The following article is courtesy of Alan Nation of the Stockman GrassFarmer. Credit goes to him as the author of this piece. Read below. Have any thoughts?
Grasshopper Explosion Predicted
Monday, 29 March 2010
The western United States could experience its worst outbreak of grasshoppers since 1985 this summer according to the USDA. A federal survey of 17 states taken last fall found critically high levels of adult grasshoppers in parts of Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, the Wall Street Journal reported. "The population could be very, very high this year," said Charles Brown, who manages grasshopper suppression for the USDA. Unfortunately, the USDA spent nearly all of its $5.6 million grasshopper budget counting the grasshoppers and currently has no money for suppression efforts. If there is a warm and dry late May and June, experts warn the West may not grow a crop of any kind this summer.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
So I was looking around for a hanging feeder for the chicken tractors. I need three of them. I looked at all the typical poultry supply companies and found plenty to choose from. I ended up buying one from the local feed store and found that it is a piece of junk, the worst $15 dollars I've spent in a long time. I got a bit discouraged. The prices on hanging feeders of good quality are outrageous. But, thank God for the internet. My wife did a search and found a neat hanging feeder made out of a bucket. So, I thought I 'd share it with you. I made two of them this evening and will make the third tomorrow, after I purchase acouple of nuts, bolts and washers. They only took about 15 minutes to make and went really fast after I figured out just how I wanted it done. I haven't taken a picture of the ones I made, but have a picture of the one I copied from the internet. To read more about it, click here.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Chicken Tractor Additions Going Slowly
Yesterday, I learned the importance of setting the corner posts on the fence-good and tight. I have a few "leaners" that I , apparently, didn't get the dirt packed tight enough around. You know how it is, you dig the hole, among many, and you are ready to get on with it. You stick the post in the ground, kick the dirt back in, pack it down and move on. The key, or lesson, here is to make sure the dirt gets packed tight. Trust me, fixing a leaner on a corner brace is hard with the fence all in place. Take the time and do it right. Learn from me, the world's biggest knucklehead.
On another note, the broilers are in week two in the brooder and are very ready to come out. I am working on a set of waterers for the chicken tractors and keep getting waylayed by other things. Today was the weather. There have been intermittent showers and storms, most of the day. It goes like this:
Take all my tools out, cut a couple of pieces of wood.
Gather all the tools up, disconnect the electric fence (lightning protection), head to the house.
Take out all the tools, fasten a couple of boards with screws, cut one more piece of wood.
Gather all the tools, head to the house.
Take out tools and finish the first project.
Gather all the tools and head to the house.
Go out side, look for scrap lumber for the next project, get wet.
Head to the house.
Go outside and begin making necessary repairs to the chicken tractors because I don't feel like taking all the tools out again. Hearing thunder after two screws and a couple of zip ties.
Head to the house, severe thunderstorm warning.
Storm passes in 30 minutes, go back outside.
Now I am tired of the whole thing and just do my regular chores.
The sun is now shinning and I am sitting here at the computer, go figure.
In between all of that we ate lunch. I did manage to get one of the watering stands done, nothing facy but it will work. I will take some pictures to show what I am talking about.
I wanted the chicks out on grass today, but I think I will wait until the weather gets a bit better. Tomorrow might be a good time to do it, after church.
The chicks are past due as we tend to get them out on grass in about a week and a half. They will be fine, for now, but the sooner we get them out the better. After all, as I've said many times before, grass is the key, not only for the birds but for us. All those Omega 3's come from the grass.
As an update on the cows my partner and I were going to buy, we decided that now is not the time. Neither of us are ready for them, fence wise, and we cannot find a place to lease. So, we will wait a bit. My mom still needs to sell her dexters, if you know anyone that might be interested, let me know.
On the one hand, I am relieved that we are not getting the cows. There was a lot of stress trying to find a place to put them in a short period of time. On the other hand, the plans of grass finished beef have been put on hold, and that makes me bummed. We have to wait on God and it just wasn't His time.
I am now looking into plans for a home made trailer for the garden tractor. I have been looking on the internet but haven't come up with what I am looking for. Let me know if you have any ideas.
That's what's happening here. I'm sorry it's not very informative. We haven't really done much that is new, just trying to get good at what we are doing. I hate to add new segments to our homestead income without it fitting into the already existing things we do. We don't want to add labor, but to compliment what we already do. For now, we want to be the best at pastured poultry and meat rabbits and eggs that we can be. All the while providing good food for ourselves, first, then our neighbors and prepare for the comming melt down of the USA.
Keep in touch and thanks for stopping by.
On another note, the broilers are in week two in the brooder and are very ready to come out. I am working on a set of waterers for the chicken tractors and keep getting waylayed by other things. Today was the weather. There have been intermittent showers and storms, most of the day. It goes like this:
Take all my tools out, cut a couple of pieces of wood.
