About twice every year I need to clear fallen trees and branches off the fencelines that run through the woods. I captured some video while I worked on that today. I took a little time showing how we run fences through the woods without using fence posts. And I discuss how these fences allow us to balance the need to contain cattle while also letting deer and other wild animals pass through our farm.
Video: Clearing Fencelines in the Woods Read More »
Since Rachel was away, I took over the pasture moves for the cattle. Every day we move them to fresh grass. And of course, when we talk about grass and grass fed, we’re always talking about a broader category of plants than what botanists classify as grasses. We’re really talking about giving cattle a natural
What Are the Cattle Eating in the Pasture Today? Read More »
I reflect briefly on managing grazing on very wet ground after a protracted period of stormy weather. Pasture management really is about understanding what we require of our land, and understanding what our land requires of us. Moving our herd of grass fed cattle around the farm is somewhat like directing a symphony, taking into
Video: Thoughts on Pasture After a Nor’easter Read More »
Reaching the end of this year’s season for pasture raised poultry, and starting to think about next year when the grass starts growing again.
Wrapping Another Pasture Poultry Season Read More »
Discussions of large animal herds moving across landscapes typically describe the migrations in terms of the availability of food and water and the avoidance of predators. But there is another, often overlooked factor, in overland migration patterns: the search for salt. Our part of New York is dotted with natural mineral springs. We’re just a
Salt for Grass Fed Cattle on Pasture Read More »
I made this short video out in the pasture with the turkeys, showing how I can get their group gobble going. Of course, on my first attempt they make a fool of me. But after that, they obliged with some nice gobbles. Besides the gobble, turkeys have about a dozen different calls and vocalizations. Some
Getting the Gobble Going Read More »
Here’s a homemade recipe I’ve developed. When we started selling ground turkey, we used to have a problem selling all the turkey wings. The wing flats are too fiddly to be deboned and ground, so the butcher would pack them up separately. Not too many customers were experienced with turkey wings so that first year
Cooking Dave’s Fried Turkey Wings Read More »
Thinking about the collapse of Belcampo Meat Co, and why investor-backed “ethical food” companies create their own ethical problems. I believe self-imposed limits can be a useful guiding principle.
Growth without End: Can We Accept Limits in Farming? Read More »
Connecting the dots between supermarket grass fed beef and criminal activity in the Brazilian Amazon.
Grocery Store Grass Fed, and Amazon Deforestation Read More »
Tom turkeys are utterly confident in their ability to impress the world. With no regard to subtlety, they are incurable preeners. Have a look at our turkeys out on the pasture as they do their best to impress each other. Unlike chicken roosters, whose mating displays are limited to feather puffing and a few dance
Tom Turkeys Showing Off Read More »
