5 MInute Update

Yes, I actually set the timer for five minutes and am typing a quick update post.

Calves- still only Choice. Not sure what the rest of the girls are waiting for. The bulls are not happy about their separation, but it will last for a few more months at least.

Pigs- Would you believe Gertie and Gwennie both went into labor at the same time? On a Monday morning, of course. Between the two we have 16 beautiful baby red wattle piglets, over half of them are already spoken for. We haven't decided if we will be raising any feeders this summer or not, we'll see what the demand looks like after Earthfest. A new pasture area for the pigs is in the works, as soon as Nate and I get time to fence.

Sheep- Shearing went well, our assistants all oohed and aaahhed over the wool, there may have been some wheeling and dealing, and plenty of claiming, but at the end of the night 10 of the 20 fleeces had new owners! Sandy C. has already begun working with Darla's fleece, and claimed it for next year! She even sent a skein of it over for me. My poor spinning wheel hasn't seen any action since last summer.

Boys- The boys are both doing well, getting anxious for summer and more time at home with their animals. Isaiah's having a rough day of it today- his ear tube (place two years ago) is coming out, and causing him some pain. They spent time this morning at the local easter basket extravaganza, and both came home happy.

Growing things- I have heirloom tomatoes, herbs, and peppers under lights in the back porch, my seeds and potatoes should get here next week. Now for more warmth in the soil so things can begin to grow outside.

My five minutes is up, More to come!

Hi Don M!!!

New Header Picture

You might notice that I finally changed the lush July clover picture to a picture more suiting of the season. I haven't spent much time outside with the camera lately, but last week I managed to snap a quick picture of a couple of the Highlands before they mobbed the gate for treats. From left to right: Sophie Lou, a glimpse of Goldilocks in the back, Wooly Bully, and Nonie.

I know,,,

7 years old!

4 years old!

Our newest addition, Purry.

yes, it's been way too long since I've blogged. No excuses, though I have to blame pinterest for some of my computer time being pulled away from blogging. It's addictive!

Quick recap of Fall: it was filled with busy times, kids' activities, lots of butchering, lots of chores, breeding groups arranged, and a few birthdays.

We finally had the opportunity to enjoy our home-grown red wattle pork. Five pigs were butchered in November, and were delicious! I can honestly say that it is the best pork I have had (especially the bacon!) We have been enjoying it!

Ten lambs were also butchered this fall, with less satisfactory results- the meat was great, just not a lot of it. The lack of rain in the end of summer and poor pasture management on my part led to lambs that were smaller than average. We did butcher a 2 1/2 year old ram, and he tastes very good. I was skeptic, but other than a bit tougher meat, the flavor is excellent! Plus the chops are more than one bite.

Lyle was moved back in with sows Gertie and Gwennie in November, and Hero was moved to the herd of 17 ewes in November too. It will be a busy spring! The goat girls- Nora

, Brie, and Pippa just made a trip to Jackie and Will's farm this past weekend for a visit with two of their bucks. This puts goat kids arriving in June, but that's ok. T-Rex our berkshire boar also made the trip to visit their gilts.

Our weather has been so mild that the cows are eating a lot less hay than projected. Nate has been spending time at some workshops to increase his expertise on the beef and marketing front. I'm just happy he's so willing to do extra chores before he leaves. Doing chores by headlamp has its challenges!

School is going well and I am still very thankful I made the move. Learning how to deal with sixth graders on a daily basis has its challenges, but we are managing! The realization of how much stress I was under at my old position is more evident now that I have some time to step back and look at it. I take the time to relax and enjoy my family more now. The biggest difference is probably my ability to leave work at work.

With our crazy warm weather this January well up until today, (it was 41 yesterday, but 8 degrees right now) the spring bug has definitely imbeded itself in my skin. Seed orders, planning for the farm, lots of ideas. Our biggest challenge right now is determining how fast to grow the size of our operations. More to come on that front!

July Recap

Isaiah & LouLou

• Gwendolyn gave birth to 8 purebred red wattle piglets, all thriving.



• The weather has been HOT!



• All things are growing on the Rice River Lamb Co. Farm, including pigs, goats, chicks, sheep, gardens, and children.



• Our turkey hens hatched out ten baby turkeys, they were only around for two days before the dang fox got them.



• Did I mention we have a fox problem? Caused plenty of sleepless nights listening to those darn things hunting.



• 96 meat bird chicks are growing in my front yard, surrounded by chicken wire, encircled in electronet. Did I mention that darn fox?
  


• A new Scottish Highland calf was born, Porter, joining Goldilocks and Chuck as calves here so far.
  


• Made a game changing occupation move; I will no longer be teaching special education in Eveleth, but will be teaching at the North Woods School in our hometown, in sixth grade! I am very excited about the change, but felt a bit heartsick over leaving the friends, students, and connections I've made in Eveleth in the last nine years.
  


• Added a guinea pig to the mix, Isaiah's first pet of his own. Just because you can never have too much going on!



• Looking forward to finishing July out with some county fair time, yoga for the kids, and a pedicure. (Probably should have had the pedicure about two months ago!)

