Filed under: October 2019 | Tags: autumn, draft horses, Percheron, rest & reset, Suffolk Horses
October 27, 2019
In this blurry picture of our sugarhouse, you can see the autumn leaves. The color was late in coming this year, but after a couple hard frosts, the trees draped themselves in wonderful colors. I shot this picture on a cool morning at sunrise. Autumn has arrived!
I have just begun to pick our field corn crop. It needed a bit more drying, but now is ready to harvest. We had a rainy weekend, that made me rest and reset. I guess it’s sometimes good for all of us to just be still.
I managed to attend two major draft horse sales in our area. The Lake Erie Draft Colt Sale in Burton, Ohio was the first. The three-year-old filly in the picture below, brought over $6000.00. Great sale, good horses and cool weather.
Then last Thursday and Friday, I attended the Buckeye Draft Horse sale in Dover, Ohio. I hauled horses and friends as we supported the sale. There were many nice horses to feast your eyes upon. They came in all colors, shapes and sizes. A weanling Percheron filly sold for $24,000.00 in Dover, topping the sale!
I also visited a friend in southern Ohio last week, who owns this chunky Suffolk Stallion. He is a great horse with a quiet disposition. I had gone to see his owner, because I bought a wagon from him. I plan to convert the old hay wagon into a hayride wagon for the farm.
Corn picking is on my mind and will fill my days in the near future. In the meantime, it was nice to enjoy the autumn splendor, in the company of friends and good draft horses.
Filed under: October 2019 | Tags: field corn, horse drawn, kindness, maize, sunset
October 16, 2019
First I should clarify, any day is a good day. Each day we are given the opportunity to reach for our goals, strive for excellence and share our light with the world. It is a choice to be happy, so smile, be kind and give of yourself to others. This positive attitude towards life, will make every day better. Sometimes, you may be the only positive thing others will see that day. You may uplift someone else, by simply smiling, now that my friends, is power!
I have been working on many projects as autumn is making itself known. It’s that last dash of preparation before winter slows down and even stops some outside activities. My biggest push right now, is to get the field corn harvested. The picker is ready to go. The crib needs emptied of the last of last year’s corn. A good clean out, fix a slat or two and the crib will be ready to receive the new crop.
Abby managed to lose her front shoe. So, yesterday, we ran to get one nailed on. You can’t pick corn with a flat tire on your tractor…or a missing shoe on your draft horse! She was all fixed up in the space of ten minutes. Abby and the geldings are ready and waiting for the corn harvest to begin. The corn is almost dry enough. The last two mornings of hard frost, will help in that effort too.
So, after a day of preparing for winter, equine pedicures and a beautiful sunset, I would say that it is the end to a perfect day.
Filed under: October 2019, Uncategorized | Tags: aging, autumn, small farm life
October 8, 2019
Our weather has been nice. My work list is getting completed. Autumn is making itself known. Our last cow had her calf and things are good. We finished filling the sugarhouse woodshed yesterday. I even delivered a load of firewood for a birthday present.
I am a little sore today from doing unaccustomed work….I haven’t had this in a long time. Oh sure, do too many sit-ups or ride a horse…and I feel that the next few days, but holy cow! When did a little extra work start to make my old muscles stiff and sore? This aging stuff is for the birds, but all in all…I feel good!
Honestly, how could a guy not feel good. I’m surrounded by family, friends, great draft horses and farm animals. Sure there is work that comes with those things. Work that is well worth the effort! Heck with feeling good… I feel great!
Filed under: October 2019 | Tags: flushing ewes, rotational grazing, small farm economics, small paddocks
October 1, 2019
My small farm is divided up into paddocks consisting of 3 to 5 acres. I like them this way because I farm with horses and used to work an off farm job. The small fields allowed me to “get something done” in the spare time that I had. I could/can see my progress. These small success’ keep me positive, engaged and well pleased.
These small paddocks also work well for managed grazing of multiple species of livestock. This allows me to make the best use of the land and resources. In the picture above, is shown a field of third cutting hay. It will be harvested by my ewes and ewe lambs. They will come into winter and breeding season in great condition, many thanks to the lush grasses.
I also don’t have to spend money or time harvesting this hay crop. The ewes will do it for me. They will clip the grass down to the height I desire before moving to another paddock. This ensures the grass too, will be in good condition when winter hits.
The sheep will really enjoy eating this banquet of greens. They are in good shape now, but this will add to their winter stores. It will aid in “flushing” the ewes too. “Flushing” is a term for helping the sheep think feed is plentiful, helping her to release more eggs at breeding time. Some say this is an old wives tale, but it serves me well. We get many sets of twins…so I am not going to shrug it off.
RicelandMeadows 