Re: organics and field renovation questions

[Guest guest]

I did ask if we could special order organic grain but they won't even go there unless I buy mega quanities. I buy 4 tonne at a time right now and that isn't enough so I am kinda stuck for the moment. I am lucky though that the guys in our area don't spray a lot etc anyway. Most spread manure for fertilizer and no one sprays from a plane except of course the gov which doesn't count, right, (note sarcasm). We are going to start a pig experiment in the spring and will let you all know how it works. We live on marginal land, lots of rock not a lot of soil, that has lots of low land too. We have hay fields that are 20 or more years old and no money to pay for big equipment to come in and reseed etc. So we are going to use pigs in pig tractors to turn up the worst spots, a small amount this year, and then reseed to a good dairy hay mix and see how this works. I am thinking they would even help push the rocks up so we could take them away with the front end loader. Anyone else ever do this? Any pointers? Also what is your favorite hay mix for milk production and animal health?

Debbie ChikouskyManitoba, Canadagdchik@...http://www.winnipegbeach.com/chikouskyfarms/

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

We do this all the time and have been for 12 years at this farm. the pigs do a bang up job with rocks, roots, whatever is in that ground you will know!!!!

this year I have a 5 acre filed I want plowed , so the pigs will have 1/2 an acre per 2-4 days. In a week they may hit China if left in the same spot!<LOL> I kid not though they love to root and dig.

We are going to harrow after they are done and then we will re-seed that parcel either by a seeder or by hand. We did a 2 acres filed by hand it it turned out quite well. the kids had a blast too<LOL> NOT!!!!

We will do a seeding on that same field again this year with no till.

I sure wish I could afford to have someone in to re-seed it all this year but one field at a time is how we have to do it..

As for Organic grain I can give you a phone number of the mill my husband works for and you can ask them how much by the ton with shipping. They ship into the US ( Vermont) as well still I believe, so they are sure to be able to get some to you. If your interested check them out at 1- the company is called Homestead Organics. Tell them Bev told you to call.

Regards, Bev & Miskin Meadows Farm & Organic Grain Depothttp://www.hawk.igs.net/~emerald/index.html

[Guest guest]

Just a thought here: Have you ever considered taking out a farm loan, if available in your area, for a very low rate of interest? Get that area cleared and plant organic grain. Considering that there are no organic farmers in your area, your Dept. of Ag, might just help you out with it and it could end up being a going concern for you. If the organic certification is too big a deal, you could grow organic without the certification and put your product out as "pesticide free". A lot of people do that here so they don't have to pay the outrageous price for certification.

Again, just a thought.

K.C.

Re: organics and field renovation questions

I did ask if we could special order organic grain but they won't even go there unless I buy mega quanities. I buy 4 tonne at a time right now and that isn't enough so I am kinda stuck for the moment. I am lucky though that the guys in our area don't spray a lot etc anyway. Most spread manure for fertilizer and no one sprays from a plane except of course the gov which doesn't count, right, (note sarcasm). We are going to start a pig experiment in the spring and will let you all know how it works. We live on marginal land, lots of rock not a lot of soil, that has lots of low land too. We have hay fields that are 20 or more years old and no money to pay for big equipment to come in and reseed etc. So we are going to use pigs in pig tractors to turn up the worst spots, a small amount this year, and then reseed to a good dairy hay mix and see how this works. I am thinking they would even help push the rocks up so we could take them away with the front end loader. Anyone else ever do this? Any pointers? Also what is your favorite hay mix for milk production and animal health?

Debbie ChikouskyManitoba, Canadagdchik@...http://www.winnipegbeach.com/chikouskyfarms/

[Guest guest]

I should have remembered you did that. What are you seeding it to? How many pounds of each seed? We actually have about 500 acres all together that needs work. Hmmm wonder how much milk fed pork that would produce? I will call the mill. Thanks.

Debbie ChikouskyManitoba, Canadagdchik@...http://www.winnipegbeach.com/chikouskyfarms/

RE: organics and field renovation questions

Hi Debbie,

We do this all the time and have been for 12 years at this farm. the pigs do a bang up job with rocks, roots, whatever is in that ground you will know!!!!

this year I have a 5 acre filed I want plowed , so the pigs will have 1/2 an acre per 2-4 days. In a week they may hit China if left in the same spot!<LOL> I kid not though they love to root and dig.

