Out Around the Barn

I was looking through the December issue of “Cowboys and Indians” the other day and came across an article that just surprised me.  It was about a steam cleaner for hay bales.  Have you heard of this?  Is this considered a  farm accessory or is it farm equipment?

It is called the Haygain Steamer made by Jiffy Steamer Equine along with British partners at Propress, Ltd.  I had never heard of such a machine.  When I first saw the photo, I thought I was looking at a way to haul bales in your vehicle, such as a car, without the mess.  Was I surprised when I read what it really was. 

I, also, did not realize that one in six horses have allergies to the dust and fungi in hay.  I guess that is something that is well over looked where animals are concerned.  Even though I have a Jack Russell (dog) that suffers every Spring with allergies and has t0 have an allergy shot,  I still did not consider the larger animals as being susceptible to allergies but, it is not so uncommon.

According to the article, the Haygain has found a way to eliminate the millions of spores found in hay and purifies it with steam.  This machines improves the hygiene quality without leaching the nutritive content and creating a sweet – smelling feed that the animals really enjoy.  Quite a breakthrough.

If you would like to read more and see a photo of this new product, check out the December issue of  “Cowboys and Indians” now available.

Fall has arrived and we are preparing for the winter months ahead.  Now is the time to clean and winterize your tools and equipment.  One thing that I have learned is to not put tools away with dirt on them.  I never considered that a problem until it was pointed out to me several years ago. 

I didn’t realize that I could prevent my tools from rusting over the winter months just by doing about 30 minutes of cleaning and maintaining in the fall. 

For garden tools, shovels, pitchforks and the like, wipe them clean of dirt and mud and then wipe them down with vegetable oil or cooking spray.  This will keep them clean and rust free.  Waterers and feeders that are not in use during the winter months need cleaned thoroughly, dried and put away in storage until needed.  The best way to clean these are to wash them down, if not able to immerse them, with hot sudsy bleach water and then rinse well and let air dry. 

The same pertains to bridles, saddles, harness and reins for your horses.  If not maintained during the times of non-use, they can grow mold and become dry and brittle.  It is advisable to clean them well and use a product like Leather Therapy to keep them in good shape at least every six months.  Depending on use of your equipment, you may need to do it more or less.

This process goes for just about anything that you store for several months at a time.  Just like my Lawnmower tractor and wagon that I pull behind it to do yard work.  I clean them, wash them down and then store them in the shed or barn out of the weather.  This keeps them in good condition and ready for use come Spring.  This also applies to heavy farm equipment such as tractors, hay wagons , hay racks, combines, disks, brush hogs and etc.

Just a little maintenance in the Fall saves a lot of work in the Spring.

If you do not live on a farm or if you have never been on a farm this question is not that silly.  I was always told that no question is silly if you do not know the answer.  To someone like me, the first time I was asked this, I was surprised.  It seemed so funny that y0u wouldn’t know what is around a barn.

I guess the first thing most of us would say is animals.  Whether it be horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or whatever livestock we raise.  Then, of course, there is the feed, horse feed, cattle feed, salt blocks, minerals and cat and dog food.  Also, there is the hay for the animals to eat and straw for their bedding.

Then the next thing would be the equipment, such as, tractors, wagons, combines, disks and maybe plows.

Of course, there would be all the neccessities of farm life such as fencing supplies, shovels, rakes, pitchforks, manure spreaders, buckets, log chains, hammers, wrenches and all other kinds of tools.  

It may be surprising what you find out around the barn.  You might find lumber, where someone has been building something or horse shoes lying on the ground where they have just finished shoeing a horse, halters and bridles hanging and saddles on saddle racks in a tack room.  There will be lead ropes and sorting sticks and sorting paddles used for herding the livestock.  You might even find a skull or two of bulls or deer. 

There is just no telling what you may find.  I do know that a farm is a great place for a treasure hunt. 

Any how, these are just a few of the things you will find on a farm, out around the barn.

Autumn is a busy time for farmers. While the arduous task of planting is but a distant memory, harvesting the fruits of one’s label can be equally taxing. I like to spend as much time outdoors as possible before the harsh winter winds and blowing snow relegate me to a few months of indoor living. In addition to the harvest, fall is also the optimal time to do last-minute household repairs and home-improvement projects.

