Attention Ruminations Subscribers!
We’re launching a new feature in this and future issues of Ruminations.
“What I Love About…” is a photo feature with quick caption, available only to our subscribers. Each item will feature one of your photos, and a quick description about what you love about that goat. It might be something intangible, and that’s fun. But we’d like to see comments about conformational or production features, such as depth of brisket or butterfat content, or she passes on her beautiful face.
Each of us our favorite goats, or our favorite traits that we’re breeding for. We thought this would be a great way to celebrate the genetics each of us has to work with in our herds, and recognize the traits we each value in our animals.
Explanations can be up to 50 words, and include words or numbers, but should also include the animal’s name. There is no cost associated with this feature. It’s our way of thanking our subscribers for their support of the magazine.
The Fall issue will close on August 9, so send us your photos and captions by that date. Send them to Editor@smallfarmgoat.com and make sure to include your herd name, if it’s not in the animal’s name.
Want to join in on this growing community? Ruminations is available to new subscribers for $20 the first year, and $25/for each renewal. Two year subscriptions are available for $40. Each subscription includes one free classified ad in the issue of your choice.
Ruminations will also be launching their new Milking Program for those who can’t or choose not to be on DHI. For more details, email me at the above address. Other features coming up include “It Works!” a comment and/or illustration of a farm tool, program or other subject that readers have found helpful on their farms. Feel free to send in your ideas.
Also, our Winter issue will focus on tips for those who are new Nigerian dwarf or miniature dairy goats. Beginner’s tips, resources, workshops, etc, are all included in this special issue. Please contribute your wisdom, so we can continue to help people keep their herds in this economy and benefit from the joys and the milk that comes from goatkeeping.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
New Issue Out - New Problem To Work On
By now you should have all gotten your latest issue of Ruminations, #65. Hope you enjoy it. We'd really like to help promote your herdsires in #66, so please check out the Stud Spot program in the advertising section, or the inset in the magazine.
We're very pleased to announce the Ruminations Unofficial Milking Program, detailed in the latest issue, as well. If you are a Ruminations Subscriber, of Nigerians or of a Mini-Dairy Goat Breed, and want to participate in the Ruminations program, please contact me at Editor@smallfarmgoat.com. Our coordinator will tell you what's involved.
Another great way to present how much our little girls contribute to our families.
Unfortunately, while the USDA is getting an earful about how small/medium farmers/ranchers object to NAIS, the House of Representatives is barging on ahead with ill-informed programs. Check out the following announcement from Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund -
A new food safety bill is on the fast track in Congress-HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. The bill needs to be stopped.
HR 2749 gives FDA tremendous power while significantly diminishing existing judicial restraints on actions taken by the agency. The bill would impose a one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme on small farms and local artisanal producers; and it would disproportionately impact their operations for the worse.
HR 2749 does not address underlying causes of food safety problems such as industrial agriculture practices and the consolidation of our food supply. The industrial food system and food imports are badly in need of effective regulation, but the bill does not specifically direct regulation or resources to these areas.
To read a detailed account of the bill, go to: http://www.ftcldf.org/news/news-15june2009.htm
Alarming Provisions:
Some of the more alarming provisions in the bill are:
* HR 2749 would impose an annual registration fee of $500 on any "facility" that holds, processes, or manufactures food. Although "farms" are exempt, the agency has defined "farm" narrowly. And people making foods such as lacto-fermented vegetables, cheeses, or breads would be required to register and pay the fee, which could drive beginning and small producers out of business during difficult economic times.
* HR 2749 would empower FDA to regulate how crops are raised and harvested. It puts the federal government right on the farm, dictating to our farmers.
* HR 2749 would give FDA the power to order a quarantine of a geographic area, including "prohibiting or restricting the movement of food or of any vehicle being used or that has been used to transport or hold such food within the geographic area." Under this provision, farmers markets and local food sources could be shut down, even if they are not the source of the contamination. The agency can halt all movement of all food in a geographic area.
