tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7855722471922928872024-02-07T21:55:50.578-08:00Holden's FarmHealth promoting, environmentally centred, and sustainable.
Holden's Hide-A-Way farm is a producer and promoter of natural meat products. Utilizing mother nature as our guide to produce meat that is healthier for our families, better for the environment and in a humane manner.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-25002274111738134142014-01-21T09:07:00.002-08:002014-01-21T09:07:28.528-08:00Politics, business and Organic Agriculture<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Every once in a while organic agriculture hits the news. CBC this week reported on a finding by the CFIA (Canadian food inspection agency) that pesticide residues where found on organic foods. One sided arguments like the one reported are aggravating for farmers like me. While we are not a certified organic farm we use organic farming practices. So we do have a stake in the argument "organic vs Conventional " farming. The big argument is whether organic foods are worth the extra cost. Of coarse conventional farmers and anyone with a stake in conventional agriculture will say, no. This includes most government agencies. The main arguments forwarded by conventional agriculture is that there is no evidence that organic foods are better for you and that organic production can not feed the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first issue is food quality. Can organic foods be proven to have any nutritional benefits over conventional food. Unfortunately there is not a lot of money to be made for big business in organic food production. That is why the only news articles we hear are degrading organic production. The truth is that even the certifying bodies that regulate organic agriculture in Canada allow for a certain amount of pesticide residue on foods. Why is this? It is impossible for a farmer to completely isolate their produce from the environmental hazards that conventional agriculture continually pumps into our environment. Even our forestry agencies pump this stuff into our environment. A certain amount of pesticide residue is going to found even in the ground water that everyone uses, including the organic farmer. What the above news report did not emphasize is that organic foods were found to contain over 75% less residue then conventional produce. These numbers are consistent with last highly publicized and controversial media release "The Stanford Study". So we have clear evidence that the chemical contamination and risk associated with it are substantially lower in organic foods. What conventional agriculture does not want people to know is that there <em>is </em>evidence that organic foods are more nutritious. Organic produce is only slightly higher in content of major vitamins and minerals. This is highly publicized. What isn't highly publicized is secondary nutrients because they are not considered vital to our health like vitamin C & D. Secondary nutrients like polyphenols and flavonoids are difficult and not often measured during these studies. Polyphenols are chemicals that a plant produces in response to environmental stress. A type of plant immune system. (The more a plant is babied the less it has to produce. This is exactly what conventional agriculture does. Utilizing chemicals to feed and protect the plant essentially producing fat and lazy plants.) The nice thing is that these polyphenols also help us. They are the antioxidants we need in our diet. Antioxidants are chemicals that go around our bodies capturing free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for many diseases most famously, cancer. Many scientist also believe that a lack of polyphenols is responsible for the increasing prevalence of our "dirty brain" diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Catechin is a polyphenol found in green tea that has even been found to help treat viral hepatitis. Underpublicized studies done in Barcelona included measurements of polyphenols and have found much higher content in organically grown produce. A University of California study concluded a ten year study that found organically grown tomatoes to have significantly higher amounts of flavonoids (polyphenols). In fact they found the longer are farm used organic methods, the bigger the difference. The study found conventional produce polyphenol were <strong><em><u>79-97%</u></em></strong> lower. That is a dramatic decrease considering polyphenols are now being said to have as much or more of an influence on our health than vitamin C or D.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My unscientific evidence and method of comparison is that organic food tastes better and tends to be heavier. Taste is mother natures way of saying "eat this". Flavanoids are accurately named. They are responsible for much of the flavour in our vegetables and fruit. More flavour equals more flavonoids. If you take an organically grown tomato and conventional tomato of equal size, the organic one will be heavier. This is because there is more in it. All the extra nutrients have mass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next argument big agriculture has is that organic production can not feed the world. However anyone in the food industry should know that production is the least of our concerns when is comes to feeding the world. Those starving people seen on Sunday morning TV are the victims of politics more than lack of world food production. We cannot feed the starving because the food will not get there, not because we don't have it. Even in North America we have our own issues of malnourishment and starving people. The fact is we waste enough food to feed our starving people. If you want evidence go check out the garbage bin behind your local restaurant and grocery store. Do you remember your younger days sitting at the kitchen table, your parents saying something like "eat your broccoli, there are starving children that would love to have your food". Eventually the broccoli was thrown out or fed to the dog hiding under the table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The third argument is really related to the above in some ways. The price of organic foods. Ask an organic farmer and they will tell you al about the hidden costs of conventional food. It is cheap at the grocery store, but we end up heavily taxed on it. Not so much at the till, but through government money spent. (Not to mention all the government subsidy programs are geared towards conventional agriculture) Conventional agriculture cost huge amounts of money because of environmental issues. Most of which we have not even started paying for yet. Some people don't see that as their issue, but we are spending huge amounts of money on health care as well. Many of the health care issues we have are directly related our food, and our over fed and undernourished citizens. The government recognizes this issue, but too much money is involved in conventional agriculture to make the necessary adjustments.Wold War one marked the beginning of industrial agricultural, coincidentally our public health issues have been on the rise ever since. If as much research went into organic agriculture and conventional agriculture our level of production would be much high. In recent years there has been a lot more effort put into making organic agriculture more competitive. New methods and an increase in demand is slowly bringing the price of organic produce more in line with conventional .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have concentrated mostly on vegetable production here but something needs to be said about our meat, milk and poultry as well. The public often does not know that there is a difference in "feed grade" grain and grain for human consumption. One difference is that feed grade grain can have up to a 20% higher chemical residue on it. These chemicals are not adequately metabolized by the animals it is fed to. The result is the consumer ingests these toxins resulting in a higher residue level. Many of these residues are disease causing including cancer and the other diseases already mentioned. Combine this with the fact that our vegetables and fruit are lower in the nutrients designed to rid our bodies of disease causing toxins, and you have a recipe for illness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While organic certification offers some security, dishonest people can find away to rip off the system. It is a self governing system. However so is the chemical industry that supplies the agricultural industry. No government agency tests these chemicals or the genetically modified organisms used. Instead they rely on "independent" studies, paid for by the chemical companies. So don't believe everything you hear on the news. After all the news is in the business of drama more than fact. The only real way to guarantee you are eating health promoting organic is too grow it your self. Or buy it from a local farmer you can trust. I know a couple if your interested. </span> </div>
Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-43810297586959448022013-06-22T10:35:00.000-07:002013-06-22T10:35:33.125-07:00The Simple Life
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Last week <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Lynn</st1:city></st1:place> was making small to a
potential customer while manning our booth at the North Bay Farmers Market. The
lady <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Lynn</st1:city></st1:place> was
engaged with stated “I really wish I could live the simple life”. This is a
comment we have heard repeatedly, usually from people that watched way to much
Walt Disney as a child and are completely disconnected from how their food is
produced and the delicate relationship between a farmer and nature. Of coarse <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city> smiled approvingly
at the lady, nodding her head and replied “it is a nice life”. To clarify the
easy life I decided to write a little about our year and how and just how easy
it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">On a cold
January morning I went down to the barn to begin chores. I opened the door and
quickly went inside. Before the door closed I could hear the pigs rise from
their night sleep. Immediately they begin screaming a high pitched deafening
scream like only a pig can. Making sure I know that they deserve to be fed
first. I ran for the food pails only to find out that they were not filled the
day before. I began the task of hauling four five gallon pails into the mow, up
our old wooden ladder. Filling the pails as quickly as I can just to try and
shut the pigs up. In a factory hog farm, workers where hearing protection
because the hogs screaming can be so load. By this time my girls show up to
help me with the barn chores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pigs
are fed and some more grain is gathered for the sheep. We don’t usually feed
grain to the sheep, but the drought last year caused our hay to be of poorer
quality so we need to supplement. I carried the 30 lb buckets of grain through
the mob of 50 sheep to the feeder. This is an experience that many more people
should have. In fact I think it would be great training for someone entering a
rugby league. Try to understand that grain to sheep is like cocaine to addict.
Now imagine carrying the sheep’s “fix” through the mob of addicts and trying to
get it poured into trough. Not exactly like Walt’s depiction of the stock
lining up nicely and waiting patiently for their grain. While the sheep wolf
down their fix, I noticed one ewe that is bagging up. This means she is
developing an udder. Something she should not be doing until at least March. Then
I notice at least 4 more ewes that are bagging up. How does this happen when we
planned out our breeding very carefully to make sure lambs do not arrive in the
cold weather. However a few overly active ram lambs thought otherwise last
fall. We thought they were to young for breeding. Obviously not. Well now we
get to look forward to many nights of checking ewes in the cold weather every
2-3 hours all night and all day. A lamb born in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>cold weather has little chance of survival, twins even less. A fact of
lamb production is that the average lamb loss is 20% on <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:state> farms. We lost three lambs this
year. Well below the provincial average. But it has not always been that way.
We have lost our share over the years. Good breeding, experience and luck mean
a lot in farming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">February
rolls around, a fun time for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city>.
The seed catalogues start arriving by mail. It’s the equivalent to when the
Sears Christmas catalogue arrived when we were younger. Sound great to most but
when she is done going through and making her lists of mostly needs and a few
wants we tally up a bill of about $1000 in seed. Add to this row covers, a new
tiller, green house supplies, soil, etc… I thought the list would never end.
While <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city>
finalizes her list I go and do a check at the barn. The ewes are starting to
get close to lambing now and one of the sows are do soon to. I open the door to
the barn and the pigs begin screaming as usual. Unfortunately they have already
been fed, but now are as well trained as Pavlov’s dog to the sound of barn door
opening. I check on the sow. She has eight little piglets in her pen. I hope
she is not done because to be profitable a pig must have at least 10 piglets
per litter. I check out the piglets they are all nice and healthy, so I put
them under the heat lamp to stay warm. Piglets are naturally attracted to their
mother’s udder at birth. The sow usually develops a fever shortly before giving
birth and the piglets gather around her for heat. The problem is a 500 lb sow
can easily squish a 1.5 pound piglet as she lies down or moves around. So the
idea is get them comfortable under the heat lamp so that is where they want to
be. I proceed to check on the ewes one has lambed a set of twins. As I get
ready to leave the barn I hear the sound of a new born lamb coming from out
side. Last night was cold, dipping down to -18. Out side there is a nice
healthy little lamb. Jack the Great Pyrenees guard dog is watching over the
little guy. The next few days are supposed to be warm so I decide just to leave
the lamb outside with his mother. Lambs are very hard after they are dried off,
warmed up and get a good drink of milk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">The next
morning I arrive at the barn to find the power out. I enter the barn to the
sound of screaming pigs and immediately check on the sow. Unfortunately with
the power out the heat lamp off the piglets gathered around the sow for warmth.
We lost four piglets that day. Devastating to us since the sow did not have
enough piglets in the first place. Next I went to check the water. The pump is
frozen and so is the water lines. The girls and I do the barn chores, but now
they include hauling 10 five gallon pails of water from the house to the barn.
A five gallon pail ways about 50lbs. The house is about 500 ft from the barn
and up a slippery hill. We hauled water for one week every day until I was able
to get a new water pump and unthaw the water line to the well. Not an easy
task. Luckily sheep can make do by eating snow. In fact even when we offer
water in the winter it usually freezes. Our barn water freezes usually 2-3
times ever winter. The hydro frequently goes out or someone unplugs the heat
cable and forgets to plug it back in. What ever the case <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city> and the girls don’t like to tell me when
it happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">We made it
though another winter, most of the livestock made it. We lost a couple lambs
because a ewe could not produce enough milk and we did not notice. Our second
sow farrowed and gave us only one living piglet. We are not sure why, the rest
were still born. We lost one cow to bloat. She fell asleep on some frozen hay,
melted into a hole and could not get out. Cows are built funny with their
multiple stomachs they bloat easily. Basically bloat is the build up of gases
in their digestive system. If the can not pass the gas it can place pressure on
their diaphragm and heart. Ideally it would be nice to not lose any animal, but
realistically that just can’t happen. Even with modern technology and safety
equipment people pass away all the time. To think that doesn’t happen to farm
animals would be unrealistic. After all the farm animals can not tell you when
they are sick, the farmer must notice. Animals hide sickness well. In nature
the sick are picked off by predators. Goats are the worst. Usually you will not
know a goat is sick until their heart stops beating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Lynn</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> has been busy starting vegetable
plants. Our house looks like a grow-op. Every window is covered in plants and
we have four shelves with grow lights on the go. April rolls around and we
should be starting to put the plants in the green house, but the weather is so
cold we can’t risk it. By May we start putting out the hardiest of plants and
start more in the house. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city>
tallies the numbers of plants we have. Over 1000 and that’s just the tomato
plants. We did not sell as many CSAs as we wanted to and a few extra expenses
surprised us so the cultivator/ditcher won’t be purchased this year. All these
plants will be planted by hand and shovel. I estimate over 10000 plants by the
time we are done. Planted, fertilised (with composted manure), watered and
harvested. Of coarse this is all weather dependant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Spring
arrives but the heat doesn’t. Everything keeps getting pushed back. Our CSA
customers have to be informed that the vegetables will be two week later than
anticipated. Thankfully many of them understand. Last year we had a drought,
this year we have cold weather. At least the animals are finally out on
pasture. Many people think this is an easy time of year. After all the
livestock just wander around easting grass right. NO. First of all we use
electric fencing. The animals do respect the fence, but if it is not working
they are out before we know it. Usually I know when the fence is not working
when one of the girls says “Is that cow supposed to be in the garden”, or “are
the sheep supposed to be in the neighbour’s grain field”. Things that take down
a fence include tree branches, moose, deer, bears, atv riders, and fencing
trolls. Pastures them self harbour certain problems. Sheep for instance eat
grass so close to the ground that they very susceptible to parasites. Another
problem is predators. Everything in the bush likes to eat lamb. We have guard
dogs that live with the sheep. On some nights the dogs bark all night. We know
there is something out there. Is it a wolf, coyote, fox, bear, moose or an
angry chipmunk? We don’t know, but it makes for a restless night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">As it turns
out the only predator this night was the ground hog that ate all the plants
that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city> spent
all day planting yesterday. While checking on the damage <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city> noticed a whole row of cucumbers are
turning yellow. They have the same living conditions as the row beside them.
