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.

Sherman - A Turkey Raised On Coyote Ridge Farms.

The Blog   

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

Oct 28, 2008
- Offline - Internet Problems.

We are having problems with our Internet Provider AllTel.  It seems they have changed their Wireless Internet policies w/o letting any of us users know about it.  After being offline for over 24 hrs, I called Tech Support.  It seems we were disconnected because we do not use the wireless Internet service correctly (according to their new policy).  I was told that we need to use the majority of our online minutes within the range of the local AllTel tower.  That tower is in Willmar, where we signed up for the service... we live 10 minutes west of Willmar.  Is this dumb or what?

On the phone, they told me that they are temporarily disconnecting our service.  They also said this "temporary disconnect" will become permanent as of Nov. 10... at the end of the billing cycle.

I'm not sure why we're online now, but thought I would quick blog about what is happening... just incase this is our last.  We are presently looking for another ISP... so stick around, we WILL be back online.

 

Oct 26, 2008
- Grab onto something tight.

WOW!  What a difference a day makes.  This morning, we woke up to 40+ mph winds... the gusts are up to 60 mph.  The snow is coming in waves, but for the most part, no snow.

Of course, with an electric fencer, one needs to keep it working.  Of all the days, today I didn't get a spark by the barn.  I grabbed a pitch fork and headed out to check things out.  Why grab a fork?  I use it as my fencer tester.  With one of the tines touching the 'hot' wire and the other up against a metal post, you either get a spark... or you don't.  No spark means things aren't working correctly. 

I found two areas where the electric wire was touching the barbed wire.  Once I got the wire free, I could hear a nice "SNAP" when testing for a spark.  Things are good.

After chores, we heard some snapping and cracking with a few of the big gusts of wind.  We already had a tree break off near the chicken box, some big branches break and at least one tree that is tipped with roots showing.  As I'm looking at our straw and hay stacks, I'm wondering why I even bothered to cover them.  The tarps are thrashing in the wind.

 

Oct 25, 2008
- We're getting ready.

I wonder if we'll get the snow they're forecasting for tomorrow.  Over the last few years, we've noticed that the weather dudes are less reliable in their predictions... but just incase, we're getting ready.

We brought all of Carol's & Madison's rabbits that are in hanging cages, into the barn.  There is no doubt they will be warmer.  Since we have poultry and lots of it, we kind of made a modified tin roofed shed inside the barn.  The tin is to keep the chickens and turkeys from roosting above the cages and bombing the bunnies throughout the night.  It looks kind of cool.  Perhaps we'll take a snapshot of it tomorrow.

We also took down some of the garden fences, in order to easily cover it with a layer of manure before we get too much snow.  We also covered the hay with more tarps to help preserve the quality of the hay.  Let's see... what else?  Oh yea... we put Wilbert in Puga's pen.  He has been getting out nearly everyday and disturbing the chicken feeders in the barn.  He eats his fill of chicken feed before heading to back where he belongs.

When we first stuck Wilbert in the pen, you would have thought Puga was part Tasmanian Devil the way she went after him.  She was jumping, hopping and nipping at him.  After about a ½ hr or so, she mellowed out.  Then it was Wilbert's turn to take it out on Puga... but his idea was more romantic than anything else... if you know what I mean... wink, wink.

Onto Carol's big accomplishment.  She thinks she had perfected her bread machine bread recipe.  It's a basic recipe, but boy, does it taste good.  I'm trying to talk her into making a fresh loaf every day,  At about 10¢ a loaf, why not.  It sure would be great to have fresh warm bread waiting for us every morning (Carol's bread machine has a bake delay).  What we don't eat can be fed to the chickens.

Although insignificant, I thought it worth mentioning.  We put a small cow bell on Caitlin.  I tried doing so before and she would have none of it.  Today, I tempted her with an apple, then grabbed her horns.  While I held her head still, Carol put the chain and bell around her neck.  I was very surprised she didn't try to get away when I grabbed her horns.  If I didn't know better, I would guess she was a show animal at one point in her life.  She just stood to still not to have worked with.  Whatever the case, she sure made it easy.  Once we were done, she took a couple steps backwards, away from us... as if to give us a good view of her new accessory.  I gotta admit, she looked quite attractive with her shiny new chain and bell.