* HR 2749 would empower FDA to make random warrantless searches of the business records of small farmers and local food producers, without any evidence whatsoever that there has been a violation. Even farmers selling direct to consumers would have to provide the federal government with records on where they buy supplies, how they raise their crops, and a list of customers.
* HR 2749 charges the Secretary of Health and Human Services with establishing a tracing system for food. Each "person who produces, manufactures, processes, packs, transports, or holds such food" would have to "maintain the full pedigree of the origin and previous distribution history of the food," and "establish and maintain a system for tracing the food that is interoperable with the systems established and maintained by other such persons." The bill does not explain how far the traceback will extend or how it will be done for multi-ingredient foods. With all these ambiguities, it's far from clear how much it will cost either the farmers or the taxpayers.
* HR 2749 creates severe criminal and civil penalties, including prison terms of up to 10 years and/or fines of up to $100,000 for each violation for individuals.
Action to Take:
Contact your Representative now! Ask to speak with the staffer who handles food issues. Tell them you are opposed to the bill. Some points to make in telling your Representative why you oppose HR 2749 include:
1. The bill imposes burdensome requirements while not specifically targeting the industrial food system and food imports, where the real food safety problems lie.
2. Small farms and local food processors are part of the solution to food safety; lessening the regulatory burden on them will improve food safety.
3. The bill gives FDA much more power than it has had in the past while making the agency less accountable for its actions.
HR 2749 needs to be defeated!! Please take action NOW.
To contact your Representative, use the finder tool at www.Congress.org or send a message through the petition system (the petition will be on our website this evening) at http://www.ftcldf.org/petitions_new.htm. Or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
To check the status of HR 2749, go to www.Thomas.gov and type "HR 2749" in the bill search field.
Updates on HR 2749 will be provided as events warrant.
We're very pleased to announce the Ruminations Unofficial Milking Program, detailed in the latest issue, as well. If you are a Ruminations Subscriber, of Nigerians or of a Mini-Dairy Goat Breed, and want to participate in the Ruminations program, please contact me at Editor@smallfarmgoat.com. Our coordinator will tell you what's involved.
Another great way to present how much our little girls contribute to our families.
Unfortunately, while the USDA is getting an earful about how small/medium farmers/ranchers object to NAIS, the House of Representatives is barging on ahead with ill-informed programs. Check out the following announcement from Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund -
A new food safety bill is on the fast track in Congress-HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. The bill needs to be stopped.
HR 2749 gives FDA tremendous power while significantly diminishing existing judicial restraints on actions taken by the agency. The bill would impose a one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme on small farms and local artisanal producers; and it would disproportionately impact their operations for the worse.
HR 2749 does not address underlying causes of food safety problems such as industrial agriculture practices and the consolidation of our food supply. The industrial food system and food imports are badly in need of effective regulation, but the bill does not specifically direct regulation or resources to these areas.
To read a detailed account of the bill, go to: http://www.ftcldf.org/news/news-15june2009.htm
Alarming Provisions:
Some of the more alarming provisions in the bill are:
* HR 2749 would impose an annual registration fee of $500 on any "facility" that holds, processes, or manufactures food. Although "farms" are exempt, the agency has defined "farm" narrowly. And people making foods such as lacto-fermented vegetables, cheeses, or breads would be required to register and pay the fee, which could drive beginning and small producers out of business during difficult economic times.
* HR 2749 would empower FDA to regulate how crops are raised and harvested. It puts the federal government right on the farm, dictating to our farmers.
* HR 2749 would give FDA the power to order a quarantine of a geographic area, including "prohibiting or restricting the movement of food or of any vehicle being used or that has been used to transport or hold such food within the geographic area." Under this provision, farmers markets and local food sources could be shut down, even if they are not the source of the contamination. The agency can halt all movement of all food in a geographic area.
* HR 2749 would empower FDA to make random warrantless searches of the business records of small farmers and local food producers, without any evidence whatsoever that there has been a violation. Even farmers selling direct to consumers would have to provide the federal government with records on where they buy supplies, how they raise their crops, and a list of customers.
