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

Dec 31, 2009 
- Happy New Year.

This afternoon I got call from the University of Chicago.  I spoke with an Esther Bowen, Program Coordinator and Graduate Student Researcher, who is doing research on Energy Use and Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Small-Scale, Diversified Farms throughout the Midwest in 2010.  The program focuses on gathering data on food production, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.  I had contacted her last week, thinking the program looked interesting.  She is looking for more volunteers.

Interested?  To discuss participation, or for any questions/concerns contact:  Esther Bowen,
eebowen@uchicago.edu, cell: 773-266-2215 or Assistant Professor Pamela Martin, pmartin@uchicago.edu, office: 773-834-5245

On the surface, one could say that 2009 was a tough year.  Perhaps it was merely a good year in disguise.  For most of us, out-going money was watched closely and incoming was coveted... so what if we didn't buy all the things we might have in a "normal" year.  Most Americans buy crap anyway - things they don't need.  This last year was a year of focus.  It let many of us decide what was/is important and taught us what we do for ourselves.  I will look back at 2009 as being a good year.

Dec 30, 2009 
- Madison's Christmas present.

We left the farm around noon, hoping to arrive at the River Wood Farm, near Lake Crystal, MN at 3:00PM.  Madison has wanted a horse for some time now, and has done quite a good job helping out on the farm, but our farm philosophy has been that every animal (except maybe for the VERY old one) must serve a purpose or do a job.  Until we have enough cattle or another true need for a horse... we will not get a horse.  This philosophy may change if/when the farm makes enough $$$ to afford some of the extras, but as of now a horse is just a hay eating, pooping machine with hooves.  That was for 'regular' sized horses.  Then we found an ad for a mini filly... a pinto to be exact.  Hmmm.  Here is a pic of her.

Royce of River Wood Equine was explaining some horse-sense things to Madison

When we thought about it and did some research, we saw the chance to see if Madison was even equipped to care for a horse.  Her was our chance.  Mini horses are a little more rugged than a full-sized horse, have a better temperament of a pony, eat very little and if they kick one of us... chances are we'll have bruises and not broken bones.  Mini horses cannot be ridden but they can be trained to drive... basically everything a "real' horse can do.

On the way home, we stopped-in to our local farm store.  Madison bought a few supplies for her new horse and I bought a new hydraulic cylinder for the snow blower chute.  I hope to get it on the blower before the next big snow.  I found that turning the chute by hand is no picnic.  Around the place I seem to be stopping the tractor to manually adjust where the snow is going more than I'm actually moving snow.  This should aid me in doing a better job of snow removal in a shorter time, saving me both time and fuel.

Dec 29, 2009 
- oh so cold.

We just sort of hunkered down for the day.

Dec 27, 2009 
- belated Christmas dinner.

In the morning, I removed snow with the tractor mounted snow-blower.  Last night's storm blew more snow in and it needed to be cleared.  Actually, the forecast stated that blustery weather was to be the norm for the next couple of days.  After clearing the snow from around the farm place, I took-off down the road to help some of the neighbors with their snow removal.  As beginning farmers, we really don't have the equipment or resources to help out much, so when an opportunity arises I'll take advantage of it.  Today was the day I could help others.  I have a tractor and a snow blower and I know how to use them.  :^)

At noon, we had dinner at Carol's sister's place in Clara City, MN.  The food was hot and tasty.  We stayed late, talking about this and that.  It was a nice visit.  While helping with the dishes after the meal, Carol noticed a container of honey.  The label on the bottle was from our friends at Larson's Honey... the same folks that do the bee-keeping of the bees on our land.  Coincidentally, we gave honey that Larson's processed from our place as gifts.

Like I mentioned, we stayed late.  Normally the trip home would take less than a half hour but tonight it took over an hour.  We got stuck on our way home.  North of Raymond, MN the road was covered with snow... deep snow.  And of course, we got stuck... not in the ditch but right in the middle of our lane.  After about 10 minutes, there was a small 4 wheel drive behind us.  They offered to help push but to no avail.  They then told us that they lived only 5 minutes away... they'd be back with help.  Nope, they were stuck too.  They then called ahead.  In time, help arrived and after several tugs with a 4x4 farm truck, we were free from the hold of the snow.  I looked behind where we were stuck and there were 4 other cars stalled and apparently stuck on the highway.  The guy that pulled us free waved us through as he said he had his work cut out for himself.  We wished him a Merry Christmas as we got out of his way.  The rest of the trip was worry free.  It was nice to get back home.

Dec 26, 2009 
- time for a party.

We went to farmer Mike's house.  He and his Mrs. (Karen) host an annual soirée.  They had a good turn-out despite the weather.  Good food and good friends were the themes.  It was a night of eating, snacking and game playing.  For the guys... Rook is the game of choice.  Karen's chili was excellent as usual... most of had more than one bowl of the stuff.  The township road that Farmer Mike and his family lives on was less than wonderful.  We were blazing snow trails.

