybe 4 pounds of trim when I made the decision to take one of the Boston butt portions and turn it into ground meat. We like sausage, but I tend to make it as we need it, so that I can adjust seasonings depending on what we need, and also so that we aren't stuck with 25 pounds of a sausage we don't like.
So, what wasn't usable? The quarter sized part of the ball joint that I sliced off when cutting through a ham. And 2 other less-than-1/2" pieces of cartilage that ended up in the trim bucket.
What I brought home (or will, once the bacons are cured and smoked) was 169.9 pounds of dog bones, soup bones, bacon, ground pork and "regular" cuts of meat. All from one 260 pound pig. We wasted nothing. This is the way things should be done.
The other option for the offal, if you don't have dogs to give it to, is to put it in the compost pile, completely surrounded by 18 inches of carbonaceous material. 18 to 24 inches of carbon, surrounding the offal, will keep the varmints away.
So, guess what's for dinner!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
And Fall Keeps Rolling In
Last weekend, when the kids were away, we got the new goat pen put together. This past weekend we got the chickens out of the stock trailer where they had been brooding since we got them in August in preparation for taking T-Bone out to Mom's for finish out. We used some of the hay that got cut here (it molded because of all of the rain here) to build the new chicken coop-type object. At least they are out of the wind. What else happened? Oh, yeah, the truck got stuck in the mud. So much for taking T-bone to Mom's.
So, we are gonna try again this weekend to butcher the pigs, and get the steer out to Mom's for finish out. I can't wait until we get the bacon and fresh pork! Then in about 8 weeks, homegrown beef.
At least we will not need meat this winter!
So, we are gonna try again this weekend to butcher the pigs, and get the steer out to Mom's for finish out. I can't wait until we get the bacon and fresh pork! Then in about 8 weeks, homegrown beef.
At least we will not need meat this winter!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
4-H, it looked like a good idea....
Well, with the advent of requiring premise identification for the kids to show in 4-H, that means that they won't be. Which means that they can not show in most Junior classes at the fair either. I don't know how long the Dexter Association will be just having the showmanship class (by the way THAT was a MOST excellent idea), but if they change it to the way some breeds have, and require the kids to be 4-H'rs than that just sucks for my kids.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tulsa State Fair
Friday we (my mother, and my girls) went to the Tulsa State Fair to watch the Dexter Cattle show. The longhorns were running low, and we learned more about longhorns that we never wanted to know, LOL. Since they were running long, we wandered around and looked at the other beef breeds, seeing a few that we thought were something to look into (Angus, Santa Gertrudis, and Gelbveih.) We had fun wandering around the exchange center, and the cattle barn. Some of those dairy udders looked to hold enough milk for a whole week's worth of milk use around here....WOW. I do have to say, it was obvious they had not been milked that morning, and I felt sorry for the old girls. A couple of them were leaking as they were walked around the ring.
I did think that the cow showing thing looks kind of fun, on a limited basis--Tulsa State Fair, and maybe the OKC State Fair. So, maybe that's a thought for next year.
I did think that the cow showing thing looks kind of fun, on a limited basis--Tulsa State Fair, and maybe the OKC State Fair. So, maybe that's a thought for next year.
Monday, September 21, 2009
What the Heck?
So, I woke up to stomach cramps and rain this morning. One has nothing to the other, except that I had to stay home, and by extension, the kids.
I overheard that the ducks were wondering around. Fortunately, Mom's little Muscovy is where she is supposed to be, but I have geese, chickens and NOW ducks wondering around.
At least next weekend, I'll have some pork for the freezer....a LOT of pork. The barrow and the gilt are HUGE compared to the ones we freezered up in the spring.
I overheard that the ducks were wondering around. Fortunately, Mom's little Muscovy is where she is supposed to be, but I have geese, chickens and NOW ducks wondering around.
At least next weekend, I'll have some pork for the freezer....a LOT of pork. The barrow and the gilt are HUGE compared to the ones we freezered up in the spring.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
Why is it that when we plan something out, it doesn't quite work out like you planned? Mom was supposed to be here early (I assumed 9am was early, and even took the phone into the bedroom so that I'd hear it if it went off.) Well, I got up at nine...no Mom. Ran thru the usual gambit of contact points (email, FB), nope not there. When low and behold, who pops up on my IM list? This means that at 10am, Mom is still 2 hours from being here. At least. *Sigh* And we were supposed to get ALL of the chickens done today. At 10:35ish, Krys texts me and says they are on their way! Woohoo! Jim is out feeding the animals, and I'm cleaning up the kitchen.
You knew there was going to be another wrinkle, right? Yeah, there was. A big one. At about 11:30, Mom's rear tire blew out (no worries, only damage to human or vehicle was the loss of the tire). She called and asked Jim how to lower her spare, and he is GOOD, but not that good. Upon learning she only had the stock lug wrench, we both realized that we were about to embark upon Operation:Rescue. No way would Mom or the girls be able to break those lugnuts with the stock wrench, and Mom didn't have her 4-way in the van.
We got there. The damage to the tire was severe. But, like I said, that was the only damage done. Well, I'm sure all of them had a case of the jitters for a few minutes as a blowout will get anyone's blood pumping. Even Jim had trouble breaking the lugnuts loose, but he did, changed out the donut, and off we headed to the shop, hoping to find a tire, used or new, that we could replace the blowout with. No used, but we did find a new one.
So, given this wonderful turn of events, the chickens have earned a 3 week reprieve. Next weekend, we are transporting T-bone to the finish pasture and putting 2 pigs in the freezers. The weekend after that, Jim is in a wedding. Lucky birds.
You knew there was going to be another wrinkle, right? Yeah, there was. A big one. At about 11:30, Mom's rear tire blew out (no worries, only damage to human or vehicle was the loss of the tire). She called and asked Jim how to lower her spare, and he is GOOD, but not that good. Upon learning she only had the stock lug wrench, we both realized that we were about to embark upon Operation:Rescue. No way would Mom or the girls be able to break those lugnuts with the stock wrench, and Mom didn't have her 4-way in the van.
We got there. The damage to the tire was severe. But, like I said, that was the only damage done. Well, I'm sure all of them had a case of the jitters for a few minutes as a blowout will get anyone's blood pumping. Even Jim had trouble breaking the lugnuts loose, but he did, changed out the donut, and off we headed to the shop, hoping to find a tire, used or new, that we could replace the blowout with. No used, but we did find a new one.
So, given this wonderful turn of events, the chickens have earned a 3 week reprieve. Next weekend, we are transporting T-bone to the finish pasture and putting 2 pigs in the freezers. The weekend after that, Jim is in a wedding. Lucky birds.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wait......Honey, Why Are There 2 Cows Down There?
So, after the kids did the feeding, I was out checking on T-Bone (who is going to finish pasture) and Kahlani (who is due "in the fall") and the Sirs (who are next years eating). I have four cattle in front of me. These are my cattle. I know that. Then I looked along the northern pasture line and see two more large black spots off the eastern side of the pasture. Now, I've just come from the west pasture, and KNOW that Gumdrop and Squire are safely in there. What the Eck?
"Honey, why does it look like there are 2 cows down there? And one looks like a calf.."
Jim goes as far down the lane between the cow pasture and goat pen and sure enough...yep, cattle. Yep, one's a calf. Not sure if they are on our land or not, as we didn't have the time to go all the way over there.....but they didn't appear to be contained.
I've heard of dumped dogs...but dumped cattle? This is ridiculous! We can only hope that it's the backside neighbors cows. Right? Or else, I got more beef this year than I thought.
"Honey, why does it look like there are 2 cows down there? And one looks like a calf.."
Jim goes as far down the lane between the cow pasture and goat pen and sure enough...yep, cattle. Yep, one's a calf. Not sure if they are on our land or not, as we didn't have the time to go all the way over there.....but they didn't appear to be contained.