What could be causing the problem? I don’t know but we stand to lose a
significant amount of money if we don’t find out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">The year is
not over yet, hay season is coming. The weather is being predictably unpredictable
again. Hopefully we get some heat and the vegetables start producing. I still
have to get our irrigation system figured out. To top all this off <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lynn</st1:place></st1:city> just called me. We
lost two ewes tonight. Why, I don’t know. One was old, but why two. When we
started into sheep a farmer told me “sheep are born trying to die. It’s the
shepherds job to keep them alive until the appropriate time arrives”. All in
all the easy life is not so easy after all. We work 15 hour days at least. No
relief ever arrives. We have people that are willing to give us a break. But we
know better. Time off isn’t relaxing when you are worried if your cow heard is
grazing down the neighbours corn field. Walt Disney lied to everyone. A more
accurate perception of farm life would be gained by watching an old black and
white western. Where the farmer and his family works day and night to keep a
fence around the cows and keep the draught from killing the crops. All so he
can pay the bills. The simple life. No. But we like it.</span></div>
Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-44698586788692793162013-03-29T06:53:00.000-07:002013-03-29T06:53:52.627-07:00Heritage Crops and their Importance
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s
agricultural world diversity is becoming a thing of the past. Much of the genetic
pool is becoming dangerously shallow. Modern industrialized farms largely
utilize mono crop production methods. These methods favor uniformity and limit
diversity on the farm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what is
an heirloom breed? Well an heirloom is basically a pure breed. An heirloom
variety by definition would be a seed from a plant breed that is at least 60
years old. The plant breeds pure and pollination takes place the old fashioned
way, with birds and bees being the main tool used. Remember that conversation
your parents were supposed to have with you. This is where the term originated.
The technical term is open pollination. The resulting seeds will produce exact
genetic replicas of the parents. The development of these plants has been done
for centuries by picking the vegetables that were the best, and keeping the
seeds. Not by breeding different plants together. Heritage vegetables tend to
be more flavorful, colorful and disease resistant. This process has been going
on both intentionally and not intentionally since the beginning of agriculture
about 7000-10000 years ago. An example of purposely improving a breed would be
by keeping the seeds out of the best tasting tomatoes. A non purposeful
improvement would be when disaster strikes, such as a disease outbreak. Seeds
from the fruit and vegetables that survive are obviously more resistant to the
disease. Heritage breeds tend to be more flavorful. Each breed is well adapted
to its area of origin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">F1 Hybrid
plants are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bred</i> by hand. Many times
the seed company actually patents the seed produced. Two plants are cross
pollinated to create a new variety of vegetable. The new variety is usually
more uniform and many times is sterile. The sterility factor is great for seed
producers because unlike heritage vegetables, hybrid seeds cannot be kept for
planting the next crop. If the seeds are able to produce a plant, the plant
would not usually breed true. Instead, most of the time, it will revert back to
one of the original parent plants. Therefore the farmers are left purchasing
new seed every year. By forcing farmers to buy new seeds every year, the seed
factories in effect control food prices. New breeds can be created by cross
breeding. However it takes 6-8 generations to establish a reliable crop. Then
it will take even more time to improve the crop using traditional breeding
methods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The new
creatures on the block are the genetically modified organisms or GMOs. These
are plants that have had their genes altered by man. An example would be
isolating the antifreeze gene out of a cold water fish and forcing it into a
tomato plant hoping that the resulting plant would be more frost tolerant. The
real danger here is that humans do not fully understand how the genetic
material works, or how it will affect the end user. The process is usually over
simplified by the scientists. For instance, just because you install the
antifreeze gene into the tomato plant does not mean that it will “turn on”. Our
DNA contains thousands of genes, but not all of them are expressed. After the
gene has been added, scientists must add a promoter gene at the beginning of
the DNA sequence, which forces the gene on, and a terminator gene at the end,
which forces the gene off. Scientist also add a marker gene. The marker gene is
usually a gene for antibiotic resistance. This allows the scientist to then
dose the cells with antibiotic which will kill all non modified cells. Then the
GM cells are multiplied before being added to a plant. The most popular method
is to use a bacterium which infects the plant. The bacterium used is a
genetically modified version. The original bacterium (Agrobacterium
tumefaciens) is a tumor causing variety that injects its DNA into a plant,
which causes a tumor. The genetically modified version injects the modified DNA
instead. This is still a very simplified version of what happens, but you get
the idea. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The problem
with GMO food is that they hit the market with very little testing. In the USA,
where much of our food comes from, the FDA has no GMO safety testing
requirements. All research that supports GMO foods is voluntarily provided by
the companies that produce them. However independent studies are beginning to
prove otherwise. In fact Jeffrey m. Smith’s book Genetic Roulette discusses new
evidence of the risks associated with GMOs. Some of the problems are directly
related to the gene insertion process. Including unwanted gene expression, gene
relocations and promoter genes turning on unwanted genes. An example would be
GM soybeans (90% of the soybeans planted in the USA are GMO). It has been found
that these soybeans produce less cancer-fighting isoflavones. GM proteins in
soybeans, corn and papaya are similar to know allergens and may cause
allergies. One of the scariest facts I have read is that the transgenes survive
digestion and can transfer to gut bacteria or move into the blood and organs,
including passing through the placenta into the fetus and through the blood
brain barrier. GM soybeans have been found to transfer genetic material into
human gut bacteria. Once in the human gut bacteria, the transferred portion of
the transgene produced herbicide-resistant protein. If the antibiotic-resistant
genes that have been inserted into most GM foods on the market are able to do
the same, then antibiotic resistant diseases could develop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
expert in the field Dr. Pusztai released his findings on experiments using lab
rats. The results were not in favor of GMO foods. In fact the result ended up
getting him fired, and his team was released. However the after a huge uprising
in the UK he was allowed to tell his story in parliament. The results of his
study showed that rats fed genetically modified potatoes that were created to
produce a “safe” insecticide called GNA lectin showed potentially pre-cancerous
growths, smaller brains and testicles, partially atrophied livers, and damaged immune
systems. Most of the changes happened within ten days. Another group of rats
were fed normal potatoes spiked with GNA lectin, some at 700 times more than
what was in being produced by the GM potatoes. These rats showed no ill
effects. Dr. Pusztai concluded that the problem is the actual genetic
manipulation that is causing the problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So why does
it matter that our agricultural products are less genetically diverse? Our crops
have been bred for centuries. Each breed was bred for unique traits that were
or are important to the farmers in the area of origin. The breeding may have
developed a variety that is resistant to disease in that particular area, or
possibly adapted to the climate and local pests. Less genetic diversity is
leaving our crops more susceptible to disease outbreak. GM foods have hit the
market with full force. It is estimated that over 90% of corn and soybeans grown
in the USA are GM. On top of that over 80% of the products at your local
grocery store have one or the other as an ingredient. From an economic
standpoint, buying heritage vegetables prevents the big corporations from
patenting and controlling our sources of nutrition. We must remember that
corporations are responsible to their stock holders, not their customers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Robert
Holden<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">holdenfarm.net<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-89502461425052376572013-02-20T07:44:00.000-08:002013-02-20T07:44:05.533-08:00Letting sleeping horses lye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WVPFwIL-GiZqHEVxtsa6TxDOhe4ENf-qH5qT_I0UAlmEWC3HJkp863rfd33lUySkHNCk8P0woz_OgWE9z7C_JF8jX0H19taAIwk_dW5pLavKyKIrn8ZJ4W8upwrW_WcIqkDlWGICiQeq/s1600/DSCF2260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WVPFwIL-GiZqHEVxtsa6TxDOhe4ENf-qH5qT_I0UAlmEWC3HJkp863rfd33lUySkHNCk8P0woz_OgWE9z7C_JF8jX0H19taAIwk_dW5pLavKyKIrn8ZJ4W8upwrW_WcIqkDlWGICiQeq/s320/DSCF2260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Beauty is enjoying the break in the cold weather. Lynn and Christina saw her down from the house and thought the worst. However after running out to check on her they found she was simply sleeping. If fact Lynn said she was so soundly asleep she was snoring (and passing gas, she is a lady). Christina had time to run back to the house for the camera. Beauty kept sleeping until the cattle ate her bed from under her. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">A reminder for everyone that we will be at the seed exchange on Saturday the 23rd, at St. Andrews church. Doors open at 1:00pm and close at 4:00pm.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">On Sunday we will be having our organic vegetable and bio-dynamic farming information session. We will be taking about and comparing our natural farming methods with conventional farming methods, including the controversial GMO vegetables and animals. All aspects of the farm will be discussed with special attention paid to our organic vegetable CSA program and buying clubs. </span><br />
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Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-30946423303859766752013-01-29T06:22:00.000-08:002013-01-29T06:22:02.845-08:00Honey it's cold out side, lets think spring.After last weeks cold spell that swept across Ontario it seems strange to start thinking about spring, but now is the time. <br />
Lynn and I recently began our spring advertising campaign. this year our main focus in on our vegetable CSA program. We will be hosting an information session on February 24th at Les Compagnon in North Bay. The information session will touch on our organic practises and some of our ideas regarding food production. We will also be explaining and answering questions regarding the CSA program. I do not speak in front of people very often, so it will be an experience for me. Other area of interest that will be discussed will be our new meat and egg marketing programs. We will be changing this year to a <em>share</em> program.in share programs consumers pay an up front fee for the meat and/or poultry they want. The remaining balance will be paid on delivery. The advantages for the consumer are smaller payments at time of delivery. The advantages to us (the farmer) is we have starting up capital that, so we do not have to risk our savings or use credit. Another benefit to the farmer is that a commitment has been made by the consumer, so we are ensured that the meat and or poultry will be sold. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a similar concept. Consumers pay for a membership or share in the farms vegetable bounty. The vegetables on our farm are all organically grown. We use compost and organic fertilisers and various organic pest control methods. When compared to our meat producing, vegetable production has far fewer outside influences. Some of the issues with meat production include the fact that on other business and organisations are very involves, such as the abattoir and Canadian Food Inspection Agency. For instance when we produce meat, the livestock is dropped off at the local abattoir. We rely heavily on his butchers and packers for the end product. This is especially true will beef and pork because of the variety of cuts. Luckily for us we have a very good local abattoir. Vegetables on the other hand are pretty much entirely in our control. The vegetables go from the field to the baskets to you. We pick them fresh, when they are ripe and ready. Our soil is very sweet soil and produces exceptional tasting vegetables. At last count we were up to 35 different vegetables, with several varieties of each. Lynn particularly loves growing tomatoes. I usually have to be the voice of reason when it comes to how many varieties should be grown. <br />
For more information on the information session give us a call, or visit our new web site at <a href="http://www.holdenfarm.net/">www.holdenfarm.net</a>. We look forward to seeing you. I will be posting some <em>more </em>educational blog post in the near future. I have been doing allot of research for some articles I am writing for the Alive and Fit magazine and the Baytoday.ca. I can tell you the more I read the more I believe in the process we use to grow our food. I encourage everybody to do some research on commercial food production. However it can be very aggravating.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-31120266967122702492013-01-14T16:29:00.000-08:002013-01-14T16:43:06.381-08:00So many new facesWell its time for some new boys around the farm. Every year we have to bring in a new boar for the pigs and a new bull for the cows. We made a trip this year out of town, all the way to Cornwall. Approximately 1400km round trip. <br />
