The turkeys and chickens are safe once again. We took care of their main predator this morning after losing approximately 11 poults (turkey chicks), the mean rooster, and several laying hens. I saw the fox a couple mornings ago so we had a visual on the enemy. Bob posted the next morning but he did not show. This morning we were both up at 4:30. Finally, at 6:00 from the hayloft window the enemy was eliminated.
This is such a relief for me. Our farm took a big loss due to that varmit. But that's part of the farming adventure with animals afoot. Now we'll move on nurturing the remaining livestock and enjoying the beautiful green summer season.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Mid-June Update
It is a very rainy day in June and a good day to update you on our farm happenings.
The Turkeys are running around the farm enjoying whatever they grub up in the lawn/barnyard. That's the good news. The bad news is we must obviously have a predator. We came home Sunday afternoon to find about 7 poults missing. First on our suspect list is fox, however we've since added coyote after talking to a few people. This loss leaves us quite short for the demand.
The lambs don't look like cute little lambs anymore, just little sheep. Our bottle lamb will still come when called and lets us pet her. Other than that, they do what you expect them to do: graze our lucious green paddocks.
The garden got planted on May 4th thanks to industrious Elizabeth. All was planted on the same day, more or less, due to our wet, snowy, late spring. No early plants this year! Karl and I are now left to keep it weeded; this is not the best plan but we're getting better.
Our big news this year is the addition of an intern, Alex. What a great help he is! He needs to get in a set number of hours of interning on a sustainable farm in order to complete his diploma requirements, and we get him. He and Karl used the tractor and chain to clear out a LOT of dead trees in a new area we are developing into a pasture. When a huge pile of trunks, etc, were dragged into the middle of the meadow, Bob borrowed the backhoe and bucket for a day of cleaning up all the winter manure piles and keeping the bonfire pushed together for a good burn. End result: a small pile of ashes and plenty of piles of manure around this new area.
Several weeks later, Bob borrowed a tractor bigger than ours and worked all those dried manure piles into the meadow. We'll work it one more time and plant grass/legume mixture there (not sure exactly what yet) to get a good grazing pasture. This new area is dubbed Monarchy because of all the butterflies that landed there last year.
The orchard is seeing some work this summer. The MN State berry guy (official title??), Thaddeus, came to help me with our orchard trees. Boy, what an education! Very helpful. Now I know my plum trees are old and I can start replacing them, if that's what I want. Many trees have had the root stock take over, crowding out the scion. Therefore, I don't get fruit anymore. This was with plums and apples alike. In one sense, that could be bad news. On the other hand, now I know I can freely remove particular trees with no remorse and plant new ones that will grow and bear fruit. Knowledge is power, I guess.
Finally, the broiler movable pen was constructed and filled with 50 broilers. The chicks are growing well and we are setting up our processing equipment for the end of the month. Several people have offered to help, for which we are extremely grateful. This could prove to be a good venture; many people are looking for a source of good, pasture-raised, healthy chicken. We just might become that source.
So, that's some of our highlights here at GrassStain Farm. Its a good life.
The Turkeys are running around the farm enjoying whatever they grub up in the lawn/barnyard. That's the good news. The bad news is we must obviously have a predator. We came home Sunday afternoon to find about 7 poults missing. First on our suspect list is fox, however we've since added coyote after talking to a few people. This loss leaves us quite short for the demand.
The lambs don't look like cute little lambs anymore, just little sheep. Our bottle lamb will still come when called and lets us pet her. Other than that, they do what you expect them to do: graze our lucious green paddocks.
The garden got planted on May 4th thanks to industrious Elizabeth. All was planted on the same day, more or less, due to our wet, snowy, late spring. No early plants this year! Karl and I are now left to keep it weeded; this is not the best plan but we're getting better.
