Forum Replies Created
- AuthorPosts
dominiquer60
ModeratorHe is in our thoughts here. Lets hope for as best a recovery as possible, thankful that it wasn’t worse and that the horses are fine too.
ModeratorComm Comm Report
We have not met since May. Summer Newsletter went out on time, there are many copies left to handout at events, etc.
T-Shirts, Hats and Bumper Stickers are available, t-shirts and hats need to be ordered from Jean by August 15th.
A Flyer with Annual Gathering/Meeting and T-shirt order info went out to all members.
Our next meeting is Sept 10th.
Erika
ModeratorI hope that she misquoted them and that someone is slated to pick the best 3 of 5 bull calves:)
ModeratorIt is certainly a destination on my bucket list.
ModeratorMarshall,
David Klein was the Keynote speaker at the 2009 Northeast Animal Power Field Days and he gave 3 pieces of advice that he tells young couples who are getting married in his community. I wrote it down but of course I don’t know where, so here is what I recall.
In order to keep a farm successful and to keep the family farming:
1. Have a viable farm business- In your case since your career is elsewhere I imagine this could translate to a farmstead that supports your family and animal interests.
2. Be on time for meals (this he emphasized with a shake of his finger), and if you can’t, be sure to let her know when to expect you- Though not all English households have such traditional gender roles, I see this as the plain clothes showing respect for the womens role and the importance of a good routine and communication.
3. Make time for the family- Davids family of course takes Sundays off from work beyond chores, but in addition their routine is to finish chores early Saturday and spend time doing some fun activities together with the children/grandchildren.
Though the business of farming is very important and often time sensitive with harvest, plantings and weather being a huge factor, I think that many seemingly successful farms fail to be mindful of #2 and #3. In the short term #1 is important but I have experienced farm family’s that ignore meal time and family time and I think suffer for it. If we can’t enjoy the farm, family and the benefits of such a living than why would our children want to continue such a dysfunctional rat race so closely related to the economic slavery of “get big or get out” or “growth for the sake of growth.”
Just a few thoughts that I mull over from time to time. I can see 2 and 3 being a challenge in my future and am trying to think of ways to start off the next chapter of my life on the right foot, it is tuff with tight deadlines, but I won’t succeed if I don’t try 🙂
August 1, 2012 at 1:08 am in reply to: Tanja M from Canada, Alberta, avid anti slaughter activist #74615ModeratorWelcome Tanja,
There are a lot of great topics discussed here, I think that you will find that we are very open, civil and respectful to each others opinions. Even if you find that some don’t agree with you about horse slaughter there are many other aspects of working animals that we may have in common. All discussions are searchable by topic so be sure to have a look around.
Be Well,
ModeratorWelcome fellow NYer!
There is lots to read here and the discussions are searchable. Feel free to jump into and discussion no matter how old, or start a new one. I think that you will find that there are a lot of ways to move a log or work a field, but we have a great group that is appreciative, open and respectful of each other.
If you want to add pictures and have trouble doing so a great alternative is a link to an online photo album, like photobucket or facebook.
Glad to meet you,
Erika
(formerly from NY’s Capital District)ModeratorOne of my horse show customers is a 3 day Eventer that I I groomed for years ago. When she brought a new horse to the barn, they were taught 3 foundational manners right off the bat. First to stand ground tied (in the grooming and bathing areas to start), lift all four feet from the same side for quick hoof picking (they all had picks in back pocket, pick before coming out of a stall or paddock) and to drop their head on command. Rearguards of what exactly or why, these were here foundational behaviors to set them up for success, whether it was at competition, international travel, or everyday routine. The horses were asked to do things with little resistance as possible. Her mothers horse was off the track and terribly head shy, it took a long time to get him to take a halter or bridle. When he resisted he was asked to put his head down. This was done by applying pressure to his sternum at his heart girth, they were all trained that this means to put your head down. By taking the focus off the bridle and onto something that he knows how to do and is comfortable with (back to the foundation), he was able to a) be distracted from resisting and b) gets his head back to a good place to try again. This strategy worked for training many other desired behaviors as well, if they are supposed to be standing to be tacked and are getting into something on the shelf, have them put their head down, they can’t fiddle with the shelf if their head is where you asked for it. By asking with the sternum pressure point it made control of their head possible without being at their head, one could easily be at the flank and reach the pressure point.
