We have 3 cows. Nice girls. Each year we use the AI Guy to inseminate them — it’s cheaper than keeping a bull year round. We’ve been breeding them for 3 years now and all we ever get are boys.
Betty is a nice girl, Angus. She was the first to calf, although by the calendar, she was #2.
She had a boy on Wednesday.
Here’s Beulah. That same Wednesday Gary was sure she would calf. Last year she had a difficult time, had the calf pulled out of her, and ended up abandoning him. Turned out Wednesday was not her day.
Today was her day. She quickly popped this one out in the pouring rain. A girl ! Our first heifer! She was up and running around in no time, maybe to shake off the rain.
J.W. is next to go. Day on the calendar is tomorrow. Cows don’t read calendars, but tomorrow would be pretty convenient. Hear that JW? Partly sunny Sunday, temps in the low 70s - a perfect day to have a calf, no matter if it is a boy or a girl!
Posted in Cattle, FRL Diary Entry.
Tagged with cattle calf.
Our local Cornell Co-operative Extension (and probably yours too!) is active in getting events organized for farmers to learn from and network with each other. Last night we attended a pasture walk in nearby Glen Aubry at McRey Farm to learn how they set up their pastures, and a little bit more about their operation.
The program was organized by both the CCE and Natural Resources Conservation Services. NRCS is responsible for several programs that both help promote farmland as well as protect our natural areas. In support of this, several grants are available annually and are funded by the Farm Bill.
The EQIP program provides financial and technical services for farmers who put environmental issues first. A big example of this program involves perimeter fencing - establishing the boundary between your farm animals and wildlife.
Fencing has to be built to spec and guildelines followed. For example, this corner of the high tensile fence has to be 8′ and at a certain angle. The angle ensures the fence can be tightened and loosened in the the most efficient way. In the background you can see a natural pond that was enlarged and then fenced in as part of the CRP program. This pond establishes a wetlands where birds can nest, and also privdes a hydrant that nca be used in emergencies. Otherwise, this area cannot be touched and must be left natural.
They also successfully contain their Tamworth pigs in the high tensile, although this fence is electrified.
The EQIP program also funded a water line that provides water for each pasture. If you look carefully you can see a waterer long this fenceline in a cow pasture. They are fed by 1.5″ pipe that is laid on the ground and fed by a pump from a well.
Tanks can be quickly connected and filled with this system.
They had chickens at the farm as well, maintained by a neighboring teenage inspiring farmer. (They had no Murphy though, just chickens!)
They raised sheep too! The pasture walk was very informative, and if you are farming I encourage you to find some in your area. We find out in the next couple weeks if we will receive some EQIP grants, so cross your fingers!
Posted in Events and Festivals.
Tagged with nrcs eqip "pasture walk" "mcrey farm".
Life moves on at Rooster Hill even if this journal doesn’t keep up with it! Here are some recent additions - and subtractions - that have been keeping us busy.
Minus - 35 roosters, 4 tom turkeys and 1 duck. It is a lot quieter around here! The turkeys have all moved to other farms and are settling in with their new girlfriends. The roosters are sold. And the buyer wanted a drake too.
Plus - 4 guinea hens. I don’t have their picture so here is my biggest Muscovy drake instead. Although I watched a pair of female guinea hens go for an incredible price at auction last month, I found this little flock locally for a very nice price. They used to live right next to a golf course, and the golfers complained about the noise! They do chatter quite a bit, but I enjoy it.
Minus - We brought a steer to the butcher 2 weeks ago. He was a gentle giant who we raised as a bottle calf. He would follow Gary everywhere - until it came time to get him on the trailer. It took a lot of grain and convincing but we got him loaded.
Plus - 4 little pigs! They grow fast on the pasture! Pigs are always fun to have around, and provide a great solution for all of those small unsellable chicken eggs.
Minus - One dog. Hank and I had an argument on May 4. Hank won. Rather than put him down, Gary has moved him to the other farm and I do not see him. I’d like to keep it that way.
Plus - Many chicks. Although I have plenty of hens sitting on eggs (and some have already hatched) I bought even more at auction. First I bought 6 Old English bantam chicks, then traded 2 of them with my auction neighbor for 2 Sebright chicks. Then Gary left me alone while chickens were still being sold and I bought 15 more barred rocks and sex links. It’s a sickness, I know.
Posted in Cattle, Farm Collies, Pigs, Poultry.
Tagged with cattle, chicks, muscovy, Pigs, turkeys.
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