Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Lunchtime on the Farm

Fifty-two seconds in my day.

Spring, Sprang, Sprung...


I know, it's been a while since I last posted.

We've been through cold weather, hot weather, rainy weather... since. Right now, we are in a period of lovely Spring weather: cool nights and warm days.

As you can see, the fruit trees are in bloom at the top of the hill and the apple trees down below are budding.

Things have calmed down in the goat barns and we are in a routine. The herd is currently divided into three parts (like Gaul?) as the little kids are too small to successfully follow up the hills and down into the valley. I'd have to send out searching parties every evening to make sure they all got back home safely. In the past, I've had to locate small groups of babies who evidently were taking a group nap when the herd began returning to the barn.

The garden still awaits planting, although my tractor has been outfitted with the scoop to get compost from the big two year old pile. I still need the tiller to be put on so that I can get things ready.

It's been hectic. The weekend before last we did ear tagging and castrations. Last weekend we had an impromptu cattle round-up. It took six adults to cut one large Angus heifer out of the herd and down to the barn and into the trailer. Hopefully, Fran's bred and carrying a nice black calf.

When we got to the barn, there were neighbors delivering a trailer load of square bales. Thankfully friends pitched in and helped by arranging the bales in the loft as they came up the elevator. Thanks, Ginger and Rachel.

Thanks also to Lindsey, Maggie, Rose and Nora for all your help with the baby goats in the past month. It is really appreciated.

We are inundated with eggs: chicken, goose, and turkey. So it's a sure thing that Spring is here.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Snow Today

'Just a quick note as I look out on snow covered fields this morning:

It will be snowy and colder for the next few days. That's good, because I'm not so worried about getting the garden(s) in order.

We're getting back into routine after 35 new kids and 5 calves have been born in the last two and a half weeks. Goat kids and dams are tucked into every available stall in two barns. We want to keep them dry and safe so they can get a good start in life.

Record keeping has been a chore, but I think it's under control. Barn cleaning is the most pressing problem. Chickens are suddenly producing a lot more eggs, so the Spring rush is right around the corner.

'Guess I'll just keep on keeping on.