Dec 25, 2009 
- Christmas.

Merry Christmas all!  I got a Daisy brand, Red Ryder BB-gun.  Hope I don't shoot my eye out.

Dec 23, 2009 
- and the snow cometh.

Flurries in the morning, snow in the afternoon and more snow in the eve.  From 12 midnight tonight until sometime after Christmas, it is said that we are advised not to travel.  We will see more later.  Tonight, the kids went Christmas shopping and returned safely at 11:40PM.  Already, we have received 3 inches since late this afternoon..

the radar shot of what thy are calling the highway 23 snow storm

Tomorrow, we are to experience the 2nd of 3 waves of the storm.  Sometime during the day, we are to drive to the Mankato area to pick-up Madison's Christmas present.  I have, already, sent an email mentioning that we may have to postpone our arrival, due to the weather.

Carol's sister called today.  She is warning everyone that if the weather is still bad on Christmas Day, she will not be hosting dinner and that it will be hosted on the 27th instead.  I think Carol has taken a ham out of the freezer, in anticipation of the storm still hanging around until Christmas Day.  She's a much better cook than her sister.

Dec 22, 2009 
- the warning is out.

We didn't do a whole lot... other than the usual stuff..  We did some Christmas shopping and picked up a few farm supplies as well.  All day on the radio, the TV and the Internet we have been getting warnings and updates on the pending snow storm.  It looks like it's going to be a biggy.  Around here, most folks remember the Halloween snow storm of 1991... I think some parts of the state got 30" of snow.  I guess we'll learn more, as time goes on. 

After we got back from town, I grabbed the parts I bought and headed out to the Ritchie brand automatic waterer.  Although it was snowing and blowing, I found myself laying down in the snow, installing the hose fittings I had just bought.  I was bound & determined to get this waterer working before the storm hit.  It didn't take long before I had the hose connected and the valve in the 'on' position.  No leak... that's a good sign.  So that the water wouldn't freeze as I was finishing up, I plugged the power cord into the receptacle... we had heat.  As I was reaching around inside the waterer, I heard a loud sizzle.  Oh crap!  I knew that sound as throughout my life I had experienced it several time.  I looked at my fingertips and sure enough I had burnt three of my fingers on the heating element, located on the underside of stainless steel drinking pan.  I quick placed my hand in the snowdrift beside me.  Crap!  The pain was starting to set in.  I finished whatever I was doing, secured the insulated side access door of the waterer and with my tools in my good hand, I walked the quarter mile back to the place.  I now have a working heated winter waterer for my cattle.

Dec 21, 2009 
- goats and lamb.

Part of the agreement we had with Jim (see yesterday's post) was that we would milk his Alpine doe, Peanut.  He warned us that she doesn't really like anyone milking her except his daughter(s).  He mentioned that she has a tendency to lay down when strangers try to milk her.  And that she did this morning when, Carol attempted to milk her.  Most good milking does will squat when you touch their udders... not this one, she laid on the milk stand.  Carol had her hands trapped in the milk pail because the goat collapsed.  Hmmmm.  This was odd.  When Carol stopped milking, we could get her to stand... try to milk and down she'd go.  The goat was a big girl so we knew we we not about to hold her up for the entire milking.  So what was 'Plan B' again?  Oh yeah... we didn't have one.  Then it occurred to me, let's put a strap under her belly so when she tries to lay down, she stays suspended.  I went to the garage to retrieve one of my ratchet style tie-down straps.  It worked.  With the strap under the goat's stomach, Carol was able to milk Peanut.  With weight on her front legs, she was just swinging on the strap that was supporting her back half.  As goofy as it looked, milking was made possible and the goat didn't seem like she cared.  It was a simple solution to a simple problem.  We even trimmed her hind feet - something her owners said they we unable to do because of this lazy, almost defiant behavior of laying down on the job.  What a funny doe.

The evening brought us more snow.  With it, a first-time customer rolled in with caution.  Heavy snowfall and slick roads had every passerby driving slowly.  The family we were expecting to stop-in couldn't stop in time for our driveway, so after an about-face, they found themselves in our farm yard with Carol waiting for them.  Carol met them in the snowy drive with 2 beautiful legs of lamb in her arms.  They were here to pick-up their meat order.  Someone is going to have a memorable Christmas meal.

Dec 20, 2009 
- my sisters and I are among the masses.