First of all the boar. We wanted this year to go back to a breed we had in the past, a large black. The name pretty well describes the breed. We have a sow that is of the same breed, so now we will get some purebred little large blacks in the spring. Large blacks are a heritage breed that dates back centuries. They originated in Britain. It is believed they are a cross between old British breeds and an oriental breed. They are noted to be excellent producers of bacon and ham. They have well marbled meat, much like the black Angus cattle. The meat is very tender and slightly pinker than most pork. The breed almost went extinct because of the industrialisation of pig farming. Large black pigs were the traditional pastured pig. They were often employed in orchards because they root less and graze more than most breeds. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-CSxQUbuccBOK2QAU9CQRMQAdysAmffOF2IY6K03BJMYjrqsT5tGm9gglOq1bSn5yZLZDHxc1v5kZLVjGu7Y-48fICxh0j21kXOeujoqaeR10wckbAD2BOezLfm1u7f9R1qtU8OiMmAY/s1600/DSCF2215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-CSxQUbuccBOK2QAU9CQRMQAdysAmffOF2IY6K03BJMYjrqsT5tGm9gglOq1bSn5yZLZDHxc1v5kZLVjGu7Y-48fICxh0j21kXOeujoqaeR10wckbAD2BOezLfm1u7f9R1qtU8OiMmAY/s320/DSCF2215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New boar, enjoying lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2Bq8guo5xH9n030ocAz1IF9iBe5gXSgm69qBUFZrQQmHXcARldfBr5Fp3aRireEOxXSAQ-t9ReFNrt9l8nUV3Rn5RXyoXTX7oXHRq08BFycJKC8lBT4vUrntD4a7T-fAV_1YpfhMK2XK/s1600/DSCF2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2Bq8guo5xH9n030ocAz1IF9iBe5gXSgm69qBUFZrQQmHXcARldfBr5Fp3aRireEOxXSAQ-t9ReFNrt9l8nUV3Rn5RXyoXTX7oXHRq08BFycJKC8lBT4vUrntD4a7T-fAV_1YpfhMK2XK/s200/DSCF2220.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the long loin</td></tr>
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We are very excited about this purchase. We have not named him yet, but we are contemplating a few names. He is about 4-5yrs old now and 600lbs. His temperament is good, but he is a boar, so we have to be careful around him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdrMYvR908iiOs592b4hfMfi0G0f0asI1slun6H84VVEEBbfz-L1_G8U5Fho_lDPa_-UlXXwBmgPLu10Mehro_OIut90U5X0cRXWgWarr-IUxMJo_uasva_Q2WtbmGI7L-Hi2YSR8TJJ8/s1600/DSCF2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdrMYvR908iiOs592b4hfMfi0G0f0asI1slun6H84VVEEBbfz-L1_G8U5Fho_lDPa_-UlXXwBmgPLu10Mehro_OIut90U5X0cRXWgWarr-IUxMJo_uasva_Q2WtbmGI7L-Hi2YSR8TJJ8/s640/DSCF2227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandit, trying to figure out how to get to the girls</td></tr>
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The next purchase was a new bull. Bandit, we did not name him, is half belted Galloway and half Piedmontese. Both are very old breeds. The Galloway is closely related to the Angus, in fact they were once included in the same herd registration book. However the Angus has been bred for years now to increase size and growth rate. Galloway's instead have been bred for meat quality and hardiness. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM0SrhRiMINpfRRE_CoTaSmABxiTNzg4hA-ZpULInR-YGaLcQ717unpiaL0bVSpND3-1moGvy6y7vvYcvnBrOAsrunWGkZMzEY3gcH4eerEOJcMWBIT8_6uRV6f5-4v830rQRZaAmU1Qv/s1600/DSCF2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM0SrhRiMINpfRRE_CoTaSmABxiTNzg4hA-ZpULInR-YGaLcQ717unpiaL0bVSpND3-1moGvy6y7vvYcvnBrOAsrunWGkZMzEY3gcH4eerEOJcMWBIT8_6uRV6f5-4v830rQRZaAmU1Qv/s320/DSCF2228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The heifer in the picture with the bull is a new addition as well. She is his half sister. You can by her coat that they have much thicker fur than Angus. If fact Galloway's have tested second in hair density tests. The only bovine species to test higher was a buffalo. Piedmontese are an ancient breed that are noted for double muscling. They produce larger muscles and they are leaner than most cattle, while keeping a smaller frame. Shortly after this picture was taken the bull decided he was ready to meet the rest of the herd. He pushed open the big wooden gate, breaking the chain that holds is closed.<br />
I almost forgot to mention the colour. My girls call them the Oreo cookie cows. Not all Galloway's are belted. They come in a variety of colours including white, brown, red, dun, and black. All except white can have a belt. The belt is a dominant colour pattern, which means all of our calves next year should have a belt. The belt has no significance other than they look different.<br />
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Another addition we picked up along the way was a little black orphaned ewe lamb. The brown/white lamb in the picture was born here. She is the result of a ewe that I bought at an auction. Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-40755547740990004412013-01-02T22:31:00.000-08:002013-01-02T22:31:01.932-08:00Local Food
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Local Food<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There has
been a lot of publicity recently about food safety and quality of food we
serving our families. One of the best ways to make sure you are getting what
you are paying for is to get more involved in the production process. The easiest
way to get more involved is to buy locally. Locally produced meat, eggs, fruit
and vegetables offer considerable benefits over conventionally raised and grown
foods. We are lucky enough to live in an area that has an abundance of farmers
and food producers. When you buy local you get the chance to develop a personal
relationship with your local farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
get to know how they produce their products, and the reasons why they chose
their methods. Believe it or not there is more than one way to grow a tomato.
We are constantly bombarded by the industries latest catch phrases and
marketing lingo. From naturally produced, organic, sustainable, free range,
grass fed, corn fed, the list goes on and on. The Canadian Food Inspection
agency (CFIA) controls labeling of food items in Canada. However I think they
have a hard time keeping up with the latest language. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consumers
need to be aware that not all local food is created equally. I remember talking
to a local farmer that was growing all natural vegetables. He believed they
were natural because he used the manure produced from his cattle operation as
the main source of fertilizer for the garden. After a short inspection of the
picture perfect garden I asked him how he kept the weeds under such control. He
proceeded to tell me that before and after rotor tilling his garden he sprayed
it down with round up. For those who do not know, round up is a very popular
herbicide and is a major bone of contention between conventional producers and
those of us that promote a more natural and sustainable method of production.
The farmer legitimately did not recognize that fact that using an herbicide
such as round up was not natural. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buying local
means you will usually be receiving the best nutrition for your dollar. The
main reason we spend so much money on food is for the nutrition it offers us.
Other than clean water and clean air food is the next most important requirement
for our survival. You will notice that I did not say “clean food”. That is
because we are proving that humans can survive on food that is not necessarily
clean. How long we survive and the quality of life we have however is very dependent
on how clean our food is. Every year that goes by more research suggest that
many of our ailments are directly or indirectly related to the food we eat. I recently
read a book called “Wheat Belly”. According to the books reviews some people do
not entirely buy into the author’s argument against wheat, however he does
bring forth many good arguments about how our food factories are putting
shareholders interests ahead of the consumers. Conventional producers are
fighting back though. In 2011 Stanford University released a publication that
stated organic food is no more nutritious than conventionally produced food.
The statement made quite a stir in the organic industry. However when researched
further you will find the type of study was a meta analysis. Basically they
compile a bunch of other studies and make a finding. How they decided which 200
or so studies out of the thousands available to include I don’t know. For me
they lost a lot of credibility when I read on Dr. Mercola’s website that one of
the co-authors had published a paper finding no link between smoking and emphysema.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone has
an opinion on how many toxins and pollutants are safe, and which method of food
production is best. On our farm we subscribe to a more holistic system. Many
small local farms believe the same and try to produce meat and vegetable
products in a way that is sustainable. Direct marketing to consumers is challenging
for small farms. All of the laws implemented by the CFIA are geared towards
large industrial type farms. We deal closely with local abattoirs that have to
implement costly upgrades and incur increasing costs that are geared towards
larger factory size abattoirs. However when was the last time one of these
small abattoirs made the news for selling contaminated products? It really only
makes sense. The small family run abattoir has a vested interest in the end
product. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The factory worker does not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This fact
works the same with a small family run vegetable farm. When you have a vested
interest in the farm and a passion for growing the best vegetables you can. The
product will always be better. Small family run farms are taking advantage of new
marketing systems and technology to produce better vegetables and making them
easier to access for customers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Farmers that
prescribe to a natural way of growing meat and vegetables are realizing that
our ancestors were doing things right. Take care of the soil and you have the
biggest hurdle beat when it comes to all types of farming. The new catch phrase
for beef farmers, when asked what do you grow? The response is grass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good beef farmer takes care of the grass.
Make sure it is eaten when it is the most nutritious. If the grass is to long
they waste it and won’t grow as well. Too short and the grass will take a long
time to recover and will not be digested as efficiently. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of cattle, Cattle are ruminants. Just
like sheep and goats. They can make use of higher fiber plants like grass and
turn it into energy and protein. Many argue that they should not be fed grains.
Grains are not a natural diet for ruminants. There were no natural fields of corn,
soybeans, or wheat on the Great Plains for the buffalo to graze. By feeding
these high energy and protein grains to ruminants we change their body
chemistry. Many of the unhealthy attributes blamed on red meats are actually
because conventional farms are feeding them unnatural diets to increase growth
rates and make the meat fatter. When looking for local beef or lamb specify 100%
grass fed. A grass fed steak will have higher omega 3 fatty acids and the total
fat content in comparable to skinless chicken breast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A true
diversified farm will include some livestock as well as vegetables and fruit.
Each and every product has a role on the farm. Livestock produce manure that
when mixed with bedding and composted provides some of the best nutrition for
the soil. Small farms that produce poultry, eggs and pork usually buy in feed.
This feed is processed by the livestock and results in very nutritious manure.
Buying in feed or other soil amendments is necessary. When selling off products
whether it is a tomato or a side a beef the farmer is really selling nutrients.
These nutrients need to put back in some form. This is where conventional
farming has gone awry. They continually spread nitrogen, potassium, and
phosphorous in the form of chemical fertilizers. However that is not enough.
Evidence of this can be seen on the prairie provinces in Canada. In areas that
once had soil thicknesses measured in feet, built up by centuries of manure
from buffalo and other animals, they can only be measured in inches now.
Intensive grain production and erosion has sucked all the nutrients out of the
soil. There are studies showing that the nutritional content of grains today is
lower than grain produced 50 years ago. This is a direct result of poorer
nutrition availability in the soil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A handful of
healthy soil is contains millions of forms of life from bacteria, single celled
protozoa, to earth worms. Not to mention a whole host of insects. It is often
said that a handful of earth has more living organisms than people on earth. Conventional
farming makes soil very inhospitable for these creatures. The petroleum based
synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides kill the microscopic life
forms. This leaves the soil in almost a sterile state. Farming in a sustainable
way promotes this microscopic life. After all these little workers, work for
free all day and night breaking down left over materials from past crops,
composted materials, some even fight off disease, harmful insects and predators.
The worms aerate the soil allowing oxygen and moisture to reach the roots of
the crop. By limiting the exposure to harsh chemicals and feeding the soil with
compost we can grow these little helpers. Combining these methods with an
effective and planned crop rotation we can eliminate our dependence on chemical
inputs. Rotating crops allows us to effectively limit disease and pests on the
farm. One of the reasons conventional production has such a reliance on
chemical inputs is the battle against insects and disease. By planting potatoes
in the same field year after year we make life very easy for Colorado potato
bugs, scab, verticillium fungi and other potato diseases. Not to mention that
the potato continually removes the same nutrients from the soil year after
year. The farmer has no choice but to continually add these nutrients back into
the soil through chemically derived fertilizers. On a sustainable farm the
farmer would add compost to the area and plan to plant another crop in the area
next season. The farmer would also recognize that potato, tomato, eggplants and
peppers all belong to the nightshade family and share many diseases. A better
choice would be to plant a crop like peas or beans, which will fix nitrogen in
the soil for the next crop and so on. All of the reasons for crop rotation are
still being explored, but the fact remains it works. For instance potatoes planted
after sweet corn grows remarkably better. Large industrialized farms have a
difficult time rotating crops in a sustainable manner. The equipment in an
average potato farm in P.E.I is worth in excess of $300000. It is hard for
these farmers to change crops with investments like that. A small diversified
farm will have an investment of as little as $200-$300. (The price of a good
pitchfork and a used roto tiller) The rest of the work is pure manual labor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There have
been many technological advancements to help the sustainable farmer. For
instance plastic mulch is very effective at increasing soil temperatures in the
spring, holding moisture in the ground, and suppressing weeds. While plastic mulch
does not sound sustainable or environmentally friendly it is very effective at
helping sustainable farmers compete without adding chemicals to their produce.
The mulch can last for many seasons if taken care of and there are types that
claim to be biodegradable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the
biggest hurdles for a sustainable farmer is marketing the product. When we started
farming one of our primary goals was to provide good wholesome food to the
public at a fair price. This turned out to not be an easy task. While growing
the meat and vegetables was difficult enough we found that marketing agencies,
food inspectors and health departments were not going to make life any easier
for us. While all three organizations have good intentions (or so they claim)
they make direct marketing difficult. Eggs, chicken and turkey are all controlled
by marketing agencies that restrict our sales not only in numbers, but I have
to sell them to people at the farm gate. Some creative sustainable farmers have
discovered effective ways to work within the marketing laws. We sell meat at
the North Bay farmers market. Most people think that is great, fresh lamb,
beef, pork. However the local health unit had something to say about that. We
are only allowed to sell frozen meats. Many people think fresh meat is the
best, however properly frozen meat is just as good and sometimes better since
the freezing process can actually tenderize tougher cuts. However try selling
that fact. Vegetables have proven to be much easier to market. Providing the
vegetables are sold whole and not processed in any way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some newer
ways of direct marketing farm produce have begun to emerge in Ontario. Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a new trend here, however it has been around
since the 1960s in Europe and Japan. CSAs began as a response to some consumers
fears about food safety and the urbanization of agricultural land. The way a
CSA works is a consumer would purchase a subscription. The subscription lasts
for the entire growing season. The consumer’s investment would give them a variety
of fresh and in season vegetables on a weekly or bi-weekly basis at a fair
price. As the consumer they purchase a subscription knowing that they are
accepting some of the inherent risk associated with the crop. In other words if
the potatoes are infested with potato bugs, the consumer realizes they will
probably receive less potatoes. However when one crop does poorly, usually
another will pick up the slack. Last season our corn was terrible mostly due to
the drought our area experienced. However it was our best year we have ever had
for broccoli, cauliflower, and tomatoes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
advantage for the buyer is substantial. First of all, nutritionally speaking, fresh
vegetables produced in an organic, ecological and sustainable manner are much
better for you. It is a proven fact the vitamin content is superior. They
contain more of the cancer and disease fighting substances that vegetables are
noted for. Buying vegetables locally ensures that the vegetables are fresh and
picked ripe. Many grocery store fruit and vegetables are picked before they
ripen, then they are chemically ripened or some will continue to ripen on the
shelf (bananas). The next advantage to a CSA buyer is price. The price of a CSA
may seem steep, but in reality it is usually a deal. Our CSA is priced at
around $200 less than the commercially grown vegetables at the grocery store. Thirdly
the CSA subscriber will have a closer relationship with the farmer. This allows
the subscriber to be confident in the product, and allows questions to be
asked. The fourth reason for buying into a CSA is taste. This relates to the
fact that the vegetables are fresh. But there is more. Organically produced
vegetables are grown in healthier, more ecologically sound soil. We have found
this gives a fresher, stronger and sweeter taste to our vegetables. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact when picking vegetables we have found
it is hard to keep the kids on track. They spend as much time eating as they do
picking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing
tastes like a fresh carrot right out of the soil. An added bonus is we know
that our vegetables do not carry the chemical residues that commercial
vegetables do. A quick search of “the dirty dozen” on the internet will make
you scared of eating conventional vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The more
research I do into our food production systems, the more I feel comfortable
farming the way I do. The “advancements” in genetic modification and chemical
use is truly frightening. The effect it is going to have on our health, our
environment, and our future does not look encouraging. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-52118670222337634972012-11-29T16:40:00.002-08:002012-11-29T16:40:46.574-08:00It's begining to look a lot like winterWell the snow has finally arrived. Here at the farm we have been waiting and wishing temperatures would drop. Yes that's what I said.Fall and spring for that matter are busy times, I guess every season is busy. However fall is particularly troublesome. All the wet weather is not comfortable for us or the animals. So we spend a lot of time getting the tractor stuck trying to get hay out to animals, or trying to sneak across a field with the tractor and hay waggon on, in an effort to not leave deep tire ruts. The tire ruts are very difficult to repair, but are even more difficult on hay equipment the following year. We have had to plow up entire fields because someone left deep tire ruts that would stop a tractor dead while baling hay. Lynn is busy making makeshift shelters for the pigs, who enjoy being outside all year round as long as they have a warm place to sleep. Lynn is not a carpenter and gets frustrated easily while building. Especially since the pigs seem to love disassembling her building project. You might be wondering why I am not doing the building. It is because I am spending most of my days hauling whats left of our hay home. We cut hay in fields all over the area and a considerable amount of time is spent hauling it home. A tractor is not a fast machine. To add to this there are some mighty big hills in our area. It is a sobering experience going up a steep long hill with 20000lbs of hay on a waggon, when you look down and notice the tires are spinning much faster then the tractor is moving. Cross your fingers and hold on. As you reach the top of the hill you realise that the battle is only half over. Now the decent begins. Every muscle in your body tightens every time the wheels can be felt slipping instead of rolling down the hill. Once at the bottom of the hill you realise how much you were sweating over the ordeal, because the cold wintry wind cools that sweat quickly. 15km/hr does not seem fast, but the windchill at that speed is significant. One of these years I will get all the hay home before snow flies, or I will get a cab for the tractor.<br />
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The cattle are all penned up, with the exception of a couple small calves that can sneak under the fence to wreak havoc on my nicely piled hay. They have access to a small spruce forest for shelter. However the highland cattle are built for cold weather. They stand out in the worst winter has to offer, chewing their cuds as if it was a nice summers day. The angus on the other hand huddle in between the highlands. Not as winter hardy, they will return to the refuge of the forest when the weather is bad enough. For the most part cold does not bother the older cattle. They no not however like the falls wet and cold weather. Can't say I blame them.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-53201848218349660762012-10-30T08:40:00.002-07:002012-10-30T08:40:45.081-07:00Wheat BellyI just bought the book called Wheat Belly, written by William Davis, MD. Dr. Davis is a cardiologist in the USA. The book basically describes the effects of wheat on our bodies and the reasons why. He describes how wheat causes a multitude of physical problems primarily related to blood glucose levels. The book also details how wheat started out as an innocent grass that was manipulated by man to create wheat, then in the last fifty years man began to really change the genetic makeup of wheat in an effort to increase yields and decrease losses through disease, drought, insects etc. <br />
While Dr. Davis specialises in wheat all of agriculture has shared the same focus for the last fifty years. Yield per acre is what is considered most important. In the process nutrition and health have been sacrificed. Most people concerned with the issues realise that corn and soybeans, the next two most consumed agricultural products, have gone through the same transitions as wheat. However almost all consumable agricultural products have gone through the same process. Meat production has changed drastically. Our ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats) are being force fed grains to increase growth. Antibiotics and growth hormones are given to increase growth rate. Even the breeds have changed. Angus cattle have increased in size. Other breeds have taken over as the most popular breeds such as Charolais, Limousin, Belgian blue, etc. These are huge animals requiring huge amounts of feed. These cattle are ready for butcher at 12-14 months. Traditional breeds on grass take up to 30 months. Many new breeds carry a mutated gene that causes "double muscling" making the livestock look like body builders. Milk production has gone through the same process. The milk of today is far less nutritious than our grandparents drank. Hog and poultry production has turned into a factory operation where workers where coveralls, breathing and hearing protection. The manure has become a polluting concern. Years ago hogs were raised outside like cattle. Manure was not an issue. Hogs and chickens were raised on grain and garden waist. In fact that was what the hog was for years ago. The first recycler. Any farm waste was fed to the pig and turned into a meat product. Now waste is landfill, adding to our garbage problem. Meat is not the only issue. Vegetables are going through the same issues. Anything is sacrificed in the name of production. Vegetables are fed a steady diet of liquid fertilisers accompanied by a mix fungicides, pesticides and herbicides to decrease disease. Vegetables are picked before being ripe and "chemically ripened" in the back of transports as they are shipped around the world. Tomatoes and peppers are raise in hot houses with their roots bare, not even in soil. The chemists raising and experimenting with these vegetables are arrogant enough to believe they have out smarted mother nature. <br />
Testing done on the products is usually minimal and irrelevant. The tests always seem to favour the new producing product. A large number of tests have been published lately that state organic is no better then conventional production. I do not dought that these same scientist are experts in hydroponics, because they must be smoking something. Something people have to remember is that the companies producing these engineered plants and animals have invested allot of money in their production. They will spend more money to make sure their product is accepted and flourishes. The people growing organically do not have patents on their products. They have no money invested(outside the farm). They also have a much smaller market. The money simply is not their to defend their way of production. The only time we get noticed is when someone like Dr. Davis writes a book that gets attention and gets people talking. <br />
For your own test go to the grocery store and buy some organic and conventional bananas. Do your own taste test. Then tell me there is no difference.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-57407106356234595762012-10-10T12:51:00.000-07:002012-10-10T12:51:46.150-07:00<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">October has
arrived and the harvest is done for another year. Vegetables have bean picked
and stored in cans or in the cellar, hay is baled and the slow process of
trailering it all home has begun, the grain is off and in the barn. We are
drying seeds from a variety of vegetables to ensure an organic supply for nest
season. The rest of the seeds and supplies for nest season will be ordered in
the nest couple of months. It seems early but to ensure we get what varieties
we want we must order early. We are beginning our marketing plan and
determining prices now for next seasons vegetables. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This summer
has been a trying one on the farm. The worst drought in decades affected our
vegetable, grain, and hay harvests. We only harvested about half the hay we
usually do. But the expense was higher than any other year. This makes for very
expensive hay. Hopefully we have enough. The vegetables faired a little better
because of our organic growing methods. One of which is deep much. The 6+
inches of hay mulch added to the garden did not keep the weeds down, but with
out it the drought would have been devastating. By the third week of July our
soils were drying and our grass was turning brown, but the soil under the mulch
was still damp. The end results were an average year for most of the vegetable
production. As far as the grain is concerned we had a poor yield. The grain was
thin and the grass and clover came up thick making combining the</span> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">grain
difficult for our old combine. Like the hay our grain yield was at about 50%. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">In other
news around the farm, many people read my article in the news paper about the
spraying of herbicides in the forests around our region. The article received a
lot of attention and in the end we were able to stop the use of helicopters to
spray the herbicide close to our property. I even had two forestry
representatives show up at the farm to make a sales pitch about the chemicals
used. Like many of the under educated users of these chemicals they used
personal experience with the chemicals as evidence of the safety. One guy
stated that even had the chemical sprayed right into his mouth and had no ill
effects. What they do not realise is that it is the long term exposure to these
chemicals that cause the problem. Using their argument smoking, alcohol and
most drugs are not hazardous. We all know that one cigarette, beer, or even
hard core drugs will not usually be fatal if only used once. It is long term use
that causes the real problem. The long term effects of the herbicides used are
just now being studied. So far as most people can guess the results are showing
they are NOT safe. The government knows how dangerous most of these chemicals
are. But they turn a blind eye in the name of economics. Just this week
Azinphos-methyl(AZM) a known harmful pesticide was taken out of production. AZM
is a highly neurotoxic insecticide that attacks the human brain and nervous
system. Where would we spray such a dangerous chemical? On our apples, pears,
cherries, bluberries and parsley of course.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Many people
wanted me to continue the fight to ban the use of herbicides in our forests
altogether. Unfortunately this is not an easy fight. Forestry companies,
chemical manufacturers and even the Ontario government support their use. I
simply do not have the time or resources for such a fight. However I would
support any one that takes up the fight. Nova Scotia and BC both have activist
organisations called Stop The Spray. They are dedicated to stopping the use of</span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">herbicides. Their web sites contain a wealth of information on the topic. One
of the biggest issues with our modern day reliance on strong chemicals is the
fact that not everyone reacts the same to them. They may cause prostate cancer
in some, Parkinson’s in others, maybe fertility problems, or allergic reactions
or some other side effect ranging from severe to not so severe. All of which
are not easily measured in a six week study trial. Most of which are paid for
by the chemical manufacturer. Most people do not know that our government does
not study and evaluate every chemical used in our country. Instead they rely on
the chemical manufacturer to pay an independent firm to study the product and
give the results. What decision do you think the independent firm is going to
come up with? Monsanto has already been convicted twice of tampering with the
results of studies done on their products.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">In
any case I do not want these chemicals near my property. After reading my article
one of my neighbours called the Nipissing Forest Resource Management office and
asked what effects the chemicals have on wildlife. Their response was that the
wildlife usually leaves the area because the chemical kills off all their food.
However what they fail to realise or tell you is that the chemical takes a
couple weeks to become effective. In that time the deer, moose, rabbits, bears,
etc are all ingesting the chemical laden leaves and berries. My neighbour was
very upset, because they are devoted naturalists. They hunt for many reasons
but one is knowing that the meat they have is clean, chemical free and natural.
Or so they thought. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This blog
is too small to get into all the details about our over reliance on chemicals.
I hope it does spur people into researching the topic themselves. I am content
with the fact that I was able to get the spraying with helicopters stopped in
my vicinity. Especially since I was told just last week that areas close by
were sprayed this summer and they missed their target. Instead they sprayed the
front yards of the rural homes.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">So the
winter wind down has begun and I will be able to spend more time on the blog
and creating our new website. After I haul the hay home, spread the manure,
plow the fields,…I though winter was supposed to be slow on a farm. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">For anyone
interested our winter meat box prices and details will be going out this week.
As well as information on our 2013 vegetable CSA program. Anyone signing up
before December will get a discount. People that sign up early allow us to make
sure we can order and pay for supplies that we will need for next season.