June

Really. It's June. Our weather is not attesting the fact, but the calendar is. Today was the last day of school for students at my school. I have one more day of inservice tomorrow, and then I'm free. Well, not really. Then the whirlwind of summer activities start.
The gardens are patiently waiting for some plants to grow. We had awful wind for two days, and then frost last night, so I'm not rushing it.
The summer looks to be filling up fast, but with fun activities:

• Annalise will be coming for a visit next week


• Kohen has a week of orchestra camp


• Timber Days in Cook, with the popular pet show


• Bible School


• Gardens, gardens, gardens


• Pigs, pigs, pigs


• Weddings


• Family Reunions


• Visits from Friends


• Farmers Market


• A new ram


• and plenty more.

I just am ready to develop a summer routine, but it will have to wait a bit. I am anxious to just be able to soak in the days on the farm. Nate and I both agreed that we enjoy vacations, but are perfectly happy being able to stay home with the boys and all of the animals we enjoy. We've expanded our nightly routine from cups of tea in front of a dvr'd program, to include last checks on the pigs and cows. The cattle are not scared of my headlamp anymore, they know that treats accompany it. The little pigs have grown so much they rarely use their ramp into the shed anymore, they just jump.

Kohen has his heart set on bringing a pig to the pet show. But you may not know this- little pigs have a BIG voice. They squeal, grunt, and scream when you pick them up now. Even the ones we've handled daily. I'm hoping a harness and leash will be the answer. That's on the schedule for next week: pig leash training. Never would have thunk it. Isaiah cannot decide his victim-er-entry. Yesterday it was Darla, today it was Daisy. For some reason I don't think Daisy (who has never been farther then her pastures) would do well. I can't hardly get her to move from one pasture to the next if she doesn't want to. I'm encouraging chickens, chicks, poults, lambs, baby goats... Hey, it's not like the kid doesn't have options. We are excited to share our options with Brody, Cam, and Annalise. Maybe I should get some tshirts printed for all the kids. Might make some other local kids feel left out if they don't have a matching t-shirt though.

This weekend I get to learn something new. More on that later.

Thankfully we have not lost any more sheep, though we are constantly on guard. The goats are all out in the north field now, with access to the barn at night. So far they are doing great with it. My plan is to start milking on Monday. We are all anxious for fresh, raw, goat milk.

Well, that was rambling enough wasn't it. I better go and get some housework done before my husband gets home (he took a day trip to Rochester for farm supplies) and accuses me of spending all my time on the computer.

Sometimes Farm Life Sucks

The past 36 hours have not been the brightest in the Rice River Lamb Co. After three years of lambing without predator difficulties, I have become too complacent. Nate found the remains of two lambs on Wednesday night. He and the vet both think it is an eagle or other large bird since a fox or other four legged would have been able to drag the whole carcass off. Of course they both had to be ewe lambs: Erin Go Bragh, half shetland, half icelandic, and Tillamore Dew- one of Scar's ewe lambs. So now we are on edge, scanning the field, scanning the sky, and spending more time then I would like just counting sheep!
The herd of Highland cattle had grown by one on Sunday. Black Beauty, the old (at least 12) black highlander gave birth to a red calf. Since the cattle are new to us and we are new to them, I had been just giving them space. She kept him towards the back of the corral, much like the other mama cows had done initially. Well, by Wednesday night he wasn't doing well: moving slow, lethargic, with a hunched up body. I could not get him to nurse on his mom, but did get him to take 20 oz. of milk replacer from a bottle. We moved the pair into the barn and hoped he would make it through the night. Yesterday morning he was worse, and after much debate Nate headed on the 30 minute drive to the vet, at 6:00 in the morning (Thank you Jerry!) They tubed him, and then made the realization that he was blind, and had some other problems. I had noticed his eyes when I got close enough the previous night, but just figured in his distressed state he couldn't focus. The decision was made that the humane thing was to end his suffering. The vet's thoughts were a virus in the cow during pregnancy could be the cause. We know that the previous owner had been having his own health problems and not given the cattle all their vaccinations regularly, and that we had to get everyone back in condition. Hopefully we can quickly enough without any other big problems.
To top it off I had a sore throat that grew progressively worse, and I realized it was more than just allergies. Add to that Kohen complaining of a sore throat, so we skipped out of school yesterday morning for a visit to the clinic. Two strep cultures and shots later we were on our way home, with 24 hours of contagiousness left. Coupled with the sore throat I was running a fever of 101.5, and totally wiped out. The animals don't care though when they need water, hay and grain.
On a lighter note, Gertie's eleven babies are growing wonderfully. I never knew how cute baby pigs are, or how noisy when you are trying to catch them to lock them in the shed for the night!
The nights have been well below freezing the last few, so I'm glad that I haven't planted the gardens yet. My hope is to feel better by this weekend and get all my starts in along with some lettuce and peas. The new/lower garden plot has been taken back from the pigs but is a long way from being ready for planting. We will see what the long weekend brings.
I better get moving- Isaiah has his St. Jude's Trike-a-thon at daycare, and I need to sneak into school and grab my grade book. Grades are due today- means school is SO close to being over, and more of my time can be spent on the farm.