Our big news this year is the addition of an intern, Alex. What a great help he is! He needs to get in a set number of hours of interning on a sustainable farm in order to complete his diploma requirements, and we get him. He and Karl used the tractor and chain to clear out a LOT of dead trees in a new area we are developing into a pasture. When a huge pile of trunks, etc, were dragged into the middle of the meadow, Bob borrowed the backhoe and bucket for a day of cleaning up all the winter manure piles and keeping the bonfire pushed together for a good burn. End result: a small pile of ashes and plenty of piles of manure around this new area.
Several weeks later, Bob borrowed a tractor bigger than ours and worked all those dried manure piles into the meadow. We'll work it one more time and plant grass/legume mixture there (not sure exactly what yet) to get a good grazing pasture. This new area is dubbed Monarchy because of all the butterflies that landed there last year.
The orchard is seeing some work this summer. The MN State berry guy (official title??), Thaddeus, came to help me with our orchard trees. Boy, what an education! Very helpful. Now I know my plum trees are old and I can start replacing them, if that's what I want. Many trees have had the root stock take over, crowding out the scion. Therefore, I don't get fruit anymore. This was with plums and apples alike. In one sense, that could be bad news. On the other hand, now I know I can freely remove particular trees with no remorse and plant new ones that will grow and bear fruit. Knowledge is power, I guess.
Finally, the broiler movable pen was constructed and filled with 50 broilers. The chicks are growing well and we are setting up our processing equipment for the end of the month. Several people have offered to help, for which we are extremely grateful. This could prove to be a good venture; many people are looking for a source of good, pasture-raised, healthy chicken. We just might become that source.
So, that's some of our highlights here at GrassStain Farm. Its a good life.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Lambs on the Leap!
Leapin' Lambs. What an enjoyable sight to watch and to inspire cheer and light-heartedness. This is a welcome change during this cold, gray spring.
These are three of our eight lambs.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Green Acres is the place to be.
Farm living is the life for me! It is a joy to be outside doing spring cleanup. The water has subsided enough to allow us access to most of our land. We have taken a few walks around the woodlands scoping out areas for this year's new grazing paddocks. If you followed us last year, you'll remember we were developing Paddocks #1-4 just south of the barn and also Green Acres that received a complete 'remodel'. As we work our way north, our next area is what we call the Fire Lane/the Monarchy (name yet to be decided but both fitting due to past events at this place). Any new paddocks starting here and throughout the woodlands/pasture will require a bit of labor in dead tree/debris removal and fencing. Although this will be a bit taxing on our muscles, I look forward to getting the woods cleaned out. It seems best to designate a few areas to do this year and not view the whole project at once as it is a huge project and cannot possibly be done in one or even two years. Another sign of spring is the wonderful green grass! Green never looked so good. A walk around the orchard was both inspiring and challenging. I was reminded of how little I know about nurturing my fruit trees. So I did something I should have done two years ago; I emailed a fruit tree specialist whom I have met at other farm events/conferences and invited him to come to our farm to consult with us. I hope he is able to come this summer. On the to-d0 list is fencing that didn't get finished last fall; barn cleaning, garden prep. Oh, Karl ordered hedges to plant in hopes it stops the big snow drift in the driveway. I like his foresight. I hope you are enjoying your green, green grass at your home.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Eggciting News!
Layer Hens have returned to GrassStain Farm, and we are excited to welcome them. Our previous flock had been aging and diminishing so our current supply of eggs had been from our wonderful neighbors. The neighbors decided to get out of the egg business and offered us their hens. We, of course, jumped at the idea as we like our country fresh eggs.
Bob readied the sw pen in the barn by adding chicken wire up high so the hens wouldn't fly out. This is to appease Karl who really hates the mess roosting chickens make in the barn. :) As it warms and drys up, the chickens will be let out of the pen late morning (after laying eggs) to roam around. Its a good enterprise to add to our small farm. Pictures forthcoming.