</span></span></div>
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Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-2832090157672237952012-09-07T18:26:00.001-07:002012-09-07T19:50:53.948-07:00Organic vegetable nutritionVegetable harvest is in full swing now. Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, beans, peas, even the pumpkins are ready for harvest. Now that Lynn and I are in vegetable mode we are very excited. Our CSA program has been a success, vegetables are looking good despite the drought this summer which did effect some of our harvest but most have recovered. We plan on expanding our CSA membership to 20 full time members next year. <br />
While researching some information for our marketing efforts for next year we have run across many articles which reference a recent study published in The Journal of Science of Nutrition and Agriculture. The article states that their research indicates little to no nutritional benefits or difference between organic and conventional produced vegetables. The problem with these "scientific" studies are that they are conducted by scientist, who tend to be biased. The fact is that they believe they know all there is to know. For instance when the scientist research what chemicals need to be in a fertiliser for tomatoes, they typically decide on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels. These three elements are generally recognised as the ingredients in chemical fertiliser. However we all know that plants require much more than these three elements. <br />
The problem with conducting studies such as the one mentioned is the journal is that there are so many variables. For instance many large companies have jumped on the organic bandwagon. Large companies have bastardised the organic industry by bending and twisting the organic standards in an effort to capitalise on the increased prises and niche market created by the organic industry. While all farmers are in business to make a profit, some are more relentless than others. In general smaller organic family farms concentrate on plant health and the quality of their product. This added effort is represented in the higher prices most organic vegetables demand. Big business capitalises on the higher prises, but often use conventional farming practises that have been modified to meet organic standards. <br />
Additionally the "scientific" studies do not measure the entire chemical makeup of the vegetables. While common vitamin and mineral levels are measured, photo chemicals are not. These are compounds that are not vitamin or mineral that are believed to contribute to our health. Photo chemicals effect the taste and colour of fruits and vegetables. They also help fight off disease in the plant. Much can be changed about the nutritional value of a plant by its environment. Small organic farmers use green manures and animal manures for fertilisers. Making the soil more diverse and nutritious for the plant. This nutrition is passed on to the final consumer. Large scale industrial type organic farms use "natural" fertilisers such ad alfalfa meal, soy meal, blood, bone meal or corn gluten meal. All of these chemicals are approved for organic production. They represent a poor attempt at copying the conventional vegetable production. I should mention that I am not against using these products, however they should be used as amendments to the soil, not as primary means of fertilisation and plant nutrition. They are still better that adding oil derived fertilisers like the conventional vegetable producers use. <br />
This brings us to the next point. Something that is not mentioned, is what is not in the organic vegetables. Chemical residues from commercial fertilisers, pesticides, hormones and antibiotic residues form commercial manure applications. As well there are chemicals that are added for chemical ripening, or preserving fruit and vegetables. None of these chemicals have had adequate testing to see what the long term health effects are on humans or our environment. <br />
An article published in mother earth news 10 years ago is probably more accurate that the studies published now. 10 years ago organic produce was not being bombarded by the commercial industry like it is now. While I can not remember off hand the exact numbers in the study it basically stated that, when a conventionally grown tomato from a grocery store was compared to an organically grown tomato grown in composted manure, the latter had over 300% the micro nutrients.<br />
How do you know what to eat. Its simple, find a farmer you can trust and eat as seasonally as you can. Organic certification only means that the farmer meets the organic standards. It does not mean they have to be ethical about it. Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-33421225779120953862012-08-14T20:30:00.000-07:002012-08-14T20:30:59.502-07:00Summers passing us byJuly flew past us between haying, gardening and our unexpected trip to Sick Kids with Allison. Allison is doing great and is pretty much back to normal. She is still taking it easy just to make sure. Another event that took place during the last month was a confrontation with the Nipissing Forest Resource Management. Many people have called, emailed and even showed up at the farmers market to express their support. We received a letter stating that the NFRM would be aerial spraying herbicides in an area close to our farm. They spray the chemicals to kill all broad leaf plants, giving coniferous trees such as spruce and pine an advantage. As you can imagine the letter did not impress me and really upset Lynn. In response to the letter I sent an email to NFRM, our MPP, The Green Party, and the Nipissing News. My letter basically expressed my concerns including the concern that our government is pouring known carcinogens into our forests. Our MPPs office was very helpful, so was the Nipissing News, who published my letter. They also wrote their own article after interviewing me. The result is that the NFRM will no longer be spraying with helecopters. Instead they will use skidders. A skidder is a large tractor that is used for hauling logs out of the bush to a landing site. I made sure to express in my interview that I am not against logging. In fact done properly I think it is sustainable industry. My major concern is the spraying of toxic chemicals into our environment. The main chemical used is called Virox Max. Virox Max is basically the same as Round up. If fact they are manufactured by the same company, Monsanto. Yes the psychopathic company Monsanto. Producer of PCB, Agent Orange, synthetic bovine growth hormones and most genetically modified plants. I did not know much about Virox Max, I do now, but I do know a bit about Roundup. My personal opinion is that Round up is a dangerous chemical for a variety of reasons. First of all the health hazards. Monsanto would have us believe it is perfectly safe. However independent studies are proving otherwise. I won't go into great detail but glyphosate affects hormone production. Messing with hormones can cause a variety of disease, not the least of which is cancer. Monsanto has already been convicted twice of falsifying results of an "independent" study. I found it ironic that even after the convictions Canada did not do any testing of these products. They rely on independent studies paid for by the producing company. Glyphosate is extremely deadly to frogs and amphibians, which in turn are food for a large variety of wildlife. The use af glyphosate in the forest destroys the natural habitat and food supply for moose, bear, deer, rabbit and a variety of other animals. It also causes mono cultures of coniferous trees. We all saw what that can do this summer with the forest fires in Northern Ontario. Coniferous trees are far more flammable than deciduous tree. Mono cultures can also be devastated by disease. We are all ready seeing this problem with the red and white pine trees.<a name='more'></a><br />
My personal hatred for Monsanto stems from the widespread use of Roundup. Many people do not realise that genetically modified foods are directly related to roundup. Genetically modified plants are changed on a chromosomal level to withstand the killing power of roundup. Most people believe that genetically modified food is not good. No one really knows because test have not completed. We will not know the effects for a generation or two. But by that time there will be no turning back. Over 95% of corn grown in North America is now genetically modified. Same for soybeans. A large portion of that corn goes to grain fed meats. If you think you are safe because you eat Holden's Hide-A-Way meat, you are wrong. I forget the exact number but somewhere around 75-80% of food sold in the average grocery store has corn, soybean or both in it. When you look at the ingredients on a product and you don't recognise it. It is usually a corn derivative.<br />
That's probably enough of a rant. If you are interested look into Monsanto. You will be surprised at what they get away with. <br />
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In other news the draught is over. The garden has taken off and the cows are back on pasture rotation. Things are looking up. Our CSA members are expressing their pleasure with our garden produce. Which is great considering production has not even peaked yet.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-10174476280747173872012-07-25T05:56:00.003-07:002012-07-25T05:56:50.461-07:00Hay and Horses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't written much this month simply because it has been extremely busy here at the farm. First of all as most people know it is hay season. Or as I call it break down season. We spent have the time making hay, the other half fixing equipment. Tractors, haybine mowers, and balers are not usually cheap to fix. So far we have had to repair a rear tire on the tractor, fix a hydraulic pump, replace hydraulic lines, repair baler belts, replace a u-joint and rebuild the yoke, several bearings on the baler, and a u-joint on the truck. But the end result is worth it. Working by myself I can put up about 100 bales in 5 days. If we had to buy these bales it would cost well over $3500. Now the hard part is getting 5 good days. Usually we are racing the rain. Not a problem this year. However this dry hot weather has created a new problem. Lower production. We have to cut about 40% more land to get the same amount of hay as we usually do. <br />
We had to take a week off of haying for a trip Sick Kids in Toronto. Allison was injured while working with her new horse. We are not sure what exactly happened, but some how the horse was spooked and reared up. From what we understand the horse then fell on Allison. When a horse falls or goes down in any way they panic to get up on their feet.Some how during the event Allison sustained a blow to the side of her head from a hoof. We ended up very lucky and Allison is doing fine now. However after a suspencful week Allison did end up with 6 stitches and a small fracture. The girls usually wear helmets for riding, but it is clear they need them whenever they work with the horses. Allsion is now "grounded" for the summer. Doctor's orders. No horses, no heavy lifting, no bike riding, no swimming for 8 weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-zxGD6ZOTwuOFP4sND1Y7rqM92bmFGyiFuWgcNkgQwfXP0EG3ypusiaj4JZhc03VjOb70B8uTYmYJF1Vzjg2-ZPzpzju4j4sgS3t7Vp-TuzNKJiH65hbPc_QKu-QqT1B8jDux8qXQlky/s1600/DSCF1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-zxGD6ZOTwuOFP4sND1Y7rqM92bmFGyiFuWgcNkgQwfXP0EG3ypusiaj4JZhc03VjOb70B8uTYmYJF1Vzjg2-ZPzpzju4j4sgS3t7Vp-TuzNKJiH65hbPc_QKu-QqT1B8jDux8qXQlky/s320/DSCF1880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allison has been bugging to help with hay all year. Here she is raking the hay so I can bale it for her horses, before the accident. <br />
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</tbody></table>Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-18840182512186016402012-06-13T06:38:00.001-07:002012-06-14T14:17:30.869-07:00New additionsSome new additions arrived on the farm this week. On Monday Lynn and I made a trip to a livestock auction to purchase some more stocker calves to finish for this winter. Demand for our beef far exceeds the number of calves that our cattle produce. We usually purchase weaned calves and raise them on our farm until they are old enough to process. However calf prices are extremely high, approximately 2 times what we paid last year. At that price we can not finish the beef and market it at a reasonable price. Our beef sales may have to change to reflect the lower than usual number of calves we will be raising. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCtu_lZXdyy23O2OA_kYQJjnbfK46EujY9ufFEFKm1mTkmuYTpGmENVDHL7ArV3ws4PeuS1auKWGV9eQB9X1OHPy9smvuM1KSb45q-suQoCdW-3IZRbZdHdPAiBTSqvvpT0v-ixd98l5L/s1600/DSCF1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCtu_lZXdyy23O2OA_kYQJjnbfK46EujY9ufFEFKm1mTkmuYTpGmENVDHL7ArV3ws4PeuS1auKWGV9eQB9X1OHPy9smvuM1KSb45q-suQoCdW-3IZRbZdHdPAiBTSqvvpT0v-ixd98l5L/s320/DSCF1853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