Caitlin looks like she's getting bigger with each passing day.  We're hoping she'll calf before it gets too cold - maybe in the next week our two.

With the weather getting colder and colder, we feel the need to have a fire going nearly every evening.  Here's a pic of last night's fire.

After the snow flies, we'll most likely need a fire to keep warm and not just because it looks nice.

 

Oct 22, 2008
- Looking back, looking forward.

Planning crop and pasture placement is the easy part.  Actually sticking with it may be the challenge.  Many times, Carol and I have discussed with each other that it doesn't seem as though we are making as much progress with the farm as it seems we should, but, when we read through our Blogs and see a graphic view of what we started with and what we've done, it's encouraging.  Then, add in what we are planning... we can see a progression.  And knowing we are moving towards becoming a certified organic farm,

this is how it looked last year

this is what we did this year

other than corn, we're not sure of what crops to plant, but this is sort of what we're thinking for 2009...
we've never had rye planted.  not even when I was a kid

 

Oct 21, 2008
- New Pasture.

I finished the new pasture along the creek.  In the photo above, it is shown in yellow above the CRP 08 section.  Within a minute of taking down the fence, the cattle were enjoying the new grassy area.

 

Oct 20, 2008
- Recycled buildings.

Not much happened.  What did happen, took all day.

Last spring, I bought a Quonset style building for the farm.  It was a small, but usable size - 24'x30'.  This summer, I thought I would have plenty of time to get it.  I was wrong.  Since I really hadn't started farming yet, I hadn't realized that the day you start farming, you are instantly 3 week behind.  You always have something to do and not enough time to do it.

Thankfully, I had time enough to get the building today.  I wrangled our neighbor, Nick, to come along and lend me a hand.  With the old farm pickup and a car trailer that friend Farmer Mike repaired for me, we got to our destination around noon... that was the easy past.  The pieces of this steel building were not 9'x2' as I thought.  They were 18'x4' and like all Quonsets, they were curved, making each section difficult to handle.

Incredibly, we were able to get all the parts onto the trailer and into the pickup.  After a short rest period, we headed home.  In one of the small towns, we stopped at a little tavern for lunch and a beer, then continued on our way.  As we walked out from the tavern, the trailer and building looked more like a pile of scrap metal, than it did anything usable.  I'm surprised we didn't get pulled over... it looked that bad.

Well, It was after 6:00 PM before making it to the farm.  With the weather turning so quickly to winter, I suspect it will be next spring before the trailer gets unloaded.  We first need to decide where the buildings permanent location is going to be.  It would be nice to have a shelter for the winter, but it just ain't in the cards for this year.

 

Oct 19, 2008
- Do we have any chickens?

If one drives onto the farm, the first thing folks will notice is that our chicken pen is empty.  Why is it empty?  Cuz we finally finished processing our broiler chickens.  Carol and I usually butcher 10-12 chickens each time we decide to butcher.  And today, we decided we would do 11... and only 11... no more - no less.

These 11 birds would be the last ones we would do for the year.  The first few felt like those of any other butchering day.  When we got to the last 3, we were getting a feeling of excitement... then 2... then the last one.  Carol said she saw a smile on my face when the last one went into what we call the 'killing cone'.

For those who don't know us, the killing cone is simply a traffic cone, turned upside-down and nailed to a tree.  We put the chicken in the cone, with its head poking through the small end.  We don't chop the heads off, like most folks.  We place the chicken in the cone, wait for the bird to settle down, then we cut the artery near its head.  We find this form of "butchering" is much more humane than the traditional axing.  As the chicken bleeds out, s/he simply goes to sleep.  There is no violent flopping, no blood spraying everything within 3 feet, no running around with it's head cut off, just a bird in the killing cone, quietly going to sleep.

