Routines can be so difficult to begin. Jack Lalanne reminded me of that. He remained a remarkable example of consistency. Nothing flashy, nothing press worthy, just working to maintain physical integrity right up until the moment of his death. At 96 no less.
That must be my approach here. To reflect, criticize, comment and report on everything relative to the farm, our cattle and philosophy. I must admit that it didn't take much to start here this morning and I suspect it wouldn't take much most of the 330+ days left in this year and in years to come.
So here's to Jack, breaking new ground, but essentially doing what we all can and should do. To all of my readers to be, this is where I begin anew. Here's to farming that holistic, scalable and downright healthy for all involved.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
So much for time
So much for time
As I sit here on a Friday evening with my labtop, I realize now that I have done nothing but a poor job in relaying the experiences of the farm to you. I don’t believe in excuses and so building a house would not normally be a barrier, but as we are putting together the finishing touches, it has been. So much moving, financing, scheduling, did I say moving. It’s a beautiful house that will much like our former house which is within spitting distance, will be a home. We are all slowly making the adjustment. When I could find any file, book, article or correspondence will now have to be identified and categorized. Saturday will be a good day to work on my new office. I wrote a grant which would provide a new labtop and I hope that would cap off an entire area devoted to the little I’ve learned.
As I’ve settled down and the days are getting shorter, the prospects of a more reliable tweet and post are much more probable. Look for more thoughts on what we doing, we’re preparing for and reflection.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Winter Wheat
Yesterday I finished my winter wheat crop for now (my dad recommended that perhaps I plant more, but I think I'll wait). While I planted just a little hot, I was pleased by the process. It took much longer than I anticipated and that was because the ground was so rough from the constant bombardment of erosion that has existed for the past couple of years.
I hope that the suggested hard rains later this week will not create new ditches in the field. Since this is my first wheat crop, I will have a lot to learn. With that said, I look forward to the green coming up prior to the kill frost in October.
I hope that the suggested hard rains later this week will not create new ditches in the field. Since this is my first wheat crop, I will have a lot to learn. With that said, I look forward to the green coming up prior to the kill frost in October.
Monday, August 16, 2010
How time flies
Since I lasted posted, we were in another pasture, the County Fair was two weeks away and we were just starting another steamy stretch of sultry weather here in the Driftless Region. Well I'm here to say that I think we're out of that weather pattern, the County Fair has concluded for another year and the cattle are in another pasture.
The rain this summer has been record breaking. If we didn't break the record for rain during the summer, we soon will. The Kickapoo never dropped down this summer, so the boys and I never made an excuse to get away from work to fish. The mosquitoes has been ferocious, so even though I'll continue fencing this evening, I will go equipped with spray, long sleeve shirt and longer hat in tow.
Going back to the paddocks, we experienced another gully washer of a rain in the West pasture. However, unlike the South pasture, which has water descend on it from a myriad of directions, the water here came from the corn field and went down the ditch. Very little damage.
The real damage has been where the cattle stand during the hot summer sun, the ground is so saturated that within hours, we go from pasture to mud hole. I may have to look at reseeding, but when I went back down to the South pasture, most paddocks are coming back nicely. I may well let the South rest through the fall, but its all dependent on how fast the Sorghum Sudangrass grows. I frankly have not been very impressed with its stocking rate. Perhaps some nitrogen would have boosted the growth, but I'm not a big fan of inputs and besides, I still have five weeks for the field to grow in order for the stockers to fill up on that (except for the two week window around the kill frost). I will most likely fence around what will be a will be barren corn silage field so that the cows and this year's calves can eat. There again isn't much feed in the field, but toward the end, I will start to process some forage in order that the cows can fill it up with manure for next spring's wheat crop.
Today, I hope to finish some more fencing on the other side of the farm so as cattle arrive there, they won't be uninvited guests in the neighbor's beans. Here's to a post sooner.