On a "positive" note. There were other creature that were reasonably prices. I can tell you now there is a good chance I will be winning father of the year after bringing home these two "pets". The girls were and still are very excited about the new additions. The Appaloosa is a 16 month old gelding and the bay coloured is an 8 month old filly. Very affectionate little fellows. The girls will be responsible for basic obedience training over the next year. The horses cannot be ridden until they are 2.5-3 years old. But training starts now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwpp5-JHK0mqXNBHL04_ciHLmrVO9_OnPItR0QolXSxPM6h2cDBrMAzPs7fJ4XYS-72QHMX6xmhh-r77Yg4vVhbLPQ825gF7CLsFZ2wgtgZdjjD6si_gbwdbZjwEsBJx2OXZ2b8Z4TSFu/s1600/DSCF1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwpp5-JHK0mqXNBHL04_ciHLmrVO9_OnPItR0QolXSxPM6h2cDBrMAzPs7fJ4XYS-72QHMX6xmhh-r77Yg4vVhbLPQ825gF7CLsFZ2wgtgZdjjD6si_gbwdbZjwEsBJx2OXZ2b8Z4TSFu/s320/DSCF1856.JPG" width="320" /></a>We are not really horse people. Horse people can be pretty extreme. However we do enjoy horses. Unlike other livestock they can have a genuine affection for their caretakers. Sheep, cattle, pigs, chicken, etc. only really care that you bring food. The gelding was afraid of the trailer while. So after several attempts and praise and petting, I could tell he was not sure about the trailer. While stroking his neck and telling him it would be OK, he leaned into me placing his head against my chest. If horses could hug that was one. He eventually loaded and was fine on the trip home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipks24WrKow4rfTK7aTUi8rOdzbw8eSz81i-bz34EzwKLyBnnC2BQmnqYvrfLxP9DkMevsTM6TNFhRALdRgIejlf0jGkVX-g44ADmue1sqXCxrYTvHRog6jG9dzhA6xnZRDve9YJ4sEJO/s1600/DSCF1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipks24WrKow4rfTK7aTUi8rOdzbw8eSz81i-bz34EzwKLyBnnC2BQmnqYvrfLxP9DkMevsTM6TNFhRALdRgIejlf0jGkVX-g44ADmue1sqXCxrYTvHRog6jG9dzhA6xnZRDve9YJ4sEJO/s320/DSCF1836.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lynn's Polish hen decided it was time to be a mother hen. A Polish hen is a funny looking thing. They are the only white egg layers we have. It takes 21 days of dedication from the hen to sit on eggs in order to hatch them out. Several chickens share a nest box, so we don't know who actually laid the eggs that this girl hatched. We collect our eggs on a daily basis, but ever once and a while the hens find a new hiding spot. These guys were hatched out in the wall of the barn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslvV4OL7gipAholOdup-pynb09E2Cf54i364bQbw22HxwV6GzW_X_FYAbbQbQNF56cC6DHdQspxbJcQhNBPBFvExTLiJo7YJAaoW_oeQFDOxTis_i3a4KIyL2fFdp746sT8dsaMKZwozB/s1600/DSCF1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslvV4OL7gipAholOdup-pynb09E2Cf54i364bQbw22HxwV6GzW_X_FYAbbQbQNF56cC6DHdQspxbJcQhNBPBFvExTLiJo7YJAaoW_oeQFDOxTis_i3a4KIyL2fFdp746sT8dsaMKZwozB/s320/DSCF1873.JPG" width="320" /></a>We keep a few goats, I am not sure why because they can be a real handful. This little girl was born this week and looks to be in good health. when we have more time, such as through the winter we like to milk the goats. They provide excellent milk that is far more nutritious than the watered down, broken down stuff you buy in the store. Goat milk is much easier to digest then cow milk because of the different sugars (lactose) and the fat globules are smaller making them easier to digest. Goats are one of the other animals on the farm that has a personality. But that is not always a good thing. </div>Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-25478153637770389902012-06-13T06:00:00.001-07:002012-06-13T06:00:18.440-07:00Guard duty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULc_R6jj_r5RybfDMgnsEvZHFwzuNtmdWYacWTLKDdx0KKjTNZo6fLwLgt6xRLJhwUNZn1d_cWflAtDHhhGIKYYlIGL4lq-2l7CYD5yEPrVWyZ7KqD84K_wqQaCOko3-A_3-zqTR5wu-B/s1600/DSCF1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULc_R6jj_r5RybfDMgnsEvZHFwzuNtmdWYacWTLKDdx0KKjTNZo6fLwLgt6xRLJhwUNZn1d_cWflAtDHhhGIKYYlIGL4lq-2l7CYD5yEPrVWyZ7KqD84K_wqQaCOko3-A_3-zqTR5wu-B/s200/DSCF1874.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ30UOx2xpUyxX39cNj9wtV4ickdpJBwQus7hLQafjbrNvyhLwxQ_X4zXQLf4RhJHXwyRi5nAg_wPSbme27m5JLgCTOlx2U3IL8XbtiQ4Bdf-9XGAcsjbgRzTZAWl05RnyfwHCLpVXoAH/s1600/DSCF1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Jack and Jill standing guard.Luckily for everyone we have not seen or heard any coyotes or wolves since winter. The odd fox comes around at night, but they know better then to cross the fence. The sheep are enjoying the pasture and the lambs look great so far. Our flock (as well as approximately 90% of all Ontario flocks) have been plagued by foot rot. Foot rot is an infection caused by the combination of two bacteria. It can cause discomfort for the sheep and effects the performance of the lambs. If left untreated it can lead to more serious problems. One of the bacteria is found in almost all soils, the other is usually imported when an infected sheep is purchased. The infection is a major issue across Canada and around the world. It can be very difficult to cure, especially here where <br />
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the climate is humid. However through much research and and planning we think we have effectively cured our flock. All without the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are only moderately effective as treatment because the bacteria live on the hooves of the sheep for months, hiding in any cracks or crevices. The bacteria can also survive in the environment for weeks. We are anxiously watching the flock for signs of infection, but have been infection free now for two months. If all goes well we will start marketing our ideas to other sheep farmers. Spring is usually the worst time for foot rot.</div>
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<br />Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-86005867211823782562012-06-07T20:35:00.000-07:002012-06-07T20:35:37.027-07:00Real grass fed cattle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4GqWZhlh4DfZxhfNemAoUeQnL-blmwdSjKK4cNyY8grxaNyjn5-Asd1b8OyxO_brKEzGsVKJgjpSXU_liIKoqrb07txNv8WNH18mH39_IGtYhyphenhyphenjNMTxZVFGwVr3ax0AqWJmjAL6em_aI/s1600/DSCF1818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4GqWZhlh4DfZxhfNemAoUeQnL-blmwdSjKK4cNyY8grxaNyjn5-Asd1b8OyxO_brKEzGsVKJgjpSXU_liIKoqrb07txNv8WNH18mH39_IGtYhyphenhyphenjNMTxZVFGwVr3ax0AqWJmjAL6em_aI/s320/DSCF1818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The girls are finally out on pasture. Its is a little later then usual, but we had to fix fences before they went out. Last season we had a rouge cow that wandered the bush for about 3 months. We don't want a repeat of that. we use electric fencing here. Electric fences are what is called a psychological barrier. A 1000lb cow could easily walk through the wire. However once they learn and feel the shock of an electric fence, they never want to touch one again. It works on humans too. I know everyone in our house is terrified of touching the wire. Even if you know the fence is unplugged, you will think twice about touching the wires. An electric fencing causes a sensation that is not really painful, but extremely uncomfortable. Our fence puts out a minimum of 5000 volts, and up too 10000 volts. The variance is dependant on fence length, and how much grass growth is touching the fence. Before anyone begins thinking that this fence is going to kill the cattle I should mention that volts do not kill. The amperage kills. Electric fences produce very low amperage. That is why even Allison and Christina touch the fence at least 3-4 times a year. So far everyone has touched it once this year. <br />
The sheep are out on pasture as well. Lambs have been out for a while, they can sneak through the fences. Several are getting too big now and are having a difficult time getting through. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhJ2LTWJxa0R8TnyRFEf4OBTV_PIlylaQfwXOS-dyJktnzt2ir0GNRxtJScnbi1bhcL3BhtDQKuyNQMUZ204tjGEe2laQ4PmsfBfNihSuIa4kTGTwJmZRw9ZUufpyGaLccfnQ42BUb3m0/s1600/DSCF1809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhJ2LTWJxa0R8TnyRFEf4OBTV_PIlylaQfwXOS-dyJktnzt2ir0GNRxtJScnbi1bhcL3BhtDQKuyNQMUZ204tjGEe2laQ4PmsfBfNihSuIa4kTGTwJmZRw9ZUufpyGaLccfnQ42BUb3m0/s320/DSCF1809.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few calves enjoying the fresh green grass. The marbled one on the left is our new young bull. He is still a little shy. The girls give him a rough time. But he should bulk up and star assuming the bull role over the summer. The small brown calf in the background is the bull calf that had pneumonia in the early spring. He is a little stunted because of the experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6KCd23yI6oDQ2VLV5-mp_lVk5BPO6FEKU3W_J9YhYDrPdT5qIFNL9eZBLJExPCbq4HpFfUJ-6gUlDHH6Z58STE6O0OFhmZcbC1ByKrfVpXU6ib1rdEuVLbBqbCjLee8ogUerpoltmZC7/s1600/DSCF1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6KCd23yI6oDQ2VLV5-mp_lVk5BPO6FEKU3W_J9YhYDrPdT5qIFNL9eZBLJExPCbq4HpFfUJ-6gUlDHH6Z58STE6O0OFhmZcbC1ByKrfVpXU6ib1rdEuVLbBqbCjLee8ogUerpoltmZC7/s320/DSCF1808.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture is of one of our latest calves. He is out of my favourite highland cow. He is very well built and growing extremely well for a highland. If he keeps doing this well we may decide to sell him as a breeding bull in the fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx9C0OzJZarEs92GMVZHh4CgoXWCOZ0van3lU05mFUGEoIFnL4frqxXaw7n8yYbWg58rIJNMPN2PpIs6PTmiPw2n3mKYIakCZh26JCow1Kf0s5mVdOxak5iMOwvOiJOSQ2pUZTHjcK4E5/s1600/DSCF1796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx9C0OzJZarEs92GMVZHh4CgoXWCOZ0van3lU05mFUGEoIFnL4frqxXaw7n8yYbWg58rIJNMPN2PpIs6PTmiPw2n3mKYIakCZh26JCow1Kf0s5mVdOxak5iMOwvOiJOSQ2pUZTHjcK4E5/s320/DSCF1796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her is a picture of his mom (my favourite highland cow). She is one of the boss cows. She can be very pushy with the other cows, but gentle with us. Plus I really like her colour. Colour doesn't really affect meat quality, but it helps to have cattle you like to look at.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6ppj1jExTinEoWVyITK2DlYZphZgVBJm7EvGVa6hr9E2azfYg0tmHLBIeM0cgYHg-TFf7q8qUmC6HV8MEJ48X16ZPsydHB8LwjtOLjruR5A7b85OWRkjEtRIosIxNL8xQH_bvVv4sx-f/s1600/DSCF1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6ppj1jExTinEoWVyITK2DlYZphZgVBJm7EvGVa6hr9E2azfYg0tmHLBIeM0cgYHg-TFf7q8qUmC6HV8MEJ48X16ZPsydHB8LwjtOLjruR5A7b85OWRkjEtRIosIxNL8xQH_bvVv4sx-f/s320/DSCF1816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cattle hiding in the spruce trees. They love to hide in the bush, and scratch on the branches. The new bull is looking into the sun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX-OZy8VgNaGVdJJknJHpDjSkpDpwdTuOjAvLMMCIRg9Atm5F-fEWns3hCv-PiWNJPrgXa3eOeqnfXUqYkav_yqfQu71FGYbYWeasbx7U95D4Vy8xoMN47vaZhGfotnTElpG-sjmc_GM5/s1600/DSCF1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX-OZy8VgNaGVdJJknJHpDjSkpDpwdTuOjAvLMMCIRg9Atm5F-fEWns3hCv-PiWNJPrgXa3eOeqnfXUqYkav_yqfQu71FGYbYWeasbx7U95D4Vy8xoMN47vaZhGfotnTElpG-sjmc_GM5/s320/DSCF1815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our youngest calf getting a good drink. Her mother is not the best looking cow, she is small even for a highland. However the calf is healthy and growth very well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANZmr5pi9PCCjxR5K7Q_asVKUk9x3R2CoWIJdvSQr4kImaK62uuwHJYmLMg2JgBc1o8s2_mMTx5mB16lC7Sq3oBAvvprXn2S8la3igh7swQmGJwqwGvjwXx2Gn6nX-28g1NGvMnz9ZnlJ/s1600/DSCF1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANZmr5pi9PCCjxR5K7Q_asVKUk9x3R2CoWIJdvSQr4kImaK62uuwHJYmLMg2JgBc1o8s2_mMTx5mB16lC7Sq3oBAvvprXn2S8la3igh7swQmGJwqwGvjwXx2Gn6nX-28g1NGvMnz9ZnlJ/s320/DSCF1803.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally here is a year old heifer calf. I think she wonders what I am doing with the camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will get some pictures of the sheep soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-76988893490921593232012-05-19T19:31:00.001-07:002012-05-20T05:07:36.673-07:00It feels like summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn9wr55pWaQ7I0rNZJbfgizp3loxVawwavpCGEvCPttuVnQ55GWhECVoU9n_wyHzULAvoRj8oB39pMhsmbqHLE46DnzMmSevqp_c9Ddkvfp5OqB_pnmAJ3AL_Y-vI0flLUR7N8eylMK3O/s1600/DSCF1790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn9wr55pWaQ7I0rNZJbfgizp3loxVawwavpCGEvCPttuVnQ55GWhECVoU9n_wyHzULAvoRj8oB39pMhsmbqHLE46DnzMmSevqp_c9Ddkvfp5OqB_pnmAJ3AL_Y-vI0flLUR7N8eylMK3O/s320/DSCF1790.JPG" width="320" /></a>The weather is balmy here on the farm, but that's not why it feels like summer. Its the black flies. I think I fed the whole population on Friday while planting potatoes. I even had to don a bug had and put on bug spray. I am not an advocate of bug spray. I remember when the push was on to stop using DEET products. That was pre-westnile. I rarely put it on any of the promoted products such as bug sprays or sun screens. The ingredients in each of these products have proven to cause skin cancer. I find it ironic that the health agencies promote cancer causing products, to save us from other deadly illnesses. I prefer to limit sun exposure and use the products sparingly. Covering up usually works for mosquitoes and blackflies. Not this week though. The pigs have found a way to keep cool and stop the flys. Pigs don't sweat, so they require a wallow to roll and soak in. These guys look very comfortable. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BL1LO4DBoJjgfbDNRb3QkB5bCA1zsJzCooZQxdurFDITXb0fhNCsocOQtWILjVm0XNMv4MyrWqfdU-vo-3PTF9jx-uJn7KG3ZmR8QvTwbIquUoIBfbE6e68SRWQXt-o8Ne5yMD9Z7hZE/s1600/DSCF1787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BL1LO4DBoJjgfbDNRb3QkB5bCA1zsJzCooZQxdurFDITXb0fhNCsocOQtWILjVm0XNMv4MyrWqfdU-vo-3PTF9jx-uJn7KG3ZmR8QvTwbIquUoIBfbE6e68SRWQXt-o8Ne5yMD9Z7hZE/s320/DSCF1787.JPG" width="320" /></a>The meat chickens out. As you can see in the picture they are enjoying the grass. Meat chickens are not the smartest creature. They require the "chicken tractor" to keep them safe from predators and provide shelter, while letting them get their fill of grass, legumes, bugs and fresh air. Meat chicken grow to heavy weights are are very lazy. Most "free range" chickens are put in a barn with an open door allowing access to the outdoors. Unfortunately the birds have no desire to walk out the door when the feed is inside. It is false advertising. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNLvhD87qMi37HiV0VBwQ3tTjPmDrAXbJaIV-4c1_7k8atO1K9mGNSZoAt4jvtZkRtsO4zY30xSxoT7ZHaV7lDo9h62AgHjl11YUzaOocoSwxZHihgCtRc0M4hhynW-4_Wgm0lEG4ZVaM/s1600/DSCF1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNLvhD87qMi37HiV0VBwQ3tTjPmDrAXbJaIV-4c1_7k8atO1K9mGNSZoAt4jvtZkRtsO4zY30xSxoT7ZHaV7lDo9h62AgHjl11YUzaOocoSwxZHihgCtRc0M4hhynW-4_Wgm0lEG4ZVaM/s320/DSCF1792.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb8fBj3pB2dG8kJAuuP4ZRyjrna6FdiIePkysYM00euU8TZFu5uPJySglM8cZwr4RSfTqhny64-WcqbyAYRU6mrGDMiU0mnz0Hur5t4oZJqRiN5XcZ3TdALxkJ-m_kBToGAibwrVL4kkA/s1600/DSCF1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb8fBj3pB2dG8kJAuuP4ZRyjrna6FdiIePkysYM00euU8TZFu5uPJySglM8cZwr4RSfTqhny64-WcqbyAYRU6mrGDMiU0mnz0Hur5t4oZJqRiN5XcZ3TdALxkJ-m_kBToGAibwrVL4kkA/s320/DSCF1789.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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The laying hens are a different breed all together. They are slimmer birds made for walking around. Her it is difficult to see but there are a bunch of chickens beside the old manure pile. In the foreground there is a chicken scratching through the grass. The holes in the dirt beside her were created from the chicken dust bathing. Dust bathing grooms the feathers and helps control parasites. Our plans are to build a portable hen house to get the chickens out on the pasture with the cattle. Chickens are great for cleaning up bugs and spreading the patties out. The chickens also add large amounts of nitrogen to the soil, which in turn promotes grass growth. At this point the chickens only roam the pastures close to the barn.<br />