I took these methods to college and used them on the horses that I had in my training classes. I never had a nice performance horse like the teachers pets, but all of mine ground tied, dropped their heads for the bridle, would take a full bath with hose to the face, accepted the clippers to their heads and went home to owners with top notch ground manners. Now that I have cattle the opposite command comes into play, “head up,” this keeps them from fiddling, grazing and keeps the yoke from dropping while yoking up. No matter what animal you are training for any purpose it is best to set yourself up for success with some good basic foundational manners, especially those that can aid in lessening resistance to new tasks.
NJFarmer you don’t have to get fancy with pressure point commands, but certainly getting your horse to do something simple like dropping its head when you ask (with gentle pressure on the lead, then release when they give) will set you up for more success with the bridle. If they are comfortable giving you control of their head, acceptance of the bridle is a step closer to obtainable. I look forward to hearing how it all works out for you.
ModeratorGreat video, finally had a good connection to watch it. Coming from the horse world cattle feet had some mystery to them. I have just been going with my gut feeling a few strokes with the rasp at a time, so far they seem good. This video certainly confirmed some of my assumptions such as the longer outer claw. A grinder and fancy shoot are nice, but I will take my rasp and steer that lifts his foot for me any day 🙂
ModeratorPrioritizing life is always a challenge. There is no simple fix for something like what you are dealing with Marshall. Sometimes it is best to listen to your gut feelings on something. I have had to make some big decisions in the last year and I followed my gut and that has led me to some good places, still a rough road, but a more enjoyable one with one heck of a future ahead.
If you can get the kids involved with the farm stuff they will be better people for it, even if it they don’t stick with it forever.
ModeratorWe use a log drag behind a disc harrow to smooth a field for a crop. We attach it to the disc using a cable that runs through a clevis on the disc and 2 eyebolts on the log. It is free to angle one way or another depending on how we are turning at the ends. As long as you are actively leveling soil (there is some build up of soil in front of the log) I don’t think you should have much of a problem with the log rolling forward on level to rolling ground, but be aware of steep situations.
ModeratorThe Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce a new ” On-Farm Poultry Slaughter Guide”. Designed to complement a hands-on training in how to properly kill and prepare a poultry carcass for sale, this guide focuses on the critical points for producing a product that is safe to eat.
This 28-page guide contains sections on the 1000-bird limit exemption, where you can legally sell your birds under this exemption, labeling requirements, sanitary operating procedures and more. It includes several appendices, such as a sample flock record log and a questionnaire that your insurance company may use to assess your knowledge of safe poultry processing practices.
The Guide is available either by PDF or viewing online at the Northeast Beginning Farmers Project Website.
Special thanks to Lynn Bliven, Ag & Natural Resources Team Coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties, for her leadership on this project. Thanks also to Clarence Davis, NYS Department of Ag & Markets, for his assistance on interpreting and clarifying the regulations and policies, and to tatiana Stanton, Senior Extension Associate at Cornell University, for her persistence in gaining that clarity.
For more small farm news and information, visit http://www.smallfarms.cornell.edu. For beginning farmer support, visit http://www.nebeginningfarmers.org
Here is a direct link: http://nebeginningfarmers.org/publications/on-farm-poultry-slaughter-guidelines/
ModeratorJody,
The Animal Control Officer in the Town of Petersburgh, NY (NE of you up Rt. 22) rescues Great Pyrenees dogs. See has poultry and goats and tries the dogs with her animals before placing them. Her name and number are right on the town website. I hope you are able to find a suitable helper for your flock.
Erika
ModeratorRobert,
There was also a small version of the Shipshe made by GateWay, instead of a front roller it had a pair of skids then S-tines and a back roller. There was no platform to ride on so it was lighter weight and cost less money, it may be right up your alley. Here is their info, they hosted the HPD this year.
Gateway Manufacturing
7836 E Colonville Rd,
Clare,MI 48617
Phone: (989) 386-4198ModeratorAt HPD I saw some nice padded seat covers on Pioneer equipment, I didn’t see them in the book or advertised but when I asked about them they were happy to sell me any amount that I wanted for $36 each. They are a little more expensive than Rod’s $22 version, but they are made in Ohio out of a water proof nylon with non absorbent padding and they attach via a sturdy bungee drawcord hooked back to itself under the seat. I brought two home and I really like them. They took a little finesse to get on while keeping the pad flat, but the ladies that made them clearly measured for a good snug fit. Here is a photo of one on their harrow cart.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151101454919042&set=a.10151101385919042.503943.679389041&type=1&theater- AuthorPosts