There is more and more that is being said about what my sisters & I, among millions of other Americans, have done.  Over the last several years, younger folks (20-to-early-40-somethings) have been moving from the 9 to 5 world to a much more rural environment.  These ruralpolitans basically fall into 3 country real estate buying groups - investors, exurban commuters and back-to-the-land types... these groups have never experienced such uncertain times (economic or terrorist).  For some people, the break to rural living is a hedge against an unpredictable future.  Check out this Wall Street Journal article:  Green Acres Is The Place To Be.

Here's another good article to read:   Top 10 Reasons To Eat Grass-fed Meat.

- it's breeding season.

We had a short visit from a wonderful gentleman (Jim) from the Sauk Center area.  He brought a couple of his family's dairy does to us for breeding.  We have 2 young bucks - a purebred, pedigreed LaMancha buck (with a excellent herd index of 92) and a young Alpine, both standing at stud.  He didn't care which one of our bucks bred his good looking does, so we thought we would let the does decide.  Both does are in the breeding pen with both bucks.  His only requirement is that his does be bred by good quality dairy bucks... that we can do.

Since the goat's owner has left, the bigger of the does has been calling for him ever since.  Hopefully, we will see some 'flagging' in the next week or so.  Once we know our bucks have done their business, we can get these girls back home were they're more comfortable.

A couple of hours later, we got a call from a gal that was interested in the last LaMancha buck we had for sale.  After putting him in the back of the Cadillac, Carol met her in Willmar and came home with some nice quality show rabbits a short time later.  It was another barter.  Granted, I'm not a rabbit kind of guy, but I think the new LaMancha owner got the better end of the deal... but that's just me... lol  (shhhh - I think we have too many bunnies).  Carol said I needed to "shish" as it was great deal for both parties... and I don't know what I'm talking about.  :^)

- Merry Christmas.

We finished the evening with Madison's Christmas program at the rural neighborhood church.  It's quite a small church but with high participation by it's members - kids and adults alike.  I think it worth mentioning, the church choir was very good.  The best I've heard in decades.  What impressed Carol and I about this small church was it truly seemed to be about the celebration of the holiday.  We have attended many other church's Christmas programs and were disappointed with most of the churches, using their Christmas program as another opportunity to bring in money.  For the little country church of Salem Covenant, it was only about Christmas and the message.

Dec 19, 2009 
- the girls are gone.

Carol and Madison went to St. Cloud, MN to do some Christmas shopping with friends (another mother/daughter team).  Carol said she didn't have much Holiday shopping left to do, but thought she could find something for someone.  The main stops of interest was going to be the big farm store, Mill's Fleet Farm & Sam's Club.  I added fencing wire to Carol's shopping list as I'm not done fencing in 40 acres of corn stalks yet.  We no sooner got the corn harvested before winter set-in... my winter pasture is fast becoming a spring pasture project.

I did, however, work on my remote watering project.  East of the place, I have a water outlet for my heated, Ritchie brand, automatic waterer.  Before I could get things set-up, we saw freezing temp roll-in.  Well, today I was able to get the electrical working for the waterer, but instead of hooking up the Ritchie water, I installed heat-tape to the water outlet, trying to thaw it out.  If I can get it defrosted, I think I can get the waterer temporarily set in place - good enough for the cattle to drink from during the winter, then finish the set-up in the spring.  We'll see.  It may not be needed.

I have noticed that since the Highlander cattle have been moved to the far east pasture, they are drinking little to no water when they come up to the barn.  It is said that Scottish Highland cattle can go all winter with out water if the have sufficient snow.  Of course, the experts discourage this practice, but I'm starting to believe the cattle can go with out drinking water for extended periods of time.  We have the snow and if they're not drinking water from the stock tank, they're staying hydrated somehow.  I think the only reason they come back to the place is to check if I've put out any hay for them.  When I know we're going to have an Artic cold snap, I'll put out a round bale for them... they get used to being spoiled like that.  Anyway, whether they eat enough snow to sustain them or not, I thought the subject interesting enough to mention.

I also worked on mounting the PTO snow blower to the Oliver tractor.  She's greased, oiled and ready for some substantial snowfall.  We've only received a couple days of measurable snow, but 'hey' this is Minne-snow-ta right? We're going to get some more of the white stuff.  I want to be somewhat ready.  I think if I can get the tractor started, I'll be ready enough.

Dec 18, 2009 
- early birth.

Although we've never had it happen before, it was bound to happen sometime.  One of our original goat herd does (Jackie) had a kid early - 1 month early.  We found it laying in the big pen.  It was a very small buckling... no hair whatsoever. To best describe the size, one could say the body was as big (or small) as an adult hand.  I think Carol mentioned that the last time this doe kidded, she had triplets.  None survived and that was 1½ yr ago.  It may be time for this old gal to be brought to the butcher.  It doesn't make much sense to keep feeding her and get nothing in return.

Dec 17, 2009 
- leg of lamb.

