Peter Smith

Looking for an intern on a large (400+ head) grassfed grass finished beef farm. Animals are intensively grazed through rotational management. Animal health is holistically managed with no antibiotics hormones etc. We also do some pastured pork, and 800 layers in egg mobiles. We are looking for someone to live in the farmhouse with housing and utilities provided. there is also a stipend available depending on ability and attitude. You will have the house to your self for the most part, couples are not out of the question. Experience is not a requirement, you will learn from and with us about maximizing animal health and performance in a grass based system. You will  be expected to help with daily chores and projects with days off, but flexibility is key. An important responsibility will be to keep eyes and ears out for problems during off hours.

I just got 3 limousin heifers ( my first) about 6 weeks ago. When they came they were all stressed, and I noticed they were all a bit constipated. Looked like deer turds not cow pats. I figured that when they got settled in and out on pasture, it would clear up. That has been a while now and they seem to be happy and eating well, but at least one is still passing stiff dry turds. Any ideas?

I would love to be there, but unfortunately too many other things need to happen on the farm this spring. I will probably regret it, but logistically I just can't make it.

Will this be all standard j-tube? Or some batch box? Is there one or multiple builds?

I'm in NEPA, and would love to be there, but it is too far out to commit to yet. Maybe by the new year.

PASA meeting today, same time and place. See above post for details.

You probably have the original comfrey, not a bocking cultivar. I believe the bocking cultivars only reproduce by root cuttings, the original spreads by seed as well, and is much harder to control. Sadly I don't know how to tell by sight.

I guess spring may come after all. Were you thinking of coming over today?

Nick, do you know what cultivar of comfrey you have? I would be interested in bocking 4 or 14. Thanks

Rick, your garlic is up? I better check mine, i figured it would be a few weeks yet. I was working on a bed for my strawberries yesterday, and there is still frost in the ground in places here. THe nursery already sent my plants, so they have to be planted now.

A busy Sunday here on the farm, this is a bit of the to do list;
Plant and fence 200 strawberries
plant 10 asparagus crowns
plant 150 asparagus seeds
plant 5 horseradish roots
start tomatoes and peppers inside

well, I better get to work. Enjoy the sunshine all!!

I suppose it depends on your predators. If you have rats, a rat dog would work. Wolves, bears, pack of coyotes, I would want as big as I can get. I have an Akbash, 130lbs. Big and gentle and awesome. If you have large predator pressure, a team of large dogs is recommended.