I've heard of dumped dogs...but dumped cattle? This is ridiculous! We can only hope that it's the backside neighbors cows. Right? Or else, I got more beef this year than I thought.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I Should Not Be Lazy...About Posting Pictures
I've been very slow at getting pictures posted. The interface at Photobucket irritated the heck out of me. I WILL get them done. I am just not quite sure when, as I just went over to try, and Flash 9 is needed to do the photo editing. I don't download anything onto a computer that isn't mine without permission.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
I Need A Vacation From My Vacation
So, this last weekend was Labor Day weekend. Labor is right. It's what we did, all weekend long.
Starting on Saturday, after Jim got off work, we went out to my mom's. We had three high priority jobs, and 2 lower priority jobs. Shay, her Dexter heifer, is due anytime in the next two weeks. (Still a heifer, this is her first calf). She's had a halter on her since we got her picked up on Valentine's Day. This was not intended or desired, and it was getting very tight. Shay just wouldn't let anyone walk up and mess with her head. Don't blame her, really, but my dad isn't the most livestock inclined man in the world, and couldn't (wouldn't?) help mom corral her and get the halter off. The buckling goats that are destined for food needed castrating. And last, but not least three pigs that needed moving from the South Field to the Hoophouse Pen.
As we got there, the new pig pen was just getting completed. Jim created a stall for Shay, and we got her squeezed in, and the halter off. Once she was squeezed up, and her head immobile, she was quite happy to let us remove the halter. It came right off. We spent about 10 or 15 minutes petting on her, and it gave me a chance to check her out, as Mom was questioning her pregnancy status. After looking her over, I came to the conclusion that yes, she's pregnant, but due closer to the end of her due date range, than the beginning.
Then we proceeded to trick the two bucklings into letting us have access to their hind ends. One boy was done easy enough, but the other one's testicles were very small and held extremely tightly against his body. We decided that rather than risk catching a ureter, we'd just leave him intact for now.
And then, the Great Pig Move. We got them out of the South Field okay, and they began heading northward, but soon saw Green Stuff. That looked much better than the short woman with the red bucket! And the pathway to their new home was somewhat cluttered by t-posts. The oldest kidlet and I moved those out of the way, while Jim, Mom and youngest kidlet rounded up the hogs. Jim eventually got one pig's nose IN the food bucket, and led it right into its new home. Rinse and repeat twice. All done!
The lower priority jobs were moving the goats southward, and moving the sheep northward. Didn't happen. Jim gets off work at 2, takes an hour to drive to mom's. By the time we'd gotten all that done, (doesn't sound like much, huh?), it was 7pm, and we still had a two hour drive home.
Sunday dawned, and we had more work to do. The trailer of hay (borrowed trailer, purchased hay) still had about 75 bales of hay on it that needed unloaded and stacked. Jim got it started, and I went out and helped by dropping hay off the trailer. Then I was off to return the trailer, and he was waiting for someone to come look at a couple of the goats we have here. I got back, Melvin still hadn't shown up, but was close. We visited with them for about 30 minutes, and they left. Time to shoot the Ram. It quickly became obvious that having the proper tools makes a job MUCH easier. Quartering the ram with out a saw was a time and muscle intensive task. Jim did all that work. We put the dismembered carcass into coolers and added ice to cool the meat. Monday would finish that job. On a good note, lamb tenderloins make a tasty meal.
Monday, Labor Day. Jim actually had the day off. From fixing cars anyway. So, in all my braininess, I'd told mom to come out and we'd off the chickens. Mom got here about 11, and we started working on them about 45 minutes later (the scalder water wasn't hot enough yet). Four hours later, we were done with nine chickens, but out of vacuum bags and had no freezer bags available either. So, we called that a day. Still have about 15 birds to do, plus a couple of ducks. The chickens were plenty fat, just not boob-heavy. And then I still had to grind up Ram. With out a meatsaw, or other handy dandy tools, grinding the meat was one of the best ways for us to stretch it out. Jim and I took about 1 1/2 hours to get it ground up, and then I put it in to packages.
Thank goodness it's Tuesday, and no major farm chores are in the offing!
Starting on Saturday, after Jim got off work, we went out to my mom's. We had three high priority jobs, and 2 lower priority jobs. Shay, her Dexter heifer, is due anytime in the next two weeks. (Still a heifer, this is her first calf). She's had a halter on her since we got her picked up on Valentine's Day. This was not intended or desired, and it was getting very tight. Shay just wouldn't let anyone walk up and mess with her head. Don't blame her, really, but my dad isn't the most livestock inclined man in the world, and couldn't (wouldn't?) help mom corral her and get the halter off. The buckling goats that are destined for food needed castrating. And last, but not least three pigs that needed moving from the South Field to the Hoophouse Pen.
As we got there, the new pig pen was just getting completed. Jim created a stall for Shay, and we got her squeezed in, and the halter off. Once she was squeezed up, and her head immobile, she was quite happy to let us remove the halter. It came right off. We spent about 10 or 15 minutes petting on her, and it gave me a chance to check her out, as Mom was questioning her pregnancy status. After looking her over, I came to the conclusion that yes, she's pregnant, but due closer to the end of her due date range, than the beginning.
Then we proceeded to trick the two bucklings into letting us have access to their hind ends. One boy was done easy enough, but the other one's testicles were very small and held extremely tightly against his body. We decided that rather than risk catching a ureter, we'd just leave him intact for now.
And then, the Great Pig Move. We got them out of the South Field okay, and they began heading northward, but soon saw Green Stuff. That looked much better than the short woman with the red bucket! And the pathway to their new home was somewhat cluttered by t-posts. The oldest kidlet and I moved those out of the way, while Jim, Mom and youngest kidlet rounded up the hogs. Jim eventually got one pig's nose IN the food bucket, and led it right into its new home. Rinse and repeat twice. All done!
The lower priority jobs were moving the goats southward, and moving the sheep northward. Didn't happen. Jim gets off work at 2, takes an hour to drive to mom's. By the time we'd gotten all that done, (doesn't sound like much, huh?), it was 7pm, and we still had a two hour drive home.
Sunday dawned, and we had more work to do. The trailer of hay (borrowed trailer, purchased hay) still had about 75 bales of hay on it that needed unloaded and stacked. Jim got it started, and I went out and helped by dropping hay off the trailer. Then I was off to return the trailer, and he was waiting for someone to come look at a couple of the goats we have here. I got back, Melvin still hadn't shown up, but was close. We visited with them for about 30 minutes, and they left. Time to shoot the Ram. It quickly became obvious that having the proper tools makes a job MUCH easier. Quartering the ram with out a saw was a time and muscle intensive task. Jim did all that work. We put the dismembered carcass into coolers and added ice to cool the meat. Monday would finish that job. On a good note, lamb tenderloins make a tasty meal.
Monday, Labor Day. Jim actually had the day off. From fixing cars anyway. So, in all my braininess, I'd told mom to come out and we'd off the chickens. Mom got here about 11, and we started working on them about 45 minutes later (the scalder water wasn't hot enough yet). Four hours later, we were done with nine chickens, but out of vacuum bags and had no freezer bags available either. So, we called that a day. Still have about 15 birds to do, plus a couple of ducks. The chickens were plenty fat, just not boob-heavy. And then I still had to grind up Ram. With out a meatsaw, or other handy dandy tools, grinding the meat was one of the best ways for us to stretch it out. Jim and I took about 1 1/2 hours to get it ground up, and then I put it in to packages.
Thank goodness it's Tuesday, and no major farm chores are in the offing!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Hay! It's What's For Dinner.
Earlier this week, I picked up a load of hay, stacked on a 24 foot trailer. Today was the day we unloaded that hay. It didn't take as long as I feared it would, and I had the trailer back to it's owner before 2pm. My chickens, dog, and loose goat seem to think the hay stack is a great place to play.