We are going to harrow after they are done and then we will re-seed that parcel either by a seeder or by hand. We did a 2 acres filed by hand it it turned out quite well. the kids had a blast too<LOL> NOT!!!!

We will do a seeding on that same field again this year with no till.

I sure wish I could afford to have someone in to re-seed it all this year but one field at a time is how we have to do it..

As for Organic grain I can give you a phone number of the mill my husband works for and you can ask them how much by the ton with shipping. They ship into the US ( Vermont) as well still I believe, so they are sure to be able to get some to you. If your interested check them out at 1- the company is called Homestead Organics. Tell them Bev told you to call.

Regards, Bev & Miskin Meadows Farm & Organic Grain Depothttp://www.hawk.igs.net/~emerald/index.html

[Guest guest]

Actually a good thought but we cannot afford any more debt right now. I have found that there is special programs for young farmers from 18-40 that as soon as my oldest son turns 18 I will be looking into. He wants to farm and do "something" so I figure he can get into organic grain etc.

Debbie ChikouskyManitoba, Canadagdchik@...http://www.winnipegbeach.com/chikouskyfarms/

Re: organics and field renovation questions

I did ask if we could special order organic grain but they won't even go there unless I buy mega quanities. I buy 4 tonne at a time right now and that isn't enough so I am kinda stuck for the moment. I am lucky though that the guys in our area don't spray a lot etc anyway. Most spread manure for fertilizer and no one sprays from a plane except of course the gov which doesn't count, right, (note sarcasm). We are going to start a pig experiment in the spring and will let you all know how it works. We live on marginal land, lots of rock not a lot of soil, that has lots of low land too. We have hay fields that are 20 or more years old and no money to pay for big equipment to come in and reseed etc. So we are going to use pigs in pig tractors to turn up the worst spots, a small amount this year, and then reseed to a good dairy hay mix and see how this works. I am thinking they would even help push the rocks up so we could take them away with the front end loader. Anyone else ever do this? Any pointers? Also what is your favorite hay mix for milk production and animal health?

Debbie ChikouskyManitoba, Canadagdchik@...http://www.winnipegbeach.com/chikouskyfarms/

[Guest guest]

You could try frost seeding some clover on some. In spring when the

ground is still freezing at night sprinkle clover seed over. The

freezing and thawing will work the seed in enough to have some soil

contact. Unless it is layered thick with dead grass from last year.

Any chance to no till some seed in? it may be a way to cover some

ground without all the tillage. No chemicals are needed for grass and

clover seeds. If it's rocky and rough it is nice to redo it, but these

options may help until then.

Also, you may want to consider getting some fertilizer out there. It

may improve the stand greatly to get nutrients if it is run down.

Anything from blends of rock phosphate and traces, lime, to liquid

kelp will help get nutrients back into the grass.

If you use the pigs and have bare soil, turnips and or oats will

grow like mad. They could be pastured or used as green manure to help

build soil tilth. The more you can put back in the soil the better.

I like to plant a variety for pasture and hay ( timothy, brome, red

clover). Look at what grows best in your area. As fertility improves

white clover fills in on it's own. If any orchard grass, make sure it

is late maturing as the early mature (Potomic variety) is very

unpalatable and goes to seed too early.

Cheyenne

[Guest guest]

Good suggestions. What is growing in these really troublesome spots is something that our ag rep called a sedge. It is wiry and green . Makes beautiful looking hay but the cows hate it. My Mona cow that died last winter used to toss it up so good I still have pieces hanging from the rafters of our barn above her winter stall. Funny how everytime I look up there I still miss her and I think I always will. Anyway that is why I am looking for a way to clean it out without using chemicals and I thougtht of pigs. I am very interested in turnips as I think they would be fabulous pasture in our climate. I am always looking for better fall pasture and I have read we could pasture them in the spring then again in the fall. I just worry that flea beetles would be an issue. I remember you sending me some info on controlling them that I have to look up again because whenever they combine canola those pesky things come on the wind.

Do turnips affect the taste of goats milk?

Debbie ChikouskyManitoba, Canadagdchik@...http://www.winnipegbeach.com/chikouskyfarms/