Whether I’m out working in the garden, cleaning the rain gutters or just fixing up a dilapidated board in the front porch, I like to keep my tools close at hand. It saves me countless trips to the garage, which in turn gives me more time to get crucial chores accomplished. A portable tool organizer is easily one of the most valuable garden accessories, as it can be attached to a handcart and pushed along like a portable work bench.

This may sound really strange but, how many of us think of pen and paper as farm equipment?  How many notes do we jot down each day to remind us of a piece of livestock equipment, feed and supplements, tools or fencing supplies that we need to pick up to start or finish a job?

Isn’t it amazing.  The smallest things that we utilize everyday really plays a very important part in our businesses.  We keep records of all our livestock , like all their offspring’s births, vaccinations, de-worming and weaning dates.  We track their eating habits and their activities.  Even with the adults, we track their habits and cycles so we know when the time is right to breed for the next year.

We take notes.  I know we carry note cards with us to write any changes down that we encounter and then we record them in our computer on our farm program.  Even our computer is part of our business so it is also considered as farm equipment. 

Remember, there are all kinds of equipment and even the simplest items can be just that and they are tax deductible sometimes.  Check with your CPA to be certain on what you can deduct come tax time.

What is the main reason a person gardens?  Is it because they like the fresh vegetables or they like the exercise and being outdoors?  There are many reasons I suppose.  It is a wonderful hobby for the weekend gardener that likes to work the soil and help make things grow and it is great for exercise but, I like it because I can provide fresh food for my family.  The other reason is I enjoy canning and putting up fruit and veggies in the freezer for winter use.  We have food year round that I know is healthy because I grew it and kn0w exactly how it was grown.

I look forward to my garden harvest.  The fresh tomatoes is unbeatable on taste and the green beans, whether bush or pole, taste much better than from a can.  Corn is so much sweeter when cut fresh from the cob and frozen.  It is so good around the holidays with the turkey and ham.  The cucumbers are even better fresh with their crisp mouthwatering flavor. 

At first harvest we get our fill of the fresh produce and we eat it everyday, then we begin to tire a little of having  the same things so we start trying new recipes and then we start planning for the months ahead.

The first thing is the green beans.  I try to can as much as I can, since I do it for ourselves and our grown children.  Then the corn is ready and we put it up in quarts.  Hopefully with a good harvest we have plenty but this year wasn’t one of them.   Too much early rain, not enough time to grow.  During June through September we can tomatoes into juice, stewed, whole, diced and salsa.  This year nothing.  My tomatoes are just now coming on, we have had a few to eat but, not enough for canning.  The cucumbers are the same. 

I was really disappointed with my harvest.  I am hoping that a late garden will work out better.  I have several late tomato plants starting to bloom,  new bush beans are coming up, my pole beans are just now coming on, the yellow squash and zucchini are beginning to produce and my peppers are doing great.  I believe my best crop is going to be my sweet potatoes, they have just vined and bloomed everywhere.  I did get my first ever crop of potatoes to produce well this year.  Also, my cucumbers are blooming like crazy and I have several little ones coming on. 

So even though my garden is late and is just now beginning, I still enjoy gardening.  I keep my garden tool caddy close at hand and weed out my garden weekly, make sure it gets plenty of water and pray for the sun and heat it needs to produce the food to tide my family over through out the winter months.  I acquired my greenhouse this year so I am anxious to see what magic I can produce in there this winter.   

With my late harvest, I hope to do more canning and put up a few tomatoes and more beans.  We will see how it goes.

So if you enjoy gardening, for whatever reason, I hope your harvest is plentiful and your green thumb blesses you with the wonderful pride you feel while you watch your garden grow.

On the farm there are many useful ingredients for making compost.  We have cattle, horses, chickens and g0ats.  I have read and also heard that horse and chicken manure is the best for this particular project so that is what I use, the rest goes out in the spreader to the pasture.  Being that 2008, was my first try at this, I am still learning.  So this is what I know.