Fortunately, the chickens won't be a problem much longer. Tomorrow is the great chicken processing, during which, we will process each and everyone of those darned chickens.
The other job for today is to take care of Ram. He's being a butt. He's done his duty by the girls, so now it's time for him to do his duty by the family, and provide us with meat for the next month or so.
While we are building up our breeding stock, we tend to get to eat whatever we kill for a while. Starting next year, however, we should be able to put enough different meats in the freezer that we will have a choice of meats to sup on.
Fortunately, the chickens won't be a problem much longer. Tomorrow is the great chicken processing, during which, we will process each and everyone of those darned chickens.
The other job for today is to take care of Ram. He's being a butt. He's done his duty by the girls, so now it's time for him to do his duty by the family, and provide us with meat for the next month or so.
While we are building up our breeding stock, we tend to get to eat whatever we kill for a while. Starting next year, however, we should be able to put enough different meats in the freezer that we will have a choice of meats to sup on.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Accidental Gardening and Having the OSU Extension Agent Out
For the second summer in a row, we have tomato plants sprout up in the most unexpected of places. Now if I can just keep the birds off of them. I have 2 of my own plants that have fruits on them, and 2 that seem to have succumbed to something.
I contacted Pawnee County Extention Agent, finally, and he is gonna come out here, tell me what I HAVE, and what I need to do to improve the pastures.
On another good note, the kiddo got her camera today, so I can take pictures and get some posted!
I contacted Pawnee County Extention Agent, finally, and he is gonna come out here, tell me what I HAVE, and what I need to do to improve the pastures.
On another good note, the kiddo got her camera today, so I can take pictures and get some posted!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Unhappy Cows
Well, T-Bone and Kahlani aren't really happy about the Squire's and Gumdrop's move to the front pasture. They were bellowing about it half the night. What they don't seem to grasp is that they were given the opportunity to move up front with their fellows, but failed to take that opportunity.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Check, Check, Check
Well, there were three things I wanted to accomplish this weekend.
1. Get Joan's feet on the way to recovery. They were terribly overgrown. Check.
2. Get the pigs moved. The 16 x 16 pen was completely in mud, especially with the rain we've had this week. Check, and bonus: their new place is bigger.
3. Get the 3 Dexters up front (Squire, Gumdrop, Kahlani). Well, I got Gumdrop and Squire, but Kahlani wasn't quite ready to trust the small round woman with the blue bucket. But that blue bucket sure sounded good. So, mostly check. The bull is now back on a huge amount of grass, and his intended is with him.
1. Get Joan's feet on the way to recovery. They were terribly overgrown. Check.
2. Get the pigs moved. The 16 x 16 pen was completely in mud, especially with the rain we've had this week. Check, and bonus: their new place is bigger.
3. Get the 3 Dexters up front (Squire, Gumdrop, Kahlani). Well, I got Gumdrop and Squire, but Kahlani wasn't quite ready to trust the small round woman with the blue bucket. But that blue bucket sure sounded good. So, mostly check. The bull is now back on a huge amount of grass, and his intended is with him.
Friday, August 21, 2009
8 Days
Only eight days remain before we get 50 little chickies to raise to eating age! Ok, so I plan on keeping some of them as layers/self-perpetuating flock chickens.
The other things on this weekend's agenda are finishing the other cow pasture and moving the steers over and trimming goat feet. Specifically, Joan's rear feet. They are AWFUL. I'm embarrassed that they have gotten this bad.
Somewhere in that eight days, I celebrate my 10th anniversary! It's amazing that the man stuck with me for 10 years, I'm telling you! Of course, it's a no money anniversary. Not even enough to go out on. Not enough to get a special meal together either. Oh well, at least we have each other, right?
The other things on this weekend's agenda are finishing the other cow pasture and moving the steers over and trimming goat feet. Specifically, Joan's rear feet. They are AWFUL. I'm embarrassed that they have gotten this bad.
Somewhere in that eight days, I celebrate my 10th anniversary! It's amazing that the man stuck with me for 10 years, I'm telling you! Of course, it's a no money anniversary. Not even enough to go out on. Not enough to get a special meal together either. Oh well, at least we have each other, right?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
How Much Rain Does It Take?
This is one of the rainiest summers on record, I swear. More storms and rain that went on for hours hit us last night and this morning.
We've had rain for the last few days, and while it is keeping everything nice and coolish (for August), the mud is becoming an issue here and there. Not to mention, the toll the weather is taking on my animal shelters. They are collapsing. Time to rebuild, and coat the exteriors with exterior paint. That was something we didn't think about, but I'm sure it will help.
We've had rain for the last few days, and while it is keeping everything nice and coolish (for August), the mud is becoming an issue here and there. Not to mention, the toll the weather is taking on my animal shelters. They are collapsing. Time to rebuild, and coat the exteriors with exterior paint. That was something we didn't think about, but I'm sure it will help.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wow, Muscovies!
Well, barter is alive and well in the world, right? So, mom paid for my broilers, and I picked up her Muscovy ducklings. These guys are 12 - 13 weeks old. There is an assortment of males and females. There are eight. Four of them are black bodied and a variation of white/black speckling on the head. The other four are white based, varying from almost pure white to blue splash.
I agreed with Jim about having ducks. We were given the Rouens. He likes the mallard look...but I like the Muscovies! Oh well, we'll see how things work out.
Now, let's talk about rain. I like rain, especially in the hot, hot summer. It rained yesterday, it was raining again when I got up. It's supposed to rain tomorrow.
Someone mentioned on a list that most years her goats have begun the winter coat growth by now. I haven't been very observant of this, except I did notice they kept their winter coats quite late this year. Given that nighttime temperatures were in the 50s in June this year, I can see why. Everyone has awesome looking summer coats right now.
I agreed with Jim about having ducks. We were given the Rouens. He likes the mallard look...but I like the Muscovies! Oh well, we'll see how things work out.
Now, let's talk about rain. I like rain, especially in the hot, hot summer. It rained yesterday, it was raining again when I got up. It's supposed to rain tomorrow.
Someone mentioned on a list that most years her goats have begun the winter coat growth by now. I haven't been very observant of this, except I did notice they kept their winter coats quite late this year. Given that nighttime temperatures were in the 50s in June this year, I can see why. Everyone has awesome looking summer coats right now.
Monday, August 17, 2009
What.......Wait.....No Boobs?
Yesterday we wanted to slaughter chickens. You know, so we could eat them. Jim and I bled and plucked the first two, and sent them in to the eviserator (my mother) and the bagger (the oldest kid). Mom came out and said, "These chicken have no boobs, we should wait." So, we had heated up the water for 2 chickens. Oh well, we'll give them 2 or 3 more weeks. But then they gotta GO! Seriously, these birds are 5 months old.
Jim finished making some modifications on the pig pen to keep the B&B boys in. Seems to be working. Now we just need to move the pen. There's always work to be done, isn't there.
Yesterday, I ambled over to my tomato plants. No tomatoes, but lots of flowers. The temperatures are supposed to be cooler...so, maybe I'll get lucky before the end of October!
We are trying to figure out how to move the pigs at Mom's house to our house. One gilt and the barrow are for eating, but the other gilt is to get up close and personal with Willy. Authorized pig sex. To result in authorized piglets. To result in authorized pork! I am surprisingly fond of the pigs that we have right now. Willy just wants you to scritch his back...get him in the right spot and he just flops over. It's amusing to watch, really.
All my city friends think I'm crazy, but they do not know what they are missing. Homegrown meat is just delicious. We looked at the sheep yesterday, and the ram has done his conjugal duty, and now it is time to go to Freezer Camp for him. All we are waiting for now is the engine hoist (hey, necessity is the mother of invention) and a coolish morning.
Jim finished making some modifications on the pig pen to keep the B&B boys in. Seems to be working. Now we just need to move the pen. There's always work to be done, isn't there.
