Out Around the Barn

Every summer my siblings and I travel to our grandparents’ farm in Wyoming for a few weeks. Although it is a nice reprieve from the stresses of city life, there is certainly plenty for us to do. Each year we divvy up the work amongst ourselves and attempt to give everyone an equal share.

Last year, most of my work was centered on the livestock and cattle. I would start my daily routine by filling the cattle feeders and letting the various animals out to pasture. After this, it was my responsibility to ensure that the barn was clean and that all of the equipment was put away properly. It’s nice to be able to go to a farm for a stint, but after a few years of doing the various jobs, I’m thankful that I not there permanently.

There is always stress on your animals when you wean the little ones from their mamas.  It does not matter the type or breed, there will be crying from both the mamas and babies.  Besides all the noise the animals will want to get back together and they will look for any opening to do just that. 

For at least three to four days they will walk the fences, try to jump the fences and try to climb through or crawl under any opening just to get back together.  We always wean in the sign of the moon and have mostly good results but, there are always those few that just cannot get with the program.

So, what do you do when they get back together and you have to begin the process all over again?  Really, I do not know what the best plan is.  I take it one day at a time and go with the flow.  Try as I might, I fill and close any openings that I find, where I think they are getting through and try again.  Does it work?  Sometimes but, not always. 

I weaned my kids, baby goats, 2 weeks ago and have only had them all get out one day but Jillie has gotten out 12 out of the 14 days they have been weaned.  It never fails, I go out to feed and she is back with Miss Dolly, her mama.  She is such a pet, I spoil them awful, that it is nothing to get her back in with the others but keeping her in is a problem.  It is hard not to think it is funny or cute but, she needs to stay in her pen. 

Reinforcing the fencing is the best plan to keep them contained and having fencing supplies on hand is helpful.  There are those moments, and I have a lot of them, that you just have to rig something up until you have the time when you can complete the job.  Fencing wire, wire cutters, tools and the rest of fencing supplies are necessary livestock equipment to have on the farm and handy at a moments notice.

Any horse owner knows that the acquisition of the animal is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to expenditures. In addition to the horse itself, there is also food, medication, boarding, tack and a litany of other essentials that must be purchased. One of the most important of these investments, and one that you will be employing often, is your saddle.

To that end, it is critical to keep your saddle in pristine condition so that it fits well and is comfortable for both yourself and the animal. A saddle rack is one of the best ways to ensure that your saddle is protected. Not only does it help you keep the saddle and riggings organized, but it also protects it from hazards that can damage it in storage.

I have a question for you.  Is it necessary for your pets, dogs inparticular, to be obiedent.  In my opinion, yes.  I love my animals and they jump and play with me and I don’t mind at all but, when it comes to visitors on our farm it can be a nuisance for them and myself.

We have two Border Collies, work in progress, training on the farm.  We are always giving them commands when working the livestock and they do pretty well, not perfect but ok.  My biggest chore is my little “FAT” dog, Bella.  She is a Jack Russell and is 10 lbs. overweight and very hyper.  She does several tricks but still has not got the technique of leaving others alone when they stop by.  She is very much a “mamas girl” and doesn’t want anyone to mess with her. She tends to just be somewhat of a pest and in the way.   

One of the techniques that I use to train her is when she comes toward you, you know she is going to jump on you, I take a step towards her to throw her off balance and say “No” or “Off”.  This confuses her just enough to to balk and she links that to jumping and realizing that when I step forward she is to stop.  It does take work and is no easy task to achieve.  In time, I think she will get the hang of it.  Another way is that when she does jump, lightly but forcefully step on her hind paw and she will hopefully learn that she is not to jump.

There are rules, a much needed farm necessity, everywhere and we have rules for our animals as well.  It is up to us to teach them.

The farm house is something that is rarely mentioned as part of a farm.  When we talk of farm equipment or supplies we usually are speaking of the barn and things outside of the house.  In reality, the farm house is a major part of the farm.   It is where we sleep, eat and relax after long hours working our farm and managing our livestock.  In many houses, it is where we have our business/farm office.  This is where we work the numbers so that all things fall into place.

If your house is like mine, very much lived in, it may not always be as clean as it should be, or is expected to be.  But, I have a few tips on how to make the cleaning a little easier and faster so that most of my time can be spent doing what matters most.