I guess, with that said, I can honestly say that we're relieved we're done with the broilers.  What's next?  Probably the turkey.  Carol has noticed that one of her Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys is developing some leg problems.  She wants to butcher him and not use him for breeding.  Bad legs is not a trait we want to pass onto next year's chicks.

After the turkey gets butchered, we will move onto processing Carol and Madison's meat rabbits.  Madison has mixed feelings about eating rabbit.  She loves the way they taste, but hates the idea of them being cute & fluffy.

We have plenty of frozen birds in the chest freezer that are now for sale.  If anyone is interested in buying some of them, feel free to contact us.  When we started butchering and eating our own birds, we quickly realized why folks do it.  Home raised chickens are so much better than store bought.  The flavor, the texture and the knowledge of knowing we are eating chicken that is good for us... is beyond comparison.

After butchering the final chicken today, I went out to the pasture again to do more fencing.  Yesterday, I pounded T-posts and placed the fencing rods in place.  This time around, I ran my first strand of electric wire and placed the wire on insulators.  When I finished I connected the new fence to the existing pasture fence.  When I tested for spark, I got it.  The fence is in good shape.  However, I have my doubts as to how long it will stay up and in working order.  When walking the fence line, I noticed several deer trails leading to the creek.  Hopefully, the deer will go over or under the wire and not through it. I'll check it again tomorrow.

 

Oct 18, 2008
- Tators please.

As my paternal grandfather would say, "Holy Maconah (mac-an-nah),"  This would be in reference to the potatoes Carol and I dug today.  We had about a dozen rows that we dug, and dug... and dug.  All in all, I think we harvested approx. 200-250 lbs of spuds. 

As I dug them, Carol gathered them... but only the good ones.  We had dozens and dozens of greenies (the ones that were exposed to the sun) so we left those behind.  Carol filled a garden wagon so full of these beautiful root veggies, she couldn't move it.  She had me pull it to the house.

I'm not sure what her plans are for all these potatoes, but she said we have more than enough to last us a year or better.  I know she has never canned potatoes, but I wonder if she's going to try it.  This is the first year we've grown potatoes of any kind.  We are amazed as to how well they grew.

We also did some cleaning up in Carol's other garden... we pulled bean stalks, squash and pumpkin vines, which we gave to the cattle.  We also got rid of the dead/fading tomato plants.  Since the frost, most all of the plants that didn't get covered look a little dead. Carol's fall garden is still looking good though.  She's been covering this part of the garden at night and good thing too, her 2nd crop lettuce is all but ready to be cut for salad.

After the garden stuff, which I really don't enjoy helping with, I started another small fencing project.  I decided to fence the area along the south side of the creek.  As I'm not really sure how I want to permanently implement the fencing for this area, I thought I could quick setup a temporary fence, consisting of 2 strands of electric wires.  Already I'm  trying to prepare myself for the phone calls- "Ummm, Mr. Radtke, your cows are out." 

I'm guessing, that if a double electric can keep them in the first days they arrived, I'm sure they will do fine now that they are used to their surroundings.  My cattle goals are to keep the farm's cattle healthy, well fed and more content than they've ever been... so far - so good.

 

Oct 17, 2008
- Cold Fall Day.

What a dreary day this one started to be.  Luckily, by 1:00 or so, the drizzle stopped and the temp came up a few degrees.  The girls (Carol, Chas and Madison) went to Willmar to run errands, leaving me to my own devices... as they say. 

For some time, Carol and I have toyed with the idea of making a unique and welcoming entrance to the farm.  What we came up with is this - Dad had an old pickup truck out back, so why not bring it up to the driveway and nestle it on the edge of the vineyard.  Our thinking was to use the truck to hang some signage on, depending on what the farm had for sale at the time... be it grapes, chicken, eggs, beef or whatever.  Perhaps just a 'Welcome' sign would be best... who's to say?

