[Andy Carson]

I am a little more open minded with GM crops. I have to say I am suprised that they don’t achieve really high yields, but the concept is still pretty new (compared to traditional ag) and yield improvements may only be realized after further development. I still think the concept has alot of potential for useful applications. I do think some safety concerns are reasonable and deserve study, but many safety concerns seem without precedent. Some seem to represent fear of the unknown or resentment of profitering by large corporations. Starvation is a tough issue, but I agree that is is not likely to be as simple as just producing more food in developed countries. That said, if GM can increase either the yield or nutritional value of food crops in developing countries I think this would be a useful part of a long term solution to hunger. Teh key word here is “if” and this remains to be seen in my mind. But, my mind is open to that possibility and I think it is important for everyone to look at the results of GM studies past and present with an open mind. These opinions aren’t really anything I haven’t said in other posts, I am just trying to represent a diversity of opinion on this subject. Without a diversity of opinion (and a couple of open minds), it is difficult to truly examine an issue and have an informed opinion.

[Andy Carson]

@sean518 26814 wrote:

The only people plowing in my area are the Amish, tractors can’t do it. Score one for draft animal power!

I have noticed the same thing. I have definately been delayed, but my tractor powered neighbors haven’t been able to do anything at all.

[Andy Carson]

Nice Ed. This looks like the same front wheel that I have used. It has worked well. Mine doesn’t have scrapers, and sometimes have to clean out the mud by hand. Maybe once every half hour or so I get a clog… I think I will eventually make some sort of scraper too.

[Andy Carson]

Weird? Maybe… I often sing or whistle to by horse while I am working. It seems help her relax and go slow and steady. I would say she likes it, but it’s not a scientific study by any means… I would guess that music would be relaxing rather than motivating though. That said, I am usually trying to slow my animal down (not speed her up) so I don’t tend to sing up tempo songs… I does make one wonder. You know, you don’t have to have an MP3 player if you are not embarrassed easily. 🙂

[Andy Carson]

My mare seems to go all the time, so this isn’t something unique to all mares.

[Andy Carson]

Ha! Everyone wants something for a team, Huh? I know it might be harder to find equipment for a single, but I would be willing to bet that the buffering effect would be more dramatic with a single than a team. I would expect the peaks and valleys in force to vary more widely for a single than for a team. After all, there is no other animal in the system that might experience and “valley” while the other animal is experiencing a “peak.” The system might be somewhat analogous to the power output of a four cylinder engine (a single horse) versus an eight cylinder engine (a team). Even if the two engines have the same displacement, one would expect smoother power output from the engine with more pistons (or legs). This is very speculative, but perhaps the smoothness of the power output is one reason why a team of 1000 lb horses usually outworks a single 2000 lb horse, despite thier equal weight. I am sure this is not the only reason, but it might be one reason. From an engine design standpoint, smoothness can be overcome by having a big flywheel that can store energy in the peaks and distribute them the the valleys. This is pretty much the same concept as the buffer, it is just a system for storing and distributing linear motion rather than rotational motion. Perhaps it is no accident that one of the people who is so interested in this concept (me) uses a single… Still, there aren’t really alot of people that use singles, and I think the vast majority of people would want to know what happens with team. Tim’s data still shows substantial peaks and valleys with teams, and I bet it would work for these as well. I will see what I can do about another buffer…

[Andy Carson]

Good news. I am glad to see things are working well. I am in a mad rush trying to get crops in, but it shouldn’t be too long until I can send the buffer. I am excited to see the results.

[Andy Carson]

Wow, 16 inches is impressive! Sorry to hear about the flooding. Hopefully things that to dry up soon.

[Andy Carson]

If my planter works, I will visualize whirled peas

[Andy Carson]

Rain forecast again tonight, then it’s supposed to clear up a little over the next three days and only one day forecast to have “AM rain”. I can’t believe I am excited by the forecast, but I am. Maybe I can get my peas in… 7 inches of rain this month, and the month isn’t over yet. That’s more than twice the monthly average!

[Andy Carson]

I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble. I don’t have any specific tips for this topic and I’ll leave those to the more experienced horse trainers. I have to say that right after I got my current horse, I occasionally had the thought the I should sell her rather than having to deal with this or that. I am very happy with her now, and am very glad I stuck it out and didn’t sell her impulsively. That said, I was usually pretty sure what I needed to do with her and it was more of a question of “is all this work worth it?” than “what do I do now?” If I had really tried all I knew how to do and couldn’t figure it out, I would likely have moved on. Also, for me, this period only lasted about a month and I was never really that serious… No matter what, it’s a tough and personal descision, and all I can really do is say I’m sorry you are having to deal with this in spring when there’s so much else going on. It’s sure nice to be able to hitch up a horse and try new (and somethings crazy) things and not have to worry alot about at least one part of what you are doing. These kinds of teams are out there if you decide to go this route.

[Andy Carson]

I thought about getting a pyr, and actually looked into it a little. I ended up deciding against it b/c I thought I could buy alot of hardware cloth for what it costs to buy, feed, and train one for these big guys… Plus, the fence works right away instead of having to wait for a pup to grow up… I will likely be reelavuating this decision if (maybe when?) a weasel gets one of my chickens… For now, I plan on making sure all chickens have a weasel proof house to go in when it’s night and bank on weasels not being out during the day. I suppose we’ll see… I keep thinking that it’s only a matter of time until I loose one, but then I see neighbors that let thiers run free and roost in barns as they please and think I’m being paranoid.

[Andy Carson]

When I recently made my coop and run, I was worried about weasels as well. I did my best to make is weasel proof with hardware cloth, but it sure gets expensive and time consuming. Especially for an animal that I have never personally seen at my place… On the other hand, I am not sure that I would be likely to see a weasel, even if I had alot of them. They seem so small and secretive… Does anyone out there who how one would know if they have weasels? Would you really expect to see sign of them (Tracks, scat, other sign)? I wonder if house cats scare them off or eat enough of the same foods as them so-as to make a weasel look elsewhere for food? It would sure be nice to not have to make future chicken pens weasel proof…

[Andy Carson]

Pretty cool. Good idea, and it looks very useful. How is it to back up with the front swivel wheel arrangement? Did you get the hang of it pretty fast? I imagine it would be like a wagon, but with the short wheelbase, it might be a very fine line to keep it straight… I know it spends the majority of the time going forward anyway, I am just curious…

[Andy Carson]

Yeah, on the bright side, my pea plot has been disced so many times it’s almost a fine seedbed. Not really in the plans, but I suppose rolling with the punchs is part of the art of farming. I just can’t seem to get 2 days in a row that don’t rain. Are you getting all this rain in Michigan too?

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