Yesterday, I ambled over to my tomato plants. No tomatoes, but lots of flowers. The temperatures are supposed to be cooler...so, maybe I'll get lucky before the end of October!
We are trying to figure out how to move the pigs at Mom's house to our house. One gilt and the barrow are for eating, but the other gilt is to get up close and personal with Willy. Authorized pig sex. To result in authorized piglets. To result in authorized pork! I am surprisingly fond of the pigs that we have right now. Willy just wants you to scritch his back...get him in the right spot and he just flops over. It's amusing to watch, really.
All my city friends think I'm crazy, but they do not know what they are missing. Homegrown meat is just delicious. We looked at the sheep yesterday, and the ram has done his conjugal duty, and now it is time to go to Freezer Camp for him. All we are waiting for now is the engine hoist (hey, necessity is the mother of invention) and a coolish morning.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
This Little Piggie........
Ok, so, we went out this morning and found our 2 newest piggies, Boston and Bacon, in the pen with the big boy pigs, LP and Willy. Even more amazing, LP & Willy were letting the B&B boys eat with them. The big boys weren't even trying to run off the little guys!
The funniest thing to happen today? T-Bone scared the bejeezus out of the 15 year old. Somehow, the fence was left off, and T-Bone decided the grass looked greener on the other side. Said child was feeding pigs when T-Bone crossed behind her, scaring her witless.
Once we got hay down one end of the pasture to entice the other cattle away from the gate, it was a fairly simple 3 girl operation. I held the feed buckets and walked in front, the youngest manned the gate, and the oldest manned the fence charger. Done deal. The easiest cow round up ever.
The funniest thing to happen today? T-Bone scared the bejeezus out of the 15 year old. Somehow, the fence was left off, and T-Bone decided the grass looked greener on the other side. Said child was feeding pigs when T-Bone crossed behind her, scaring her witless.
Once we got hay down one end of the pasture to entice the other cattle away from the gate, it was a fairly simple 3 girl operation. I held the feed buckets and walked in front, the youngest manned the gate, and the oldest manned the fence charger. Done deal. The easiest cow round up ever.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Escapees, Loud Cows and Whatnot
So, the two little piggies we brought home a little over a while ago, Boston and Bacon, are still hanging around. This is good. They don't want to be caught. This is NOT so good. But having seen them over by their little house, and feeding area this morning has given me hope.
Willy and LP are very friendly. Willy loves to be scritched. I'm beginning to become fond of him. Maybe it's the fact that it's a round-a-bout way to my relatives back in England. My Great-Uncle named all of his boars Willy. It seemed appropriate. I just felt a layer of peace come over me when my mother related that to me, a total sense of rightness. LP stands for Little Pig. That's cuz he's littler than Willy, and he isn't ours, but since he's around for a bit, I needed something to talk at him with. I really prefer all my critters be sociable.
Gumdrop appears to have stopped sounding like a love sick Manatee. Thank Goodness! Wow, that was like 3 days of annoying noise, I'm telling you. Why no one told me that cows in heat were every bit as loud as weanling calves I don't know. Since Squire was kinda showing off his bidness, I figured that's what was going on. As well as some physical changes I noticed on Gumdrop. These things I learned for myself. Boy, am I proud of myself. LOL!
I am looking for an aerial photograph of the property, so that we can draw in the pastures and paddocks. We were discussing it last night, and we can put in a series of about six to eight pastures, each with paddocks in them for rotational grazing, and yet maintain one feeding area. This minimizes the amount of land damaged by hayfall. We need to get 2 hay racks put up, and that will help a lot too. There are a couple of kinks to work out...aka, keeping heifers and bull away from each other. Same with kids and lambs that still have there whatnots. I'm trying to work pigs into the grand scheme also, and we'll probably put the chickens in the middle, to let them have the run of the place....Not so sure on that yet, as they really should follow through with the goats, to pick through the cowpies. I know the rotation is cattle, goats/sheep, chickens. I'm just not sure where to put the pigs into the rotation.
I've been reading Steven Solomon's Gardening When It Counts. This is an eye-opening book. He assumes you know absolutely nothing about creating a garden from scratch! I'm consolidating thoughts on my gardening strategy, as well as everything else. I'm just wondering if my brain will overload from the copious amounts of input I keep stuffing in there!
Willy and LP are very friendly. Willy loves to be scritched. I'm beginning to become fond of him. Maybe it's the fact that it's a round-a-bout way to my relatives back in England. My Great-Uncle named all of his boars Willy. It seemed appropriate. I just felt a layer of peace come over me when my mother related that to me, a total sense of rightness. LP stands for Little Pig. That's cuz he's littler than Willy, and he isn't ours, but since he's around for a bit, I needed something to talk at him with. I really prefer all my critters be sociable.
Gumdrop appears to have stopped sounding like a love sick Manatee. Thank Goodness! Wow, that was like 3 days of annoying noise, I'm telling you. Why no one told me that cows in heat were every bit as loud as weanling calves I don't know. Since Squire was kinda showing off his bidness, I figured that's what was going on. As well as some physical changes I noticed on Gumdrop. These things I learned for myself. Boy, am I proud of myself. LOL!
I am looking for an aerial photograph of the property, so that we can draw in the pastures and paddocks. We were discussing it last night, and we can put in a series of about six to eight pastures, each with paddocks in them for rotational grazing, and yet maintain one feeding area. This minimizes the amount of land damaged by hayfall. We need to get 2 hay racks put up, and that will help a lot too. There are a couple of kinks to work out...aka, keeping heifers and bull away from each other. Same with kids and lambs that still have there whatnots. I'm trying to work pigs into the grand scheme also, and we'll probably put the chickens in the middle, to let them have the run of the place....Not so sure on that yet, as they really should follow through with the goats, to pick through the cowpies. I know the rotation is cattle, goats/sheep, chickens. I'm just not sure where to put the pigs into the rotation.
I've been reading Steven Solomon's Gardening When It Counts. This is an eye-opening book. He assumes you know absolutely nothing about creating a garden from scratch! I'm consolidating thoughts on my gardening strategy, as well as everything else. I'm just wondering if my brain will overload from the copious amounts of input I keep stuffing in there!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
No One Warned Me About These Things
Gumdrop, has been making the MOST god awful noises beginning 2 or so days ago, and ended sometime after I left here yesterday. I finally decided she was either in heat, or constipated.
Seriously, cows should come with a warning label: EXPECT no sleep while cycling is occuring. Holy Cannolis.
ON a positive note, Squire never left her side during the ordeal. It was an ordeal for me, ok? Wow, you could hear her inside, in the kids' bathroom, and she was on the far side of the pasture at the time. Yikes.
I'm beginning to get a solid picture in my head of where the paddocks will be for stock movement. Now I just need more wire, and more t-posts and more step-ins. I'm trying to decide exactly how to move critters around too.
Seriously, cows should come with a warning label: EXPECT no sleep while cycling is occuring. Holy Cannolis.
ON a positive note, Squire never left her side during the ordeal. It was an ordeal for me, ok? Wow, you could hear her inside, in the kids' bathroom, and she was on the far side of the pasture at the time. Yikes.
I'm beginning to get a solid picture in my head of where the paddocks will be for stock movement. Now I just need more wire, and more t-posts and more step-ins. I'm trying to decide exactly how to move critters around too.
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
We meant to have the new steer pasture up by the time we got the bull. Didn't quite happen.
So, now the Dexter Gang are getting along great, and think the dairy steers are just twits that need to be gone.
So, now the Dexter Gang are getting along great, and think the dairy steers are just twits that need to be gone.
New Addition
Gladhour Squire had made his way to the farm and is settling nicely. It was a 21 hour day, but....Gumdrop likes him. YEY!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Little Pig, Little Pig, Let Me OUT!
