It is hard to believe that July is already here. The month of June was a tough one with the produce side of the farm but the rainy, cool weather really was beneficial to the hay fields and pastures. Compared to last year we are very opposite.
Just recently we gained access to about ten acres of really nice pasture land here in Town. It is a lush pasture with a brook for a sufficient water supply and beautiful trees to offer plenty of shade. It is the perfect location for a portion of our lamb flock to put on some weight throughout the summer for late fall harvest. We are really excited to have been offered this opportunity and thankful that it is right here in our home town.
We got rid of a lot of our older laying hens and have brought in some beautiful pullets that have joined the flock. We had taken them off of their pasture and left them in the high tunnels for a few weeks due to a terrible hawk problem we are dealing with. It is looking like the hawks have relocated and the birds are out on their pasture today enjoying this beautiful weather, munching on bugs and taking dirt baths on the side closest to the tree line.
Monday, six of our pigs escaped their pen and headed out toward Beaver Brook Road because Patty decided to push the fence up to assist them getting in trouble. If Patty Pig decides to do something bad, there is not one person that is going to stop her; she is topping 1,000 pounds. A fresh arrival of fruit from Edible Arrangements had just arrived and Patty decided the best way to hog it all for herself would be to let a few of the pigs out into the wild. These pigs are growing really well. They are spending most of the hot summer days lounging around in their mud holes and munching on the green pastures in between. Our next litter of pigs that will stager behind this current group is do in real soon! We all love the arrival of the new piglets!
The cattle are doing really well in Groton, they are all round and shiny. There is an abundance of green grass this year so the calves are growing really well and the cows are looking really healthy. We have feeders at two locations in Groton now. The cow/calf pairs are at Gibbet roaming around as they please and the feeders are at Scarlet Hill. Big Mack, our herd Bull is enjoying his time out on pasture, you can occasionally see the big man roaming out around Gibbet Hill Grill and we still have two of our bulls out on lease to other local livestock producers for breeding purposes. I am really happy that the Gibbet Hill bloodlines are growing around our area!
This week, we lost our best farm dog in a tragic accident in front of the farmhouse. She was on her usual morning routine; checking on the fence line and taking a dip in the pond before she did her loop from the barn to the farm stand to make sure everything was all set and in normal working order. This time, when she looped in front of the farm house to join Jamie prepping the farm stand, she didn't make it. There are many of you who may not have ever met Brandy but she played an important role here at the farm. She traveled on to join Joe Man early Tuesday morning. We know she lived a great life here on the farm and she will be deeply missed.
If you every have any thoughts, questions, or comments; please do not hesitate to reach out to me. paula@springdellfarms.com
Paula
Labels: Monthly Livestock Updates