As you can see, the truck is a blue, 1958 Chevy, ¾-ton pickup (see photo below).  I don't remember my dad ever driving this vehicle, but the tabs on the plates were marked with 85'.  I think it's safe to say, this truck hasn't been driven for a few years.

our new entrance display

Maybe, now, Farmer Mike's brother, Rod and his kids, will see our 'Bunnies For Sale" sign.  lol

 

Oct 16, 2008
- This is crap.

The morning started out with barn cleaning.  I had started it a couple of days ago, and quit only because the fork handle broke.  Thank goodness for electrical tape.  I was able to fix the handle and get the cleaning done.  We don't have a manure spreader yet, so we now have a small crap pile outside the barn, waiting for the loader to come and haul it away... probably onto Carol's garden.

It was still early when I finished pitching manure, so I thought I would go out and do a little fieldwork.  I figured I only had a few hours left until I was done digging the ground.  I was wrong.  Around 1:00 PM, my stomach was growling and I remembered that Carol wanted to butcher a few chickens after lunch.  I decided to come in from the field after area I was working in.

When I walked into to the yard, after parking the tractor, I could see Carol had already started butchering.  I quickly shoved down some leftovers in the house, then helped with the chicken processing until daughter Chastiti' came home.  Then I headed back to the fields.

I'm glad I went back out digging.  I hadn't realize how little I ground I had left to work... I bet I was done with the remaining section of the field within 2 hrs.  Yepper, I was done.  I can cross that off my list of things to do before winter.  It was a good feeling.  I guess we're really farming.

Around 6:00 PM, a pickup drove into the yard.  It was the gentleman, who I gave permission to pheasant hunt the farm's 60-70 acres of grassland this year.  He mentioned that he, his wife and son had already gone out one day and got a few birds.  Anywho... to show his appreciation for being able to hunt this year, he dropped off some venison and pheasant.  He must have given us 15+ lbs of assorted deer steaks... maybe more.  Heck, he even gave us a two bags of strawberries.  I told him he was more generous than he needed to be and that we truly appreciated the gesture.  He reassured me it was the least he could do for the opportunity to hunt.  Fair enough.

Before leaving, he offered his egg hatching services.  He mentioned that he had an incubator, he used in the past, to hatch pheasants.  Should we have turkey eggs in the spring, he said he would be more than happy to hatch them for us.  Is this cool or what?  We have the best neighbors in the world around these parts.  We are so fortunate and grateful.

 

Oct 15, 2008
- Putting some pressure on the neighbor.

About a month or so ago, I spoke the Farmer Mike's little brother, Rod, about pet rabbits.  He basically told me to hush... especially when his kids are around.  Not wanting to cause problems, I agreed.

As Mike will tell you, I'm a think'in man.  It's what I do... I think.  And I thought about how I could pressure Mike's brother to buy a rabbit from us.  I may have agreed, with Rod, not to mention rabbits, but he didn't say anything about a FOR SALE sign.  Ruling out the placement of a sign on the his yard, Carol and I placed one at the end of our driveway, cleverly disguised as a holiday display (with corn stalks and everything).   You see, Rod and his family drive past our family farm when they need to go to Willmar (the major town of the area). Our "Bunnies For Sale" sign has been up for a couple of weeks... still no Rod.  I think we need to change our approach.  We need a bigger sign.

Other than sale's strategies, we've seen normal fall happenings around here.  Carol has a chicken hatching eggs on some stacked straw, in the barn.  Mama hen didn't do such a great job right away.  Carol found a chick wondering away from its mom.  She placed the chick under the hen and all was well again.  That's when I got a call from Farmer Mike.  Mike was opening up a silo and needed a little help with the silo unloader.

Well, before I left the farm, Carol said the new chick was missing and chirping.  We looked around the bails, we found nothing.  The chick wasn't even making noise.  Since it was so cold, I assumed it had died and told Carol Mike need my help.  I had to go.

