Mike and I split and stacked some firewood on Sat., then Mike split several more logs( to big for me to lift or help with), so he used the bucket on the tractor. Cortney worked on cleaning her bedroom and then studied off and on all weekend for her drivers permit test. She's now taking drivers training. She was not interested in driving, up until this last year, so this is the next step. Her instructor said she did well in her first class and thinks she'll be able to take her test soon. He also gave her a computer test to practice. She didn't like it at first, because it times you and she gets panicked. After two times of taking the computer exam she scored 17 out of 20 the first time and then 20 out of 20 the second, so it didn't take her long to get past her panic*wink* I also got several things accomplished this weekend. I did an inventory of our seeds and found out we really only NEED to order three varieties, plus I like to add a few new herbs each year*wink*, so I got my order together and will get it in the mail today. I'm hoping that today my new mini greenhouse cover and the insulated floating plant cover will arrive in the mail. I've been working the manures and such into the greenhouse beds and will run through it again( by hand) to make everything fine and smooth for planting our cold weather crops. :o) We are not planning on heating the greenhouse, so I have done some research as to protecting the cold tolerant crops from freezing. First by covering them with the insulated floating row covers and if added protection is needed, covering that with plastic. This is all still experimental for us. I also worked on flyer's for our CSA garden this year. I'm hoping to fill three subscriptions( two full, for 3-4 person family and one half, for two people or less) I also worked on a questionnaire of which types of vegetables and fruits they'd be most interested in receiving in their baskets and the offer of the possibility of baked goods( breads, cookies, cakes, pie, etc...) for an added fee. Praying this all works out and we have a successful season. It would be nice to get ourselves more established and earn a partial income from our small farm. :o)
The good news is that we are establishing turkey customers, we've already received a few calls from people who want to be first on the list this season. Now to get our hens to have a higher hatch rate, because turkey poults are outrageously prices, from a small local hatchery in our area the prices are $9 each and he said it may be a bit higher than that
Here are some links to an interesting story, that I, myself have yet to hear anything about on the Ag news. Of course we don't watch much TV and the Ag. reports on TV are at the noon time broadcast.
The last link is of particular interest to those of us feeding animals and a warning to what the prices may keep doing. I always say prepare for the worst and pray for the best. This is why we are looking into alternative or multi purpose crops to help with our feed costs for the poultry.
These articles are taken from a source I follow, not because they are reporting about Organics, but because they are reporting about the real world feed events. They of course are partial to companies like Monsanto and Cargill and the alike but I also like to have a well rounded view of all news and then I make up my own mind. Just didn't want anyone to think I support this newsletter source*wink*
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/dioxin-scandal-tainted-feed-went-to-denmark-and-france-id5156.html
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/dioxin-scandal-now-tainted-pigs-to-be-killed-in-germany-id5160.html
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/dioxin-scandal-fat-supplier-files-for-bankrupcy-id5162.html
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/dioxin-scandal-another-1-000-pig-farms-quarantined-id5169.html
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/kemin-reveals-dioxin-testing-program-id5173.html
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/dioxin-scandal-minister-calls-for-state-support-id5180.html
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/feed-prices-and-dioxin-devastate-eu-pig-market-5196.html
And here’s one about grain supply , world wide and what will follow? higher feed costs
http://www.allaboutfeed.net/news/grain-prices-soar-as-us-cuts-supply-view-id5164.html
8 comments:
Hello Never Done Farm Thanks for the links I will definitely check them out. B
I'm excited for you on your CSA and turkey endeavor! Maybe some day it will change from a partial to full income on the farm. Thanks for the links, I will definitely be checking them out.
That's so great that Cortney is getting her license! That will be a big help. I'm looking into food for our animals too. We shall see. I know I can't keep paying the prices that are out there.
Turkey poult prices truly are scandalous. I'd like to raise a few turkeys for the table but at those prices there is no way to make it even slightly economical. Perhaps we'll look into a trio and see about going that route.
God bless and hugs!
I will be very interested to hear how your CSA goes for you this summer..how exciting. My wife has been trying to talk me into doing something similar...we shall see. Thanks for sharing the links, I look forward to reading through them.
Good job Cortney, soon you will be driving like a pro. Just remember to be safe.
Nice to see you getting all your ducks in a row for this spring. I would love to see some warmer weather even pull weeds and mow. Getting tired of gloomy weather here. Miss you all.
Kelle~Wehave been noticing the chicken feed has gone from 8 to $12 this is hard to be able to afford to feed them.
Even cracked corn is going up.I really don't want to get rid of them so we are trying to find other ways of feeding.
We just found some Chocolate Turkeys for $3 each an hour away from here.WE thought of getting some but arent fo rsure if Zachary can shoe them in 4H.
Button,
You are welcome and thanks for visiting :o)
Alla,
We've been testing the waters, so to speak, for a couple of seasons. We did a farmer's market summer before last, but just didn't like the time it took away from our farm and by the time you travel there and back again and then have to do something with all of the produce that didn't sell, well let's just say we decided we'd rather the people come here, then they can see where and how the food is grown and we can supply them with just what they need at that time.
I'm excited about the turkey sales too, now it all hinges on how good of a hatch rate and then how good of a survival rate we have this year. The best we've ever had was 13 poults from three different times( in one season) of setting that survived. Last summer the hens only sat one nest time( instead of the usual three) and of 6 that hatched only one survived.*sigh* Turkeys certainly are NOT going to be a big money maker for us, but we don't want to grow into something huge anyway, we want to keep it small and local.
SFG,
By the looks of the last link the prices are only going to go higher, not just for animal feed but for our food as well.Think multi purpose crops, even if you or Dh don't like something, the chickens probably will.
Goodwife,
Now that's saying it especially when their survival rate is so low. You have to purchase 10 to maybe have 3-4 survive! We simply can't afford those kind of losses. That's why we're praying our hens have high hatch and survival rates.
Mr.H,
We had a couple of season, where we tested the waters and the conclusion was that we should be able to sell at least two subscriptions this year, hoping the word will spread. We also did some donations, as advertising and asked those who purchased from us that spread the word. I know we won't retire from any of this, but if we can add to our income and lessen our need for a full time "outside job" for Mike we'll have achieved our goal.:o)
Thanks for stopping in!
Nita,
We're sure trying and the ground work we laid last season we hope will help us this season.
She's really nervous about driving in Billings, Mike and I told her that take it a day at a time and first she has to get her learners permit. She'll be a cautious driver, so no worries.
We're longing for Spring thaw and warmer temps, although we've actually had a nice winter, just very icy.
Jamie,
For the few you have you should be able to suppliment them enough to keep your feed costs down and yet they'll still have a good diet. Can you let yours free range, add in some garden veggies, alfalfa hay( in winter and some chicken feed and they will fair just fine. Of course it will take more work and effort on your families behalf, but the fresh eggs and meat are so.... worth it. :o)
Blessings,
Kelle
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