* HR 2749 charges the Secretary of Health and Human Services with establishing a tracing system for food. Each "person who produces, manufactures, processes, packs, transports, or holds such food" would have to "maintain the full pedigree of the origin and previous distribution history of the food," and "establish and maintain a system for tracing the food that is interoperable with the systems established and maintained by other such persons." The bill does not explain how far the traceback will extend or how it will be done for multi-ingredient foods. With all these ambiguities, it's far from clear how much it will cost either the farmers or the taxpayers.
* HR 2749 creates severe criminal and civil penalties, including prison terms of up to 10 years and/or fines of up to $100,000 for each violation for individuals.
Action to Take:
Contact your Representative now! Ask to speak with the staffer who handles food issues. Tell them you are opposed to the bill. Some points to make in telling your Representative why you oppose HR 2749 include:
1. The bill imposes burdensome requirements while not specifically targeting the industrial food system and food imports, where the real food safety problems lie.
2. Small farms and local food processors are part of the solution to food safety; lessening the regulatory burden on them will improve food safety.
3. The bill gives FDA much more power than it has had in the past while making the agency less accountable for its actions.
HR 2749 needs to be defeated!! Please take action NOW.
To contact your Representative, use the finder tool at www.Congress.org or send a message through the petition system (the petition will be on our website this evening) at http://www.ftcldf.org/petitions_new.htm. Or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
To check the status of HR 2749, go to www.Thomas.gov and type "HR 2749" in the bill search field.
Updates on HR 2749 will be provided as events warrant.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Issue Out
By now hopefully all the subscribers have gotten their new issues of Ruminations. We've received lots of good feedback on this issue, and are already collecting information for the next one.
Have a picture? article? poem? idea that you'd like to include in Issue #66? Send it to us at Editor@smallfarmgoat.com and we'll try to get it in. This next issue is dedicated to Buck Care and Reproductive Issues. In my mind, that includes Genetics. We'd like to highlight your Bucks, so check out the Stud Spot advertising rate. There are so many great herds out there, we want to help promote them.
I'll try to check in here regularly, but this is a crazy time on our farm. Forgive my absence, but chime in and start the conversations yourself!
Thanks,
Pat
Have a picture? article? poem? idea that you'd like to include in Issue #66? Send it to us at Editor@smallfarmgoat.com and we'll try to get it in. This next issue is dedicated to Buck Care and Reproductive Issues. In my mind, that includes Genetics. We'd like to highlight your Bucks, so check out the Stud Spot advertising rate. There are so many great herds out there, we want to help promote them.
I'll try to check in here regularly, but this is a crazy time on our farm. Forgive my absence, but chime in and start the conversations yourself!
Thanks,
Pat
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Mineral Adventures
Because of the way I feed my herd, it's hard to give an individual "dose" per animal, but when I first started using the EZ Pelz I substituted about 1/8 of the ration for one feeding, with the EZ pelz. So in essence, 1/16th of the ration for that time was EZ Pelz. I did that for about a week, and then I went back to the normal ration, putting a top dress of EZ Pelz on the regular feed and then mixing that in. I continue to do that once a day, though sometimes I forget. I don't double up the next day though.
I have seen my bucks get much stronger colors in their coats. Rut was extended by a couple of weeks, though with the warmer weather they are much calmer now. Does that had trouble conceiving, seem to have settled, though again, it may just be the end of breeding season. We'll see in a couple of months if that's true or not.
The strongest evidence that we have an improvement is that I have two does that now look very similar. Before, Timpatience was as white as a Saanen. Her past brothers had often been white, and she, at two years old, had never shown any sign of any other color. Now she's a heavily roaned white with red guard hairs. Her half-sister, Mithral, is very much the same color, and since both are now bred, it can be very hard to tell them apart.
We still find that the herd wants kelp, as there is still a race to the bucket when we fill it up, so obviously the EZ pels isn't the complete solution here. But those are organic minerals, so they are naturally chelated. We still have one doe with a problem, but we're working on finding that solution. Hers is not as simple as a lack of access. It's more one of personality. Hopefully we'll find the answer to her problem soon.