We brought one of our spring lambs to the butcher today.  We have a customer from Willmar, MN who wanted lamb for Christmas.  Carol discussed the details with her and it sounds like we will be able to give her the custom cut she desires.  It should be ready for pick-up tomorrow.  If you know of anyone who is in the market for lamb during the holidays, send them our way.  We have another leg of lamb needing a home.  Remember, our lambs are grass/forage fed only.  No hormones, no antibiotics and no grain.  They are as naturally fed as they can be.

We also found a company who specializes in vintage aerial photos.  They located two photos of this farm - one from 1967, the other from 1978.  Long-story-short, they had the wrong film for the 1967 photo, but the gal we were dealing with found the 1978 pic.  We're considering purchasing one of the farm photos, but want to see the other before committing.

this is an aerial photo of my dad's farm - 1978

here is the same photo - painted in an oil effect that I did with a my graphics program

The company has photos of farms in 38 states.  I'm sure they can find your farm.  Contact them at http://vintageaerial.com/, ask for Michelle.

- leg of rabbit?

Hey folks, we're doing some holiday butchering here and some folks like rabbit.  Carol and I were going to butcher rabbits tomorrow.  I think that may have changed.  Carol stumbled upon a YouTube video that shows just how easy processing a rabbit can be.  It also shows us that YouTube has something useful on it.  Because of the video, there really is no need for me to help Carol... heck, my only job was to do the killing.  Check out this link.  It's a bit graphic, so if you have no interest in eating rabbit, there is no need to watch it. 

Dec 16, 2009 
- Artisan cheese boom is changing home architecture.

NEW YORK: It has been said that artisan cheese is the “new wine.”

Artisan cheese sales are up 29% over 2002 and are now estimated to be almost a billion dollars a year by the National Association of The Specialty Food trade.  Americans now eat three times as much cheese on a per capita basis as in 1970 with a 2003 per capita consumption of 31 pounds.

According to The Wall Street Journal, this new love of cheese is starting to affect home architecture.  While home cheese-aging has long been popular in Europe, it is becoming fashionable in the USA as well.  Some homeowners are now building cabinets with humidifiers to keep their cheeses from smelling or drying out between servings.  Others are converting wine refrigerators into cheese-storage units and a few are even building cheese rooms or subterranean aging caves.

One northern California homeowner has built a subterranean stone cave for cheese aging and storage around a natural artesian well that will provide humidity.  California homebuilder, Sam Benzacar, told The Wall Street Journal he is building 300-square-foot cheese rooms adjacent to the wine cellars in his 16,000-square-foot spec homes.

Because cheeses can absorb odors on the material it is placed on, maple wood is often used for shelving. Unfortunately different cheeses require different environments.  Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Gouda and Parmesan can last for months stored at 55 to 60 degrees and 80% humidity.  Blue cheeses, on the other hand, should be kept at 45 degrees and 90% humidity.  A countertop cheese refrigerator from Napa Style will have four different compartments for different cheeses, each with its own temperature and humidity controls.  The appliance roughly the size of a toaster oven will cost about $300.  Mississippi-based Viking Range said it will have a special cheese refrigerator available soon as well.

© by The Stockman Grass Farmer

- It must be goat season.

Carol has been getting a few calls and emails about goats today.  Goat doelings, buck services and goat milk.  One of the first calls was from a cheese maker.  She was asking about doelings for sale or coming for sale this spring.  This gal did not want show goats.  It seems she's had some the same concerns & experiences with breeders as we have.  Most show goat breeders pump out less-than-healthy goats.  She wanted grass-fed, antibiotic free stock.  Well, she called the right folks - us.  Carol and her also chatted about cheese making and how it's more of a science than an art. 

Carol then received an email from a gal from Duluth, MN, who is looking for a LaMancha dairy buck.  It seems that the state of MN is not the greatest place to find this type of goat.  She admitted that if she wants a LaMancha buck, she's going to travel for him.  We're glad to help when we can.

Carol also got a call from a family near Sacred Heart, MN.  They were interested in goat milk. 

Lastly, early this evening a call came through on my phone.  The gentleman on the other end mentioned that he had talked to Carol about our turkeys, but this time he wanted to learn more about our dairy bucks and if we had any bucks standing at stud.  I passed the phone over to Carol.  She's officially the herd manager.  She's tuned into the herd's health & condition.  If you need to talk goat... talk to Carol.  Why not go to the expert, when one is available?!

Dec 15, 2009 
- they're here, they're here!.