Gather all the tools up, disconnect the electric fence (lightning protection), head to the house.
Take out all the tools, fasten a couple of boards with screws, cut one more piece of wood.
Gather all the tools, head to the house.
Take out tools and finish the first project.
Gather all the tools and head to the house.
Go out side, look for scrap lumber for the next project, get wet.
Head to the house.
Go outside and begin making necessary repairs to the chicken tractors because I don't feel like taking all the tools out again. Hearing thunder after two screws and a couple of zip ties.
Head to the house, severe thunderstorm warning.
Storm passes in 30 minutes, go back outside.
Now I am tired of the whole thing and just do my regular chores.
The sun is now shinning and I am sitting here at the computer, go figure.
In between all of that we ate lunch. I did manage to get one of the watering stands done, nothing facy but it will work. I will take some pictures to show what I am talking about.
I wanted the chicks out on grass today, but I think I will wait until the weather gets a bit better. Tomorrow might be a good time to do it, after church.
The chicks are past due as we tend to get them out on grass in about a week and a half. They will be fine, for now, but the sooner we get them out the better. After all, as I've said many times before, grass is the key, not only for the birds but for us. All those Omega 3's come from the grass.
As an update on the cows my partner and I were going to buy, we decided that now is not the time. Neither of us are ready for them, fence wise, and we cannot find a place to lease. So, we will wait a bit. My mom still needs to sell her dexters, if you know anyone that might be interested, let me know.
On the one hand, I am relieved that we are not getting the cows. There was a lot of stress trying to find a place to put them in a short period of time. On the other hand, the plans of grass finished beef have been put on hold, and that makes me bummed. We have to wait on God and it just wasn't His time.
I am now looking into plans for a home made trailer for the garden tractor. I have been looking on the internet but haven't come up with what I am looking for. Let me know if you have any ideas.
That's what's happening here. I'm sorry it's not very informative. We haven't really done much that is new, just trying to get good at what we are doing. I hate to add new segments to our homestead income without it fitting into the already existing things we do. We don't want to add labor, but to compliment what we already do. For now, we want to be the best at pastured poultry and meat rabbits and eggs that we can be. All the while providing good food for ourselves, first, then our neighbors and prepare for the comming melt down of the USA.
Keep in touch and thanks for stopping by.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Did The USDA Can NAIS?
By now, this is old news, however, there are a few comments I would like to make on the subject.
As many of you already know, The USDA (afectionately known, around here, as the USDuh), has decided to can the animal traceability program known as the NAIS, or, National Animal Identification System. I have talked a lot about this on this blog, and I am sure this will not be the last time.
Basically, due to puplic outcry, the USDuh has switched gears. On the surface, I applaud them as it looks much more constitutional than the last one. The USDuh has decided that a state adminitered program would be better than a federal one.
In the future, the USDuh will simply regulate animals moved from state to state, or, interstate commerce, as is the governments job. The whole thing will be administered by states and tribal nations.
One of the things the USDuh will try to accomplish in this change of plans is to address issues such as confidentiality and liability. This is a smart move on the part of the governmanet. For once, it appears as if they might want to follow the constitution. A word of caution, though. The government rarely does anything according to law and, therefore, must be watched. I will keep an eye on this more closely than before because I don't trust them and I have witnessed too many sneaky, closed door dealings in the past.
That being said, I agree with Mark Kastel of the Cornicopia Institute in Wisconsin when he said, "[this is] an all too rare victory of the nations farmers over the political power of corporate agribusiness."
Keep watching, but, great job to all who had a hand in the fight.
As many of you already know, The USDA (afectionately known, around here, as the USDuh), has decided to can the animal traceability program known as the NAIS, or, National Animal Identification System. I have talked a lot about this on this blog, and I am sure this will not be the last time.
Basically, due to puplic outcry, the USDuh has switched gears. On the surface, I applaud them as it looks much more constitutional than the last one. The USDuh has decided that a state adminitered program would be better than a federal one.
In the future, the USDuh will simply regulate animals moved from state to state, or, interstate commerce, as is the governments job. The whole thing will be administered by states and tribal nations.
One of the things the USDuh will try to accomplish in this change of plans is to address issues such as confidentiality and liability. This is a smart move on the part of the governmanet. For once, it appears as if they might want to follow the constitution. A word of caution, though. The government rarely does anything according to law and, therefore, must be watched. I will keep an eye on this more closely than before because I don't trust them and I have witnessed too many sneaky, closed door dealings in the past.
That being said, I agree with Mark Kastel of the Cornicopia Institute in Wisconsin when he said, "[this is] an all too rare victory of the nations farmers over the political power of corporate agribusiness."