Bob readied the sw pen in the barn by adding chicken wire up high so the hens wouldn't fly out. This is to appease Karl who really hates the mess roosting chickens make in the barn. :) As it warms and drys up, the chickens will be let out of the pen late morning (after laying eggs) to roam around. Its a good enterprise to add to our small farm. Pictures forthcoming.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Look Ahead into 2011
Here's some inspiration for 2011 Farm Planning!As we look ahead, here's some of our TO-DO List:
-order broilers and turkeys (today!)
-buy/organize fencing supplies (mainly staples)
-organize file system; make new files for each enterprise
-Finish blueprint drawing of entire farm
-Review/Develop short term and long term goals
-Go to Farm Conferences in February :)
-plan garden
-try cheese again
-get two hogs to eat the whey from above-mentioned cheese
(After the snow is gone....)
-put up hog panels between paddocks 2 & 3
-build cattle feeding headgates (terminology???)
-move burn pile of old trees
-enlarge garden to the west where burn pile was
-plant extra grass in paddocks (early in Spring)
(Before May Graduation Reception....)
-paint front of barn and shed where red paint is peeling
-plant new trees by Cottonwood Pasture
-get ready for turkeys and broiler to arrive
Well, that should be enough for now. I think I'll go look at the garden catalogs or read our new farm books and get inspired as I look ahead to Spring.....
Signs of Winter
Yup, its Winter! These were taken after the 3-day blizzard around New Years. I think it makes the barn look old and tired. I feel old and tired with the growing snow levels and cold temps. However, its a necessary rest to get us all ready for Spring and growing, working, and outdoor playing again. Until then, we'll snuggle inside, do what we must outside, and count our blessings.
Winter Fun on the Farm
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Poleshed Party
There's a new pole shed on GrassStain Farm and the cows and sheep are loving it! It was built in 1.5 days with a roof and one side enclosed. We put it perpendicular to the east fence so the dry cows and steers and sheep can eat from the north and the wet cows eat from the south. Their hay now stays dry so its better to eat and there is less loss.
Because good quality hay is one of Bob's passions, he is very excited about this hay shed.
Here is our new cow, Ghirardelli, as seen from the top of the bales.
There are more than cows partying at the poleshed. Karl found a bit of fun with an audience watching on.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Rooftop turkey
They're gone. I'm a little lonely. We used to be greeted with eagerness and enthusiasm whenever we stepped out the door or drove in the yard. They'd come running, glad to see us. Hoping we brought them a little treat.
And now they're gone. I'm a little lonely. It's one of the occupational hazards of being a sustainable grass farmer. Some livestock become more than a part of the seasonal function of farm production. The turkeys had become entertainment and enjoyment; they had become a part of our lives as we interacted with them. And now they're gobbling is gone.
But alas! Life goes on and we know that while they were here a short time, it was a good time for them as well as us. They were happy birds allowed to roam and grub where they pleased, wandering through the orchard and pasture alike, roosting on the highest poles and fences as they chose. Their life was good and now their purpose is being fulfilled in becoming healthy, good-tasting dinner to local families. The cycle of life continues.
What about that rooftop turkey? Well, one got away from us this morning and as we drove away, he was perched on the rooftop overlooking the business below. The workers say he'll probably come down later today; if not, I guess we're short one bird. Now its time to order more for next year.
And now they're gone. I'm a little lonely. It's one of the occupational hazards of being a sustainable grass farmer. Some livestock become more than a part of the seasonal function of farm production. The turkeys had become entertainment and enjoyment; they had become a part of our lives as we interacted with them. And now they're gobbling is gone.
But alas! Life goes on and we know that while they were here a short time, it was a good time for them as well as us. They were happy birds allowed to roam and grub where they pleased, wandering through the orchard and pasture alike, roosting on the highest poles and fences as they chose. Their life was good and now their purpose is being fulfilled in becoming healthy, good-tasting dinner to local families. The cycle of life continues.
What about that rooftop turkey? Well, one got away from us this morning and as we drove away, he was perched on the rooftop overlooking the business below. The workers say he'll probably come down later today; if not, I guess we're short one bird. Now its time to order more for next year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