This morning, Mike, from the area Conservation office stopped by to pick-up some more paperwork that I had, concerning my pasture project.  He also had me sign a few documents, verifying that I had completed certain elements of the projects (underground waterline, HUP pad & all the fencing for this year).  The GPS'd everything yesterday and according to their GPS results, I had installed over 8190 linear ft of fence line.  That equals approx. 50,000 ft (4.5 miles) of high-tensile fence wire, 220+ T-posts & over 110 4" wooden posts and about 80 6" wooden posts.  Don't even ask me how many insulators I installed.  Anyway, he said everything looked good for this year and what didn't get done, not to worry about it... we'll get it next year.  He also had a little surprise for me.  My "Organic Farm: Please Do Not Spray" signs came in.  Months ago, I filled out an online application from the Minnesota Dept. Of Agriculture for some free signs to post.  The signs are to let the operators of the neighboring fields that care should be taken when using harmful sprays.  They look fantastic.

here is one of signs we got from the MN Dept. of Agriculture

Thank goodness the farm has a gas powered tractor on the premises.  The high temperature for the day was only -0ºF.  It was -16ºF this morning.  The Oliver tractor, a diesel, just didn't want to start.  I had it plugged-in overnight, but no go.  And just over 3 hours of being plugged-in, the IH 560 gas popped off... reluctantly, but it did start.  With a tractor now running, I was able to feed the cattle and the goats & sheep.  I think that's the worst part of homesteading in these climates that get so cold.  The winter environments are not always machinery friendly.  Luckily, today was not a day fret.

We do have some sad news.  Last night, we had little Shadow (a young, black doeling) in the house, warming in front of the fireplace.  I discovered her looking weak in one of our nursery pens.  Madison quickly scooped up the little goat and brought her to the house.  Carol did her best to work some magic on the doeling.  The goat's core temp was only 89ºF but with the heat of the fire and some warm fluids, Carol got Shadow's temp back to normal - 102ºF.  Even though the goat was more active, she didn't look great.  Carol stayed up with until late, then checked on her again at 3:00, 4:00 & 4:30, only to find her little patient slipping away.  Shadow died at 5AM.

Dec 14, 2009 
- Pasture inspection today.

At 9:00AM sharp, the Natural Conservation and Resource Service personnel came out to inspect the farm's efforts, with regards to the pasture and grazing grant project we undertook this fall.  They came out with cameras and 2 sets of GPS units... good thing they brought 2, since one didn't work.  The final inspection process included GPS'ing the fence-lines and under ground waterlines and remote watering stations so they could map things out.  They also took photos of just about everything related to the project - samples of the underground line locations, aboveground waterlines, stock tanks, and hydrants... the high-tensile fencing, corner posts, the end post assemblies, gates, and even the solar fencer unit - everything.  After an 1½ hrs, they were gone.  I'm hoping everything looked good.  The project is part of a 6 year conservation grant project that we qualified for earlier this year, under the Federal EQIP Program.

- later in the day.

The EQIP inspection today must have looked pretty good to the NRCS folks.  They called this afternoon saying they wanted to come out again tomorrow morning.  The reason for them stopping by is so I can sign sign-off on the project and get a reimbursed for all the work I did.  Although not all of the projects are not [totally] completed, we will get a majority of the what we spent, back.  We have spent more on the pasture and grazing project than we thought we would.  To say we need the $$$ would be an understatement.  And since we have more grant projects planned for next year, the NRCS office wants us to get paid this year for the work we've done and not next year.  I guess it complicates their budgeting efforts.  Maybe we won't have to wait long before we'll see some numbers in black at the bottom of the farm ledger.

Dec 13, 2009 
- Sadie out 4X.

For crying out loud!  Sadie, the farm's newest Scottish Highlander heifer WOULD NOT stay in the fence today.  We chased her in 4 times... each time she waits near the gate as if trying to tell us, "If the gate was open, I'd be in already."  Open the gate for her and in she walks.  A few hours later, same thing - she's out... then back in.  As easy as it was, it still gets old.

On a normal day, I would have watched the afternoon Viking's football game, but instead, I made a final run to our local farm store.  When I say final, I mean for fencing supplies.  Tomorrow morning, I have 2 NRCS officials coming out to inspect my work on the farm's grazing and pasturing project.  I didn't have any gates so I bought a handful of $20 16'x50" cattle panels to go across the gate openings.  I also purchased two 60 gal. sheep/goat watering tanks.  Although I do not have all my above ground waterlines in place, I was told that I must have the stock tanks.  They are now placed in the general area they need to be.  While I was putting the my temp. gates and the tanks in place, I was able to listen to the Vikings dominate the Cincinnati Bangles for a 30-10 victory.

As the game finished up, so did I.  Officially... the fencing & grazing project is done... for this year.  I have nearly 1 mile of fencing to build next year as well as that much again, in 2011.  I am so relieved to have this HUGE project completed this year.

Dec 12, 2009 
- Xmas is coming.

I ran my last strand of high-tensile wire yesterday and secured/stapled the non-"HOT" wires to the wooden posts today.  I am nearly done with this year's fencing.  I need to install a few gates and that with be it.  I did what I could do for today.  Tomorrow, I'll make a quick trip to the farm store.