Ok, so last night we got home...and the pigs were out. They didn't go anywhere. They aren't stupid. But they were not in their pen. Turns out that the bottom snapbolt had broken that morning, and the doohicky Jim used to keep the bottom shut had come off and they made a break for it!
Well, getting Willy back in was easy. I just opened up the pen, and in he went. LP was a bit more difficult, but after a few false starts, we got him worked back into the pen.
I guess they'd had enough freedom as they could handle!
Well, getting Willy back in was easy. I just opened up the pen, and in he went. LP was a bit more difficult, but after a few false starts, we got him worked back into the pen.
I guess they'd had enough freedom as they could handle!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Chickens on the Loose and Cow Pasture Politics
So, my chickens have given one of our geese naughty ideas. One of the geese has decided to wander around free. Silly goose. Now we toss feed to the chickens outside of the pen, there is water available, and lots and lots of green stuff to eat. But, the goose doesn't appear to be eating or drinking, even when we put her back into her pen. I wish I knew how she was escaping.
You know, you'd think that the dairy steers, being bigger than the Dexters would rule the pasture. Nope. The natural order of things (at least to them) is Gumdrop, T-Bone, new cow, Sir Loin and then Sir Lunchalot. It is a pasture run by the little guys. It goes to prove that dynamite comes in small packages.
I'm really looking forward to getting T-bone into the freezer. Fresh beef in the freezer, yummo. So, between now and December, we will have 1 lamb, 1 pig and 1/2 of a steer to put into the freezer.
I am trying to figure out the fall/winter garden, so maybe I'll have some veggies to go with that.
You know, you'd think that the dairy steers, being bigger than the Dexters would rule the pasture. Nope. The natural order of things (at least to them) is Gumdrop, T-Bone, new cow, Sir Loin and then Sir Lunchalot. It is a pasture run by the little guys. It goes to prove that dynamite comes in small packages.
I'm really looking forward to getting T-bone into the freezer. Fresh beef in the freezer, yummo. So, between now and December, we will have 1 lamb, 1 pig and 1/2 of a steer to put into the freezer.
I am trying to figure out the fall/winter garden, so maybe I'll have some veggies to go with that.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Don't I Feel Stupid!
Well, Saturday, we got home and were doing the usual nose count. Yep, nine Rouen ducks. Wait, hadn't I decided we had NINE hens? Yes, yes I had. Then why are over 1/2 of them suddenly sprouting green head feathers? Um, those are males. Yes, I made a mistake. I honestly thought they'd all already put on their young adult feathers. Read, sex-distinguishing feathers. ARRGH. There is only ONE that I'm reasonably sure is female. Oh boy, oh boy. Duck a la'range.....nummy!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mother Nature Does Herself Proud
Last night, I was having a nice conversation online with a friend in Florida; Jim was having a conversation with a friend of ours in Pennsylvania.....and the storm hit. Knocked out power for a couple of hours. But I'm glad for the rain.
However, there were some casualties. Three of our chickens didn't survive the storm. What did them in, we can't say. But Strider will appreciate the addition to his diet, I'm sure.
However, there were some casualties. Three of our chickens didn't survive the storm. What did them in, we can't say. But Strider will appreciate the addition to his diet, I'm sure.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Favorite Summertime Desert Recipe
Ok, this is one of my very favorite summertime treats. I don't make it anywhere as often as I want to, because, it's very rich, and very high in calories.
3 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
3 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
1 box of Nilla wafers or graham crackers
Chocolate syrup
Kahlua
6 toffee candy bars, crushed
Grind up enough wafers to cover the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan plus enough to cover the ice cream layer in a few minutes. Put the chocolate ice cream over the crumbs, spreading it evenly. Put about 1/2 of the candy bars on top of the ice cream. Drizzle with 1 - 2 TBSP each of Kahlua and chocolate syrup. Top with the other 1/2 of the crumbs. Spread vanilla ice cream over the crumbs. Top with remaining candy bars, and about the same of Kahlua and chocolate syrup.
Place in freezer for a few hours until the ice cream has refrozen. Remove the collar of the pan, and slice.
MMM, heaven.
3 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
3 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
1 box of Nilla wafers or graham crackers
Chocolate syrup
Kahlua
6 toffee candy bars, crushed
Grind up enough wafers to cover the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan plus enough to cover the ice cream layer in a few minutes. Put the chocolate ice cream over the crumbs, spreading it evenly. Put about 1/2 of the candy bars on top of the ice cream. Drizzle with 1 - 2 TBSP each of Kahlua and chocolate syrup. Top with the other 1/2 of the crumbs. Spread vanilla ice cream over the crumbs. Top with remaining candy bars, and about the same of Kahlua and chocolate syrup.
Place in freezer for a few hours until the ice cream has refrozen. Remove the collar of the pan, and slice.
MMM, heaven.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Trip To Missouri and a Plan For the Future
Saturday was a very long day. I got up at 6:15am, along with Jim and the kids, to take care of our critters before we all left for the day. Jim took Krys with him, so that she could go to gymnastics camp, and Alex went with me.
Alex and I arrived at Mom's, in the truck, with what had been 10 bales of alfalfa hay, but was actually only 9 now. Sir Lunchalot and Sir Loin really enjoyed that other bale! Lesson learned. Do not leave truck in the pasture if it has hay on it. Dairy steers don't need to climb on the back, they just reach over and grab it mouthful by mouthful.
Mom wasn't doing so well, so Alex and I finished up her chores, while she sat down and caught her breath. Her doctor has her so messed up, it's NOT funny. Mom got all cleaned up, and off to Missouri we went. We made two stops, one in Choteau for some breakfast and one in Pryor for a bag of chick feed. We traveled up through Joplin and Kansas City without incident.
Mom and I took the travel time to discuss plans, ideas and goals. We are moving slowly toward having all of our meat home raised, and to a time where our income from the sale of animals will cover the feed for the rest of the crew. Then with the gardens, we plan to produce most of our produce needs. Add in fruit trees/brambles, and we hope to reduce the need for "grocery" shopping by about 95%. Our only purchases will be things that we can't produce here or at Mom's.
We got to Gladhour Farm, and proceeded to spend the next three hours looking at Dexters. We saw mommas and babies, and daddies too. We had a very informative tour guide, and she was perfectly willing to answer all our questions. And we had many. But being able to actually see so many different animals was a blessing, in that we now have a better picture in our heads as to what we are looking for. And then we looked at the four bulls we had gone up to see. Two were fairly easy to eliminate from our list. One because his rear assembly was off, and the other because he just didn't seem right for us. That left the choice between Squire and Tobylite. If we needed two bulls, or could afford them, or had the room for them, I think we would have taken them both. But, we had to choose. After about 30 to 45 minutes of discussion, we settled on Squire. He is the older of the two, and does carry the color genetics we are looking for. Jim and I will go pick him up on August 2nd, and bring him home.
It's a relief to know that we have things rolling for the future. I'm excited, and know that I have a lot of work to do, to get things going in the right direction. Mentally, I know I'm up for the challenge. I only hope that I can get the physical part to cooperate.
Alex and I arrived at Mom's, in the truck, with what had been 10 bales of alfalfa hay, but was actually only 9 now. Sir Lunchalot and Sir Loin really enjoyed that other bale! Lesson learned. Do not leave truck in the pasture if it has hay on it. Dairy steers don't need to climb on the back, they just reach over and grab it mouthful by mouthful.
Mom wasn't doing so well, so Alex and I finished up her chores, while she sat down and caught her breath. Her doctor has her so messed up, it's NOT funny. Mom got all cleaned up, and off to Missouri we went. We made two stops, one in Choteau for some breakfast and one in Pryor for a bag of chick feed. We traveled up through Joplin and Kansas City without incident.