Good news, at Mike's, Carol called me.  It seems she found the missing chick.  It was under the hen.  NOTE TO SELF:  When looking for chicks, look under the chicken.

After getting home from Mike's, it was time to park my butt on a tractor seat for a couple of hours.  Which I did.  I got a few more acres worked with the digger.  Hopefully, I'll get a few more acres worked... maybe I'll get done.

 

Oct 14, 2008
- New appliances?

Did Carol get new appliances here at the farm?  Well, not exactly.  What we did was bring our old fridge, clothes washer and a few other things from our house.  We figured we that we went all summer with a fridge that leaked water into the veggie drawer and a washing machine that really didn't wash... we couldn't stand it another day.

The "new" washer doesn't rattle the trailer, like the old one.  Some mornings, I swear Carol would use the junker to wake everybody.  From one end to the other, it shook the everything... and the noise!  SHEESH!  I'm surprised the neighbors didn't complain.  What about the new fridge?  Let's just say it looks good and doesn't freeze milk.

Outside is looking better as well.  I spent some time moving some of the haying equipment towards the back of the farm.  It doesn't look like I'll be using it until next year.  I moved a few other bulky items out of sight too.  With the yard being more open, I want to be able to move snow easily, should we get some snow dumped on us.  Be prepared right?

 

Oct 13, 2008
- The Rachael Ray Show.

I don't really watch the Rachael Ray Show, but Carol catches it from time to time.  With that said, Rachael featured baby animals.  And one of the little critters highlighted was a Scottish Highlander bull calf.  Cool Huh?

More inquiries for our farm raised chicken are coming in.  A gal who works as a secretary in a Duluth Medical Clinic called this afternoon.  She said that the doctors at the clinic are "really into" organic and/or cage-free, hormone/medication free foods (chicken, beef, pork, etc...).  Unfortunately, there is often a 2-3 yr waiting list for this type of food in their area.  This gal was going to try to get a few orders from her friends before setting-up a time to come out to the farm.

We're confident that when they try some of our chicken, they'll tell their friends.  That means we'll have even more orders next year.

 

Oct 12, 2008
- Saying good bye.

At 1:00PM, we drove to the church up the road.  It was time to say good-bye to the Jim and Kara Rother's family, who are moving out of the area to S. Dakota.  I went to school with Kara... and Jimmy?  I often wonder if he will ever open his bait & tackle shop.  Since high school, he's talked about starting one.  I'm guessing SoDak has less of a need for bait shops than the Land of 10,000 lakes.  Good luck you two.

Then... at 6:00PM, we attended the Kandiyohi County 4-H Awards Banquet, in nearby Willmar, MN.  The banquet started with all-you-could-eat pizza.  

Only 4-H'ers who did a good job AND completed their project records were invited to participate.  Among the dozens and dozens of kids who received awards, Madison was handed 12 project awards.  Adult leaders and friends Cindy Roelofs and Lori Mueller also received recognition for their work this year (and years past).  In addition, Lori and husband Robert received the honorary Friends of 4H Award, for their outstanding, unselfish service.

Folks, please forgive me if I misspelled the names.

 

Oct 11, 2008
- Volunteer work.

Madison and Carol headed to town to participate in what they called an area Sew-A-Thon.  From how the girls described it, they and other sewers made pillow cases and fleece blankets for our troops who have been injured and are recovering in overseas hospitals.  They worked on these gifts for the soldiers for over 4 hours.  Already, Madison is talking about participating next year.

While the girls where away, I was worried about starving to death.  I'm not much of a cook, and sometimes ham and cheese sandwiches get boring.  Then Farmer Mike called, asking me what I had planned for the day.  I calmly replied that I was probably going to die, since there was nobody to make me lunch later... lol  Mike said he could help me.  He wasn't going to help me starve, but help me to NOT starve.

Mike, like most farmers, had some machinery that needed repair.  And like others in his position, it was during harvest (aka crunch time).  He made me a deal.  He told me that if I would help him fix a silo-unloader, he would make sure I got fed.  Say no more Mike. 

