December 23, 2014

We will be closed for the Holidays and inventory until January 5th

*Please note that we will be closed until January 5th for the Holidays and Inventory. Please continue to order here online. All orders will be promptly shipped out after January 5th.*

December 23, 2014

South East PA Grazing Conference set for Feb 17-18th

Lancaster County Graziers is planning another learning session for people interested in the grass-fed opportunity. This is planned for Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17-18, 2015. The theme for 2015 is Maximizing Energy Harvest. This is pretty much about working with nature instead of working against or ignoring it.
Beginning Tuesday Morning at 9 am sharp Elam Stoltzfus (second time speaker) will discuss maximizing energy harvest through grazing management. Cliff Hawbaker will be with us again to discuss ideas in preparing for present and future. His second session will focus on financial sustainability and succession planning. Tuesday afternoon, Judy Mudrack, European tour organizer and book author, will take us on a video tour of Switzerland, showing us some interesting aspects about Swiss dairy farms. Last on for Tuesday are Brendon and Katia Holmes from Misty Brook Farm in Maine. This is a diversified farm founded in 2002 on rented ground and now owns 400 acres and
employs 7-8 workers doing dairy, layers pork, and vegetables. The second talk on Wednesday will give some detail on the move from New York State to Maine in search of land security and ownership. Simeon Yoder, cheese maker and dairy farmer, will discuss his journey in revitalizing exploited soils and cheese making and marketing. Elmer Stoltzfus will end the day Wednesday with some thoughts and ideas on record keeping and benchmarks for success.
Please see program above for times that speakers present. Each of these speakers bring experience that alone should be worth your time and registration cost, but together you cannot afford to miss this learning opportunity. If grain free dairy grazing is of interest to you this will be an opportunity to learn from four dairy farmers that are doing it and reaping a premium for it. See attached flier about a January meeting with Cheyenne Christianson of northern WI. That meeting is focused on zero grain/all-grass and forage milk production and will be a real learning opportunity for anyone currently feeding grain or not.

Note that we are changing our meeting location to the Lancaster Ag headquarters located on Ronks Road east of Lancaster. Hope to see you there! 

Lancaster Co. Graziers, 1142 Gap Road, Kinzers, PA 17535
Roman Stoltzfoos, Secretary- 717-278-1070

December 22, 2014

100°% Grass-fed Dairy Meeting and round-table discussion with Cheyenne Christianson

Monday, January 19
Cheyenne will be in the area for a meeting in Maryland and offered to come up to Lancaster to speak with farmers interested in forage only milk production. Here is more information about Cheyenne and topics to be covered.
Cheyenne Christianson and his family run a 70-cow organic dairy in northern Wisconsin. They have been successful using intensive rotational grazing since 1994 and feeding no grain for 15 years to their Holstein herd. He also writes articles for Graze and shares what works on his farm to all that are interested. Cheyenne will cover methods used on his farm in the production of forage only milk, including grazing height and protein balance, the use of annuals (oats, rye, triticale, sorghum sudan Japanese millet and turnips) to fill in and extend the grazing season, mob grazing to build organic matter and drought resistance, and fertility improvements to add
nutrient density to the forage.
Additional topics for discussion:

• Economics of organic forage only dairy and comparing small to moderate grain feeding models
• Viability in the Northeast
• Molasses or other energy supplementation – yes or no?
• Market demand and availability. Ned MacArthur from Natural By Nature will be present to answer
questions and give feedback about current 100% grass-fed milk prem1ums.

Cheyenne will give a presentation about his farm experience. The floor will be open for questions
and discussion. The goal is for an informal meeting with plenty of opportunity for questions and
input by all in attendance. The meeting is open to anyone,currently grass-fed or not,who is
interested in this production paradigm.

The market demand for 100% grass and forage (zero-grain) milk is increasing and shows exciting potential. Another benefit in attending this meeting will be the increased awareness for local grassfed producer opportunities!

Date & Time: Monday, January 19 at 9:30 AM until finished.
Light lunch provided.
Location: Houston Run Community Center
835 Houston Run Dr. Gap, PA
Cost: $20 (includes lunch).

Space limited so please pre-register to reserve a spot and to ensure a lunch. Mail the form below to Lancaster County Graziers by NO LATER than January 12.

