Summer 2010

Well it's another hot DRY day on the farm...it's been a while since we've had time to blog!

Rain showers have been very few and far between, every year I always say next year will be better. We received a lot of rain during the winter months but when the temps started rising the rain stopped. I think everyone around us has received rain, we've just received a few sprinkles.

Temp's have been extreme this summer with heat indexes over 110.

But we still have faith. Faith that we will receive our share of rain!

Our animals are as miserable as we are. Even the dogs stay on the porch close to the water bowl. The cows grazing times have changed to late late afternoon and early evening and they are back in the shade by 9 in the morning. Of course the pigs don't seem to care as long has they have water in the water hole to lounge around in. The garden is doing well, of course we have to water, I don't think the plants fare as well without rain water though.

I know that the rain will come soon...it always does...

But all in all everything is still happy and still glad to be in the game!

Cold, hard winter

This winter has been one of the hardest on the farm that I can recall. We had rain, sleet and snow, as did much of Georgia and the nation. Every time we thought winter was going to give us a break, it got a little colder.

Some of the cattle farms in Wilkes County lost calves this winter. We were very fortunate this winter. We didn't loose any calves to the cold.

Team Tink braved the cold and went to the Decatur Farmers Market in spite of it all. A big thank you to those that came out to support us during the winter months. Hopefully the markets will pick up in spring.

I'm glad to know that, fingers crossed, the winter is almost over. I know there are a few more cold days left. However, there's comfort knowing that green grass is in the near future.

Spring is in the air!

It has been a long, hard winter. This winter left us with lots of rain, sleet and snow. Which meant a lot of cold market days and little, to no grass.

I sure am glad that it's starting to warm up and things are starting to turn green. I love spring. Spring to me means life. It's when animals, trees and plants come back to life after being dormant for the winter. Plus, it means green grass and warmer weather! Those two things make cows and Team Tink happy.

However, spring also means pollen. Lots and lots of yellow pollen. Pollen means allergies and allergies mean sneezing. Yikes! Oh well, I'll take the pollen and sneezing over freezing temperatures any day. You won't find me complaining about much of anything after surviving a cold, bitter winter. I'm just glad the farm isn't any further north.

Water, water everywhere!

In years past, Lucky7W has endured one drought after another. 2009 has not been one of those years. This year has been a very wet one, especially the past few months.

The picture was taken during the fall when we received several days of rain. This area is beside our driveway, the shop butts up to it as well. No, it's not a pond. It just retains water after several inches.

As farmers, our family loves to see rain coming. Especially if it's followed by some warm, sunny weather...perfect for growing grass. However, the past few months have been so wet and dreary that things aren't growing as well as they should.

For instance, we planted a small garden. The garden didn't get planted as early as it should have. Due, in part, to the wet weather and ground. Now that it's been planted for months, the growth hasn't been substantial.

No, I'm not complaining about the large amounts of rain that we've received this year. Some good has come of "the flood." The lakes in Georgia are way up, plenty of water for those with wells, we are no longer in a drought. However, I'm hoping the winter isn't as wet and miserable as it has been lately.

Customer Appreciation Day

Tink’s Grass Fed Beef held Customer Appreciation Day on the 7th of November at Lucky7W Farm in Washington, GA.

Tink, Etwenda Wade, owner of Tink’s Grass Fed Beef, gets many calls and emails asking how she raises her cattle. People want to know their farmer and the practices thereof. So, to put the minds of her customers at ease, Tink decided to open her home and her farm to her customers.

During the event, folks could take part in activities such as a hay ride, a wood splitting contest, horse shoes and more. There was also live music, lots of Tink’s burgers and even Cowboy stew; made with Tink’s Beef, of course.

Mary Howard of Evans, an avid Tink’s supporter said, “What a great day at the farm. Thank you so much for the hospitality. We had a great time and enjoyed the yummy food.”

A good time was had by all, even Tink. “The day was a great success. Thank you to everyone who came to support Tink’s Grass Fed Beef. You allow me to do what I love,” said Tink.

Picture blogging

I've been taking pictures of the farm over the last few months. I'm not a professional, but it's something I really enjoy. There are several pictures that I'm really proud of...and some that are priceless. So, I decided to start blogging with/about pictures. I'll leave the more technical blogs to Tink. 

This particular picture is one I took with my camera phone earlier this year. You really have to see it to believe it. A calf, somehow, got into the water trough. No one knows how on earth she got in the trough, but it took two men and a tractor to get her out. 

My dad and brother managed to get her out without a problem. They wrapped a chain around the trough and pulled it over with the tractor. The calf was then able to maneuver its way out, unscathed. Well, except for the other cows being very loud. Call me crazy, but I think they were picking on her a bit. She was embarrassed for sure. 

Time to Wean

We don’t have many exciting things happening on the farm this time of the year so there’s not that much to write. The cows are much happier since we had rain and now it’s time to wean calves so that Mama can have a much needed break before the next calf comes along.  Some farmer’s do not wean, just trust the Mother’s instinct to wean on their own.  Well, we haven’t had a lot of luck relying on Mama. It’s hard to see a cow give birth and provide enough milk for the new calf and a 600 lb., already existing calf while trying to maintain herself!

We do practice low stress weaning on the farm.  This is where the cow and calf are separated by just one fence instead of placed more than 2 fences away. This enables the mother and the calf to come to the fence to smell each other and know that each other is safe. You can watch the mama cows come to the fence and call their calf. Both fuss at us a little, but after a day or two, calves are comfortable. They can forage and make it on their own. The calves become more trusting of us to provide what they need and Mama can focus on her task of bringing another new life to the farm.