Although the unloader repair didn't go as smoothly as it could have, we got the job done.  And I got fed.  Mike's wife Karen made a nice hot meal that was well worth the short time I spent on their farm.  Karen is a great cook.  It was much appreciated.

With food in my belly and a good feeling from helping thy neighbor, I headed home.

 

Oct 10, 2008
- Hot buns.

What a great way to start the day.  The smell of home made bread filled the our living room.  Carol found the perfect bun recipe on one of her blogging sites.  It is homemade, from scratch.  She has 2 versions - bread machine and old school.  She tried the bread machine version today.

Bonnie's Buns

After trying the buns, she vowed never to buy store bought buns again.  The best part... it costs about 1¢/bun to make.  Carol said she can't get over how easy these buns are to create.  You can find the recipe HERE.  Look for the Bonnie's Buns recipe.

You can tell by the pan that Carol is a baker... just look at that well used baking sheet.

 

Oct 09, 2008
- Exciting times.

The stock market crashed!  Down 678 points.  WOW!  The DOW is now below 8600.

Although not so exciting, Carol and I tried to butcher a few more chickens this morning.  It was cold and windy.  It was in the 40's.  That alone isn't bad, but the wind kept blowing the flame out that keeps our scald water hot.  We were able to pluck a few birds, before the water was too cool to do so, so we skinned the last couple.  Only 5 birds saw their demise.

After lunch, I did a last minute tune-up on the digger I repaired yesterday, before digging a couple of rounds.  Then it occurred to me, maybe I should ask somebody if I'm suppose to work bean ground in the fall or leave it until spring.

So.... I called Farmer Mike about what to do.  He assured me that doing it in the fall is OK.  Working the bean ground in the spring is just fine too.  He also let me know some of the pro & cons of both practices, but let me know that I can go ahead and finish my fall tillage.  Thanks Mike.

 

Oct 08, 2008
- Happy cows.

The little bit of fencing I had left to do, is now done.  By late afternoon, the cattle had found their way back to the pen near the milk house.  I don't think the other cows care where they are, but Caitlin seems happier being closer to people... and of course, we give her treats when we see her waiting by the gate.  She's spoiled.

The new cattle have been with us for less than a week, and already we can see some weight gain or fullness on them.  We can definitely tell they are content.  They eat for an hour or so, then lay comfortably in the sun, doing nothing more than chewing their cud and relaxing.

For some reason, only the heifers were willing to have their photo taken.

Before completing the fencing, Carol and I butchered another dozen broiler chickens.  We are still getting inquiries about processed chicken, so we're confident we'll get them sold soon.

Late afternoon brought some minor field digger repair, getting ready for fall tillage.  When I pulled the digger out of the woods, some of the tires were less than perfect.  One, in particular, came off the rim after the implement was pulled only 20 feet or so. 

I needed to lift the wheels off the ground so I could replace the tire.  When I hooked the hydraulics to the tractor and hit the levers, one of the hoses blew immediately.

My friend Farmer Mike has the ability to build and/or repair hoses at his farm shop.  He did an excellent job making me a new hose for the digger.  Once the new hose was in place, the tire repair was accomplished with ease.  Now we just need to wait for the ground to dry.  The last few days of rain dumped over 2½" of moisture onto the ground.  Even though we have well drained, sandy-loam soil, it is way too wet to work the acreage.

 

Oct 07, 2008
- Prevention.

Carol and I discussed, that we need the cattle to have access to the pen near the barn and old milk-house.  When winter sets in, the location of the water tank will be important.  It will have to be close to the water hydrant.  We don't want to have to carry water too terribly far if all the hoses are frozen.

Since we don't really know when winter will set-in, getting the pen finished ASAP is essential.  The priority for the day was to work on finishing this pen.  All of the remaining posts were set into place and most of the barbed wire was strung.  I still have a few wires to run, but not too much.  All should be accomplished with another 2 hrs or so... then we'll open the pen again to the cattle again.