Lancaster County Graziers
1142 Gap Road
Kinzers, PA 17535
CITY ST: ZIP

Make checks payable to Lancaster County Graziers
Registration and payment may be combined with Grazing Conference as long as both forms are
included.
Questions? Contact Roman at 717-278-1208 or romans@springwoodfarm.com

December 22, 2014

Gallagher Electric Fence Energizer Chart

Which Fence Charger should I purchase? The Gallagher Electric Fence Charger selection Guide 

Energizer
Acres
Miles 
of 
multi-wire 
fence
Stock Controlled
MR5000
2,000
75
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/ElkCanine/Dogs
MBX2500
1,000
50
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/ElkCanine/Dogs
MR2500
1,000
50
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/ElkCanine/Dogs
M1800
420
42
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/ElkCanine/Dogs
M600
150
25
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBison
 M300
85
17
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsBison
 M150
60
11
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
M100
30
6
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
 M50
20
3
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
M20
8
1.25
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
B1600
400
40
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/ElkCanine/Dogs
B700
200
25
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/ElkCanine/Dogs
B280
110
22
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/Elk
B200
90
15
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheepBisonGoatsDeer/Elk
B180
90
16
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsBison
B100
60
7
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/HogsSheep
B80
55
8
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
B60
40
5
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
B11
6
0.6
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
S50
30
5
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
S20
14
2
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
S17
10
1
Cows/CattleHorses/EquineBullsPigs/Hogs
 

December 20, 2014

Fencer FIxer Repair | Make Electric Fence, Make Sense!

 

We help in all aspects of electric fencing.

If there anything you need when it comes to electric fencing, WE are the experts that can help! We specialize in the repair of electric fencers, fence chargers, and fence testers. We also help trouble shoot your electric fence, and offer advice on fence charger sizing!

We'll work on any brand of fencer, or tester. From the old ones of yesteryear, to the new ones of today.

Having problem with your livestock weigh scale systems? We offer troubleshooting and repair with that as well. We can also repair some cattle prods. We do offer after hour help, including holidays and weekends. You can reach us by calling, or emailing!

Please Visit our page at Fencerfixer.com to learn more!

 

 

December 19, 2014

He Bought An Electric Fence To Prevent Burglaries. Then This Happened.

 14.46

December 18, 2014

Officials consider electric fences at prisons

Electric Fence for security: Ohio's prisons could get electrified fences installed in an effort by officials to boost security.

The idea is one of many Director Gary Mohr said they are reviewing as methods to keep inmates from escaping and prevent people from throwing contraband, such as drugs and cellphones, into the prison yard. If officials install the electrified fences, they would deliver enough electricity to knock the person down, Mohr said in an interview with Gannett Ohio editors and reporters.

"We had an issue at Allen and at Mansfield (correctional institutions) where inmates were able to overcome the fence," Mohr said.

Officials also are looking at other technologies, such as sensor-based systems and drones, as possible additions to security. Other possible security solutions include installing a secondary fencing perimeter or nets that would impede the ability of people to throw contraband-stuffed balls far enough to reach inmates.

Mohr is concerned about drugs in the prisons, noting that nearly 3 percent of random drug tests in November came back positive.

"If we don't work every month to come up with new ideas ... we fall behind because there's too much money in this, and where there's money, there's corruption," Mohr said. "We've got to be on the cutting edge of this stuff."

jison@gannett.com

December 17, 2014

Don't have an Electric fence Tester? Here is a helpful Hint.

Here's a trick of trade from the old days for testing the electric fence without using a tester and without grabbing the wire with your bare hand. What you'll need to get is a longer piece of green grass about 8 or so inches long. Squat down to a knee, pinch one end of the blade of grass between your thumb and index finger and lay the other end on the fence wire. You should feel a slight ping in the blade of grass. As you move the blade of grass inwards the ping will get stronger, so be wary of moving the blade of grass to close if you can already feel it. The green blade of grass will eat up about 90% of the shock.

December 16, 2014

Importance of good electric fence customer service

We lost a good friend today who worked for us in customer service with a company we deal with that sells electric fence products.... Really upsetting to come to know a person as a friend and also someone we depended on for our business needs. We wish her the best in her future. We hope to talk to her soon and will give here a great reference if needed.

December 09, 2014

Gift Ideas for the Farmers and Ranchers In Your Life

By   /   December 1, 2014  /   1 Comment

It’s that time of year when we’re all trying to figure out a gift that fits the person we’re buying for and that shares the message, “You’re special to me.” Here are some suggestions to make that easier.

Books From On Pasture Authors and Friends

Chip Hines

Some of our On Pasture readers have told us that they like Chip’s articles the best. In fact, some of the articles we’ve shared with you are excerpts from the books he has written. Chip shares his unique experience and understanding of the challenges involved in producing sustainable in the books he writes. You can find and read more about them here.