Mom and I took the travel time to discuss plans, ideas and goals. We are moving slowly toward having all of our meat home raised, and to a time where our income from the sale of animals will cover the feed for the rest of the crew. Then with the gardens, we plan to produce most of our produce needs. Add in fruit trees/brambles, and we hope to reduce the need for "grocery" shopping by about 95%. Our only purchases will be things that we can't produce here or at Mom's.
We got to Gladhour Farm, and proceeded to spend the next three hours looking at Dexters. We saw mommas and babies, and daddies too. We had a very informative tour guide, and she was perfectly willing to answer all our questions. And we had many. But being able to actually see so many different animals was a blessing, in that we now have a better picture in our heads as to what we are looking for. And then we looked at the four bulls we had gone up to see. Two were fairly easy to eliminate from our list. One because his rear assembly was off, and the other because he just didn't seem right for us. That left the choice between Squire and Tobylite. If we needed two bulls, or could afford them, or had the room for them, I think we would have taken them both. But, we had to choose. After about 30 to 45 minutes of discussion, we settled on Squire. He is the older of the two, and does carry the color genetics we are looking for. Jim and I will go pick him up on August 2nd, and bring him home.
It's a relief to know that we have things rolling for the future. I'm excited, and know that I have a lot of work to do, to get things going in the right direction. Mentally, I know I'm up for the challenge. I only hope that I can get the physical part to cooperate.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Buzzwords of Growing Stuff Like They Used To
I was reading in The Beginning Farmer blog today about the meaning of organic, sustainable, natural and local as they pertain to the labeling of foods we purchase. I wanted to take the time to put my own views out there.
The term "organic" used to mean something, and people used it to denote a return the the old ways, growing things without pesticides and commercial fertilizer. Then the USDA got involved, and defined the term. No longer can we use the term in reference to our own grown products to sell unless we have spent a large amount of money being "certified." And in the end, the USDA has all but adulterated this term. They have determined an amount of pesticide and fertilizer residue that can be found on those things labeled organic. What can I say, even "organic" isn't organic anymore, especially in reference to dairy products.
Here's what the USDA has to say about "organic": What "organic" really means under federal law:
"100 Percent Organic" products must show an ingredient list, the name
and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer,
manufacturer, packer, processor) of the finished product, and the name
and seal of the organic certifier. These products should contain no
chemicals, additives, synthetics, pesticides or genetically engineered
substances.
"USDA Organic" products must contain at least 95 percent organic
ingredients. The five percent non-organic ingredients could include
additives or synthetics if they are on an approved list. The label must
contain a list that identifies the organic, as well as the non-organic,
ingredients in the product, and the name of the organic certifier.
"Made With Organic" products must contain at least 70 percent organic
ingredients. The label must contain a list that identifies the organic,
as well as the non-organic, ingredients in the product, along with the
name of the organic certifier.
If a product contains less than 70 percent organic ingredients, it
cannot use the word "organic" on the packaging or display panel, and the
only place an organic claim can be made is on the ingredient label.
"Sustainable" is a buzzword used to mean that the inputs required for growing something, whether that be vegetable, grain or meat, are produced at the same location. For example, the cattle that run on the pasture also fertilize it, and if you keep the cattle out long enough will be used by the grasses growing in that pasture to provide more forage for the cows or whatever else you have running through there. The debate rages around what is sustainable and what is not.
The "Natural" buzzword is also taking a beating. Dairy farms are using the consumers' preconceived notion of natural to round up milk from thousands of animals, and package it with "Natural" on the carton. Natural used to mean completely unadulterated. Dairies are now saying the only thing guaranteed "natural" about their milk is that the animals it came from aren't given any hormones.
"Local" can mean anything from on your farm only, or from farms with in a 15, 25, 50, or even 100 mile radius. Local today can be quite relative.
What do these words mean to me?
Let's start with what appears to be the easiest. "Natural." To me, that means I'm not giving my animals hormones, unnecessary wormers or vaccinations. Are they healthy, heck yes. For my plants, that means they get water, and compost, and no commercial fertilizer or pesticide is used. By commercial, I mean lab-cooked. There are some bio-residue fertilizers and pest controls that I could use. Bone meal and blood meal are two such fertilizers (with specific purposes) and lady bugs and preying mantis are pest controls.
But, what happens if my goats get wormy, or the incidence of blackleg in cattle is so high in my area that NOT vaccinating them is far worse than actually giving the shot. In times of old, vaccines weren't available. Neither were worming medications. How did our ancestors overcome these issues? Population densities of people AND animals were not as great then as they are today. Epidemics were not as far reaching, because contact between the ill (or soon to be ill) was not as quick as it is now. I can be exposed to xyz today, fly to China tomorrow, and expose a vast number of people in between, and I haven't even shown any symptoms yet. Animals weren't contained by the thousands on feed lots to "feed them up" before slaughter, butchering, and shipping off thousands of miles away. The fall slaughter of meat was done on your own family farm. This is obviously before the Industrial Revolution took so many people to the city for manufacturing jobs. Most people living in town still had land near by on which they grew their food. After all, there was safety in numbers, so the central village is a recurring theme seen throughout history. If you had more than what you needed, you bartered with neighbors or traveling traders for what you couldn't grow that you DID need.
"Organic" is defined (at dictionary.com) as "noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals, but that now includes all other compounds of carbon" and the second definition on the same site "characteristic of, pertaining to, or derived from living organisms." To me, that means organic produce, or meat, should not be using any fertilizer, pesticide, medication or vaccine that can not be created with only living (or formerly living) organisms. Most vaccines can qualify, assuming they don't have metal carrying agents, as they are usually modified live organism or killed organism based. Most medications have their history in plant-based derivations. But because you can't reliably produce those parts day after day, laboratory equivalents came into being. The same thing happened with pesticides and fertilizers. Using truly organic methods takes time, effort and a knowledge base, and I applaud those who actually follow through with the intent of the term rather than the current legislated term.
Lastly, we come to "sustainable." Can a system be truly sustainable, if we are taking things out of it, in the form of the plants and meat we eat? Are we returning enough nutrients back into that system to counteract that which we harvest. I want my place to be sustainable, that is, I don't need to bring in any composting materials, any fertilizers (natural, organic or not), and I certainly don't use pesticides (I pick off bugs, drop them in water, then feed them to the chickens.) But is it enough? At this time, the sustainability of my farm is not there. I bring in feed grains for my goats and cows, they aren't yet completely pasture fed. I see sustainability as a goal to be reached for, but I do not forsee my place as being 100% with out inputs from the outside world. (We still have to pay the mortgage, after all.)
The term "organic" used to mean something, and people used it to denote a return the the old ways, growing things without pesticides and commercial fertilizer. Then the USDA got involved, and defined the term. No longer can we use the term in reference to our own grown products to sell unless we have spent a large amount of money being "certified." And in the end, the USDA has all but adulterated this term. They have determined an amount of pesticide and fertilizer residue that can be found on those things labeled organic. What can I say, even "organic" isn't organic anymore, especially in reference to dairy products.
Here's what the USDA has to say about "organic": What "organic" really means under federal law:
"100 Percent Organic" products must show an ingredient list, the name
and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer,
manufacturer, packer, processor) of the finished product, and the name
and seal of the organic certifier. These products should contain no
chemicals, additives, synthetics, pesticides or genetically engineered
substances.
"USDA Organic" products must contain at least 95 percent organic
ingredients. The five percent non-organic ingredients could include
additives or synthetics if they are on an approved list. The label must
contain a list that identifies the organic, as well as the non-organic,
ingredients in the product, and the name of the organic certifier.
"Made With Organic" products must contain at least 70 percent organic
ingredients. The label must contain a list that identifies the organic,
as well as the non-organic, ingredients in the product, along with the
name of the organic certifier.
If a product contains less than 70 percent organic ingredients, it
cannot use the word "organic" on the packaging or display panel, and the
only place an organic claim can be made is on the ingredient label.