I began to worry last Spring, when my compost didn’t seem to be composting.  I wanted to spread it in my garden and use it in my planters mixed with potting soil to fertilize the plants but, it just didn’t seem to want to heat up.  I finally figured out why.  We had a pretty mild winter and I did not water my pile of compost.  I did not realize that it needed to be kept slightly moist in order to heat up and also, it needed to be, at least, three feet deep.  So in February, I began watering the pile every other week, unless it rained.  I added some horse manure and then continued to pile on my kitchen scraps daily.  Every week I would turn the pile in order to mix up the ingredients.  Finally, after about four weeks it began to compost nicely and due to the fact that here in Illinois it rained all Spring, by the time I could plant and work my garden, it was ready.  I was very pleased, it saved me a lot of money on potting soil.  I used it in everything from my vegetables and herbs to my flowers and shrubs.  It has worked out w0nderful.

Now that I have used up my supply for the year, last weekend my son and I cleaned the chicken coup and started a new pile.  I had continued all summer putting kitchen scraps in the small pile but had done nothing with it.  So we started layering with manure then scraps from the small pile and then more manure and so on.  Now I have a nice 6′ round wire pen of compost to compost through the winter and a smaller one to add to daily.  I will take some from the small pen and add to the larger one every other week as I water.  By Spring, we should be ready to go.

I have gardened for years but, this was my first attempt of making compost.  A lot of trial and error involved but we did it.  Compost is a wonderful garden supply and it is inexpensive.  If you live on a farm or ranch, why not make your own, it is definitely worth it.  Also, many folks from the city that want to have a small garden will purchase some from you.  It is all natural and makes the garden grow.

We all understand that there are many types/ breeds of dogs.  We enjoy what we call, “Man’s Best Friend.”  Their friendship, company and loyalty is beyond that of any other animal.  We  even have those that we consider part of our family.  We love them, spoil them and even pamper them; they are our babies.

As farmers and ranchers we own dogs; some as pets but, usually, working dogs.  Their purpose on the farm and ranch is to work, they are a part of our livestock equipment.  They love and want to work and look forward to working.

We prefer Border Collies as our dog of choice.  We previously owned three but, lost our two best dogs last year, one to old age and the other to the heat.  We are now at a loss when it comes to working our animals.  It is so different now that we have to go back to walking the pastures or saddling up to check the herd.  We definitely took our dogs for granted.  The saying is true that you don’t miss something until it is gone.  Used to, we just said a command and the job was being taken care of.  Now we really have to work with our young collie to get her to work.   She just doesn’t have the heart to be a working d0g.  She really just wants to play.  It is amazing to realize how much time we saved by allowing our dogs to do just what they loved.

We are now in the process of wanting to find a new Border Collie.  So to try to simplify the search, I decided to do some research.  I read books, looked at magazines, surfed the internet and came up with some good advice on what to look for in a working/herding dog. 

 These are some of the tips that I found:

• Border Collies are structurally balanced and are medium sized
• They need to be strong, fast, light and agile – not large or heavy
• They should have substance and stamina, be balanced – giving the impression of effortless movement and endless endurance
• The best size is between 18′ to 22″ tall and slightly longer than their heighth – their sizes will vary but, this is the suggested size for working dogs
• The head of a Border Collie is pretty distinctive with its strong jaw line, oval eyes and pointy ears.  Their working ability is not affected by the head as much as the rest of their body but, a subtle difference, such as eye color/pigmentation, can certainly bring about a change in its herding advantage.  Example: dark eyes are not as intimidating as lighter eyes ( lighter eyes give off the creepy wolf stare).
• Straight and upright ears are said to be best for a working dog.  They can hear better when commands are given and when predators are lurking.  Also, they are less likely to have problems with infections. 
• Their necks should be flexible so they can lie still yet, move their head to watch the herd
• They should have coats that are smooth because they are easier to maintain and they need to be able to shed well in the summer months
• A shorter coat is preferred because less is more, best for speed and movement.  A long rough coat will hinder their performance.
• One deception is that all Border Collies are only one color but, that just isn’t the case.  There are several colors and markings not just black and white.  To a working farm/ranch it isn’t the color that is important, it is the performance and ability of the dog.
• One thing that needs your attention is the front build of a Border Collie.  The angle of the shoulders is pertinent to their herding abilities.  A sturdy front will hold up well with crouching and jumping, as well as, creeping low to the ground.  They need to work 10 – 12 hours a day, sometimes covering 40 – 50 miles.  They have to be able to move  quickly, make turns and get out of the way.
• Check their pasterns to make sure they are slightly turned outward; this gives them the ability to move and will not break down as quickly.
• A good/great Border Collie is able to curl up in a ball allowing for its flexibility within its torso for quick change moves.   They also use their tails as rudders for turning at high speeds, they carry them low while working allowing for their stealth like movement.

