About Our Blog

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Our blog is to inform and entertain you as we pursue our goal of starting a farm. Here we plan on recording thoughts, projects, farm additions and other note-worthy happenings. You may even see us on a magazine or two. If you would like to comment on our blog or just say "Hi" feel free to do so on our CBOX to the left.  Just enter your name and a message, then click the 'GO' button.  We were using shout-box, but had poor luck with it.  We enjoy your emails too, so don't be afraid to email us a note. Yahoo users: feel free to contact us...our profile is mn_nice_couple.  Just because we don't appear online, doesn't mean we're not.  When you send us an IM, please identify yourselves... and let us know why you're contacting us. Put yourself on the map! CLICK HERE to show us where you are in the world.

George - Our new Spanish/Boer Buck.

The Blog   

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Some days I blog w/o checking for errors - you'll know it when you read it

Oct 05 2008
- So far, so good.

I woke up early this morning.  Good news... all the cattle were still inside the fences.  By the time I got out to feed Caitlin some apples, the new cattle had found their way into the large north pasture.  Caitlin got most of the apples, but I threw a few pieces to one of the other cows.  She and her calf ate a few, but not many.  They were a little wary.

Oct 04, 2008
- We're cattle people now.  I guess.

After dropping off our pickup, in the morning, at Farmer Mike's and picking up his truck and trailer, Madison and I started out our 3½ hr trip to the Blue Earth, MN area to get the farm's new 'foundation' herd of Scottish Highlanders.

When we arrived at our destination, we were hoping to quickly get the 6 Highlanders loaded and hit the road again.  Hmmmm.  That's not quite how things went for us.  The husband was up north hunting, leaving wife Michele and son Chase to take care of the sale.

After backing the trailer to the pen gate, hay and feed were placed inside.  I guess the folks we were buying the cattle from, thought the cattle would load themselves after seeing the feed stuffs.  It didn't work.  We found ourselves chasing cattle off of the road.  They broke out of the pen and were quickly feeding on the grasses of the ditches.

We struggled to get them all back into the pen, just to have them escape a couple more times, before making headway in the loading process.  I suggested we rope one head at a time and muscle the critter into the trailer.  With this new strategy implemented, our first attempt went OK.  We chose one of the cows, figuring the heifer calves will load easier after seeing one of the big females inside.

With a lariat/lasso around the horns of one of the mamas, Chase and I pulled, grunted, slipped and fell, trying to get this 5 yr old cow into the trailer... but we did it, w/o fatality.  We then moved her to the front of the trailer, locking her there with the middle gate.  By this time, the other cattle broke out again... and Madison and I have been here for over an hour.  It would seem, at this rate, we'll be here for another 6-7 hours.  Please God, help us.

We then recovered a red heifer and her mother from the roadside.  In the pen, we roped the remaining cow (another 5 yr old).  This cow, probably weighing-in at 900+ lbs, did not want to be persuaded to go anywhere.  She bucked wildly, horns flailing.  Chase let go of the rope, leaving me "in control" of the crazy, large horned beastie.  I leaned back with the rope pulled behind my thigh.  She took me for a ride alright.  She was tired and I was tired, but we were no closer to the trailer than when we started this lop-sided tug-of-war.  This cow continued to fight me, until finally going through the fence.  With me on one side of the fence and her on the other, it was apparent, we were not going to get this cow loaded any time soon.  With Chase's help, we tied her to the trailer, leaving her for a later attempt.

After 45 minutes of getting the first cow captive, we secured her little red heifer calf.  We closed the end gate, opened the middle gate and moved the calf up front... just like her mom.  With two head in the trailer and the end gate open, we found the other 2 heifers climbing into the trailer on their own.  Again, we closed the end gate and moved them forward as well.  If you're keeping score- that's 4 down - 2 to go!

Chase and I looked at each other and decided it was now time for the 2nd cow to find her way into the trailer.  Since she was on the outside of the pen now, I moved the trailer away from the gate and pens.  When the cow gave up slack in the rope, we snugged the rope, pulling it tight.  She tried pulling herself loose, but in doing so, she would create more slack.  After only 5 minutes, she found herself halfway in the trailer.  We closed the end gate on her, pushed a little.  FINALLY, she was in.  She too got moved to the front.  It's time for us to take on the bull.

After chasing the 2 yr old, 400-500# bull from pen to pen, we got him roped.  Unlike the others, this little man-beef like to growl.  Yep, he was pissed.  Thank goodness he was small.  We really didn't have to work too hard to get him loaded.  Once inside, we moved one of the cows back with him.  We had 2 in back of the trailer and 4 upfront.

We exchanged paperwork and cash with the new/old owner.  I looked at the time to see we spent nearly 2½ hrs loading the these "affable, easy tempered" creatures.  LOL.  Another 3½ hours later, we were home. 

