We are taking orders now for the spring ground beef cow, fall beef and summer and fall chickens. We had an AI (artificial insemination) breeding failure last fall, so our lady hogs are pigless this spring. We hope to have feeder pigs this fall and some nice pork available in Feb/March 2011.  We will be looking to add a Tamworth Boar who knows his business this spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year, if Brau’s Hatchery in Pine Center, MN is able to hatch them for us, we plan to again raise the Cornish-Cornish Red Broiler. They grow to 3.5-4 pounds in 11 weeks versus the 14 weeks needed by the Plymouth Rock. We raised them in 2005 and found them to be good browsers, healthy, and tasty with a little larger breast. The better feed efficiency means hopefully lower prices while still preserving quality. Customer feedback will be watched carefully.

We’ll again partner with Thielen’s Meats, Pierz, MN as our custom processor for your beef. Friend and neighbor Chris Athman does professional slaughter on the farm which greatly reduces animal stress. Thielen’s is able to provide us with our recommended full 2 weeks of aging for our grass-fed beef.  We’ll again expand our pastures by renting neighboring farms. We also invested in a round baler that our little 35 HP tractor can manage and made haying operations a one-woman job. Although it means more time on the tractor and less proper exercise, Barb has not gained any weight yet.

Waiting once again for Lady Goats Flossie & Flodemi to come fresh—they are very pregnant. Projecting wonderful fresh milk ~April. Meanwhile, my hair again lost it’s curl.

Spring Planning

Plymouth Rock Chickens Fall 2009