Posts Tagged ‘Calving’

Recent Rains

Monday, January 25th, 2010
Cliff

Cliff

Perry Farm has recently experienced a large amount of rain. Our Troutman farm received over 3 inches this past weekend and everything is soaked to the bone.

The rain was needed, but unwelcome by many, as it has been several weeks since the last precipitation. The unfortunate side has been the accompanying high winds. Trees become easily uprooted by the wind due to rain soaked ground offering only minor resistance to the gale force winds. We were spared of any damage to our farm so far this season.

Trees are extremely valuable property on Perry Farm, as they provide the energy to heat our home and water. As a carpenter by trade, I installed an exterior wood heating system when building our home. This highly effective system enables us to stay warm all winter and heat our water year round, with minimal use of electricity. The downside is cutting and handling the firewood.

Our cattle are healthy and living well with our neighbor’s llamas. Llamas are well known for their arrogant demeanor, which can be useful as a guardian. Llamas will acclimate themselves to the herd and take on a protectors role and provide safety for the calves. Dogs, coyotes and even humans must beware of the aggressive and dangerous habits of the llamas.

Our other neighbor’s herd has produced 2 calves recently. The first little Holstein is so attractive he has been named Cliff. Cliff has recently been seen rambunctiously frolicking through its pasture, carefree and full of life. Recently as the herd fed on their rations, Cliff climbed into the feeder bale of hay and was obviously the “King of the Hill” or at least the hay bale for a few minutes.

Obviously calves live a carefree and stress free life; much can be learned from the actions of the young at heart.

www.PerryFarmsGrassFedBeef.com

Best Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/2 pound ground pork

• 1/2 pound ground veal

• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

• 1 tablespoon dried basil

• 1 large egg

• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 6 slices peppered bacon slices

 

Best Meatloaf Directions

Turn oven on to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients, except bacon, in a large mixing bowl.  Use your hands to mix the ingredients well.  Only mix until all ingredients are evenly distribute or your meatloaf may become too dense.

Line a pie plate or baking sheet that has sides with foil and spoon the meatloaf mixture onto the foil.  Shape into a loaf and cover with the peppered bacon slices.

Bake for approximately 1 and 1/2 hours.  You should cook your meatloaf to an internal temperature of 170 degrees.

You may choose to serve the meatloaf with just the bacon on top or you may want to try this mushroom sauce for the meatloaf recipe.  You can make it while the meatloaf is cooking.

www.tastymeatloafrecipes.com

www.PerryFarmsGrassFedBeef.com

Grass Fed Beef

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Your Cows Will Reward You

Do you want to increase the weaning weight of your calves? Do you want to produce hay that does not require protein supplementation? Do you want to make more money from your beef operation? If you answered yes to these questions, then consider pasture renovation.

February is the ideal time to renovate pastures. Properly prepare the fields to ensure a good stand of clover. The grass should be grazed close. If the stand is thick, disk or spray with a herbicide to “open up” the sod. When spreading seed, it is critical it falls where it will come in contact with the soil. After seeding, keep the cattle off the field at least six weeks to give the clover an opportunity to establish.

Renovation is a relatively expensive practice; therefore, make every effort needs to maintain the clover that is established. Fertilizer and grazing management are critical. Fertilize the soil based on soil test results to give the clover an excellent environment in which to grow. In the spring, do not use nitrogen fertilizer unless the grass produced can be used by the animals. Nitrogen fertilizer will cause the grass to grow more rapidly than the clover, shading it out. Keep the grazing pressure on so that the clover can capture the sunlight and continue to grow. Keep in mind that a field that is one-third clover can produce up to 60 pounds of nitrogen.

Do not wait any longer, make plans to renovate now. Renovation will improve forage quality and add income to the beef cattle operation.

www.cattlenetwork.com

www.PerryFarmsGrassFedBeef.com