Sunny days

Jay is absolutely loving this weather! Easter was a big hit also with the egg decorating and throwing ( hahaha- lol- Jay). He also loves to feed his Chi-Chi s (Chickens). He got a sand box for Easter and plays in it alot. Below is his Easter picture, sorry its late.

We have planted our seeds, they are growing fast and will be put into the ground soon.

The haybine project is coming right along a little at a time. I bought some parts a week ago and will replace them soon, hopefully. Yesterday I painted it, pictures below. We sold the heifer calf tat we bought in January so that we can re-roof the barn (the roof leaks- alot!). We also hauled in 2 beef steers to the butcher on Wedsnesday- All beef (1/2's & 1/4's) are sold. To purchase pigs to raise for pork this week?? I havent decided yet.

We hope that everyone is enjoying spring as much as we are!

One Year!!

Wow, so busy that I forgot to mention that March 25 was the One Year Anniversary for Concord Meadows Farm. And hopefully the beginning of many more.

April Snows Brings May Flowers?

It is a little hard to tell but a good look at the above picture shows snow on the ground, this very morning! Crazy I know, LOL! Wow 2009 is moving along quick. We have gotten alot done so far this spring. Below are photos for the following tasks completed. Cayla, Jay and I finished the fence up through the woods, and tore down the old, expanding our pasture a little. Yes, it was done in reverse, because I wasn't sure that I would complete the new fence in time for grazing, I left the old fence so at the top pastures were usable.

We have also been painting on the dismantled hay mower, progress is slow, working as weather allows, for painting metal- conditions must be right. Jay even handled a paint brush and helped paint the red panels pictured and added his person touch to our garage (it hard to stay within the lines, lol).

Thanks to our neighbors we were able to barrow their tractor and plow the garden, in exchange for getting the plow in usable condition- that it was not. Our other neighbor Joe was passing by on his tractor a few days ago with a tiller on the back, after talking to him for a few, Joe said he would till our garden in exchange for help at a later date(freshly tilled garden- 4th picture). The country is great, we all help each other out! At least our garden is large and ready to plant- and the chickens are absolutely chowing down on worms. Last night we planted all of our seed starter cups. Enjoy- feel free to Comment.

Big shoes to fill! Jay in Dads boots.

Calving Article

Not much time to post, this will be short. As you may know one of our cows is due to calve within the next month according to the vet. Here is a link to an interesting article from the Smoky Mountian Heritage Farm : Dexter Cow Labor and Delivery (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES OF BIRTH PROCESS). This article shows one of their Dexter cows in the birthing process. Miracles of farm life.

http://www.smokymountainfarm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74

Spring

These days of great weather has gotten excited for summer # 2 at our farm. We have spent a couple of nice days outside. Jay loves to play outside with his Tonka trucks, swing, slide and loves to help feed the chi- chi as he says it- or chickens as they're commonly known, LOL. Last week one afternoon, we had a family fence building day, we built a stretch of fence through the woods. We took Jay with us, he played with our dog Jake. Last week we hauled in pigs to butcher, all sold. This week we have cleaned out flower beds and begun to plan out the garden for 2009. Thanks to everyone for the birthday gifts: my wife and son made me a cake and got me a a propane grill; my mom, got me a pressure canner, which I am very excited to use. We also got a haybine which is used to mow hay, which we will be dismantling, repairing, painting putting back together and using. We have also been building a lean to shed off the back of our garage to store firewood and misc inside of.

Hay Baler

Our most recent investment pictured above. A Massey Ferguson #12 Square Hay Baler. This was bought in share with our neighbors the Sayres. It should serve us well, its in great shape, well cared for by 2 older gentlemen that always stored it indoors. Im excited to use it this summer. This was a local purchase from an Ebay auction. We will have it home tomorrow. Enjoy the weekend.

Surgery Successful

As always, were busy. Jays surgery was a success! All went well, we went into Children's in Columbus at about 6am, and were out and on the way home about 10:30am. He had the eye cyst removed, an eye muscle cut to correct for the cyst, and a couple of skin repairs (ear tags removed). He is healing well, the surgery doesn't seem to have slowed him down, hes playing like normal. We are so thankful.

On another note: We thought we had a cow calving this week(one on the left). The cow began stringing mucous, this continued for 2 days before calling the vet for a house call. The vet had no explanation for the mucous, but confirmed the pregnancy, and called it 7 months along with strong pulse and fetus movement, cervix still closed, so no abortion. For info: a cows gestation is approx 283 days, roughly 9 months. This means that she was bred to our red bull, Travis, who is pictured- center.

We have also been cutting more firewood preparing for next winter. We prepared the backside of the garage for building our new lean to shed, which will be 20 ft wide and 12 ft deep.