Dewart Livestock Auction
It's packed here today. We brought in a rooster and three geese to sell- got $7 each for the geese and $4 for the rooster. Much better than i expected.
Two beautiful alpacas went for $110 each. Guineas brought $9 each today.
Dewart livestock auction is held every monday, starting outdoors with eggs, corn , hay, and a very small produce sale. Calves start about 1:00pm, usually getting to goats and sheep around 2:30, followed by poultry, pigs, then the larger steers and cows.
Talking to Much & Meddling In The Affairs Of Others
From our BSF notes this week (last notes for our study of Acts)
"Peter states that when we are reproached for the name of Christ or falsely accused, we are to rejoice (1 Peter 4:12-16). However, we are to be careful that the charges are not because we talk to much, or meddle in the affairs of others."
I've been watching so much strife on facebook lately, and this has me thinking about the division between standing up for what you believe, and meddling in the affairs of others. Social media makes meddling so much easier today- every status begs for a response, that is the purpose of posting, right?
But maybe not. Just because someone declares their beliefs in their status does not mean we need to respond at all. We can disagree without words, but simply by how we live our own lives. Unconcerned by the choices of those with whom we have no power to change, we are freed from so much strife.
1 Peter 4:12-16 NIV:
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. "
My 2012 Garden Plan
Dealing With CL in Goats
There is a new policy at the Dewart Livestock Auction, we can't go into the pens to check the goats anymore.
So the inevitable happened.
This week I bought a goat with CL. I couldn't see it, her ear covered it until we got close.
We've had CL on the farm before. I bought goats from a local, reputable, goat farmer, and they all had it. He said he knew, but didn't' mention it because to him it's not a big deal.
It's a big deal for me.
But not a deal breaker. I could resell Jane, shown above, but I like her.
She's not in with the other goats for now - she's in a dog kennel. We (by "We" - I definitely mean Dan) cut the spot open (in a location on the farm where non of our animals graze), drained it and cleaned it with peroxide, then with iodine. In the past when we have done this, it has only come back in one goat. I do think it effects them internally, and I suspect that Jane will not live as long or be as healthy as some of our other goats. But she should be ok. She can have babies. She should not infect the others (as long as there is no return of any seepage).
There's so much online, and every goat farmer tends to view CL differently. We do not plan to return to herds of 40 goats - I'm only going to keep around 8-10 nannies here. So each one I pick has to be one I REALLY like. Since Emma looks just like Jane, it is possible I will sell Jane later. But not until I am sure she is healed up from this abscess at least.. She is not coughing, but there is no way for me to know if she already has internal abscesses at this time.
There were several goats at the market this week, in the pen with Jane. This was lightly seeping when we brought her home. It's very likely all the goats in with her have been infected. That's something to keep in mind - just because you can't see CL, doesn't mean they do not have it. Any goat I buy could have it. I think it's better to deal with it, than to obsess over it. Time will tell if I am being naive.
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More Links:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0085/UNP-0085.pdf
http://www.clgoatcare.org/
http://www.sa-boergoats.com/ASP/Maria-Browning/Caseous-Lymphadenitis.asp
http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/CLFormalin.html
Raised Beds - Planned & Planted
Ironing out a water mark
On The Farm This Week 5/1/12
Fb Status from the farm this week:
Luke just called from inside the chicken coop- the wind blew the door shut and latched it from the outside, locking him in. Fortunately he had his cell phone w/ him. :-)
and another:
Today three men just walked into our pasture, to see how Rocky (Dan's horse) rides. Apparently they were under the impression they could buy him, so they just stopped by and walked into the pasture to go check him out. Didn't ask, didn't stop at the house - just walked right in. Unbelievable.
I RODE WRANGLER THIS WEEK!!!
This is a major big deal. I've been struggling with the idea of a new horse. Wrangler has been here a couple of months now, but I kept finding excuses to not ride him. I was a little afraid of him, and i miss Red something fierce. But Wrangler did GREAT, he was a dream to ride. Well behaved. Didn't spook when the dogs ran and jumped in front of him. Didn't spook with Rocky beside us (Dan's horse is a bit of a bully, and him and wrangler sometimes have issues when they are in the pasture.. I worried about having them both out riding side by side). Now we just need to make riding a habit.
Meg rode Cricket, shown on the left here. She had a miserable time with him. :-( He is a little green.
Our oldest son FINALLY caught the last of the peacock "babies" (one year old, last years babies) so now the buyers can come pick them up - we have them all sold. We are keeping Mr & Mrs Peabody, my breeding pair.
We are truly drowning in eggs. I know I could sell them, but for now I don't want to mess with that. We've been giving them away left and right.
There are Emu chicks on craigslist this week, but they want $75 each for them. I'm afraid they would die for us, I'd rather buy adults to start with.
It snowed this week. Snow. Now much, but enough that I am glad I didn't get overly anxious with all that super warm weather we had and plant a bunch of things outside.
Misc: