What Kind Of Fence Is The Best?

A couple of weeks ago when we had some nasty weather we had a large tree get knocked over.  It lifted up my electric fence which was attached to the tree and pulled a few T-posts out of the ground.  I have been working on the sudden influx of firewood, clearing it out. 

I am writing this as a way to, sort of, explain another of the many benefits to electric fence.  I didn't take pictures so I will try to explain the best I can.  The tree fell and tangled the three strands of wire around the root ball.  The tension it caused made a couple of posts shoot out of the ground, landing a few feet away from where they were.  That means there was a lot of added tension.  However, the wire did not break.  It was stretched about to it's limits and in other places was laying flat on the ground, but it didn't break.  I had to cut it just to get it unstuck from the root ball, but was easily repaired in a few minutes with splicers and a wrench.

I cut the tree out of the fence line, had a friend come over with a tractor and pull the jumbo trunk out of the way and repaired the fence.  The fence repair took about an hour-having to re-establish the fence line and drive the T-posts, splice the wire back together and re-attach it to the posts, then crank out the slack on the daisy wheels. 

Most of the tree is still waiting for me to cut it up, but the fence was fixed in short order and the bull placed back in his pasture (yes, I had a nice shock when I went out to feed him the next day and stared him in the eyes by the barn an hour before daylight., WAY out of where he was supposed to be!  It seems he had been out most of the night.)

In the end, I love electric fence.  It is incredibly versatile, easy to install, can be adapted for pasture rotation very easily, has much more "give" when something falls on it, and is easily repaired when something does happen.  Not to mention you can build electric fence for a fraction of the cost of traditional barbed wire or woven wire.  Yup, going electric was one shinning moment of good decision in my homesteading life.

The Price For Lambs Is Increasing

Have you ever thought of raising lamb on your homestead?  Now might be the time to get in on it, the price of lamb has skyrocketed and the demand is increasing.  This might be a good money maker for grassfarmers and natural farmers and homesteaders.  Check out the linked article for more details.

What Do You See Wrong With This Picture?

Milk Comes From The Grocery Store, Right?

I remember watching Jay Leno a long time ago, asking stupid questions out on the streets of New York.  This particular time they asked people where milk comes from.  The vast majority of everyday people questioned said the same thing-the grocery store.  It might be said that is the case for many Americans.  You and I know that milk comes from cows on a farm-somewhere.  But what is more interesting, is that more and more people are beginning to see that as they pursue a healthier diet and lifestyle.  It is no longer enough to buy their milk from the store, they want to know the farmer that produced it.  What's more is that they are now seeing the benefits of raw milk.  It is becoming apparent in the eyes of many Americans that the "real deal", strait from the cow is heathier.  There are all kinds of  key enzymes and fat in raw milk that your body needs and folks want that.  The demand is rising, if your goal is to be self sufficient, get a cow.  If you want to make a bit of extra money from your homestead, get a cow. 

Getting To Know Grass

Ive done a fair amount of reading on the subject of grass, not the kind you smoke-geeze.  What are the best grass species to grow?  What is the best time to sew?  How does a specific specie perform at different times of the year?  All good questions you should be asking yourself, if you are into farming grass.  Really, it is a mindset, a belief, a different paradigm, you will need to admit it and start calling yourself a grass farmer.  To grow cows, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys-whatever, you will need to grow grass, it really is that simple-in concept.  I cannot safely say that I have this thing figured out yet.  I am still working on it.  TYo help you work on it, you can read this article, but keep in mind that we live in Missouri.  This information may not apply to your neck of the woods, but use this as a spring board to get you thinking in the right direction.  Let me know what your thoughts or ideas are.

Sheep Prefer Knapweed To Grass?

here is an interesting article, who needs herbicide?

Leasing Farm Land Is A Growing Trend

No Risk Ranching: Custom Grazing on Leased Land



Leasing farms and farm land is a growing trend.  Some are even able to do it without cash.  In other words, leasing property from urban types who just want their land to be pretty and fertile.  This can be obtained through a good rotational grazing system.  The linked story, however, is a bout a dairy in Washington state in which the farmer was able to lease his farm to another farmer and all is good for both sides, a win-win.  Kind of a feel good article, but it can be used to cause pause for thought to other farmers out there looking for a way to grow their business.

Will Cows Eat Snow?

Call it crazy, but I was watching the snow fall last night here in southern Missouri and I got to thinking about my years growing up in Wisconsin.  Stay with me here, I have a train of thought that, rather strangely, comes to a point (this is how my brain works).  So, thinking of snowy Wisconsin got me to thinking about one of my all-time favorite pets, a beautiful, blue eyed Siberian Husky.  I always had a ball with her in the snow, she just plain loved it.  As we would play in the snow, as all dogs (especially sled dogs) do, she would eat some snow as she got thirsty.  That got me thinking about cows (here comes my point), strange, isn't it-how my brain works?  Anyway, I began to wonder if cows eat snow when they are thirsty.  A quick search on the internet later, and I got my answer.  Yes, they do.  There are even some benefits to it, like:

• They will intake an adequate amount for their health
• Snow will not make them sick
• It does not affect the birthweight of calves
• Using snow as the water source can lessen production costs

One thing to keep in mind is that a newly lactating cow needs lots of water and, in this case, snow will not be adequate.  Read the linked article for more info.

