Another dog found us. And just what we wanted and needed: a cattle dog. Quite a bit of training ahead of us for the puppy and even more retraining for Jasmine. This guy is spot on with the bit about dogs trying to herd children and ants. So that’s what Jasmine is pouncing on in the paddocks.
One of the first real farming experiences our family had was the sound of a rooster first thing in the morning. That was back in 2000 when we went Bush and lived off the grid at Porter Lake for a summer when Alison was pregnant with our middle daughter Morley.
We had naively bought about 20 young chickens from a local farmer who must have seen us coming. Turned out most of them were roosters as we found out early each morning as another one of our hens turned into a surprise noise machine. Having grown up duck hunting with my Grandfather and Dad repurposing these noisy bits of poultry for the first was not overwhelming to me. However, when I served the first one up Alison was underwhelmed by both the presentation and taste.
Since then I have lifted my game on how to make the most of rooster and hens whose time has come. I’ve loved the journey that roosters have taken me on and it seems they keep on giving.
Last night when Dad and I were doing our end of day chores I noticed that all our roosters had gathered close to our cattle yards, which we have meshed in with dogwire to better secure them as our cattle yards handle pigs as well. Turns out they hold in roosters too. Dad watched on as I did my best to imitate Sylvester Stalone being trained for Rocky.
I went a few rounds with the Roosters and I think I won as we now have five plucked, bagged up and ready to go. Generally I resort to making chicken stock or rooster stock–which Alison is really happy with. This time I want to have a go at doing more with these roosters; they are, or were, beautiful birds that we bred from our rag tag collection of heritage breeds.
To do more I have been doing some research and here is what I have found, in no particular order and as usual with me a bit random too.
http://www.roamingroosters.com/
http://meatinabox.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/chicken-liver-pate
http://sunstonefarmandlearn.com/2009/05/26/favorite-rooster-recipes/
More to come on this post–time to milk the cows and get ready to make some stock, pate and maybe even Corfu Rooster.
We have all seen farms with barns painted with the Family name & Sons. Having four daughters, I had considered hanging a shingle with Cromwell and Daughters. However, yesterday my Dad after a week of absorbing all the farming activities Alison and I have got going came up with the clever “and Father” juxtaposition.
Here are a few photos of my father in action on the farm. Starting with a photo revealing his secret formula — a unique farmer’s breakfast combination he has developed: Waffles, Fresh Fruit and Beer. Cheers Dad.
A few photos of what has been going on over the last week. It is sure great to have Dad and Dorothy back for a visit and we are really enjoying sharing all of our activities on and off the farm.
We have had more. Then again, we have had much less. It’s a little like is the milk bucket half full or half empty. We are happy regardless and it’s a good feeling to be milking again. This mornings haul as you will see is a little over 3 litres. Looking forward to Alison working her magic making homegrown butter again and I know there are a few pigs who will be happy for the excess milk once that happens again.
We are all very excited to have Dad and his partner Dorothy on the farm with us here in Australia for almost a month. The last time Dad and Dorothy were here we were living on Mill Road and had just started our journey into family farming: we have a couple of horses, a small veggy garden and a dozen laying hens.
I won’t go into a head count now but we have certainly upped the anti since then and we are working our way towards self sufficiency. Speaking of work here is what is on the white board today.
Weaning Calves-6-8 months is what we aim for so with most of our calves being born in November and December of 2011 we are still a few months away.
Paddock Rotation-Dad and I went for a ride across the little Creek and Down to the Wilson’s River yesterday and the back-back as we call it is chock a block full of feed. Time to move most of the herd over. Aubrey and Alison have picked Condamine and Reanna as our house cows for milking this years so we will keep them in the house paddocks along with our two little Bulls.
Condamine no. 101
Reanna no. 103
Chip no.125
Dan no.126
Rain no.127
Catherine no. 130
Getting Ready to Milk-the milking machine needs a good clean out and testing to make sure it’s ready to go.
Time to get at it. Photos and updates on the above to follow.
Next Day
Dad and I finished a long day off by separating Condamine and Reanna from their calves last night. Which not so quietly didn’t do much for our night’s sleep or any sleep in this morning. The two of them are calling out non stop. Only one way to stop this. Time to fire up the milking machine.
Here is a video we took almost four years ago when we got our first pigs. As you can see the girls are growing up fast and our pig farming has grown allot too. Since these first pigs we have raised, eaten and sold at almost 20 more. We have learned allot and are keen to learn plenty more.
Our Purebred Large Black Gypsy has done it again. Here are her second lot of piglets from our purebred Berkshire Barney. Mum and 11 piglets all doing well. Bogart is on guard making sure everyone is taken care of.
Note we will wean our piglets at 6-8 weeks, not three months as stated in this video.
Dam: Moreton Stone
Dam: Moreton Streep
Our farming buddy Tony Stolar has asked us to help him find a good Stud for a pair of his prize Lowline Bulls pictured above.
If you are interested here are the details.
Price $1,200 negotiable.
Age 5 years in excellent condition ready to work.
Bred in a non stressful environment and are pure bred.
Very quiet temperament and easily approached.
No grain feeding – grazing on improved pastures only.
Papers are available should the cattle be purchased. The two bulls conform to the standards developed by the Australian Lowline Cattle Association Inc.
Sire for both bulls: Langdale Felix (born 20/02/1996).
Its sire: Trangie N087 (TRA N087); Dam: Trangie M458 (TRA M458).
Both carry the prize genetics of the famous Trangie sire.
Further proof of genetics (DNA testing) will be paid for by seller once purchased.
Contact
Mullumbimby Lowline Stud – 468 Main Arm Road, Mullumbimby NSW 2482. Phone and email: Tony – 0419727798 or tony@coongie.com.