Keep watching, but, great job to all who had a hand in the fight.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
A Long Week On The Homestead
This has been an icredibly long week. I apologizr for the lack of new material here, but, well, you know how it is on a homestead.
Some big weight has been taken off my shoulders. For the first time since we started homesteading, 12 years ago, I have next winter's fire wood supply put up. Yes, this is a first. I can't stress the importance of this. Putting up your winter's wood well in advance of the season, is not only a load off your mind, but smart. Freshly cut wood needs several months to cure (dry). If you cut a green tree, it will need a year to cure. Double that if you don't split it. Trust me, I have taken storm damaged, fallen trees, that have been down for a year and still had trouble burning it because it was still very moist on the inside. Here's a tip, if you cut green wood, take the time to split it. Do this at least a year in advance of the burning season. On downed trees split it 6-8 months in advance. For dead fall, you should split it a couple of months in advance, depending on how long it had been down. Now I can go into winter knowing that I do not have to scape the bottom of the barrel for fire wood. I will not have to feel rushed to cut more and anything I do cut, from here on out, is for the next winter. This is a good feeling.
Another thing that happened this week is that we bought a garden/yard tractor. We bought it used but in great working condition at a very reasonable price. It is 20 horses of power and big enough to do some pulling with a 46" cut. I had been cutting quite a bit of land with a push mower that took me, on average, three hours with another 1.5 hours for trimming. With this new machine, I cut the same grass in 45 minutes. It still takes me an hour, or so, to do the trimming, but what a time saver!
Then there are the animals. My partner and I are looking to bring in some new cattle. We are going to purchase two Dexter cows (pregnant) and one bull (for the butcher). We are struggling with where to put them as my land is not enough and his is not fenced. I have the use of some land but, it too, needs fence. Other circumstances prevent me from placing them on the in-law's land, so we are contemplating a lease of a few acres, until we can get some fence done. But, these animals will give us a head start on some plans we have for beef. We are excited and nervous at the same time. God will work it out, I'm sure.
This, on top of my full time job has kept me away from the computer. That is not all bad. I have a big week ahead of me, as well. I have a couple of shop jobs (sharpening) i have to get done to begin the week. Then there are some repairs that need to be made on the chicken tractors along with additions to them. Ugh!
Tell me what is going on on your homestead, I want to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by!
Some big weight has been taken off my shoulders. For the first time since we started homesteading, 12 years ago, I have next winter's fire wood supply put up. Yes, this is a first. I can't stress the importance of this. Putting up your winter's wood well in advance of the season, is not only a load off your mind, but smart. Freshly cut wood needs several months to cure (dry). If you cut a green tree, it will need a year to cure. Double that if you don't split it. Trust me, I have taken storm damaged, fallen trees, that have been down for a year and still had trouble burning it because it was still very moist on the inside. Here's a tip, if you cut green wood, take the time to split it. Do this at least a year in advance of the burning season. On downed trees split it 6-8 months in advance. For dead fall, you should split it a couple of months in advance, depending on how long it had been down. Now I can go into winter knowing that I do not have to scape the bottom of the barrel for fire wood. I will not have to feel rushed to cut more and anything I do cut, from here on out, is for the next winter. This is a good feeling.
Another thing that happened this week is that we bought a garden/yard tractor. We bought it used but in great working condition at a very reasonable price. It is 20 horses of power and big enough to do some pulling with a 46" cut. I had been cutting quite a bit of land with a push mower that took me, on average, three hours with another 1.5 hours for trimming. With this new machine, I cut the same grass in 45 minutes. It still takes me an hour, or so, to do the trimming, but what a time saver!
Then there are the animals. My partner and I are looking to bring in some new cattle. We are going to purchase two Dexter cows (pregnant) and one bull (for the butcher). We are struggling with where to put them as my land is not enough and his is not fenced. I have the use of some land but, it too, needs fence. Other circumstances prevent me from placing them on the in-law's land, so we are contemplating a lease of a few acres, until we can get some fence done. But, these animals will give us a head start on some plans we have for beef. We are excited and nervous at the same time. God will work it out, I'm sure.
This, on top of my full time job has kept me away from the computer. That is not all bad. I have a big week ahead of me, as well. I have a couple of shop jobs (sharpening) i have to get done to begin the week. Then there are some repairs that need to be made on the chicken tractors along with additions to them. Ugh!
Tell me what is going on on your homestead, I want to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by!
Monday, April 12, 2010
A New Porch For Our Humble Abode
This past Saturday we enlisted the help of a very good friend and carpenter we know from church to help us build a roof over our porch. This has been a long desired project and there is a great feeling of relief at having it done. We can even tell, already, the temp difference in the house just from the shade it now provides. All I lack is the metal roofing. I had toorder that and it will be in this week. So, thank you Tim, for all your help. God has blessed us with your friendship.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
News From The Homestead
We had a pretty good week here. We have 18 baby bunnies that are growing very fast. It will b e nice to have a few in the freezer. A local chef has requested 6 of them. I can't wait to see and taste what he prepares with them.
