[dominiquer60]

It is ironic that deposits of untimely organic matter are indeed good for the soil and crops, and as far as I am concerned my immune system. You can’t become immune to something if you are never exposed to it. Perhaps someday it will be a good thing to seed food with imperfections so that peoples immune systems will thrive like our own. In the mean time I would hate to be the first small farm to make national news over some customer with a compromised immune system being negatively impacted by my sustainable practices.

When the 2006 spinach outbreak occurred, the farm that I worked for and many others like in the area, had increased salad greens and spinach sales. A couple months ago when the egg crisis hit, again our egg sales soared as people shied away from grocery store eggs. One customer asked, “are these eggs guaranteed salmonella free?” I wanted to tell him that there are no guarantees in life, but instead I went with, “we have never had a problem in 70 years.” He seemed quite happy with that answer, even though I didn’t actually answer his question at all, so he purchased our eggs.

I feel like if I start using my animals more in the field that I should inform my customers with a sign, “vegetables are guaranteed to have been exposed to farm life, side effects may be a strengthened immune system.” 🙂

[dominiquer60]

Carl- This answers the question that I had been meaning to ask you all weekend, but of course forgot. I am glad that they are working so well for you.

“Is there ever a time when the lever bit is replaced?”

When I used to show pleasure horses I usually rode my friends mare in a nice snaffle and most days she did great. But some days she just needed a little more something to keep her attention. I had a real short shanked jointed pelham (leverage bit like a jointed liverpool). I would ride her at home in this occasionally for a tune-up and have it in the trailer just in case. One day at a fair there were harness racing horses and demo derby cars, but perhaps being a mare was the most distracting part of all. I hung that pelham in her mouth and she was suddenly all business with out any public training or ugliness. We won enough to pay our entry fees and fuel, all with hardly any rein pressure. The next week a snaffle got the job done just as well.

The nice thing about the liverpool is that you can have the lines set straight on, but if you need a little more control than you can drop the lines down at anytime. Like wise if leverage becomes an issue you can return to the top ring, all with out changing bridles or bits.

It is certainly a nice adjustable tool to have on hand.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

I am working on a note to the membership, writing is not my strong point, so I will be seeking advice on improving a draft shortly. I can see it through if we can get a person or two from the membership that would like to volunteer to do the newsletter. If it involves more than basic word processing I will not be the best person to put a news letter together, but with help I can see that it happens.
Erika

[dominiquer60]

So while I was at LIF I heard that sometimes MOFGA questions why they have a forest element to a farmer gardener association. I think that a good forest or wood lot is essential to many farms. The care and management is also similar, thin, harvest reduce compaction, etc. The LIF event is incredibly unique, where else can you have a hands on education involving traditional animal power with modern safety and innovation.

I know that we all filled out an evaluation and much to Geoff’s dismay, we probably gave rave reviews, but I also sent a thank you note to MOFGA as well. I thought that those at MOFGA who may question LIF would see my gratitude easier in a personal note than in the evaluation. There doesn’t seem to be any significant push against LIF, but in an effort to positively reinforce their efforts to put on a great event, I thought a little thanks was in order.

I won’t be able to go every year, but I look forward to the chance to make my way to Unity, ME another November.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

I missed this part but glad to see these pictures here, great job!

It is as close to seeing you Roman riding as it gets:)

[dominiquer60]

I have emailed folks encouraging them to join DAPNET since they were interested enough to join our conference call meeting, but not yet members.

I will be drafting a letter to members to update them of our progress and will include some of what folks report in this thread.

I am looking for ideas and or material for a simple first newsletter, with the goal of Jan 1 for distribution. Please email ideas/material to marczake@hotmail.com

Lisa has forwarded some information and I am learning how to make the best of it.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Two years ago I learned how to drive Jim Hawkes team of steers at LIF, last year I started my own pair and this year I returned for the Chainsaw Safety course that coincides with LIF. Now I can safely cut, move and haul firewood with my cattle, it is nice to have enough pieces to the puzzle to be able to do something useful, and yet still so much left to learn:) Thanks to everyone that organized and participated in LIF!

Erika

[dominiquer60]

They only strains that I am aware of are show bird strains that have a reputation for being poor breeders and slow growers, but remember that heterosis creates the vigor. There may be hatcheries that offer a commercial cornish line, but I have not paid attention recently so you will have to look and see. I would choose such a line over the exhibitions strains.
Erika

[dominiquer60]

The difficulty with hybrid vigor is that you have to either have a good reliable source of pure stock, or keep two separate lines yourself. The New Hampshire is a great bird on its own, I think if you crossed it with a Cornish the meat potential could be greater. A word of warning about the Cornish, they actually grow rather slowly, and are not the most vigorous breeders. Special strains are used for commercial breeding flocks and the modern white Cornish cross hybrid is really a 4 way hybrid, thus the extreme growth rates and high percentage of white meat. I think your cross idea is certainly worth a try, but be aware that any non commercial Cornish that you can get your hands on may not result in such extreme vigor.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

You folks can have your winter now, but I’ll take mine after the potatoes, carrot and beets have found their way out of the ground and into winter storage, preferably on their own:)

I think if I bring my raingear and goose down all will be well in Maine, especially with good food and company.

[dominiquer60]

I think that they called it Monday morning sickness because the horses would get shown or fox hunted hard on the weekend and then Monday was the grooms day off so there they stand in the stalls all day to tie-up. At least this is what I was taught.

[dominiquer60]

It sounds like a fine idea, we could include the event just to connect it to us, but we don’t have to put a date down, unless of course this would cause more phone calls.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

I received two emails, Happy to be here.
Erika

[dominiquer60]

It is truly the same song that can be sung around the whole world, keep the culture alive!

[dominiquer60]

If you get an older steer consider finding a small farmer that handles the young stock in a situation where they often interact with people. There are 2 linebacks I know of for sale in this type of situation, nice small farmer that ties all the dairy beef up to grain them everyday, they are very accustom to people and are ready to train. Also you could find a pail fed calf that is close to being weaned and just needs a couple of cold pails of milk twice a day, it is not too much work for a couple of weeks. Just some food for thought, good luck taking that first step, cattle are enjoyable animals to work with.

Erika

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