Farmer Aquitted In Raw Milk Sale

This happens to be about some people we know, you might even call them friends of the family (the whole family).  We have been praying for them for a long time and watching closely the incredible act of criminalizing the sale of raw milk.  I am glad to say that our friends have been aquitted, however, after you read this article, I think oyu might agree that it is a mixed blessing-at best.  They still face charges at the state level and the reporter just HAD to mention that the FDA says the consumption of raw milk is not healthy.  HOGWASH!  As Armand says in the article, people have been drinking milk strait from the cow for centuries.  Whay do we continue to trust the FDA?  Ask yourself, what have they really done, and done well?

Demand For Bison Is Soaring

Bison ranchers are having a hard time keeping up with demand as more people are seeking heathier meat.  Bison grow slower than beef animals, making things difficult for bison ranchers.  Maybe we just need more bison ranchers?

Breeding For More Cream

Here is a good article that proves grass is the key.  This dairy farmer is using techniques "outside the box" to promote heavier cream in his dairy cows, along with genetics.  Apparently, there is a shortage of cream in America, due to the low fat lie.  Read more and go for the cream.

Give A Man A Fish And He'll Eat For A Day. Teach A Man To Fish And He Will Eat For A Lifetime

Montana ranchers have sent a bunch of beef cattle to Russia in an effort to give the Russian cattle industry a boost.  I don't quite know what my opinion is on this.  I do wish we, in America, would worry more about our homeland and less of others.  I guess this is a good thing, maybe.  Read the linked article and judge for yourself.  Let me know your opinions and thoughts.

Neo-Organic

I recently came across the term neo-organic.  At the time, it was in the headline of an article that I did not have time to read.  Since then, I can't remember where I saw it.  I did a small bit of research to try and find the definition of this neo-term.  I have to admit that I did not spend a bunch of time doing this research as I had other things I was doing, which is nothing-neo.  So I am incredibly curious as to what, exactly, people mean by neo-organic.  If you have spent any time reading this humble blog, you will know that I am not a fan of all things organic.  I do think farmers should farm organically, naturally, let me be clear on that.  However, the USDuh organic label, to me, seems misleading as the USDuh (USDA) has proven itself inept at enforcing regulations.  How do you know when the object is truly organic?  Do you know the farmer/farm?  I think the whole thing is misleading.  So, on that note, can someone explain what is meant by neo-organic?  Is this a neo-improved version, or a neo-way of saying the same thing?  Fill me in.

New Study Proves The Health Benefits Of Grass Fed Animals

Once again, science has determined that eating grass fed beef and dairy products is actually healthy for you.  This is what God has been saying all along, you see cows were meant to eat grass that is the way they are designed.  It is an unnatural state for them to be in a confined area being fed GMO grain.  Now we have even more scientific proof that God's design is perfect.  You might want to keep this article to use for reference when answering question for your customers.

Using Cattle To Create Pastoral Scenery?

Who would have thought that creation of a pastoral landscape could be considered a viable bi-product of farming?  Honestly, that is the furthest thing from my mind.  However, this Virginia farmer had what he called an "epiphany".  The moment when all else, all other prior beliefs and knowledge seem to fade away.  If we consider sustainable agriculture and what that means, maybe we all need to have an epiphany.

Pigs Prefer White Clover

Who says pigs don't eat grass?  A new study shows that pigs not only eat grass, but have preferences.  Raising pigs on pasture is the best way to allow a pig to be a pig, not only is this a healthy way of feeding them but very cost effective as well.  Read more here...

Many People Are Getting Privy To The Evils Of Agribusiness And Processed Food

This is a bit of good news for local agriculture and a possible hit to big agribusiness.  As Alan Nation, of the Stockman GrassFarmer reports, the growth of small producers in and around major cities is expected to continue.  The credit of this article goes to the author, Mr.Alan Nation, read on:

Local Ag Seen Getting Big Soon


Monday, 25 October 2010

A group of futurist experts and authors convened by the politically conservative business magazine Forbes have predicted that by 2018, only eight years from now, 20 percent of the food eaten in major urban areas of the USA will be grown adjacent to or in the city itself. The magazine notes that this is a huge number and would really shake up modern American agriculture which is currently built around a small number of large-scale farms and long-distance shipping. "In addition to making our cities more resilient, the health benefits, for both our bodies and our planet, of consuming food that is grown within a small number of miles of our homes or workplaces are significant," the magazine noted in its October 25th edition.

Ethical Issues Eating Meat-Some Do

I personally don't have any ethical issues with eating meat, God gave man even the animals for sustinence.  However, some folks do have ethical issues eating meat.  Here is a good article on the subject.  You don't have to be affraid of eating things that were raised in the environment they were designed to be in.

Grass Fed Beef, Argentina tyle

Here is a neat article that takes a look at Anibal Pordomingo's ranch and opperation in Argentina.  I have read many of his articles in the past and he really knows grass farming and grass fed beef.  I know many of us are not as big as he is, but I think we can still learn from his practices.  One thing we do have in common is that, like many of us, he works a job outside the ranch.  How do you balance your full time job and manage your homestead/farm at the same time?

Grazing Cattle For 300 Days Out Of The Year?

Maybe someday.  Have you ever dreamed of rotationally grazing cattle for 300 days out of the year?  The Univerity of Arkansas has done just that, read more here...