Austin bought some blue lights for our tree so Carol and Madison could finish the tree decorating.  The girls had started to decorate the tree but when they checked the string of blue lights, they failed to light.  After much trying, they were to remain unlit.  Since Austin works at one of the country's major retail stores, he was ordered to run few errands for his mother.

Carol & Madison did some baking today too.  We now have candies, cookies & fudges abound.  To add to the feeling of Xmas, we had a nice little fire in the fireplace and holiday music playing on the stereo.  For the evening meal, Carol prepared lamb chops, oven fries and a veggie blend w/cheese sauce.  The Polar Express movie capped of our festive evening.  The house smells like Christmas.

Dec 11, 2009 
- Xmas decorating & government interference.

We had a visitor to the farm.  He was driving a MN Dept. of Animal Health vehicle.  What the heck does this guy want?  I'm not exactly anti-government, but I do believe that too much government is good for no one.  This guy was "updating" his database of area producers with animals.  After reassuring me that he was in no way, shape, or form associated with the Nat'l Farm ID offices.  He asked what types of animals we raised.  When he asked and I simply responded with a "yep" or "no."  He pretty much asked bout the animals he could see from the road... and that was enough for me.  I basically told him that disease containment shouldn't be real concern as most of our critters will not leave the farm alive.  It was nice to see him leave the premises.

More fencing, but nearly complete.  I finished running wire... the last of the year.  I finished at 4:15PM - just in time to run to  D&D Ag Supply, in Pennock, MN to buy a Ritchie™ brand automatic frost-proof waterer.  As I pulled up to the store, Dan was driving away.  I flagged him down, hoping he could still help me.  10 minutes later, I was walking out of the store with a $500 Omni II, winter waterer. I need it for my pasture & grazing project.

Madison stayed over at a friend's house for a sleep-over.  It was nice to have a quiet house.  She'll be back tomorrow.

Dec 10, 2009 
- fence building

4ºF... it was damn cold.  Bundled up, I was able to complete 1300 ft of fence - the south fence line of the lane that leads to the furthest east paddock.  I now need to run wire on the north side of the lane, secure a few wires to the wooden posts and call it good.  What a relief.

Mike from the area Conservation office called.  He and an assistant will be stopping by on Monday to inspect the what I have done.  I told him not to worry, the fence IS done.  When I got off the phone, Carol looked at me as if I were crazy.  She then asked if I had the fencing done.  I told I did not, but I hope to have too by Monday morning.  I have 3 days.  I'm a little freaked.

Dec 09, 2009 
- It's cold out.

I had corn to bring to the elevator, but the Oliver tractor wouldn't start.  It was too cold.  I decide to keep the heater plugged in for a bit longer as well as put the battery charger on it.  After a half hour or so, I was able to get the old girl started.  I brought the remaining (and final) 3 loads of corn to sell.  Although the corn crop was less than great, it was a nice to have the harvest completed.

After getting home from hauling corn, I decided to give our hay eating animals some extra rations.  It's suppose to be even colder tomorrow than today and feel the extra calories will be needed.  And... if some of the hay gets wasted, it will be considered additional bedding for such a cold day.  Here's hoping the water pipes don't freeze too hard.

Dec 08, 2009 
- finished harvesting corn.

Winter is coming!  It's snowing.  I was able to bring corn to town.  The Oliver tractor is NOT the warmest tractor ever made.  At least it has a cab and a heater.  I can't imagine driving 5 miles (20 minutes) each way w/o heat.

We need to get this season's combining done.  Farmer Mike came over to get an early start on the corn field.  Did we get an early start?  Nope!  We had problems getting the combine started.  It started to crank, then stopped.  At first we thought it was a bad battery.  But after buying a new one, the combine would not turn over... just "click."  It must be the battery cable end.  Mike then made a quick trip to his shop, made-up a new cable and we set.  Although we couldn't get it started by using the key, we were able to provide power to the beast.  We had to pull-start the combine.  We were good to go.  As Mike combined and I hauled wagon loads of corn to town. 

I want/need to thank my neighbors for borrowing us grain wagons so that we could get the harvesting done this year.  And of course a big thanks goes to Farmer Mike and his son for taking the time to lend us a hand, during this late harvest season.  Without them, I would not be farming.

Dec 07, 2009 
- combined, worked on fence.

With the 6" posts in place, I started to construct the support post assembly of the fence.  Commonly known as an "H post design, it is one of the two end/corner post designs that is approved by the Conservation Office for my pasture project.  I also attached all the pin-lock insulators to the 46 T-posts that I installed on the 5th.  I just need a couple of good work days and I'll be able to finish this project before the end of the year.  I cut my day of fencing short when Farmer Mike showed-up to start combining corn.