We also received our spring batch of broilers and we are off and running on this season's meat chickens. We took orders for the last few wekks and have them all sold, minus a few that we will put into our own freezer.
Plans are in the works for pigs and beef. This is slow going with a full time job. If anyone can figure out how to add a fewe hours to the day, let me know.
One of the most exciting things to happen this week is that we were interviewed for an article to be published in the Ozark Farm and Neighbor magazine. We were able to talk about our very small scale homestead and promote local, naturally raised food along with Fertrell. This is a neat thing for us, kind of our 15 minutes of fame. I will keep y'all posted as to what issue our story will be in.
Outside of that, I have been fighting a cold that my family now has. So we are all under the weather a bit. I am still completely impressed with the wood splitting tire idea. I made one in about 15 minutes and I can split 3-4 time the amount of wood in half the time. The best part is I am using no fuel nor expensive machinery, just a spliting block and an old tire. Scroll down to watch the video. You can stop about half way through as he then gives a tour of his property.
So, things are beginning to happen here. It has been a long winter and we are very grateful to a wonderful God that he spared us of any major catastrophies this past winter and that we are now on the upswing. The temps are getting warmer and the garden is beginning to sprout, sure signs of spring.
Until next time, thanks for stopping by.
We also received our spring batch of broilers and we are off and running on this season's meat chickens. We took orders for the last few wekks and have them all sold, minus a few that we will put into our own freezer.
Plans are in the works for pigs and beef. This is slow going with a full time job. If anyone can figure out how to add a fewe hours to the day, let me know.
One of the most exciting things to happen this week is that we were interviewed for an article to be published in the Ozark Farm and Neighbor magazine. We were able to talk about our very small scale homestead and promote local, naturally raised food along with Fertrell. This is a neat thing for us, kind of our 15 minutes of fame. I will keep y'all posted as to what issue our story will be in.
Outside of that, I have been fighting a cold that my family now has. So we are all under the weather a bit. I am still completely impressed with the wood splitting tire idea. I made one in about 15 minutes and I can split 3-4 time the amount of wood in half the time. The best part is I am using no fuel nor expensive machinery, just a spliting block and an old tire. Scroll down to watch the video. You can stop about half way through as he then gives a tour of his property.
So, things are beginning to happen here. It has been a long winter and we are very grateful to a wonderful God that he spared us of any major catastrophies this past winter and that we are now on the upswing. The temps are getting warmer and the garden is beginning to sprout, sure signs of spring.
Until next time, thanks for stopping by.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Splitting Wood In A Tire
I made one of these today after watching this video. I am here to say that I split five times the wood in half the time it would normally take. This is one of the best homesteading ideas I've seen in a long time and my back is thankful for it. I liked it so well that I thought I'd shre the video with y'all. Do yourself a favor, if you split wood by hand and have an old tire lying around, make one of these. You won't be sorry.
Saturday,Work Day
Big plans today for me. I am going to be alone, here, on the homestead. The family is heading off to the flea market to sell some eggs and other things. So, I will be left to my self to stay busy.
As anyone who woks a full time job and is building a homestead knows, the day off is hardly a day off. I have much to do. We have broiler chicks scheduled to arrived this coming tuesday. So, I have to get the brooder ready for them. I am also in need of making repairs to the chicken tractors, all minor, but the y need some fixin'. I am also in the process of setting them up for hanging waterers and feeders. We have done it the old fashioned way for all these years. I am making a platform, attatched to the tractor to hold a five gallon bucket of water, gravity fed to the waterer.
Then, I have some grass trimming to do. This is the only thing I do not like about spring/summer. I cut a lot of grass with a pushmower. I am in the market for a rider, by the way.
Who knows what I will find to do today, but I am sure I will stay busy.
As anyone who woks a full time job and is building a homestead knows, the day off is hardly a day off. I have much to do. We have broiler chicks scheduled to arrived this coming tuesday. So, I have to get the brooder ready for them. I am also in need of making repairs to the chicken tractors, all minor, but the y need some fixin'. I am also in the process of setting them up for hanging waterers and feeders. We have done it the old fashioned way for all these years. I am making a platform, attatched to the tractor to hold a five gallon bucket of water, gravity fed to the waterer.
Then, I have some grass trimming to do. This is the only thing I do not like about spring/summer. I cut a lot of grass with a pushmower. I am in the market for a rider, by the way.
Who knows what I will find to do today, but I am sure I will stay busy.
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