FARM HAPPENINGS
What beautiful late summer farming weather we have enjoyed this past week! Sunny days, cool nights, and low humidity make for happy animals and really enjoyable outdoor working conditions. For the first time all summer we are actually looking for some rain to soften the ground up a little, as the portable fence posts we use with our electric fencing are getting a little hard to push in and pull out for the daily paddock moves.
What beautiful late summer farming weather we have enjoyed this past week! Sunny days, cool nights, and low humidity make for happy animals and really enjoyable outdoor working conditions. For the first time all summer we are actually looking for some rain to soften the ground up a little, as the portable fence posts we use with our electric fencing are getting a little hard to push in and pull out for the daily paddock moves.
Over the last week and a half we have been blessed with three new Guernsey calves from Roo, Winnie, and Josie. Roo had a feisty bull calf last week that we shipped off to the sale barn yesterday, but we plan to raise Winnie and Josie's heifers as future milkers. Unlike most dairy farms, we allow the heifer calves to stay with their moms on pasture and nurse until weaning at about five to six months of age, which we believe builds a very healthy immune system and helps the calves learn how to graze and socialize with the herd.
During this time we "share” the milk from the mama cows - the calves get first dibs and we get what is left. This practice does certainly reduce our current milk availability somewhat but we always view it as an investment in future milk production. With these three new moms now milking again we have already seen an increase in available raw milk on a daily basis.
FARM STORE UPDATE
We finished processing the last of our summer turkeys this week, and beginning Saturday morning we will have turkey tenderloins, breasts, wings, and ground turkey back in the farm store for the first time in many months. The smoked and sous vie turkey legs will take another week or so to prepare and get back in the store.
We also processed four lambs that we bottle-fed last winter. What a painful experience that was with feedings three times a day… and once we weaned them they never would stay with the main flock of sheep out on the pastures. Every night they were hanging around by the barns and house pooping everywhere and eating all the landscaping in the yard. So we decided it was time to take them in for harvesting and the lamb cuts will also be in the store this weekend (as in tomorrow).
Fresh, local produce in the store this week includes homegrown tomatoes and carrots from Karolina's garden, organic garlic from Garlic eScape Farm in Woodstock, and organic watermelons, cantaloupes, black plums, green cabbage, and onions. Our favorite baker Molly is also back from maternity leave, so if you have been missing her crazy good sourdough bread and pastries you are in luck. In addition, we have an ample supply of grass-fed ground beef on hand right now, so the 10 lb. and 25 lb. packs are on sale at up to 10% off regular price. Order online with free shipping, or stop in to the farm store to pickup a bundle with no pre-order required.
Finally, if you don't have plans yet for tomorrow (Saturday August 24th), come join us at the Alfalfa Fest, a bluegrass music festival hosted by Farmers Rising, a farmer training non-profit that I have been working with for many years. This year there are nine bands playing, starting at 2 PM. Lots of great local music, local food (our beef brisket), and local brews. The event is happening in Caledonia, about an hour's drive northwest of the farm near Rockford. Weather looks great - for more details and to purchase advance tickets visit the festival website.
Finally, if you don't have plans yet for tomorrow (Saturday August 24th), come join us at the Alfalfa Fest, a bluegrass music festival hosted by Farmers Rising, a farmer training non-profit that I have been working with for many years. This year there are nine bands playing, starting at 2 PM. Lots of great local music, local food (our beef brisket), and local brews. The event is happening in Caledonia, about an hour's drive northwest of the farm near Rockford. Weather looks great - for more details and to purchase advance tickets visit the festival website.
Hope to see everyone there…
Cliff, Anna, and the Farm Team