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We don’t think so….
….you may say they’re alfalfa pellets but they sure look like grain and Mommy told us to stay away from grain. At least that’s what these two heifers seem to be saying to Wooz. Some of our animals never do try them….coming into the pen when we treat the herd to alfalfa pellets but just standing to the side and watching. It can be a problem, when you’re raising grass fed beef, rounding up the cows. But, particularly with mob grazing, they get caught up in the excitement of running and are carried along. Sometimes, as with these heifers in a satellite pasture, it can take coaxing and patience. It…
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A special visitor….
We welcome quite a few visitors to Thistle Hill, but mostly they’re looking for a bull or heifer or curious about where their meat is raised. Unique then to have a guest who just wanted to get into a tractor. But what an interesting guest! He’s Rev. Hayden Vaverfek, who grew up on a farm in Michigan and fondly remembers the little red Farmall. Father Hayden had no problem taking over the controls of our big Deere and tooling around the pasture. But the interesting part: the padre’s assignment is to help Catholic churches in the Mideast. As you know, Christians have been subjected to everything from prejudice to brutality and execution…
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A Rotokawa-sired bull….
….right here at Thistle Hill….he’s one of Rotokawa 243’s sons…. …as good a young bull as we’ve ever seen. We do believe we’ve found next year’s herd sire. W18 has an equally promising brother in a nearby pasture and you’re always welcome to drop in and check them out. We think 243 has never gotten the credit he deserves. His career was interrupted by the sale of Rotokawa as Ken McDowell cut back his active schedule. Right now, he’s serving in a commercial herd in New Zealand but Ken maintains semen rights.
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A Rotokawa update….
Famed New Zealand breeder Ken McDowell is spending several months in the States, currently enjoying a reunion with his Rotokawa herd. He’s doing more than visiting, though, he’s working with the new owner of Rotokawa, Henry Hauptmann, making breeding decisions. It’s a fine art for Ken as he draws out his plan, matching bulls to the needs of the cows. And Ken is soldiering on despite a painful cyst that has developed on his kidney. He does plan to be at the NADA meeting in New York next month. And we’re looking forward to his visit here in October, right after our own next trip to England.
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We get letters….
….whenever we send out our latest boxes of beef and pork. Those who are new to Thistle Hill meat apparently never quite believe what we’ve been saying: not only is it healthy but it’s delicious. Here’s an email we just received about our PorkPak from Susan B.: We are so enjoying the pork we purchased from you. I have made the sausage as well as the bratwurst. Both were absolutely delicious. We were wondering if you might have more of the bratwurst for sale? We would love to have it at a family get-together ~and keep some in the freezer for later use. Definitely keep us on your mailing list…
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Farewell, dear Pokey….
Our little Pokey died a week ago during a procedure to have her spayed. We’re not sure but apparently the cause of death was an aneurysm. Whatever, it was an unexpected and devastating loss. In the few short months she was with us, she took over our home and our lives. She was still learning how to handle the cows but she knew what to do instinctively and never backed down. She’ll always be in our hearts, riding along in the Gator, joyfully greeting each new adventure. We were warned that English Shepherds don’t know they’re dogs. We pray that means that there’s a special place for Pokey in Heaven.
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Mea culpa….
Again, the press of outside business well away from Hume has limited (alright, eliminated) posting recently. As a way of apologizing, there will be several updates today to catch up. But first a big thank you and hug to Wooz for all she has done to keep our mob grazing and the water tank filled. And all that through the tears of a terrible loss here. And a big thank you to grandson Church (he’ll skip the hug, I’m sure) for abandoning the bright lights of the city to be Wooz’ strong right arm and companion during my absence. We used to pretend he was helping, but now he really…
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Don’t look at me….
….that’s the government’s attitude to the startling news that we’re all fat, and getting fatter. The study comes from the Center for Disease Control and documents the weighty news and what obesity is doing to our health (and health costs). But, of course, the tone is “tsk tsk” and no recognition that government programs such as the menus of school lunches, food stamps, the farm program, and food pyramids have been almost as much to blame as Coke and McDonald’s. Here’s the report: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/cdc-everyone-fat/ Being forced to travel a lot recently, I have been a reluctant draftee into the army of Americans who eat out half the time. It is essentially…
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Nothing ever happens in our little county….
….and we like it that way. But now “mass” protest has struck and it’s farmers with pitchforks. Seems the zoning people have gone downtown on us and want to crack down on roadside farmers’ stands who are engaging in what economists call “line extension”. The problem apparently is that some folks want to stretch the definition a bit and are also selling crafts and cakes and other “contraband” supplied from off the farm. The word is someone even had a kids’ birthday party at the farm. Horrors! So Fauquier county, about as farm friendly as a county, cracked down. That provoked a “pitchfork protest” by some of our neighbors….and that drew…
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Gerrish at 75%….
…at least, that’s what he says. Jim Gerrish was in a serious ATV accident about six weeks ago and was seriously injured. He tells us this morning that he’s much better—that is the 75%—and has resumed a limited schedule of work….both in his pastures and on the lecture circuit. Good to hear!