ChipsProducts

Forrest Pritchard

GainingGroundSmallCoverForrest’s first book, Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm, came out just about the time that On Pasture was getting started. We were honored to be able to share an excerpt from the book with readers (which you can still read here), and have been tickled to see the rave reviews our friend has gotten ever since. In fact, his book was named a top read by The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly and NPR’s The Splendid Table! Forrest has share a lot of “How To” articles with On Pasture readers and with this book, you’ll get some behind the scenes stories to put them in perspective. You can read more about the book and order it here.

Kathy Voth

Before Rachel and I started On Pasture, I traveled the U.S. and Canada, training cows, sheep and bison to eat weeds, and doing workshops and presentations to show farmers and ranchers how they could turn weeds into forage by teaching their livestock to eat them. Along the way I wrote a book with all the instructions and lessons I learned about how to train cows in just 8 hours over 7 or so days. You can download the first three chapters of the book here, and you can purchase the book here.  If seeing it is better than reading it, I made a how-to video as well. Here’s link to that and and some other things of interest.

Sandra K. Miller

SandyMillerBooksSandy is an amazing farmer, photographer, chef, and author. She’s participated in the founding of a number of farmer’s markets and producer organizations.  If you’re thinking of dipping your toes (or diving head-first) into the world of direct marketing, Sandy’s book Selling at Farmers Markets, is for you.  Her book How to Kiss a Chicken On the Lips and Other Funny Stories From the Farm is for anyone how has fantasized about giving up the cubicle for a tractor. Sandy lays out the realities of farm life as she takes us through the heart and history of the local foods revolution.

GregsProductsGreg Judy

Greg is known for figuring out how to make raising beef pay using leased land and managing his herd as a mob to improve soil and increase forage. His no-nonsense books share his knowledge so that you can apply it to your own operation.  Click here to order.

Jim Gerrish

MigAndHayHabitJim is the author of the popular books Management-Intensive Grazing and Kick the Hay Habit. Loads of farmers and ranchers have used the information in his two books to improve grazing management and cost control on their operations.  Click here to order.

Trish Weil

TrishWeilsBook

Recognize that last name?  Yes!  Trish Weil is the wife of On Pasture author Ray Weil and she’s an author in her own right.  Her new book, A Circle of Earth, is set in Alabama between and following the two world wars, and tells the story of two characters’ attempts to find happiness in a world where both lives and marriages are defined not by choice but by circumstance. We’re lucky enough to be able to provide you with an excerpt of the book. You can also learn more about it and purchase it as a paperback or as a kindle book here.

Bill Beaman

beamansbooksBill Beaman is an Iowa farmer who raises beef cows and sheep and loves to tell good stories to entertain people, and that’s just what he’s done with his first three books, The Iowa Farmer’s WifeSecond Chance, and 3 Little Pigs, a trilogy that takes place is rural farm country. Beaman’s books are available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon or at his website, theiowafarmer.com.

Apparel And More From On Pasture Authors and Friends

OnPastureTsT-Shirts

Of course you could always start with an On Pasture T-Shirt. :-) Head to the On Pasture Shop to pick out your size and color. You’ll also see that you can simply give the gift of On Pasture. One size fits all, and we’ll even send you both a bumper sticker!

Gloves

TXGoodGloves5

One of our On Pasture sponsors is Texas Good Gloves. Everybody can use gloves!

Lyal2012-45AMusic

Lyal Strickland is a singer, songwriter and farmer raising grassed herefords in the Missouri Ozarks. You can listen to his music here, and you can order his CDs here.

Electric Fencing

Can you imagine what your friend or loved one would say to a great electric fence charger under the Christmas tree?  Oh – but don’t hook it up TO the tree.  Some surprises aren’t so good. :-)

YellowCEFad

Zombie Goods

My friend Leah Ashley Esser and I had fun with a project we called “Zombie Victory Gardens” to help newbie gardeners prep for the Zombie Apocalypse by growing food in their own backyards. You can make sure that you’re ready with an “In Case of Zombie Apocalypse Save Me First! I’m a Farmer” t-shirt or hoodie. Limited sizes and styles left, so if you want one….  We also have a great set of WWII Victory Garden-themed posters for your “Walking Dead” enthusiast, just $1 each. And for the serious gardener, there’s a whole series of veggie earrings.  You probably know someone who needs 2-Carrot Earrings!

ZombiePosters

 

- See more at: http://onpasture.com/2014/12/01/gift-ideas-for-the-farmers-and-ranchers-in-your-life/#sthash.Jr9537eb.dpuf
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