• slit a tennis ball, place on a handle and use to remove scuff marks on tile floors before cleaning
• do a quick wipe down in the bathrooms daily to keep them fresh
• always have dishes clean before going to bed
• prepare coffee pot before bed
• do a quick sweep of kitchen floor after last meal of day

These are just a few little tips that I have found useful.  It makes the big day, once a week or every other week. a little easier and not so overwhelming.

Having the Farm House in some kind of order, helps keep the farm running smooth.

Over the years, the process of cattle feeding has grown and evolved, and today there are three main systems for feeding cattle. The oldest and most natural method is, of course, grazing. This entails letting the animals free in a pasture to eat as they please, but this method of feeding is dwindling and occurs in less than 10 percent of the world’s cattle production.

Much more common today is industrial-style feeding. In this system, animals are confined to stalls or pens and fed using a cattle feeder. This allows more animals to be kept and makes the maintenance process easier for the workers. The final feeding method is known as integrated, and is a medium between the two above-mentioned techniques.

It is soon to be garden season and we will be getting out our tools to begin our Spring cleanup and garden preparation. 

It is never good to put tools away dirty.  They can rust and that shortens their life span.  One way that I have always cleaned my tools is to wash them and spray a little bit of cooking spray, a cheap farm supply, on them before  I store them for the winter.  This will keep them from rusting and will be ready to use come Spring. 

I, also, found a way to remove rust and that is to brew a pot of black tea, remove dirt from tool, submerge in the liquid and let set for couple of hours.  Be sure not to submerge wooden handle.  The tea’s tannic acid will remove the rust.  Rinse and dry before use.  If your tools are stored correctly then when Spring comes you can shorten your time by using them right away and not having to clean then before using.

Happy Gardening!

It’s official, Spring is here.  It is calving season at our farm.  It actually started the first of March and we now have 9 little ones on the ground.  It seems that it always takes longer when your are anticipating  them. 

Before the season starts, we make sure our tack and livestock supplies are ready at hand.  We never know when we have to saddle a horse and go check the herd.  Our cows make a trip to the house  every other day or so.  It is then when we start to see the little ones up close and get a head count of just how many we have.  If any of our cows don’t come up or we haven’t seen them within 5 days, we saddle a horse and ride. 

We have to keep our gear in good condition so that we can use it in a moments notice.  For our saddles, we use saddle racks to store them when not in use.  This helps keep there shape and off the floor.  Same as with our ropes and bridles, they have their own assigned place in the tack room for each animal.  Keeping the leather soft with oil is  a great way to maintain your tack.  This is good for you and also for your animal. 

Not keeping your tack in good condition could cause problems not only for you financially, due to having to replace them but, also for your horse to keep them from getting sores  from gear that just don’t set right on their back or in their mouth.

After retiring from corporate life, my wife and I decided to move to the Midwest to be closer to our immediate relations. In order to stay busy and active, we purchased a farm on a small plot of land. We don’t plan to turn a profit from the property, hopefully just produce enough vegetables and milk so that we don’t have to buy them from the store.

When first moved in, the livestock supply left much to be desired. After doing some searching online, we found a store that carried everything from feed to livestock sorting paddles. Once we received the supplies, we quickly worked to develop a routine and get the barn, crops and animals in working order. It took some time to acclimate to the new lifestyle, but we both are enjoying the pace and atmosphere that life on the farm affords.

As far as I can remember, we have always had cats on the farm.  We were not allowed to have them inside so ours stayed out in the barn.  There was always more than one and at times we would get up to 15 to 20 at a time depending on how many litters were born.

Not until a few years ago when my mother decided to have a cat in her house, did I get to like the idea.  I have had dogs in the house and my children all have dogs in their houses, but it has only been recently that I have thought about having one of my own.  I have one now outside that I have been taming that was born in the fall and have gave serious consideration of bringing her, Raja, in and housebreaking her.

Cats are great for the farm because they help keep the rodent population under control but also make a wonderful pet.  Inside cats are great for comfort and to have the pleasure and joy of having someone to cuddle with and love. 

Either way, inside or out, cats need to have a healthy diet  and exercise.  This can be accomplished by providing activities for your cat by playing ball with them or having them take a walk with you.  You mostly hear of walking your dog, why not your cat?  The other thing is their diet, provide them with a healthy food made for them.  If not sure what your cat needs, contact your local veterinary.

Cats, in my opinion, are a part of any farm, inside or out.  The can be considered as farm equipment or supply due to their rodent reduction abilities.  They are a joy to have around and are great pets.  Just remember, if wanting to have one inside, make sure you have the time to spend with your cat.  A well loved cat is a Happy Cat.