Our latest litter of piglets are 4 weeks old. That is the age we put them out of the barn. The sow was one that we purchased, as a piglet, from the auction. She has turned out to be a great mother raising 9 piglets. All are large and very muscular. I think it is our best litter we have ever had. Lynn and the girls love the colours. We have had red spotted pigs before, but they were always males. This litter has 4 spotted females. The two best just might stay for breeders. <br />
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The green house is up and running. Thank goodness I have my kitchen back . It was getting pretty crowded in there with all the seedlings.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNLvhD87qMi37HiV0VBwQ3tTjPmDrAXbJaIV-4c1_7k8atO1K9mGNSZoAt4jvtZkRtsO4zY30xSxoT7ZHaV7lDo9h62AgHjl11YUzaOocoSwxZHihgCtRc0M4hhynW-4_Wgm0lEG4ZVaM/s1600/DSCF1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsA_niDLpFkSMqVQyeOdxANF6Xyv-hs5ek1cAjrBcc1jfhUIwlRTaM5PrTl3PvxEJSB57xO8YJJeYaTLYNSfTUtbYFgmb8SObhlikaadS5MC_GNvF5s6KSiglrcxXTrvgwbu8a4mFB81p/s1600/DSCF1784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsA_niDLpFkSMqVQyeOdxANF6Xyv-hs5ek1cAjrBcc1jfhUIwlRTaM5PrTl3PvxEJSB57xO8YJJeYaTLYNSfTUtbYFgmb8SObhlikaadS5MC_GNvF5s6KSiglrcxXTrvgwbu8a4mFB81p/s320/DSCF1784.JPG" width="320" /></a>We have hundreds of plants now well started in the greenhouse, and many more already planted in the garden. So far the smaller gardens are planted with carrots, beets, garlic, green onions, spinach and Spanish onions. The larger garden has potatoes, two types of beans, peas, lettuce, cooking onions, kohlrabi, bok choi, beets and the corn will be in before the weekend is over. <br />
Things are getting busy. On top of all this I still have hay to bring home, 15 acres of grain to plant, fence expansion for cattle, manure to spread, sheep to shear, and probably a dozen things I am forgetting.<br />
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Hopefully the blackflies get their fill on campers this week end and go back to sleepHolden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-39844434140603752672012-05-06T07:45:00.001-07:002012-05-06T07:45:44.729-07:00It' not all work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PnAcoWmtdTb_zzEZKysBfeB6gin2WHcxRm3ka8Y4YhLhkYctL-CY9OGWRz2zu12adG1pkEL31eRqk3qFjtxEOt9pa3dTxXmGmAXFkJYI3ydzP5eoaRRuBs9V3_NhBVe3uoQNsgKuCdDO/s1600/DSCF1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PnAcoWmtdTb_zzEZKysBfeB6gin2WHcxRm3ka8Y4YhLhkYctL-CY9OGWRz2zu12adG1pkEL31eRqk3qFjtxEOt9pa3dTxXmGmAXFkJYI3ydzP5eoaRRuBs9V3_NhBVe3uoQNsgKuCdDO/s320/DSCF1775.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The girls have been working very hard on a new project. We have actually had "Maisey" for almost two years. However she spends much of her time out on pasture. We adopted Maisey from a local couple that were afraid of horses. Maisey was their foster children's pony, but the foster children had long moved on. She was neglected and in rough shape. She still suffers from a disease called heaves, similar to COPD in humans. The primary cause is years of feeding on dusty hay. Some days are worse for her then others. She will never be a good riding horse, but she is fun to play with when she is feeling up to it. <br />
The girls have been friendlying her up since we brought her home. It has taken until now to get her calm enough to saddle up. When we originally brought her home we were told she was ridden often. However when we saddled her up she turned into a bucking bronco that could have given any bronco rider a run for their money at the Calgary Stampede. After much work the girls found the way to Maisie's heart is through her stomach. She would eat a whole bag of carrots if you let her. Maisey was in an exceptionally good mood when this picture was taken. She had her first taste of grass for the year. As you can imagine after a winter of dried up old grass (hay), fresh green grass is a treat. We had to limit her intake because Maisey would eat enough to make herself ill. <br />
Allison and Christina have been bugging for a while now to take her out of the corral for a little ride. After a quick brushing they saddled her up with an old pony saddle and to my surprise she was very calm. I was even able to get her up to a trot with Allison on her back. I was able to get her galloping for an instant but had to slow her down. I am not sure if she was uncomfortable or if it was the sound of Allison screaming, NO SLOW DOWN, but her bucking bronco days returned. However after going back to a trot she calmed down quickly, so did Allison.<br />
A short ride and a brush, then Maisey ate her carrots and returned to the easy life in the corral. Allison and Christina have done a very good job of friendlying up Maisey. We have had many dogs and other pets, but horses are a special animal. Training is very different compared to training dogs. Horses are a prey animal. They need to trust their trainer, they are always getting "spooked". I have had horses stop dead and not move because of a shadow on a trail. Maybe someday the girls will take the experiences with Maisey and train a good trail riding horse <br />
Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-69656963650221252172012-04-27T08:17:00.000-07:002012-04-27T08:17:13.921-07:00New CSA porgramAfter much discussion Lynn and I have decided to offer a CSA for this year to a limited number of lucky people. For those that are not familiar with what a CSA is there is a wealth of information on the internet. CSAs are becomeing increasingly popular all over the world. They offer participants a steady supply of local vegetables all year. Usually farm produce is made available on a weekly basis. Purchacers pay for a subscription that lasts from June to October. Usually 18-20 weeks. Knowing how many people to supply upfront allows the farmer a chance to plan out production better. This type of program works well for both the subscriber and the farmer. The subscriber accepts some of the risk. For instance if potatoes do not do well they may not get as many. However if another product does well then more will be made available. In our case subscribers will be getting a healthy supply of organic vegetables for a price that is often less than conventional vegetable prices. The CSA subscriber pays for the subscription up front. This allows the farmer to have the capital to start the season as well as shows commitment from the subscriber. <br />
Our CSA will be operated in a simular manner. The cost of a subscription for a season will be $525. Half subscriptions are also available for $275. Payment can be made partial payments providing the total has been payed before the delivery of the first vegetable box. A half subscription offers the same vegetables, but on a bi-weekly pick up schedule. Because we are offering fresh weekly vegetables subscribers are required to make arrangements for pick up if they are unable to make it. Delivery to your home will be an option with in city limits of North Bay for a small fee. If picking up we ask that you bring grocery bags. Other products can be added to your box such as some of our many meat products as well as our popular free range eggs. <br />
Lynn and I have spent many hours going over how to price our CSA. Searching other farms the prices range from $500-$850 for a subscription. We settled on $525 because this is our first year operating a CSA. We are expecting that subscribers will help us learn from this season. We grow allot of vegetables evey year. However a CSA requires much more planning. When growing vegetable regularily it does not matter if all the tomatoes ripen at the same time. With a CSA we want some to ripen early and continue through out the season. Our price is equal to $26-$29 for a 1/2 bushel per week depending on the length of the season. We think this is more than reasonable for organic vegetables. Selection is limited at the beginning of the season but as it progresses the variety of vegetables will increase and change. <br />
The CSA is the next logical step for our family in our progress as a farm. It allows us to expand availablity of local products to North Bay and area residents. As we all know local foods are the key to healing our family and our planet. We will be making up a pamphlet detailing the CSA and what we expect will be included. I will also be blogging more on the topic in the near future.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-13259759203220980942012-04-24T15:17:00.000-07:002012-04-24T15:17:07.406-07:00Where did spring go?I am beginning to think we were really spoiled by the weather this March. It looks like winter just does not want to let go. There must be 3 inches of snow outside. It makes for damp slippery conditions that no one is happy with. When I go outside the cattle and sheep look at me like its my fault. They are not impressed by the damp cold weather. The soil that I was worried was too dry has turned into a soupy sloppy mess that has is very good at removing rubber boots. There is not much more maddening than trying to make it through the mud only to have a rubber boot sucked off your foot. Before you have a chance to realise what has happened your shin deep in mud with a socked foot. If you were lucky enough o keep your sock on. Sorry no pictures of this experience.<br />
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Luckily there is allot of work that needs done in the house. Lynn is still planting away. She just informed me that she is up to 1000 tomato plants. My house has turned into a tropical rainforest. It is getting difficult to walk through the house without knocking over a plant of some kind. Our window sills are covered with plants of various kinds. I feel like a jungle explorer peering through the jungle foliage every time I look out the window to see what the dogs are barking at, or why the cows are mooing. <br />
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Spring can't come soon enough now. Looking at the long range forecast suggests that thing will improve by next week. If you trust the weather network, that means we can start putting these plants out into the greenhouse. Night time temperatures have to start staying above freezing before we attempt the relocation of Lynn's spring efforts. Next year we hope to have some sort of supplement heat for the greenhouse. <br />
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If everything goes well we should have enough vegetables to feed a small village. Lynn and I are hoping people enjoy our vegetables as much as they have our meats. We are have faith in the fact that there is a growing number of people out there that are worried about how and where they get their food. Our customers trust that we produce foods with the right priorities in mind. Unfortunately there is a growing number of "commercial" producers even locally that are starting up and taking advantage of the public trust. People need to start looking into where their food comes from. Ask questions. Don't trust catch phrases such as free range, naturally raised, grass fed, or even organic. Ask your farmer exactly what they do and how. You might be surprised to find out it is not what you think. You might even find out the person you are talking to isn't a farmer.</div>
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<br /></div>Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-36015544437101618962012-04-16T09:38:00.000-07:002012-04-16T09:38:09.911-07:00Arpil ShowersIts April and despite the sayings about April showers it has been a fairly sunny month. The greenhouse is up. As soon as the night temperatures stop dipping below zero, or we find a woodstove to heat it with, we will begin filling it up with seedlings. Lynn has gone crazy planting seeds. Pretty much any area that gets sun and some that don't, has plants growing in it. My kitchen is looking more like a "hot house" than a kitchen. Fluorescent lights are everywhere, with a few piled in the corner waiting for Lynn to decide where they could best be utilised. Lynn has been busily planting seeds in trays, then separating the seedlings into small cells like the ones you buy at the garden centre. The next step is to re pot the seedlings into larger 4 inch pots. It is a time consuming job that has kept Lynn busy for the last few weeks. Lynn uses a store bought organic potting mix. As soon the seedlings are up they receive a daily watering of manure tea. Manure tea is basically an organic fertiliser that we make. Soaking well composted manure in water to make a "tea". Despite the ingredients there is no smell. The manure is well composted and odourless. It seems to be working very well. The pumpkins, zucchinis, and squash are taking off. Our tomato plants are strong and about 8 inches high now. At last count we had about 300 broccoli plants coming up. Lynn plans on doing three farmers markets this summer, so she is going to need the stock. <br />
