change in the landscape

It seems as though all of the work on improving the pastures and in general trying to be a good land steward are paying off. First time this year we have a pair of Mallards that have been hanging out in the creek out front. There has always been a pair of Wood Ducks in the area but this has been the first mallards I've seen. Currently, as of at this minute there is a pair of Canada Geese out front, only seem them in passing. The Robin population as well as the bluebirds also seem to be increasing in numbers. Pasture rotation aka I'm not spending money on gas to mow with the tractor is working very well. Mowing with the critters has the added advantage of fertilizing and weed eating at the same time. My shortest cow; Shorty recently had what I think is the tallest calf we have ever had here, at birth he was already 1/2 her height. It was necessary to put her in the headgate for a few days until he learned that the nipple/udder was only 3" off the ground. If Shorty had side attached nipples it wouldn't have been an issue. Tomas, the Percheron and the goats enjoyed their pasture rotation past the house as the 'magic' window gave treats

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Busy, loving the weather

The weekend weather was over 60* seems weird this early in the year, but I am not complaining. Baby goats are doing well, bouncing around everywhere. Frosty, their mom has been a fabulous first time mom.

Went riding on Saturday, it's been years since I had a long ride. A bit frustrating that 7 years after a bad horse crash that I still find myself, way too tense to completely relax. Riding an excellent horse, Daisy courtesy of my friend Mark is an excellent way to get back into the groove. https://www.facebook.com/markanddusty Then we went target shooting, came home smelling of horses and gunpowder, doesn't get much better than that!!!! Hoping to ride in South Dakota in June ( anyone nearby who's interested let me know have room to trailer 3 horses) at the Holcomb Buffalo Ranch https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holcomb-Buffalo-Ranch/147484495287551

Ruby, the red Dexter has become quite a 'pocket' cow, follows you in the pasture begging for treats and in case you didn't notice her, she trumpets constantly. I say trumpet because she really doesn't sound like a cow when she does it!!! More like a call to battle trumpet you'd expect to hear in a sci-fi movie.

Curious to see what the weather for the rest of the year will be like.

Cold morning, warm udder

Yesterday morning welcomed another calf. I thought yesterday was cold, 10* I was very glad to see the calf up and nursing. This morning temp is 2* with a 'feels like' temp of -15*. Barn is much much warmer, no wind, lots of bedding. This little bull calf totally demonstrates the 50/50 90 rule, if you have a 50/50 chance of something 90% of the time you will be wrong. Had a 50/50 chance of a red calf and of course it's dun. Ruby, mom, is going to be a great milk cow. She doesn't mind at all having her udder touched and I had been working on getting her used to it, and yesterday was able to milk her ( just enough to be sure all teats were clear)I don't want to be taking any colostrum that the calf needs.

Government control of privately owned rural properties. Interesting and frightening article and news video. I urge all to check it out.
http://themadjewess.com/2011/07/04/obama-signs-86th-executive-order-agenda-21-takes-over-rural-farmland/#

White House Counsel Takes Aim on Rural America

It appears that not a single department in the federal government was excluded from the new White House Rural Council, and the wild card option in number 25 gives the president and the agriculture secretary the option to designate anyone to serve on this powerful council.

(1) the Department of the Treasury; Timothy Geithner
(2) the Department of Defense; Robert Gates
(3) the Department of Justice; Eric Holder
(4) the Department of the Interior; Ken Salazar
(5) the Department of Commerce; Gary Locke
(6) the Department of Labor; Hilda Solis
(7) the Department of Health and Human Services; Kathleen Sebelius
(8) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Shaun Donovan
(9) the Department of Transportation; Ray LaHood
(10) the Department of Energy; Dr. Steven Chu
(11) the Department of Education; Arne Duncan
(12) the Department of Veterans Affairs; Eric Shinseki
(13) the Department of Homeland Security; Janet Napolitano
(14) the Environmental Protection Agency; Lisa Jackson
(15) the Federal Communications Commission; Michael Copps
(16) the Office of Management and Budget; Peter Orszag
(17) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; John Holdren
(18) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; R. Gil Kerlikowske
(19) the Council of Economic Advisers; Austan Goolsbee
(20) the Domestic Policy Council; Melody Barnes (former VP at Center for American Progress)
(21) the National Economic Council; Gene B. Sperling
(22) the Small Business Administration; Karen Mills
(23) the Council on Environmental Quality; Nancy Sutley
(24) the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs; Valerie Jarrett
(25) the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs; and such other executive branch departments, agencies, and offices as the President or Secretary of Agriculture may, from time to time, designate. Chris Lu (or virtually anyone to be designated by the 24 people named above)