Mike and I decided to try it again.  We're hoping the additional week the corn spent in the field will lower the moisture content - thus putting more $$$ into the farm bank account.  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel with regards to the corn harvest.  I was kept busy hauling corn to town.  Mike's son did the evening combining. 

Hoping we'd get done tonight, I called the neighbors to get permission to use two of their grain wagons and Mike did some calling too and arranged for me grab two more wagons from another neighbor.  We really wanted to get done, especially when we knew frigid winter weather was due to hit in full force tomorrow.  We had enough wagons - did we have enough time?

After nightfall, we had combine problems.  The gathering chain on the left side of the corn head busted.  The gathering chain helps guide the corn into the back of the combine head.  Without it, the corn stalks can easily jam up, preventing corn from going into the combine.  There are 8 chains (2 chains for each of the 4 rows).  Just one of chains missing can cause major headaches.  Around 9:15PM, we hobbled the combine back into action by simply using a BFH (big freaking hammer) to force the broken links of the chain back together.  By this time, it was time to shut things down.  I guess we'll hit it again tomorrow.

Dec 06, 2009 
- Cargill does it again - selling bad meat.

For the second time this year, a Fresno beef company is recalling thousands of pounds of ground beef contaminated with a drug-resistant strain of salmonella

Beef Packers Inc., owned by Cargill, announced the recall Friday. It covers 22,723 pounds of ground beef products that were sent to stores...

Beef Packers Inc. has been a major supplier to the school lunch program. Since July, however, it has bid on no contracts and produced no ground beef for schools, Cargill spokesman Mark Klein says. It has been suspended from the school lunch program three times, twice for repeatedly failing to produce ground beef that was free of salmonella, USA TODAY found.  Read the complete story.

- pounding posts in the cold

From morning to evening I was out in the fields, pounding posts into the frozen tundra. All 46 posts are now in the ground, waiting for me to string the 6 strands of high-tensile wire.  Hell can freeze over and it shouldn't effect my fencing progress.  All I need to do is now above the ground surface.  What a relief.

Dec 05, 2009 
- fencing in the winter?

The forecast for the next 10 days looks like we're going to get hit hard with frigid temps, some days show a high in the single digits and the lows below 0ºF.  I was thinking that if I don't get the last few 6" wooden posts in the ground today, it probably won't happen.  The frost in most areas was 2"+ but I did hit one spot where it was 3-4".  To help combat the frost when trying to pound the post into the ground, I first poured some warm water onto the area where I was to place the post.  I then got the tractor in the exact place I wanted it, then watering the area again.  I would then try driving the post in.  If it didn't seem to pound easily, I added more water.  Once the water broke-up the frost it was generally easy going.  Before I was able to get all the posts in I did run into a couple of delays... the first of which was the post driver handle broke off of the driver while I was using it.  I was about half the way done driving a post.  With the hydraulic lever just hanging there I grabbed the base with one hand and worked the level with the other.  It was less perfect.  I got the post installed, but knew I could not go on this way. 

I called the neighbors and left a message describing my situation and to please call me.  Since I couldn't really drive posts, I decided to run wire.  After I ran my first strand of wire I quick made a trip to the house to get some of the fencing supplies that we bought yesterday.  I then realized that I had left them in Carol's car.  And the problem was that Carol had taken daughter Madison shopping for some new winter chores clothes.  I gave Carol a quick call to confirm that the supplies were indeed in the car.  OK, that sucks. 

Once the girls got home, I got a call that I could get my needed supplies.  I then resumed my fencing task.  Then I got a call from the neighbors.  I could come right over and someone would be at the shop to weld/repair the post driver.  With that news, off I went.  It was a cold drive with the tractor.  The tractor I use for post pounding does not have a cab, so it's quite chilly going down the highway.  I sure was glad that the neighbors live less than a mile away. 

I got home after dark but was not discouraged by the dropping temps or the diminished visibility.  The tractor has working lights.  I was able to get the five 6" wooden posts installed.  These are the post I was concerned about getting in before it was too late to do so.  They're in and I'm relieved. 

Tomorrow I will mark and install the small wood line posts and 'T' posts.  I know the 'T' posts will go into the ground without too much trouble and I'm hoping the 4" posts will go in as well.  If not, I'll use the 'T' posts.

Dec 04, 2009 
- went to farm stores

Carol and I went to St Cloud, MN to the big farm store we like so much.  We try to most of our shopping local, but if we can save enough $$$ to justify the drive, we'll do it.  We knew approx. how much money we'd save because I called ahead of time to get prices of the fencing supplies I needed.  We also we shop out of town when our local stores don't have what we need.  In this case, we saved big bucks and unlike our local store they had what we needed.  To make a long story short, we dropped $900 in a short amount of time.  I needed 4 more rolls of high-tensile wire and about 25 bags of 25 count fencing insulators.  These items alone saved the farm $75, but we ended up purchasing an heated garden hose.  The cost of that was $16 less than it was at our local farm store.  So to say we save a little cash would be an understatement.  Carol bought some goat medications that we can't find locally and I also bought 2 barn scrapers for Farmer Mike.

