[near horse]

Welcome Denny!

I checked out your site – nice work and looks like you’ve got things going nicely at your farm. You might be surprised at how many draft animal-power folks are out here in the west. We’re just farther apart.

Also – excellent work on the “All in One” tool. Using the hitch receiver was genius (to me). If I get down to SFJ this year, I’ll try to get some more pics and post. If Ann gets it down there early (I think Wed or Thurs) I’m sure there would be the opportunity to demo it.

Glad to have you aboard here.

[near horse]

You’re right about that John but I’m not sure how well Jason’s arch setup would work for the farm use Peyton mentioned.

http://www.draftanimalpower.com/album.php?albumid=2&attachmentid=1985

http://www.draftanimalpower.com/album.php?albumid=2&attachmentid=2021

http://www.draftanimalpower.com/album.php?albumid=2&attachmentid=1989

[near horse]

Not a problem NJ – just making the point that Monsanto is selling snake oil chemistry, particularly with RR seed. These guys are paying serious cash for that seed whose main benefit is that you can spray the crop with Roundup. If you can’t do that then what’s the value of RR seed? The resistance issue was brushed aside until they couldn’t ignore the data coming in – then they lay the blame on the farmer (rightly so for trusting Monsanto).

[near horse]

I guess another question I have would be regarding milk composition after a year of milking. Does it change? I think with the large high production animals, like Holsteins, the volume of milk produced is a huge energy drain and thus requires a lot of higher quality feed, although lactation alone is pretty energy intensive.

Ixy – you say you buy cull cows and milk until they stop ….. what makes them “stop” if you’re continuing to milk? Just curious.

[near horse]

NJfarmer – I don’t know how you could change herbicide use when you’ve planted Roundup Ready seed and followed the instructions provided by the chemical company and the supplier. Most farmers out here rely on the fertilizer/herbicide/insecticide guys to advise on timing and application rates.

[near horse]

Take a look at the Barden cart (should be pics on this site). Carl uses one. Also, Mark Cowdrey has fabricated a “Piggyback Firewood Arch” that actually attaches to the Pioneer forecart – so that might be a model to look at as well. There are tons of variations – cruise through some of the photos here and see what strikes you.

[near horse]

http://www.biolsci.org/v06p0590.htm

[near horse]

This doesn’t address your question but check out this quote from Monsanto RE: RoundUp Resistant Weeds (ie. it’s the farmers problem, not Monsanto’s). I do see resistance as a problem.

Growers must be aware of and proactively manage for glyphosate-resistant weeds in planning their weed control program. When a weed is known to be resistant to glyphosate, then a resistant population of that weed is by definition no longer controlled with labeled rates of glyphosate. Roundup agricultural herbicide warranties will not cover the failure to control glyphosate-resistant weed populations.

[near horse]

Cool Andy – also sounds like you named the correct one Costello! BTW – are those Shorthorns?

[near horse]

The film was different than I had expected too but that’s not uncommon in my experience. Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised and others, disappointed. I assume a film maker has to take a broader view so as to appeal to a wider audience of viewers but I’m no film maker.

We have to remember that there are many prisms through which to view the use of animal power. IMO – some of the issues with the film related to young folks trying to start farming in a growing and expensive area. That can be frustrating enough on its own. No money to buy, trying to find some sort of amenable arrangement that still allows you to move towards your goal …… All these are tough steps in the process and, while not uplifting, they do portray how it can be. That can still be good film.

But my prism would have liked to see more horse/farmer relationship, turning some soil and watching those young people build their dream. I did get to learn of the song “Old Tyme Mem’ry” that they used. That was a bonus for me!

Thanks for your work Jared.

[near horse]

I’m so sorry John. But she can still live on in your memory and your heart.

[near horse]

Hello Albert and welcome. We’re glad to have you join us.

[near horse]

“Lodging” is a problem for a lot of grain crops and it doesn’t take much wind to do it if they’re succeptible. I think some of the lodging issue with the variety your looking at is likely related to stalk height. Why so tall?

[near horse]

Check out this “bucket drip irrigation system” (also from my archived water files) Pretty low tech.

http://www.chapinlivingwaters.org/Introduction%20to%20bucket%20drip%20031006.pdf

http://www.chapinlivingwaters.org/Bucket%20Kits%20%20for%20Gardening%202011.pdf

the Chapin Bucket Irrigation Kit (familiessupply their own buckets) appears to be a major, effective new tool forenabling the poor of the world to help feed themselves. The buckets are mountedon posts 3′ (1m) high which provides the water pressure for the gravity flowirrigation. Each Chapin Kit consists of fittings and sufficient irrigation tapeto irrigate two 50′ (16m) rows of vegetables by filling the bucket 1-2X’sdaily. These Chapin Kits are already in use in more than 70 countries, andtheir popularity is steadily growing.

[near horse]

I have a wrecked AC 60 – the All Crops are really the way to go for versatility.

Here’s where I got my interest peaked in a grain CSA. Great radio program too but sadly no longer produced.

http://www.cjly.net/deconstructingdinner/thelocalgrainrevolution.htm

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