But in this herd, EZ Pels has made a big difference. As with anything else, I don't think there's ever any Easy Solution to every problem, but it's a big step toward a solid baseline. Hope that helps.
I have seen my bucks get much stronger colors in their coats. Rut was extended by a couple of weeks, though with the warmer weather they are much calmer now. Does that had trouble conceiving, seem to have settled, though again, it may just be the end of breeding season. We'll see in a couple of months if that's true or not.
The strongest evidence that we have an improvement is that I have two does that now look very similar. Before, Timpatience was as white as a Saanen. Her past brothers had often been white, and she, at two years old, had never shown any sign of any other color. Now she's a heavily roaned white with red guard hairs. Her half-sister, Mithral, is very much the same color, and since both are now bred, it can be very hard to tell them apart.
We still find that the herd wants kelp, as there is still a race to the bucket when we fill it up, so obviously the EZ pels isn't the complete solution here. But those are organic minerals, so they are naturally chelated. We still have one doe with a problem, but we're working on finding that solution. Hers is not as simple as a lack of access. It's more one of personality. Hopefully we'll find the answer to her problem soon.
But in this herd, EZ Pels has made a big difference. As with anything else, I don't think there's ever any Easy Solution to every problem, but it's a big step toward a solid baseline. Hope that helps.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
We're Making Waves
The USDA announced today that it will be holding "listening sessions" throughout the nation for the next six month. What are they listening for? Ways to make NAIS more acceptable. Congress is getting frustrated with the lack of movement on this program, which many of us see as unnecessary and intrusive. Sec. Vilsack has stated that he wants to hear as many voices as possible about how to make NAIS more palatable. I think we need show him how many different ways it's unacceptable.
The USDA has also announced that it will be reopening the Federal Registry for comments in coming weeks. They will be posting the question and the "listening session" schedule pretty soon. You can read more about this announcement at
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0108.xml
The USDA has also announced that it will be reopening the Federal Registry for comments in coming weeks. They will be posting the question and the "listening session" schedule pretty soon. You can read more about this announcement at
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0108.xml
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A Question of Why
Lately I've been thinking a lot about the directions goatkeeping are taking, and what my plans are for my own farm. It has gotten me into some very interesting conversations, though safe ones because I often speak with people who have the same philosophy I have. But a talk with my son this morning (car rides are great for real conversations, I'll miss them when he graduates), and we were discussing the value of hearing different opinions.
With the loss of so many newspapers and the rise of the Internet as a source I worry that the ability to read multiple sides to an issue will be lost. It's only natural to want to be with people who agree with you, but I do'nt think it's actually the wisest way to live. So, I'm asking here, understanding that there are a variety of answers to these questions: Why do you keep goats? What is the herdsize you think is ideal? What are your goals in goatkeeping?
Personally, I can say that my goal has always been to create a line of goats that prosper on average feed, without heavy duty supplementation and survive in the New England hills without a lot of pampering. To me, that specifically means that the animals coming from this herd should be identifiable as "Hames & Axle goats." To that end we have purposefully chosen select stock with certain traits, not necessarily from the most "popular," herds. That doesn't mean that they aren't great herds, just that they don't necessarily have the means to show often, or perhaps their farmers are shy and don't socialize well. It is well documented that we "goat folks," are a unique lot, and don't always "play well with others."
My herd, of about 50, including kids, bucks and does, is a little bigger than I'd like, but I've decided that if we're going to make it as a real farm, and not a petting zoo, we have to be able to make enough product (ie soap, etc.) to meet the year round demand. If we are going to expand our knowledge of cheesemaking, kefir and yogurt, we need extra milk around beyond the soap and drinking needs. That means the herd had to grow. However, I know my land's limits and that we are reaching that level quickly, and choices will have to be made.
I see so many herds explode into the "goat scene," buying more than a few bred does, collecting bucks, and growing really quickly, I worry. I'm glad that we took the time to learn about goatkeeping before we entered the world of "goat selling." It was even longer before we entered that scary domain of "goat showing." While I was more worried about my behavior in the ring, I've since learned that it is the behavior out of the ring that is of more concern.