Border Collies have so much heart that they work non-stop, even if injured, through the pain and keep going.  They are efficient workers and have a ton of drive, this is what makes a great working dog.  They have to work; it is what they live for. 

Now that I have done my research, we are going to begin our search for a new working dog for our farm.  I never realized that there was so much to look at and for when trying to find the right dog.  Now the work begins.

The fair has came to a close and everyone enjoyed all the activities and events.  I have wrote about the 4-H shows and Kids Day and all the fun we had.  Now let me tell you of the remaining events that followed.

On Monday evening the ITPA , Illinois Tractor Pullers Association, put on a terrific show for all to see.  The noise, the smell of smoke and fuel and the roar and cheers of the crowd made for a great evening.

On Tuesday evening everyone was mesmerized by the beauty and elegance of the LiL Miss and Queen Pageant.  Our retiring Queen, Mallory Borger, presented our new Queen, Taylor Purcell, with her crown.

2008 Marion Co. Queen, Mallory Borger  &  2009 Marion Co. Queen, Taylor Purcell                

On Wednesday evening we were in awe of the C-Bar Rodeo and its performances.  The bulls, horses, dust, riders, hoots and hollers, made watching the bull and bronc riding such a pleasure.  The speed of the barrel racers and the preciseness of the rider and horse kept the audience on the edge of their seats.   Just being a spectator and watching the swiftness and agility of some of these horses, we know that they have to have the right nutrition.  That is why equine supplements are so important, to keep up their strength and stamina to perform.

We were then entertained by Dusty Crane, trick rider, with her unique riding techniques and abilities.  Such a wonderful event to watch and witness.  Dusty has been riding for years and her passion and love for the profession shows. 

Bullriding & Dusty Crane; C Bar Rodeo                                                       

During ther entire event we were entertained by Pork Chop, rodeo clown, and he kept the laughs coming and at half time, intermission, the children were included in activities such as chasing bunnies and finding their shoes.  Everyone had a blast.

Thursday was the Draft Horse pull and we had 14 teams show for the event.  Our winners in the Lightweight division were 1st place, Ronnie Onstatt from Farina, IL and Jeff Weidekamp from Morrisonville, IL.  Our Heavyweight division winner was David Cox of Newton, IL.

Heath Hager w/Allen Hager & Sons #2 team           1st -  Lightweight team – Onstott &  Weidekamp

Best handling team went to Allen Hager & Son’s of Nicholason, KY.  The best matched team went to Jim Weatherholt of Grandview, IN and the team that traveled the farthest from Mullen Point, MS, went to Jeremy Vice.

  1st – Heavyweight team – David Cox

On Friday, the Grand Stand was packed and the Pit area full of spectators to watch the Demolition Derby.  There is just something about the crashing of cars and the smell of gas and smoke that will draw a crowd.  Friends and families come to witness the event as the contestants vied for first place.  This is the longest event of the fair and last at least 4 hours or more.  The mud slinging is a highlight and most go home with some kind of mud in their hair or on their bodies.  This is the Fair’s biggest event of the week.

Saturday we wrapped up our eight days of fun with the NTPA, National Tractor Pullers Assoc.  This event I wasn’t able to attend but, I heard it was pretty great. 

It was a wonderful week and the weather was good.  We only had a couple of days with rain but we were able to keep the fair going.  Mother Nature worked well with us this year and we look forward to next year for the 2010 Marion County Fair. 

Once again, thanks to all of those that prepared and organized this event for Marion and surrounding counties.  We all had fun.

When I was still in elementary school, one of my best friends lived on a cattle farm. My parents occasionally complained about driving down the long, dusty rural roads in order to drop me off at his house, but I certainly didn’t mind. Once I arrived, we would spend the entire day outside, running through the grass and even performing some chores around the farm.

My friend’s older brother would give us a ride to the barn, which sat back in the middle of a cow pasture a half-mile or so from the house. On the way, the beat-up pick-up truck would bump into a drive through gate, which would close immediately behind us. This kept the cattle from getting through, but it was easily a highlight of the day for my 8-year-old self.