Old Dogs, Old Tricks
Edmund went away for a long weekend, which meant I was on livestock duty and also that the animals weren’t on their best behavior. On Friday I was drinking my...
Garth Brown |
Blog
Old Dogs, Old Tricks
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The Bird of Nightmares
Yesterday I saw a blue heron out stalking through a hay field, which reminded me of last year, when we had one haunting our pastures into October. When I think...
Garth Brown |
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Farrowing Hoops
I built some 12 x 16 foot hoop houses with internal divisions so my pigs could give birth in a shelter if the wanted to. The hoops are skidable with...
Garth Brown |
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Annuals
Grass-fed beef has a patina of good enviro-ethic stewardship to it. Without grains there is little or no need to turn soil and with it cause problems like of erosion...
Garth Brown |
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It's a Bobcat
I was driving back to the farm yesterday when a bobcat rocketed right in front of the car. I say it was a bobcat because I rationally know it was...
Garth Brown |
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Handling Stress
The other day I had a phone conversation that went something like this: My friend: "HOW WE DOING!? You got a little blue pill for that bull of yours? I...
Garth Brown |
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Mineral Bar Update
A little while back I put out a new-to-me cafeteria style mineral feeder for the cattle and sheep. Each mineral is in it's own compartment, not mixed into a single...
Garth Brown |
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Stability or Stagnation
I’ve lately been acutely aware of time’s passing. I do have two young children, who are changing daily, but I actually ascribe my recent preoccupation with the brevity of a...
Garth Brown |
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When I am Old and Grey
If a recent study is to be believed, American men are getting weaker. That, at least, is the sensational reading of it. A skeptic might point out that it only...
Garth Brown |
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Barns and Swallows
The big old dairy barn that dominates the farmyard looks a lot better on the outside then on the inside. The roof line is straight and the siding is in...
Garth Brown |
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Farm Dangers!
My daughter is skeptical of many things I say to her, particularly if I’m stopping her from doing something fun, like throwing a plastic elephant across the room or rhythmically...
Garth Brown |
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Fissiles
My three year-old daughter is still working on some consonant sounds. She has yet to master "th" and substitutes "F"s instead. When she stepped on a thistle yesterday evening she...
Garth Brown |
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Take your vitamins
So... last year we tested a few of our cows for selenium and all came back deficient. I offer a "mineral mix" free choice, but clearly it didn't do the...
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Neighbor's Bull
My dear neighbor Don died a few years ago. His children now own his farm. They lease the arable ground and run dairy heifers for another neighbor on about 100...
Garth Brown |