Other things happening on the farm are not very exciting. We are hauling a lot of manure. The fields that we are using for the garden require allot of composted manure. The pastures for the livestock need manure as well. Most people don't realise it but manure is the most valuable product we produce on the farm. Without it everything else suffers. Manure is like gold to an organic farm. Everything we produce takes nutrients from the soil. Vegetables, hay, grass, livestock all remove nutrients from the soil. The only way we can put the nutrients back is through compost. Most farms have depleted soils, simply because manure has been considered a waste product. Manure was piled up or given away instead of being applied back to the land where it belongs. We compost the manure for many reasons. First of all economics. As manure composts it reduces in size by up to ten times. That means less hauling, less diesel fuel, less time. All good things. Secondly composted manure is more stable and uniform. The composting process produces intense heat, which kills germs, and weed seeds. The pile can get hot enough in the middle to burn. Some creative farmers have been able to harness this heat to heat barns, greenhouses, even houses. Composting also eliminates the risk of ground water pollution. Fresh manure is full of molecules and compounds that cause pollution and foul odours. Compost smells like soil. The molecules and compounds have been reduced to stable natural levels. Manure is teaming with good and bad bacteria. As it is composted the ratio changes until the good bacteria far out number the bad. There are literally millions of simple life forms in a handful of compost. All working together to produce the soil that the more complex life forms depend on. The plants also produce nutrients as well through photosynthesis. They capture oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the air, and convert them into a product that is usable by bacteria and higher life forms.<br />
That's probably enough about that <strike>shi</strike>...stuff.<br />
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I think we have had our last lamb for the year. But I have been surprised before. A couple of younger ewe lambs born late last year have produced healthy little lambs. Calving season should be getting into full swing. We have had five calves (3 bulls 2 heifers)so far. We should end up with about 16 this spring. There will be more in the fall. For those interested the little brown highland bull is doing well. He is a little slower than the others but is catching up quick. The black bull calf in the pictures is about a week younger. He is about 20lbs heavier. This is mostly due to the breed. The black calf is mostly angus. The mother is a cross breed the father was pure black angus. The brown calf is pure highland. As I mentioned before they are a smaller breed. Next year we will get our first crop of highland shorthorn calves. Breeding our own breed of cattle is a long process. Since these pictures were taken we have had a small highland heifer. Her pictures will be coming. At birth she was tiny, about the size of our border collie. The girls called her Friday, since she was born on Friday the 13th. <br />Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-70973467015048769412012-03-28T18:26:00.000-07:002012-03-28T18:26:12.215-07:00Early Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S6E5-Z43uBUjmosOz0orhZsSlJPHF7-lwECW6MIMW5valHnbYgOijt7I_PusbWjUjkMFhQZlhwGGXZVjO2MDqRcvMD5PcB35_Na0vmAZlxJQ2syMu3vCt7Z6G49nRiteo5LnnxXHcP-m/s1600/DSCF1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S6E5-Z43uBUjmosOz0orhZsSlJPHF7-lwECW6MIMW5valHnbYgOijt7I_PusbWjUjkMFhQZlhwGGXZVjO2MDqRcvMD5PcB35_Na0vmAZlxJQ2syMu3vCt7Z6G49nRiteo5LnnxXHcP-m/s320/DSCF1735.JPG" width="320" /></a>It sure has felt like spring for the last couple weeks. We jumped the gun a bit and started some seeds we saved from last year. We have not had much luck saving seeds before, so our technique usually involves saving and sowing many more seeds then we need. However this year we seem to be doing a much better job. I sure hope people like squash. The rest of our seeds arrived this week as well. Lynn was like a little girl on Christmas opening the big box that arrived in the mail. </div>
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The grow lights are set up. Lynn is already asking me to build more. I am afraid the OPP are going to show up at the door soon. We don't have a big house so finding room for these seasonal projects can be difficult. so far we have butternut squash, pie pumpkins, giant pumpkins, yellow zucchini, ground cherries, tiny tim tomatoes, sun flowers, mint, rosemary, and some flowers that Allison planted. I don't know what type of flowers she planted because she through out the envelope they came in. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbw1svDFUg_pSbY8bbQ5T4q-e-g1ZyQCd2xKN4mfX0zUpZ7jw_6Akl_muRrrrhXRg4ZmgFW8oRBRhB94xA3-EFBIM_4SaNHa0kRlW-DoDPBEIxGohlhtYlwOTGahGpgCTfzZtQ2LnB4_EJ/s1600/DSCF1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbw1svDFUg_pSbY8bbQ5T4q-e-g1ZyQCd2xKN4mfX0zUpZ7jw_6Akl_muRrrrhXRg4ZmgFW8oRBRhB94xA3-EFBIM_4SaNHa0kRlW-DoDPBEIxGohlhtYlwOTGahGpgCTfzZtQ2LnB4_EJ/s320/DSCF1730.JPG" width="320" /></a>The cattle have been busy as well. This is our first pure highland calf. A little bull. I will post pictures soon of our Angus bull calf just shortly after birth to show the difference in size. The highland is only about 40 lbs. The Angus are usually 60-70lbs. Unfortunately despite being very small the cow had a very difficult birth.We think that the little guy might have took a breath before all the birth fluid has cleared. This can cause pneumonia. Hopefully he will be ok, but he is a little dopey and slow. He is four days old a still going, but still slow. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsrCjYXWWyaiYJhUKglUO0HVrw3mWOSLnhLOIOTDlWq356JNGX4F8hBI9vWSz9N1t-6YZ0r2TK3X22HBqkxeSrjG7tmudTqZfhfcPm2feEPvTQq-PJZx-sfBIci35pNaFLhDpLQWhyphenhyphen7QK/s1600/DSCF1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsrCjYXWWyaiYJhUKglUO0HVrw3mWOSLnhLOIOTDlWq356JNGX4F8hBI9vWSz9N1t-6YZ0r2TK3X22HBqkxeSrjG7tmudTqZfhfcPm2feEPvTQq-PJZx-sfBIci35pNaFLhDpLQWhyphenhyphen7QK/s320/DSCF1729.JPG" width="320" /></a> Christina is enjoying the spring weather. The girls have built a "fort" in the bush behind our cow pen. Using bits and pieces that I have thrown out from various building projects. I have to give the girls credit, they are ingenuitive. I have noticed that most of my pictures are of Christina. I am going to have to make an effort to get some more of Allison. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PTjt2jQuBskhGjob1iZZaEAObQRFknK9aVsKJim4HGfEfOae7CEduffVgWJD60giquLIPGQLTrAmnRjxQwat_Ts1igR5-w43Tqsmdy6uyiMgKI_7fZxDEcu0ZShgrF6mZc3p2iD0Q09x/s1600/DSCF1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PTjt2jQuBskhGjob1iZZaEAObQRFknK9aVsKJim4HGfEfOae7CEduffVgWJD60giquLIPGQLTrAmnRjxQwat_Ts1igR5-w43Tqsmdy6uyiMgKI_7fZxDEcu0ZShgrF6mZc3p2iD0Q09x/s320/DSCF1727.JPG" width="320" /></a>Another view of the fortress. Unfortunately I know that one day I will be cleaning up all that lumber.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzloiD8Ra-N1y-GRuE0MQe9dPipBOB3lZsastsbr48D56pupSyalNzO7A_PEx3rlNhXvrZaxKDPD2nPeWMnyriX2PmveGeMcvCwoPd_jI_XmoWhArIIwqelXvTCG1ayPducbWI9aoKqTh6/s1600/DSCF1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzloiD8Ra-N1y-GRuE0MQe9dPipBOB3lZsastsbr48D56pupSyalNzO7A_PEx3rlNhXvrZaxKDPD2nPeWMnyriX2PmveGeMcvCwoPd_jI_XmoWhArIIwqelXvTCG1ayPducbWI9aoKqTh6/s320/DSCF1726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
All the cattle have been brought in to their spring paddock. We do not confine our stock unless it is really necessary. In the spring the frost comes out of the soil making it very soft. The cattle range in weights from 400kg to 600kg. They can make a mess of a pasture, turning it into what looks like a mine field. It is also the beginning of calving season. Having the cattle close to the house and all together makes it easier for us to keep an eye on them. As soon as the grass is up to about 25cm they will all be out on pasture. The girls are confined to about 1/2 an acre so they still have lots of room to lounge.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0Floods Rd, Mattawa, ON P0H 1V0, Canada46.224027753390807 -78.81729125976562546.18009525339081 -78.896255259765624 46.267960253390804 -78.738327259765626tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-47933716632418849572012-03-13T04:45:00.000-07:002012-03-13T04:45:41.753-07:00New Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WvTHWVn8tyinqwVyEQc5JUSQ14kbhydjEkt4Fzy4ZtSHvXq58dVUQzk5rhjxO7g9QOBDLSEbir6-gaSYVL_bQe0NDi6Sku_V41YmDic5hOUdXa04ShftTZ8DfD8RIC4hOmcinuG5ohqq/s1600/DSCF1695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WvTHWVn8tyinqwVyEQc5JUSQ14kbhydjEkt4Fzy4ZtSHvXq58dVUQzk5rhjxO7g9QOBDLSEbir6-gaSYVL_bQe0NDi6Sku_V41YmDic5hOUdXa04ShftTZ8DfD8RIC4hOmcinuG5ohqq/s320/DSCF1695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everybody is pitching in with the new projects. Allison, Christina, and I are assembling the new greenhouse. We were able to pick up a few old portable garagees last fall. Enough material was scavanged to make a 24ft long greenhouse. The entire frame was assembled. Now we just have to add some strapping to fasten the plastic to. If the weather lately is any indicator we will be needing the greenhouse early this year. Lynn and the girls started the first seeds earlier this week. We have never used a greenhouse before, so this will be year should be intersting. In the next few weeks we will be ordering the rest of our garden supplies as well. More seeds are coming as well as mulch and row covers. We use a mulch material that conserves water and supresses weeds. Without the mulch weeds would out number the vegetables. Floating row covers are put over plants creating a greenhouse effect. This will speed up plant growth and help keep pests off the plants. We have always grown the bulk of our own vegetables, selling off excess, however this is the first year that we will be growing specifically for sale. We are all looking forward to providing natural chemical free produce to everyone. The taste alone of fresh naturally grown vegetables will make them a hit. It is difficult to compair the bland, residue covered, mass produced vegetables that are shipped from around the world to the grocery store, with the fresh, crisp vegetables produced locally. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-79332847247752556362012-03-13T04:09:00.000-07:002012-03-13T04:09:21.170-07:00Its Chicken timeSpring looks like it has arrived. On the farm many things are happening during this time of year. The cows and sheep are having their offsrping, seeds are being ordered, and chicks arrive. Our chicks arrive on March 28th. Anybody interested can order chickens ahead of time. We do require a down payment of $10 per chicken. Chickens will be available by June however pre-ordering ensures you get as many as you want. Chicken is a popular and we usually run out quickly.Holden's Hide-a-way Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945057621341755309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-785572247192292887.post-4718212216900294622012-03-04T15:45:00.000-08:002012-03-04T15:47:45.433-08:00Get FRESHI was recently forwarded a link to FRESH the movie. I will attempt to put the link on our blog. It is another very informative movie explaining the corruptness of our food production system and explains many of the ideas that we have tried to implement on our farm. My personal opinion is that the movie does an excellent job of explaining how our food production system is controlled by big business. Big business has a commitment to its shareholders, not to consumers. Where this movie and all the previous movies fail is in explaining how this in only one piece of a massive puzzle. <br />
Many of these movies vilify the meat production side of agriculture. Unfortunately all that does is make people want to protest against meat production. By the time I am done watching this type of movie, I want to protest, and I am primarily a meat producer. However I firmly believe humans are omnivorous and require meat in our diet. It is part of our nature, which is what the basic argument of movies or books like FRESH, Food inc., or An omnivores dilemma. Meat production in nature is inseparable from vegetable production. Food production is so far removed from "natural" that it is no longer life sustaining. A good example of the symbiotic relationship between vegetable and meat production is Will Allen's farm, which is talked about in the movie. <br />
I do not believe FRESH will get the publicity that Food Inc received. Food Inc. caused a big stir. Unfortunately after all of the publicity people went back to the grocery stores and bought all the conventional produced meat and vegetables. Big businesses like Monsanto have done a terrific job of capitalising on every humans lack of will power, short attention span and ignorance. I will admit my family is as guilty as the next. We are trying to make the best decisions when it comes to not only food but every purchase decision we make. It is difficult to pay "extra" for a Canadian or even USA made product when you can buy the same thing from China for significantly less. Even though quality usually suffers and many countries have terrible labour laws. People need to start putting the same effort into buying their food that they put into buying any other product. Stop buying junk at the grocery store. Find a local farmer and talk to them about their production methods. Paying a little more at the till for good food will make a big effect on our health care system, the environment, our communities, our independence and society in general.<br />
Despite my criticisms of the movie we did enjoy it and will probably watch it again. If you want to be more informed about where/how your food gets to your table, then watch the movie. It does give some good examples of how our food should be produced. People that enjoyed Food Inc will appreciate the movie.<br />
Please forward the link to everyone you know. The more people that see it, the bigger the effect it will have.
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