[Livewater Farm]

I think what you are refering to is a sinle piece neck yolk it is the length of a three piece yolk over all with 4 eyes to hook you pole straps we use them on a pole that might be a little too short allowing more room for the horses from the evener

I know some folks that only use that type they hook it to the team befoer they move to the wagon or sled pole does not slap around as much or hit the knees
just different style s of doing the same thing
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

sugaring all done here last boil april 15 made 3/4 of a crop so happy with the season
tried alittle birtch sap mixed in with maple the last boil interesting flavor alittle
licorice in the after taste
now on to filling the wood sheds and spreading manuare
still have frozen water in cow waterer and 2 hydrants frost is a least 5ftdeep or more in places
how you all do?
I think the new grading system sucks
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

I do but would run about $100 US plus pad and shipping for 25inch collar with pad
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

hows sugaring going elsewhere
things real slow here in southern vt
been tapped out for two weeks plus and only boiled twice
havent had what I call a run as of yet just some weeping here and there
sap first pickup was not too sweet 1.8 2nd boil up to 3.5 from 400 buckets
can still put out more but waiting today sunday bright sun but a north wind hasnt let the sap break loose yet
still plenty of snow in the woods field trees have opened around bases
sled roads in the woods staying good and solid
will not be spreading manure this year by the spread date in april
hay supplies holding up pasture seems along way away still usually for me around 15th 0f may but some wet years it has been delayed to 1st week in june
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

Tom I am looking for a second team for my son to use give me a call
Bill Acquaviva
802 387 4412
Livewater Farm
Putney Vt

[Livewater Farm]

sell the exspensive tractor buy a team and a used tractor to handle logs around the saw mill

[Livewater Farm]

George dug the pole out of the snow it is 3 inch tubing 1/4 inch thick 91/2 ft long

back end where strap is is open neck yolk end boxed off
pole attached to equipment with steel side straps this is the weak link a box receaver I think would work much better
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

I have an alumimum pole on my Lancaster 80 bushel manure spreader and love it light weight and strong spreader has auto steering can turn real tight with side stops on pole have not bent in my 8 years of use
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

I have used Sampsom good workmanship and quality leather and hardware
you get what you pay for with leather
lesser quality leather will not hold up
you do not want split leather in harness it is weaker full grain leather from backs for all important parts no belly leather wear pads on all contact surfaces and lots of keepers

you can expect to pay twice as much for good leather harness than you would for bio or nylon
in my mind money spent on leather is $$$$ well spent
some of my harnesses are over 60+ year sold and still solid
with proper care should last 2+ lifetimes
just my opinion
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

try using a jockie stick between the horses he will not be able to get his head around to the buckle

[Livewater Farm]

around 1 pm had horses out again this morning easier going where I broke yesterday was able to get further up into the bush hope to have a once thru the whole bush by sat

[Livewater Farm]

finally was able to get out and start breaking trails tough going on soft horses about 2ft+
snow with a small crust using a double bobsled to break with will drag a log behind tomorrow to help pack and widen tails
I am in no hurry to tap maybe next week if weather goes as predicted still cold today
went to Bascoms yesterday for supplies not much happening there yet
still need to set up
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

looks like with the snow pack and cold temps start to sugaring maybe more in line with the traditional start
here in southern vt was always town meeting day 2nd tues in march
then again the past couple of seasons have been pretty eradic with start and finshing
Sugaring is always exiting and a time of renewal here on the farm
the bear in me comes out of hibernation
-8 this morning colder tomrrow then more snow for the weekend cant even think of breaking trails
expecting up to 40 mile per hr wind gusts
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

I frost seed most of my dairy pastures with a red clover/white clover timothy /orchard grass mix
I use a hand held spin seeder walking the 10 + pastures does not take long plus gives me a good idea on condition of pastures
I do this in end of mar early april here in southern vt
pastures establish fast and hold up all season when managed properly
Bill

[Livewater Farm]

education thru an institution or real life experience is expensive
when it comes to getting into farming an individual needs to make the commitment and except the sacrifices needed to make in order for the dream to come true
in this world of instant gratification I wonder if the would be farmers are willing to wait for the end results of all the work and sacrifice

so many want to purchase the perfect farm or team of horses not realizing the farm is built or the team is worked to get to the point where they have the realization of the dream

as far as financing that dream or education work .work work as you have Erica
nothing is handed to most of us and earning it is far more satisfying
Bill

[Author]

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