"Sustainable" is a buzzword used to mean that the inputs required for growing something, whether that be vegetable, grain or meat, are produced at the same location. For example, the cattle that run on the pasture also fertilize it, and if you keep the cattle out long enough will be used by the grasses growing in that pasture to provide more forage for the cows or whatever else you have running through there. The debate rages around what is sustainable and what is not.
The "Natural" buzzword is also taking a beating. Dairy farms are using the consumers' preconceived notion of natural to round up milk from thousands of animals, and package it with "Natural" on the carton. Natural used to mean completely unadulterated. Dairies are now saying the only thing guaranteed "natural" about their milk is that the animals it came from aren't given any hormones.
"Local" can mean anything from on your farm only, or from farms with in a 15, 25, 50, or even 100 mile radius. Local today can be quite relative.
What do these words mean to me?
Let's start with what appears to be the easiest. "Natural." To me, that means I'm not giving my animals hormones, unnecessary wormers or vaccinations. Are they healthy, heck yes. For my plants, that means they get water, and compost, and no commercial fertilizer or pesticide is used. By commercial, I mean lab-cooked. There are some bio-residue fertilizers and pest controls that I could use. Bone meal and blood meal are two such fertilizers (with specific purposes) and lady bugs and preying mantis are pest controls.
But, what happens if my goats get wormy, or the incidence of blackleg in cattle is so high in my area that NOT vaccinating them is far worse than actually giving the shot. In times of old, vaccines weren't available. Neither were worming medications. How did our ancestors overcome these issues? Population densities of people AND animals were not as great then as they are today. Epidemics were not as far reaching, because contact between the ill (or soon to be ill) was not as quick as it is now. I can be exposed to xyz today, fly to China tomorrow, and expose a vast number of people in between, and I haven't even shown any symptoms yet. Animals weren't contained by the thousands on feed lots to "feed them up" before slaughter, butchering, and shipping off thousands of miles away. The fall slaughter of meat was done on your own family farm. This is obviously before the Industrial Revolution took so many people to the city for manufacturing jobs. Most people living in town still had land near by on which they grew their food. After all, there was safety in numbers, so the central village is a recurring theme seen throughout history. If you had more than what you needed, you bartered with neighbors or traveling traders for what you couldn't grow that you DID need.
"Organic" is defined (at dictionary.com) as "noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals, but that now includes all other compounds of carbon" and the second definition on the same site "characteristic of, pertaining to, or derived from living organisms." To me, that means organic produce, or meat, should not be using any fertilizer, pesticide, medication or vaccine that can not be created with only living (or formerly living) organisms. Most vaccines can qualify, assuming they don't have metal carrying agents, as they are usually modified live organism or killed organism based. Most medications have their history in plant-based derivations. But because you can't reliably produce those parts day after day, laboratory equivalents came into being. The same thing happened with pesticides and fertilizers. Using truly organic methods takes time, effort and a knowledge base, and I applaud those who actually follow through with the intent of the term rather than the current legislated term.
Lastly, we come to "sustainable." Can a system be truly sustainable, if we are taking things out of it, in the form of the plants and meat we eat? Are we returning enough nutrients back into that system to counteract that which we harvest. I want my place to be sustainable, that is, I don't need to bring in any composting materials, any fertilizers (natural, organic or not), and I certainly don't use pesticides (I pick off bugs, drop them in water, then feed them to the chickens.) But is it enough? At this time, the sustainability of my farm is not there. I bring in feed grains for my goats and cows, they aren't yet completely pasture fed. I see sustainability as a goal to be reached for, but I do not forsee my place as being 100% with out inputs from the outside world. (We still have to pay the mortgage, after all.)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Smokey
So, today I'm putting up the pictures Smokey.
Smokey is our first purebred Nubian. He was born on May 4th. The first picture was taken about a month ago, the second one taken on Monday.
His looks are very heavily influenced by his Dadday, Bart. This is Bart's only purebred buckling. Goosey is his Momma.
Pictures of the other goats and the sheep are forthcoming.
Smokey is our first purebred Nubian. He was born on May 4th. The first picture was taken about a month ago, the second one taken on Monday.
His looks are very heavily influenced by his Dadday, Bart. This is Bart's only purebred buckling. Goosey is his Momma.
Pictures of the other goats and the sheep are forthcoming.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Yes, I Actually Followed Thru
I took pictures. I have an album of plants that need identified, and a whole load of new animal pictures. I'm just going to post the best ones here. Today, the cattle.
Gumdrop is our first cow; she is twelve years old. She lost her calf in June, and we are looking forward to re-breeding her in August.
T-Bone is this years beef steer. He is currently living the good life at our farm, enjoying the grass and some grain. This fall, he will take a trip to the butcher, and come home in nice little white packages. Hey, this IS a farm, folks. We eat what we raise here. He is shown here with the new Dexter we picked up yesterday on his right. She is bred for a fall calf. So, with in the next 90 days, we should have a new baby on the ground. T-Bone is on the left, the new girl is on the right. We are still deciding on a name for her.
Saturday, we spent the entire day chasing after cattle, one way or another. I already related that in Saturday's post. I have a few pictures of these guys, they are too cool.
The first one here is Sir Loin. Jim and I went after them. We decided this is the one we want to keep. We name our food animals with food names.
Here is a pic of mom's steer. He's a little bit smaller than Sir Loin. But in 18 months time, it will be just as yummy to eat.
And here is my favorite. The back of the pickup has 9 bales of alfalfa in it. This isn't cheap stuff. And the steers are shown here stealing a nibble out of the rear-most bale.
Gumdrop is our first cow; she is twelve years old. She lost her calf in June, and we are looking forward to re-breeding her in August.
T-Bone is this years beef steer. He is currently living the good life at our farm, enjoying the grass and some grain. This fall, he will take a trip to the butcher, and come home in nice little white packages. Hey, this IS a farm, folks. We eat what we raise here. He is shown here with the new Dexter we picked up yesterday on his right. She is bred for a fall calf. So, with in the next 90 days, we should have a new baby on the ground. T-Bone is on the left, the new girl is on the right. We are still deciding on a name for her.
Saturday, we spent the entire day chasing after cattle, one way or another. I already related that in Saturday's post. I have a few pictures of these guys, they are too cool.
The first one here is Sir Loin. Jim and I went after them. We decided this is the one we want to keep. We name our food animals with food names.
Here is a pic of mom's steer. He's a little bit smaller than Sir Loin. But in 18 months time, it will be just as yummy to eat.
And here is my favorite. The back of the pickup has 9 bales of alfalfa in it. This isn't cheap stuff. And the steers are shown here stealing a nibble out of the rear-most bale.
Holidays = Cow Chasing
Well apparently, if I pick up animals on a holiday, I get to chase them. I picked up Shay on Valentine's Day, and got to spend 5 hours getting her back and into the field at Mom's. I spent a couple of hours on the 4th getting the two new steers (who thankfully did NOT go far, just had to convince them that Gumdrop was not cannabilistic, and she really wasn't quite as mean as she appeared.) She chased Sir Loin out of the pasture a second time. That escape took us a bit longer to get him back in to the pasture, as it was getting dark, and people apparently look as bad as any other predator in the dusk.
Sunday, we went and picked up the new momma from Skiatook. We brought her home, but did not immediately let her out into the pasture, instead, choosing to leave her in the trailer for an hour or so for everyone to become acquainted without causing a huge fuss. It appeared to work. This morning everyone was at least not antagonistic toward each other.
I have new photos to share. As soon as I get them uploaded and edited, I'll make a new post.
Sunday, we went and picked up the new momma from Skiatook. We brought her home, but did not immediately let her out into the pasture, instead, choosing to leave her in the trailer for an hour or so for everyone to become acquainted without causing a huge fuss. It appeared to work. This morning everyone was at least not antagonistic toward each other.