I put a couple of hay bales in the pen, backed the trailer to the gate and unlike the experience we had loading the Highlanders, unloading only took 30 seconds.  We watched them for a bit, before bringing Mike's truck and trailer back to him.  I gave him a short overview of the day's experience and headed back home... incase they got out.  Upon leaving, both Mike and his son, let me know if the cattle got out during the night, don't hesitate to call for help.  And I honestly think they honestly meant I could call them... and not somebody else... LOL.

I ate supper, had a few beers and checked the cows before heading to bed.  I hope they're still in in the morning.

 

Oct 02, 2008
- The vineyard looks better.

The last several mornings, I have been tempting Caitlin, our Scottish Highlander cow, into the north pasture.  Apples work best.  Caitlin LOVES apples.

Yesterday and the day before, Caitlin ventured into the pasture, but only with apples baiting her.  When the apples were gone, so was our cow.  She high-tailed it back to the 'L' pasture.  This morning started the same way.  I led our cow around the parameter of the big north pasture, but when the apples where gone, she ran back to her 'L'.  I don't know if she was spooked or just in a hurry.  But when she took-off, I heard plashing in the creek behind me.  As Caitlin was running back home, two deer were running the opposite way.  They hopped across the creek, ran up the bank and through the grass field.  It was a true sight to see.

Later, with the help of my well running tractor.  I went north and south, then east and west.  The LaCresent section of the vineyard is looking pretty neat and tidy.  Maybe tomorrow, I'll attempt the Brianna vines.

After mowing, I checked to see where Caitlin was.  Good news!  She found her way back into the the north pasture.  She spent most of the day out there, coming back only to drink water.  Our hope is that she will lead the other cattle to the grass in the big pasture, once they arrive on the farm.

 

Oct 01, 2008
- It's running... again.

Some time ago, I had problems with the farms little Allis-Chalmers B.  It turns out, I had a bad capacitor, so the magneto wouldn't throw a spark... or if it did, it was rare.  When I got the little tractor back, it ran like a top.  Then one day, I was mowing in the farm's vineyard when it happened.  It died.

Thank goodness my mom and step-dad came for a visit.  We went through the carb and got the Allis running again, but with a few hiccups.  Then it died.  For the last few weeks, it has been parked in front of the garage.  I give it a crank every once in awhile, but it never stays running.

Well, today I finally tore the carburetor apart.  I separated the body of the carb... nothing but gasoline.  I then removed some of the jets... still nothing.  I removed everything from the carb that could be removed... except for one plug... on the bowl.  Last time it was apart, this particular plug leaked, when reinstalled... so we silicone'd it to stop the leak. 

And now... even though I didn't want too, I removed the plug.  I thought I'd risk the leak.  When I got the plug out, the culprit was exposed.  A tiny piece of silicon had broke loose and plugged this jet looking thing.  I blew it out with the air gun, slapped it all together, put it on the Allis and gave my baby a crank of the starter.

IT PURRRR'ED LIKE A KITTEN!

I preceded to mow the lawn and get a start on the first acre of the vineyard.  It continued to purrr on.  Here's a pic -

 

What is it called?
- Husked kernels.

I was given this corn.  The previous owner said it was one of the first types of corn planted in the Americas.  If you look closely, you can see that each kernel has its own husk.

I think it's Pod corn.  If it is, Pod corn is thought to have been the first type of corn ever grown. Each kernel grows in its own husk, so it is difficult to use without incorporating a lot of labor. It is raised today for scientific research.

 

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CHICKENS FOR SALE -  Only $2/lb ** We are now selling  processed birds by the pound. ** (as outlined by the Dairy and Food Inspection Division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture) Carol has 50+ (all orders are filled) Cornish Cross Broiler Chickens on hand and growing well (this batch of chickens is the 2nd of what she is growing this year).  If you would like to buy some hormone free/antibiotic free chickens in Oct, make sure you contact us immediately. These chickens dress out at approx. 6-9 lbs.  We also can sell a live bird if you want to process them yourself... but if you want us to process them for you, make sure you tell us.  Cornish game hens (1½- 3 lbs) sell for $2.50. The Cornish Game hens are SOLD OUT! Already, we have a few folks reserving their birds.  We will call you a week before it's time to get your birds and again the day of.  Please contact us for details. We sell all our birds skinless and frozen.  If you want skin-on, quartered or cut-up chicken, please let us know ahead of time. Do we eat what we raise?  You betcha!  We will be raising approx. 100 chickens for our family alone.  Why so many?  Simple... we like knowing we are eating a healthy chicken, raised with care in healthy conditions and we love the way they taste. We also have some beautiful Heritage Turkeys (Red Bourbon) growing well.  Turkeys should be ready in Nov - early Dec.  CALL CAROL TODAY:  320-220-3235

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