Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[Rammy]

Yep. And its so subtle most of the time. Young people today are being groomed to think its normal and dont realize thier freedom is being taken away.

 

[farmerjan]

Complacency and Cheap. Let the doctors fix what is wrong.... only wait, they don't fix it they only "fix the symptoms" then cover them up with a drug that then requires you to take something else because it has caused a problem.....and let the GOVERNMENT pay for it because you are ENTITLED....
I understand what you are saying @Devonviolet because I have seen the same thing. As farmers, our time is not considered in anything that we produce. I have quit trying to promote the healthier aspects of the jersey steers for beef because people only want to see and hear "certified angus beef". Which, if you do a little research, is actually a "branded beef NAME". A trademark. It is a marketing ploy, that was started by the angus breeders that were marketing their beef, but was extended to anything that is over certain % BLACK hided. Why do you think there are so many "black cattle" in other breeds now? Whoever heard of black limousins, or black simmentals, or now they are making a black Charolais..... a black holstein cross can qualify.....The animal has to meet certain qualifications.... but dairy animals have been grading prime and choice for many years if finished out correctly.
But RED ANGUS will not qualify for certified angus beef because they are not black...

But anyway, I get where you are coming from on the cost of things, because you are using quality ingredients, and you want to get compensated for the time and effort you put into it. But again, this country in general wants cheap.... and mass production is what makes things cheap.
Anyone that is trying to produce more quality food for themselves and their family is on the road to being more self-sufficient and sustainable. And that is where we make our "small farms" pay us back. By providing for ourselves as much as we can.
But yes, we would all be in a difficult place if we were to not get out "government pension" ie. SS, unless we worked for a big company, for years to get another type of retirement. I know that I will see that too as things in the milk testing continue to slow down, and I get tired of working so much.

 

[farmerjan]

And on the topic of WEATHER......BRRRRRRRR
It got down to 10 overnight. Windy but it is letting up a bit to only Breezy. Highs today are supposed to be in the 20's. The sun is out, but insulated everything is the order of the day.
I'd much rather be sitting here like this, than going out to do chores. I do feel for those that are further north. No way do I want to deal with all the MINUS temps. I keep telling myself it IS winter.....

 

[Rammy]

It snowed a little more last night but only had a dusting. Suppose to get some frozen mix later this week.

 

[Mini Horses]

We are actually feeding a mare & foal feed now. It's lover protein and higher fat. So far so good

Higher copper, also. Have fed horse pellets for years...horses & goats.

I can't blame them. He really likes milking, but its a losing proposition anymore.

More than 30% decline in prices for their milk. Not 30% decline in costs to make it. LOVE can only go so far.

And I need to better use what I have.
I hate cooking for myself anymore. Would like to seriously consider a "room mate" who liked to clean and cook

YES! It's part of our training to cook for family -- sometimes the workers, also. Then there is no one to share the talk, the results, the "sharing" time. It's the same in the garden. You do more, WANT to do so, if there is anyone to talk/share with while working & the results. Heck, even a dog or cat can help with this -- but, a human is better. Don't need much more than the commraderie.

Anyone that is trying to produce more quality food for themselves and their family is on the road to being more self-sufficient and sustainable. And that is where we make our "small farms" pay us back. By providing for ourselves as much as we can.

Which is where we "homesteaders", not true producing farmers, are at now days. Heck I will be thrilled to be able to say that I have provided for me and my animals without any additional input from my actual work or retirement money. Animal feed is my largest expense...save the tractor payment that will be paid not toooooo long out. Once that commitment is over, I will be "ok" so long as I continue to be in good health & actually do what is needed at the farm. There is that "ear to share" thing again....less "fun" if alone. But forums & meeting with groups of like interests can help some.

 

[Carla D]

And on the topic of WEATHER......BRRRRRRRR
It got down to 10 overnight. Windy but it is letting up a bit to only Breezy. Highs today are supposed to be in the 20's. The sun is out, but insulated everything is the order of the day.
I'd much rather be sitting here like this, than going out to do chores. I do feel for those that are further north. No way do I want to deal with all the MINUS temps. I keep telling myself it IS winter.....

That is cold. We have been subzero for 3-4 days now. Our highs have been -1 to -4 degrees.

 

[Bruce]

Yeah and thanks for sharing it with us!

Just teasing of course (about the slap)

 

[farmerjan]

That is cold. We have been subzero for 3-4 days now. Our highs have been -1 to -4 degrees.

I remember some sub-zero days even in Conn. when I lived up there.... and colder where my parents have retired to in NH.... Nope, don't want that cold anymore.
As a kid I never "got it" why so many older people went south for the winter.... I do now. The joints hurt so much more in the cold. I have always had cold hands and feet, but the ache in the joints is what is getting me now.
Bless all of you in the "cold north"... but really we don't mind if you don't share. Last year the first 10 days of Jan. we had temps down to 0 with several days not over 25. Then a couple days break, 30-50, then dropped then snow then 60's then 20-35 again. Some upper 60's in Feb.... and the rain, and more rain.....
Looks like this year is continuing the wet trend.... we had over 1.2 inches rain, then it turned cold and now we are back in the arctic range. Sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't just be better off if it got cold, stayed cold, got snow and it stayed until spring warmed up enough to melt....
No offense, but you can keep it up north....

 

[greybeard]

It is sad that the generation that had the farms, that raised a family and helped the kids go to college, or get a start in life, are now all having to be split up to satisfy those same kids that benefited from it. And how many of them don't "need" the inheritance, but want "their fair share". It's not theirs to want a share of. It is a gift of the parents... but how many only see it as what they are "entitled to".

DING DING DING!!!

Whether they admit it or not, this plays out every day in the modern world.
I've seen and heard of 'kids' doing things, that if mine did it, I'd shoot them, plead guilty and let the state put a needle in my arm, and my parents would have done the same to me if I tried it.
NO FREE RIDES!!

 

[greybeard]

If I had a large farm, I would leave it to one person, be it a child or grand child or whoever it might be that would love it like I did. The English have the estate thing figured out, leave it to the first born and keep it together.

It was 'unofficially' that way here in the US for many decades.
It's called " primogeniture" and was introduced to England by the Normans when they conquered England in 1066.
It rarely worked out on anything except very large estates and was directly responsible for the feudal system that resulted in vast tracts of GB and the European continent being in the hands of a few families and the rest of the populations left to serfdom and here in the US, sharecropping. The 'first born' thing in the US also left out the widow, as property usually was passed down from first born son TO first born son and many mothers found themselves "left out in the cold' so to speak as it did with any daughters, even if the daughter was first born.