I have new photos to share. As soon as I get them uploaded and edited, I'll make a new post.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Cows Want Independence Too!
So, you'd think on a holiday I could sleep in, spend a lazy day at home, right? You'd be thinking wrong.
My day started at 6:30 when the critters all started sounding off that it was feeding time. While the kids did that I showered and got ready to leave. At 7:30, Jim and I left on the first leg of a day long escapade. First stop, Mom's to pick up the trailer. Once we had hooked up, and got the requisite monies for the days purchases, we started on leg two. Off to Shawnee, pick out two steers. These are Jersey/Holstein crosses, only good for eating, which is what we will do starting in about 18 months. Third leg, a quick jog up to Jones, OK for 10 bales of alfalfa hay for Mom's Nubians. Leg 3.5, Oklahoma City, to fuel the truck, and the people in the truck. Final leg, home, James!
We put the two steers in the pasture, and figured that would do the trick. Yeah, ok...that's what we get for thinking. Momma, aka Gumdrop does not take kindly to the intruders, and runs them through the fence. An electric fence. Great, now, the Great Cow Chase commences. Which actually wasn't too bad. Got the boys back into the pasture, and proceeded to string up another wire, at 36 inches. That should be high enough. Unfortunately, as darkness is falling, Gumdrop again chases the bigger steer thru the fence which isn't completely hooked up yet. Great Cow Chase 2.0 begins. This was a bit more problematic, as Krystal decides that anything bigger than a gnat is scarier than any horror movie ever thought of being. EVENTUALLY, we got the little bugger in the fence, just as the thunder started. All we can hope now is that everyone behaves, and stays put.
Of course, tomorrow we are going to pick up another Dexter cow........
My day started at 6:30 when the critters all started sounding off that it was feeding time. While the kids did that I showered and got ready to leave. At 7:30, Jim and I left on the first leg of a day long escapade. First stop, Mom's to pick up the trailer. Once we had hooked up, and got the requisite monies for the days purchases, we started on leg two. Off to Shawnee, pick out two steers. These are Jersey/Holstein crosses, only good for eating, which is what we will do starting in about 18 months. Third leg, a quick jog up to Jones, OK for 10 bales of alfalfa hay for Mom's Nubians. Leg 3.5, Oklahoma City, to fuel the truck, and the people in the truck. Final leg, home, James!
We put the two steers in the pasture, and figured that would do the trick. Yeah, ok...that's what we get for thinking. Momma, aka Gumdrop does not take kindly to the intruders, and runs them through the fence. An electric fence. Great, now, the Great Cow Chase commences. Which actually wasn't too bad. Got the boys back into the pasture, and proceeded to string up another wire, at 36 inches. That should be high enough. Unfortunately, as darkness is falling, Gumdrop again chases the bigger steer thru the fence which isn't completely hooked up yet. Great Cow Chase 2.0 begins. This was a bit more problematic, as Krystal decides that anything bigger than a gnat is scarier than any horror movie ever thought of being. EVENTUALLY, we got the little bugger in the fence, just as the thunder started. All we can hope now is that everyone behaves, and stays put.
Of course, tomorrow we are going to pick up another Dexter cow........
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Some People Need Alarm Clocks
Who needs an alarm clock when you have livestock? At 6:15 am, my goats and cows are willing and able to sound off, letting me know that "HAY! The sun is up, where's my FOOD!"
To make things easier, we will be putting all the critter food into it's appropriate bucket the night before. All our feed is in the house, which makes this somewhat easier. But we have 4 different pens of critters, and 1 dog that makes his rounds. That's a LOT of buckets, and a lot of open bags of feed.
All that being said, I love my way of life, and am really going to start working with the animals more. I want milk from my Nubian goat, and Dexter cows. That means I have to be able to milk them. Which means they have to let me touch their udders, and tug on their teats. If we are keeping a boar so we have a ready supply of piglets twice a year, then, that boar needs to be docile enough to be handled. I don't know how big Chester Whites get, but since they come down from Yorkshires, I'm fairly certain that he will get over 1,000 pounds by the time he's threeish.
My critters are all friendly enough. Mean critters say hello to the inside of my big 26 cu. ft. freezer. I'm not shy about letting them know about that either. Our freezer camp pigs from spring, came up to us for back scratching by the time we got ready to take them off to Camp Westinghouse. Just because I intend to eat them, doesn't mean they don't get spoiled. Happy animals just put on weight faster.
To make things easier, we will be putting all the critter food into it's appropriate bucket the night before. All our feed is in the house, which makes this somewhat easier. But we have 4 different pens of critters, and 1 dog that makes his rounds. That's a LOT of buckets, and a lot of open bags of feed.
All that being said, I love my way of life, and am really going to start working with the animals more. I want milk from my Nubian goat, and Dexter cows. That means I have to be able to milk them. Which means they have to let me touch their udders, and tug on their teats. If we are keeping a boar so we have a ready supply of piglets twice a year, then, that boar needs to be docile enough to be handled. I don't know how big Chester Whites get, but since they come down from Yorkshires, I'm fairly certain that he will get over 1,000 pounds by the time he's threeish.
My critters are all friendly enough. Mean critters say hello to the inside of my big 26 cu. ft. freezer. I'm not shy about letting them know about that either. Our freezer camp pigs from spring, came up to us for back scratching by the time we got ready to take them off to Camp Westinghouse. Just because I intend to eat them, doesn't mean they don't get spoiled. Happy animals just put on weight faster.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
21st Century, Kicking and Screaming
Well, here we are, on the web.
What do we do? We raise animals.
Why? So we know what is, and more importantly, what is NOT in the meat we eat.
How? Blood, sweat and tears. No, seriously. Blood, sweat and tears. Building fences, maintaining shelters, moving animals has a tendency to let the blood flow. It's Oklahoma. In the land of 100-plus degree summers, the sweat flows frequently. When a plan just doesn't come together like it should, an animal loses it's fight with Mother Nature, or when I just can seem to get it together, tears flow.
Who? Glad you asked. My husband, Jim and I, and our two daughters, ages 14 and 9, attend the joint. Some days, I think the critters rule, and we just cater to them. Other days, I delude myself into thinking we actually have a modicum of control.
Fun and giggles, aside. What we do is raise just about every meat animal possible. Seven species of meat producing animals roam our acreage. And when I say roam, I mean it. Some of the critters just won't stay where I tell them. Apparently, they want the stuff on the other side of the fence. The biggest offenders are the chickens, which I don't mind, and the little goatling, which I do. He just scrunches himself under the gate. Little booger ate my tomato and pepper plants.
As I'm picking up new animals this weekend, I'll take pictures, and the next post will be a basic show and tell.
What do we do? We raise animals.
Why? So we know what is, and more importantly, what is NOT in the meat we eat.
How? Blood, sweat and tears. No, seriously. Blood, sweat and tears. Building fences, maintaining shelters, moving animals has a tendency to let the blood flow. It's Oklahoma. In the land of 100-plus degree summers, the sweat flows frequently. When a plan just doesn't come together like it should, an animal loses it's fight with Mother Nature, or when I just can seem to get it together, tears flow.
Who? Glad you asked. My husband, Jim and I, and our two daughters, ages 14 and 9, attend the joint. Some days, I think the critters rule, and we just cater to them. Other days, I delude myself into thinking we actually have a modicum of control.
Fun and giggles, aside. What we do is raise just about every meat animal possible. Seven species of meat producing animals roam our acreage. And when I say roam, I mean it. Some of the critters just won't stay where I tell them. Apparently, they want the stuff on the other side of the fence. The biggest offenders are the chickens, which I don't mind, and the little goatling, which I do. He just scrunches himself under the gate. Little booger ate my tomato and pepper plants.
As I'm picking up new animals this weekend, I'll take pictures, and the next post will be a basic show and tell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)