The rain this summer has been record breaking. If we didn't break the record for rain during the summer, we soon will. The Kickapoo never dropped down this summer, so the boys and I never made an excuse to get away from work to fish. The mosquitoes has been ferocious, so even though I'll continue fencing this evening, I will go equipped with spray, long sleeve shirt and longer hat in tow.
Going back to the paddocks, we experienced another gully washer of a rain in the West pasture. However, unlike the South pasture, which has water descend on it from a myriad of directions, the water here came from the corn field and went down the ditch. Very little damage.
The real damage has been where the cattle stand during the hot summer sun, the ground is so saturated that within hours, we go from pasture to mud hole. I may have to look at reseeding, but when I went back down to the South pasture, most paddocks are coming back nicely. I may well let the South rest through the fall, but its all dependent on how fast the Sorghum Sudangrass grows. I frankly have not been very impressed with its stocking rate. Perhaps some nitrogen would have boosted the growth, but I'm not a big fan of inputs and besides, I still have five weeks for the field to grow in order for the stockers to fill up on that (except for the two week window around the kill frost). I will most likely fence around what will be a will be barren corn silage field so that the cows and this year's calves can eat. There again isn't much feed in the field, but toward the end, I will start to process some forage in order that the cows can fill it up with manure for next spring's wheat crop.
Today, I hope to finish some more fencing on the other side of the farm so as cattle arrive there, they won't be uninvited guests in the neighbor's beans. Here's to a post sooner.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Planning for the fall
Its hard to mention and in fact, I could lose my loyal readers, but the sad fact is that fall is coming.
While we applauded the coming of spring at its beginning (remember March - wasn't that terrific), signs are all around us that the seasons are in transition.
I know, I heard today's forecast and believe me, after fencing the past week, I know all about the heat, mosquitoes and other forest hazards.
Call it a hunch, a farmer's intuition or perhaps I'm just a little loony. I just feel that Mother Nature will have quite hot and then BOOM!, it will really cool down.
This will be of great relief to the cows. They can tolerate the heat, but only for so long. Moving them into a new paddock is critical for the fact that shade needs to exist. Sometimes I can get lucky and shade is in the paddock and sometimes they need to stay together.
The flies have been an issue. One of my purchases for next year will be humane fly traps that I hope will alleviate some of the discomfort for the cattle. I would pursue this now, but funding is being devoted to the house.
One of the plans for the fall will be the planting of winter wheat on top of ground that's been eroded due to the constant planting of corn (3+ years in a row). We'll speak more to that later.
For now, its off to chores, phone calls and oh yeah, fencing.
While we applauded the coming of spring at its beginning (remember March - wasn't that terrific), signs are all around us that the seasons are in transition.
I know, I heard today's forecast and believe me, after fencing the past week, I know all about the heat, mosquitoes and other forest hazards.
Call it a hunch, a farmer's intuition or perhaps I'm just a little loony. I just feel that Mother Nature will have quite hot and then BOOM!, it will really cool down.
This will be of great relief to the cows. They can tolerate the heat, but only for so long. Moving them into a new paddock is critical for the fact that shade needs to exist. Sometimes I can get lucky and shade is in the paddock and sometimes they need to stay together.
The flies have been an issue. One of my purchases for next year will be humane fly traps that I hope will alleviate some of the discomfort for the cattle. I would pursue this now, but funding is being devoted to the house.
One of the plans for the fall will be the planting of winter wheat on top of ground that's been eroded due to the constant planting of corn (3+ years in a row). We'll speak more to that later.
For now, its off to chores, phone calls and oh yeah, fencing.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
What is means to be a good steward
Such a heavy topic for 4:45 in the morning, but here it goes.
Being a good steward means being true to your surroundings. After our recent 6+ inches of rain, one would think that mass erosion and other land removal would certainly have taken place. Quite the contrary.
Our method of farming (mob grazing) allows for the cattle to be in one area of the pasture at one time. So while water descended from the neighbors farm and rushed through the pasture yesterday, minimal damage was experienced. Had we done things the way we used to do it, it might be a different picture.
