[Tim Harrigan]

Tom, I agree with what others have said, I had solid fields of goldenrod and when I mowed it the first time is could not see much else. But it is easily controlled by mowing so if you can get after it you will see a big reduction next year and so on. The field where it was worst is now my best pasture but it has been 15 years of managed rotational grazing. If you are in a hurry you could till it up, correct soil pH and fertility, etc and reseed in August and you will be grazing nice pasture next year at this time. I am sure your Extension folks can advise on fertility, timing, pasture mixes etc for your area. By the way, none of my steers would ever touch goldenrod, even in the spring when it was young. Now I have one of the best trefoil, clover grass pastures I have ever seen with no reseeding at all. But it took time.

[Tim Harrigan]

Yes, the wheel turns. Sorry to hear about your loss of the two leaders. Sounds like things are working well for you and Sam, wish we were closer.

[Tim Harrigan]

That is the neck width but you also need extra space to slide you hand in between the bow and the yoke. Howie’s guess is what I would also guess.

[Tim Harrigan]

First of all, do not back away from a 2 or 4 year degree because you think it will be the easy way because that is highly unlikely it will be the easy way. Many folk are very successful with no college at all, but that is increasingly difficult in today’s society. If you work hard, are honest and reliable you will build a reputation that will serve you well locally. But a degree with experience will open more doors and give you more mobility and options. I agree that working one or two years before going to back to school will help focus your interest and intensions, and I highly recommend it. A two-year degree with experience will accelerate your learning and provide insights that could take years to gain without the focused training. Many two-year programs will transfer credits to a 4 year degree if you decide to continue, although it gets more difficult to complete a degree as you get older and take on more responsibilities with less mobility.

You can get a college education without taking on high debt. Think local community colleges and public universities. Look for scholarship opportunities. Work while you are in school. Some private (expensive) schools might have assistance that makes them competitive with public universities. If you come out with $10-$20 K in debt, big deal. Buy a use truck rather than a new one, live on what you have rather than what you want for a few years. Not everything is easy.

I have a hard time whipping up great sympathy for many of the folks we read about in the news coming out with $100 K in debt with a good education but no real skills or experience. Expensive, private schools they did not have to go to but went because they had their heart set on it; no real plans or thoughts about what debt means; no or little contribution to paying their way as they went and taking 6 years rather than 4. A little harsh, I guess, and it does not apply to everyone’s situation, but if you order dinner, and clean up your plate, don’t complain when it comes time to pay.

There is a lot of talk about how hard it is today, but I promise you, it has always been hard unless you had the comfort of having it paid for by someone else. A 2 year program with work experience is a good start. As you progress your goals will become more clear and you can adjust accordingly. Good for you for thinking about it now rather than later.

[Tim Harrigan]

Better memories
[video]http://youtu.be/D_6–bgCyWg[/video]

[Tim Harrigan]

That’s really rough, Jay. So sorry to learn of the heartbreak…

[Tim Harrigan]

It looks like they are recommending 8-10 tractor hp per foot with width. That would be typical of the speed they like to travel. There are a lot of tines in the ground, you might want to look into what it takes for horses and to what extent speed impacts the quality of work.

[Tim Harrigan]

George,
I bought a Woodchuck recently. I have not used it a lot, yet, just getting back into the woods with the cooler weather. However, from what I have seen so far I really like it. It is really solid, I was concerned that it would be too light and not hold up but it is really solid. It bites much better than my older hook and what I like most is that as you said, it works well for both large and small logs which my old hook did not. Thanks for the recommendation. 😀

[Tim Harrigan]

I only use 5/16 chain. 3/8 is way to heavy to handle. The only times I have had problems with the 5/16 is when someone borrowed it and used it on a bucket for picking and loading heavy equipment. If you keep an eye on the condition of your chains, and use high-strength chain, 5/16 should not be a problem. Don’t get the schedule 30 or whatever it is that the local hardware carries.

[Tim Harrigan]

200 ppm is equivalent to 400 lb/acre. In Michigan we use 300 lb/ac as the cut-off point based on environmental concerns for any P application. Above 75 ppm (150 lb/ac) application should be only to meet crop removal. From an agronomic POV you can expect no crop response above the 50-60 lb/acre soil test level. Your field wins the prize for the highest soil test P I have ever heard about. 😎

[Tim Harrigan]

Erika, yes the poison is in the dose and that is the big drawback with manure. The major nutrients in manure are not in the best proportion for crop use. If we apply manure to meet the N requirement then P is way too high. A good reason to integrate legume cover crops in the rotations (to add N). If you have a 2,000 lb phosphorus soil test you will not need any P on that site in your lifetime. A 50-60 lb/ac soil test is very adequate from an agronomic POV and also protective of the environment. I am not sure if CT has a P-Index, if so that would provided some guidance regarding vulnerability of specific aspects of the site such as field slope, nearness to water, etc.

[Tim Harrigan]

Erika, I am not feeding horses so this is an observation, not a recommendation. Botulism toxin requires an anaerobic environment to develop. If dry hay bales were that wet when put in storage you would know it. I agree feeding baleage would be risky, particularly if you did not know exactly how it was harvested and stored. If there were wet slugs in the bale it could go anaerobic.

[Tim Harrigan]

The yoke itself will not bother him for long. Just put it on him and brush him a bit, go about your business and it will not be an issue. The actual pulling of things, even the introduction to tugs should come along a little slower, how much slower depends on his temperament. If he is jumpy you might want to just hang the tugs or chains next to him and let him get comfortable for a day or so, then when he shows little interest in them hang them on his yoke. When he seems comfortable, start moving a bit with them to get him accustomed to the sound of things dragging. Then drag a small branch. Be aware that multiple, simultaneous stressors could worry him, for instance pulling something for the first time and then crossing on to gravel where unfamiliar sounds can frighten him. Don’t put him in a position where the tugs will tangle in his feet. He is still learning to trust you, so demonstrate that you are trustworthy, but you don not need to baby him.

They are curious and hardwired to flee from things that frighten them so he will benefit from a stepwise approach, but it will not take too long, usually. Some cattle are really wound up tight, you will find out soon enough. If that is the case he may not be the best candidate for your first single. Stay calm and relaxed, if he senses that you are nervous and expecting trouble he will help you fulfill your expectations.

[Tim Harrigan]

Thanks, George. I know where a few outlets are, I will stop by and look at it next time I am in the area.

[Tim Harrigan]

George, it grips well, but does it handle well? How heavy is it? Does it seem like it could bend when prying or a heavy lift? Does it conduct heat well so it feels really cold in cold weather?

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