Another advantage of having this nearby pen is that we'll be able to better watch the cows and calves.  To look out the house window and see our shaggy little cows is a blessing.  We love to watch them when we have time... and being left in the pasture recently, I think Caitlin misses her morning treats.

This is a photo of the farm's three cows (Caitlin, Hanna & Sammy) and Hanna's calf.  Ain't they sexy?

- Chicks.

Looking back to recent blog entries, I think I have neglected to mention our latest chicks.  As most friends and family knows, Madison has an incubator and has been hatching chicks throughout the summer.  This last batch hatched only a few days ago.  I'm not sure how many eggs she started with, but over two days, she has had 29 that hatched.  So in a box, behind the loveseat, we have little chicks peeping away.  They seem to be awake most of the time, but when they rest... they all rest at the same time.  You can probably read more about the chicks on Carol's blog (link is to the left).

This will be Madison's last hatching of the season.  Anything later, we fear they wouldn't be able to survive when the freezing temps hit.

 

Oct 06, 2008
- That was close.

I got out of bed early again, still wondering how I lost 3 cows, just to have them re-appear.  Once outside, the first thing on my list was to shut the fence, so the cattle would be secure in the 'L' pasture and the north pasture.  As I was putting the barbed wire across the opening, I saw it.  Downed fence wire.  Ah Ha!  I bet some of the cows broke through the wire, got trapped on the outside of the pen and couldn't figure how to get back in.  And I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut, they came back in when I walked through, on my way to the big pasture.

After 'locking' the cattle in the 'L' pasture, I checked the ditch to see if I could find cattle tracks.  Sure enough... there were lots of them.  I even found little hoof prints up near the road.  I think the place is cursed.  When I was little, it seemed like Dad's cattle were out, more than they were in.  I guess I really don't have a problem with them getting out as long as none of the neighbors know it... lol.

Tonight, I can rest easy, knowing the cattle are fenced in with 5 strands of barbed wire and two strands of electric.  I decide to start putting up some wood posts in the small pen near the yard.  This is the area with only two strands of electric and the area some of the cows got out of last night.  I was hoping the electric would be enough.

As I was digging a second hole for my posts, Neighbor Nick showed up to look at the cattle.  I quickly put my tools away and then brought him into the pasture for a good look at the new Highlanders.  As we were walking, I mentioned to him the close call I had with the cattle getting out.  He said not to worry about it.  Once they get used to the farm, they will be less likely get out.  He too figures they got out of the fence by accident, then could find their way back. 

When we could get a goof look at the cows, they were laying down, chewing their cud.  It's was nice to see them so content - they must be getting enough to eat.

As dusk approached, we made our way back to the barn yard.  It was time to discuss cattle over a few beers.

 

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.

- They're gone... they're here.

The evening brought much rain and wind.  Yet, I could hear cows moo'ing.  At first I thought nothing of it, after all, the new cattle have only been here a day.  Then I heard more moo'ing... this time it sounded like it was coming from behind the garage.  OH CRAP, the cows must be out.

I quickly threw on a heavy shirt and a pair of shoes.  It was wet and rainy to say the least.  I could see three head of cattle running towards the fence.  It looked like they we going to charge it, but the stopped.  I could tell they were upset.  But where were the others?  Thinking the worst, I went to the house to grab a flashlight... I had better check the fence in the big pasture.

As I headed to the north pasture, the 3 cattle followed me to the gate, then stopped.  They could do whatever they needed to do, but I know I had a fence to check.  After walking the fence line, everything looked to be in good shape.  I checked the cattle once more.  HEY!  they're all here - all 7.  Cool!

Since I couldn't find a downed fence and all of the cattle were accounted for,  It was time to get out of the rain.  Maybe get a little shut eye.

 

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 type of corn planted in the Americas.  If you look closely, you can see that each kernel is in its own pod.

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 papery husk, so it is difficult to use without incorporating a lot of labor. It is raised today for scientific research mostly.

 

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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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