The weather is getting colder and colder.  We decide to add heaters or heated buckets to some of the critter pens inside the barn.  The temps are forecasted to drop into the teens.  We want to be prepared.

Dec 03, 2009 
- fall field work ends

I brought in a load of corn to the local farmer's elevator.  The corn was much drier than the other stuff I brought in.  This corn tested at 25% moister and had a test weight of 49lbs/bu.  It was nice to see that the time in the field was proving to be beneficial.

The folks from the conservation office came out for an inspection.  I put in an application for another conservation grant (the CSP program this time) and they needed to verify that the information that I put on my application was correct.  They were mostly interested in knowing that we were indeed using a solar fencer unit and that we had not tilled the corn field that I told them that I was going to use for winter pasture for the cattle.  All was good.

I then headed out with the tractor and plow to do some more work in the stubble fields.  I first finished up the oat stubble and then went to the wheat stubble.  I did not finish the plowing as the frost was tripping the plow bottoms - the ground was getting too hard.  It looks as though fall tillage may be over for the year.  As I was nearing dusk, the radiator of the tractor sprung a leak and was blowing coolant onto the windshield of the tractor... so much so that I needed to run the wiper.  I wonder if the plowing in the frost heated the engine more than usual and popped a weak spot in the radiator.

Dec 02, 2009 
- more combining

The morning chores started with chopping the ice form the stock tanks.  I think it's safe to say, winter is here.  It looks like we'll have freezing temps until spring.  With that, it was time to install a tank heater in the outdoor stock tank.  We'll put in the other stock tank heaters later.  Since they're in the barn, we have a few days before they start freezing over.

Farmer Mike came over to do a little more combining.  He had things to do, so we only filled on wagon.  I'll bring the load of corn to the elevator tomorrow.  I'm hoping that the time in the field has dried the corn.  the first loads were quite wet.

Dec 01, 2009 
- cattle out, trench work done

Our dog Ellie started barking after midnight sometime.  Trying to ignore the fool didn't work, especially when the knocking at the door started.  A passer-by noticed that some of the farm's Highlander cattle out near the road.  Ah!  So that's why the dog was barking.  DUH!!!  The cows were out.  Good dog... good dog.  It was 2:30AM and we had to chase cattle... it's going to be a long day.

We got the cattle in one of the paddock I built earlier this fall.  Although I didn't have it truly gated, I did have 3 strands of 'hot' wire across the openings.  The cattle should be contained until daylight.  I can figure out what to do with them then.

Bright and early, the cattle were out on their own again - wondering about.  How they got out, I didn't have a clue.  The 6 strands of high-tensile fencing was up and the hot wire 'gates' were still in good shape.  Odd!  Anyway, Carol and I chased the cattle back into the paddock and as I was re-securing the hot-wire gate, I had my back turned.  Slowly and methodically, our bull Sampson eased his way through the wires.  WHAT THE HECK DUDE!!!  In we chased him... and back out he came.  This took place 3 times before he decided to stay in.  As Carol and I had breakfast we noticed that the cattle seemed to be beyond the confines of the paddock.  Yepper, they were out again, but still on pasture ground.  Please Lord, just let me finish my eggs and bacon.  Crap, crap, crap... I needed to cut my breakfast short and work of some fence.  The kicker of the situation was Farmer Mike was due to arrive in 2 hours to help me.  ARGH!!!

I quick pounded a few fencing rods (with insulators in place) into the ground and ran some electrical ribbon as a temporary fence.  Maybe that will work.  They seem to be MORE than comfortable with hot-wires, hopefully, this electrical ribbon will do the trick.  After getting it installed and electrified, the cattle seemed to enjoy their new space.  How long will the contentment last?

Farmer Mike arrived on the place at approx. 10:40AM, with his big skid loader in tow.  With him operating his skid-steer and me in the track-hoe, we had the water line trench back-filled and graded smooth.  For me, it was an emotional relief to have someone here helping me.  It drags on a fellow, working on such big projects alone.  After we were done, Mike mentioned he hoped that his few hours of helping was payment enough for me helping him with the silo unloader the day before.  I thought I got the better end of the deal.  Heck, as I saw it... all I did was help replace a gear box.  As he looked at it, I helped him get feed to all his milking cows.  They got fed their needed rations.  Mike said we both got a good deal by helping one another.

At the end of the evening, the trench was filled and the cattle we still in the temporary pasture.  Another good day I think.