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There have been a lot of “happenings” lately on the farm that I have been wanting to share on the podcast, but I just haven’t made the time. On this weeks episode I’m making the time to talk about the heritage meat chickens, my first foray into grain farming, buckets of rain, and grinding feed. The most exciting thing though is that instead of just telling you about my “Hard Lesson Learned” this week, I actually am able to show it to you because I had the forethought to hit record as I worked my way through another lesson here on the farm! You really do need to watch the video to see and hear the whole story, but let me just sum it up for you :: Put everything way when you are done using it!
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As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.
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I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …
The time I tried to grow some oats, I wasn’t even able to bale any straw or hay, much less combine any grain from the field, so you’re not completely alone in your oat-growing experiences.
I’ve never tried to feed oats to anything, but have you thought about using some of your oats to replace a portion of the corn you are using in your feed rations?
From what I know, oats are around 75-80% of the feed value of corn and have slightly higher protein levels (possibly making it possible to replace some of the soybean meal, etc?).
If you can figure out a way to store them on the farm, you might be better off to turn them into pork or eggs rather than trying to sell them.
Rich, I will be feeding the oats. They are especially great for feeding the sows, but luckily Practical Farmers of Iowa has done some research on small grains for hogs and this will come in very handy as I make my ration up. Now, I just need the slow drive of bringing a wagon of oats home!
Ethan,
LONG time listener (from episode #1), first time commenter.
I am 500 days from retirement in high tech and learning all I can for my first foray into farming. You are an inspiration.
My father (born on a northern Minnesota farm) (may God rest his soul):
“Learn all you can from other people’s mistakes, you don’t have time to make them all yourself!”
Your Hard Lessons Learned are gold. While watching the “fiasco of the crank” I could hear my father telling me, just a young boy helping out, to always put those tools right back where you found them . . . you’ll need to find them again someday.
Thanks for the continued sharing, and the education, and the chance to hear my father’s voice whispering in my ear again, it’s all GOLD!
Cheers, your Virginia friend, Neil.
Ethan,
It’s been a while and I know ya’ll are busy. Just hope everyone is okay.
Regards,
Daniel