So, I'm wondering, why do you keep goats? How do you feel about small or large herds? Are you more interested in raising competitive show goats, or productive contributors to your farm? There are very few wrong answers, (I can't say there aren't any, that's a matter of opinion.) But I hope that this is a conversation that we can build on. I'll probably bring this to the next issue of Ruminations, with people being invited to post here or in writing to me at home. I hope you'll share your ideas.
By the Way, just a word of clarification for those who might think that Ruminations is a big operation. We have lately gotten some very confused phone calls. Ruminations is run from my house, with contributors all over the country. When you call us, I don't answer Ruminations, I just say Hi. Why? Because I'd have to answer "Stewart Family, Hames & Axle Farm, Surfing Goat Soaps, Small Holders Alliance and Ruminations, How can I help you?" I don't have the patience for that, so "hi" will have to do. Call when you have to, it's fine if it's late at night. But don't be surprised if you hear a groggy answer if it's after 8:00 p.m. on the west coast. We'll answer, but we don't guarantee we're totally awake yet. Take care,
With the loss of so many newspapers and the rise of the Internet as a source I worry that the ability to read multiple sides to an issue will be lost. It's only natural to want to be with people who agree with you, but I do'nt think it's actually the wisest way to live. So, I'm asking here, understanding that there are a variety of answers to these questions: Why do you keep goats? What is the herdsize you think is ideal? What are your goals in goatkeeping?
Personally, I can say that my goal has always been to create a line of goats that prosper on average feed, without heavy duty supplementation and survive in the New England hills without a lot of pampering. To me, that specifically means that the animals coming from this herd should be identifiable as "Hames & Axle goats." To that end we have purposefully chosen select stock with certain traits, not necessarily from the most "popular," herds. That doesn't mean that they aren't great herds, just that they don't necessarily have the means to show often, or perhaps their farmers are shy and don't socialize well. It is well documented that we "goat folks," are a unique lot, and don't always "play well with others."
My herd, of about 50, including kids, bucks and does, is a little bigger than I'd like, but I've decided that if we're going to make it as a real farm, and not a petting zoo, we have to be able to make enough product (ie soap, etc.) to meet the year round demand. If we are going to expand our knowledge of cheesemaking, kefir and yogurt, we need extra milk around beyond the soap and drinking needs. That means the herd had to grow. However, I know my land's limits and that we are reaching that level quickly, and choices will have to be made.
I see so many herds explode into the "goat scene," buying more than a few bred does, collecting bucks, and growing really quickly, I worry. I'm glad that we took the time to learn about goatkeeping before we entered the world of "goat selling." It was even longer before we entered that scary domain of "goat showing." While I was more worried about my behavior in the ring, I've since learned that it is the behavior out of the ring that is of more concern.
So, I'm wondering, why do you keep goats? How do you feel about small or large herds? Are you more interested in raising competitive show goats, or productive contributors to your farm? There are very few wrong answers, (I can't say there aren't any, that's a matter of opinion.) But I hope that this is a conversation that we can build on. I'll probably bring this to the next issue of Ruminations, with people being invited to post here or in writing to me at home. I hope you'll share your ideas.
By the Way, just a word of clarification for those who might think that Ruminations is a big operation. We have lately gotten some very confused phone calls. Ruminations is run from my house, with contributors all over the country. When you call us, I don't answer Ruminations, I just say Hi. Why? Because I'd have to answer "Stewart Family, Hames & Axle Farm, Surfing Goat Soaps, Small Holders Alliance and Ruminations, How can I help you?" I don't have the patience for that, so "hi" will have to do. Call when you have to, it's fine if it's late at night. But don't be surprised if you hear a groggy answer if it's after 8:00 p.m. on the west coast. We'll answer, but we don't guarantee we're totally awake yet. Take care,
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Next Issue Closing Soon
Issue #65 of Ruminations will be coming out next month. Do you have a Quad Corner picture to share? a story? an event to announce? Let us know. This issue is supposed to be based around the "Business of Goats," so if you have a goat based sideline, or full time job, let us know about it.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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