Being a good steward is a recognition that we are only here for a brief time. Frankly ours in but a vapor and to think that we can do whatever we want, wherever we want is irresponsible. To build the soil, raise a variety of grasses, to raise cattle on a low input, sustainable system is not just a noble goal, but should be mandated.
How and why farmers plant where they do here in the Driftless Region is beyond me. I've paid for ditches to be filled in year after year and beginning next year, all that will end. Soil doesn't "grow" but is created over time. As I get older, the soil in my hands and in how I treat it will be my legacy.
I could expound on these points, but this is my stance on stewardship. It may waver with different dialogue, but for the most part, its how I feel.
Have a great Sunday. A day of rest before I tackle some hay on Monday and yet another busy week at Mountain Lane.
Being a good steward means being true to your surroundings. After our recent 6+ inches of rain, one would think that mass erosion and other land removal would certainly have taken place. Quite the contrary.
Our method of farming (mob grazing) allows for the cattle to be in one area of the pasture at one time. So while water descended from the neighbors farm and rushed through the pasture yesterday, minimal damage was experienced. Had we done things the way we used to do it, it might be a different picture.
Being a good steward is a recognition that we are only here for a brief time. Frankly ours in but a vapor and to think that we can do whatever we want, wherever we want is irresponsible. To build the soil, raise a variety of grasses, to raise cattle on a low input, sustainable system is not just a noble goal, but should be mandated.
How and why farmers plant where they do here in the Driftless Region is beyond me. I've paid for ditches to be filled in year after year and beginning next year, all that will end. Soil doesn't "grow" but is created over time. As I get older, the soil in my hands and in how I treat it will be my legacy.
I could expound on these points, but this is my stance on stewardship. It may waver with different dialogue, but for the most part, its how I feel.
Have a great Sunday. A day of rest before I tackle some hay on Monday and yet another busy week at Mountain Lane.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Rain
Rain.
It is welcomed at nearly every juncture of the growing season. We have been blessed to have such copious amounts, but as I get ready to head to the paddocks, we're pushing the envelope. Since yesterday, we've seen over 3 inches of rain. Now, I'm not complaining. Its just that it presents some challenges. The paddocks are muddy. It gets hard to put in paddocks, take them out as well as work on weeds.
We also had tremendous amounts two weeks ago and one paddock in particular was relegated to muddy highway 101. Since then grasses, alfalfa and some clover have appeared back in that paddock. In fact, in another week, you won't even know the cattle were there. The mob grazing has been good for the cattle, although having a scale will give me a better idea how the stockers are performing on a daily gain basis. I'm looking to apply for a grant to cover the cost.
The sorghum sudangrass is ready to go, but the rain pushes harvest back a bit. I anticipate a great deal of forage for the winter from this crop.
After paddock work, it looks like indoor work will be the call for the day. Fencing, hay and other things will need to wait until we see three days of dry weather.
All in the life of the farm. Perhaps I migrate to La Farge for the Kickapoo Valley Fair as well. TGIF!
It is welcomed at nearly every juncture of the growing season. We have been blessed to have such copious amounts, but as I get ready to head to the paddocks, we're pushing the envelope. Since yesterday, we've seen over 3 inches of rain. Now, I'm not complaining. Its just that it presents some challenges. The paddocks are muddy. It gets hard to put in paddocks, take them out as well as work on weeds.
We also had tremendous amounts two weeks ago and one paddock in particular was relegated to muddy highway 101. Since then grasses, alfalfa and some clover have appeared back in that paddock. In fact, in another week, you won't even know the cattle were there. The mob grazing has been good for the cattle, although having a scale will give me a better idea how the stockers are performing on a daily gain basis. I'm looking to apply for a grant to cover the cost.
The sorghum sudangrass is ready to go, but the rain pushes harvest back a bit. I anticipate a great deal of forage for the winter from this crop.
After paddock work, it looks like indoor work will be the call for the day. Fencing, hay and other things will need to wait until we see three days of dry weather.
All in the life of the farm. Perhaps I migrate to La Farge for the Kickapoo Valley Fair as well. TGIF!
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