Money in the Bank

For a beef producer, having adequate hay stockpiles is the same as having money in the bank. When the grass production ceases in the winter or, like we've seen for the last two years, there is no grass due to drought, a beef producer without hay either has to sell his cattle (usually at a loss since so many others are selling for the same reason) or buy hay (usually at a premium since so many others are desperate for hay at the same time).

And growing enough hay comes down to rainfall (or irrigation) and nitrogen. We grow Gordo Bluestem grass to make hay in our eight-acre hay meadow. Most commercial hay growers, and many of our neighbors, grow Bermuda-type grasses for hay. Bermuda grass won't grow well and will have less protien without large inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. Fortunately, Bluestem being a native Texas grass, isn't quite so dependent on fertilizer for quantity or quality.

The synthetic nitrogen fertilizer that is most readily available and most easily to applied comes with environmental costs and increasing dollar costs. But, not applying it could mean the difference of half a hay crop and having to sell your cows or buy hay.

When we were new to hay growing, we applied the synthetic nitrogen as recommended by our neighbors and local feed/fertilizer store. The increased production was impressive but after finding out more about the hidden costs of this fertilizer to our ground water and to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, I began searching for a better nitrogen solution.

One thing we did was plant Burr Medic clover, which naturally adds nitrogen to the soil. An interesting article on nitrogen fixing plants vs. synthetic nitrogen can be found here . But, due to the drought the clover never took off, although we may try it again this year if we continue to get a half-way normal rainfall.

The other thing we did a few years ago and just repeated last week was adding two tons per acre of chicken litter. Largely due to the transportation costs, as it is delivered in the big truck next to my Big Dummy bicycle, chicken litter is almost as expensive as the synthetic nitrogen but hopefully balances out to be more environmentally friendly. I do believe that it is better for our soil in general as organic matter is being added.

We are staying ahead of the curve in hay production, even without applying any synthetic nitrogen in six years or so. With adequate rainfall this year we should be well ahead.

As the meter turns. . .backwards!

That would be the electrical meter! Our new solar system is now up and running. The video below gives an overview of the system. I did make a horrible mistake though, no doubt from the brain damage I sustained from trying to learn "iMovie" and using those titles and fancy filmwork.

The mistake: the company that installed our system is Meridian Solar, not Solar Meridian!

And a good job they did, too!

Happy Holidays. . . in the rear view mirror

Tom and I receive such wonderful Christmas letters from his family, while my family, now that the kids are grown, strains to put up a Christmas ornament! It is wonderful getting the up-dates of our far-away relatives and staying current on how fast all the children are growing!

Highlights of our year: two weeks in Europe visiting the Lefebers and seeing sights, thankful that my sister could join us; a new sting-proof bee suit for me so I won't have to worry about re-queening as often; goat babies and so far six months of delicious goat milk; our new road and the almost completion of our new 7kW solar system. Visiting with Luce and Phoebe several times during the year was wonderful and of course our house sale in San Antonio and our move to the country was a big change. On a sad note, my mother also passed away this year after a year of meeting tremendous hardship with unflagging good spirits.

What we're looking forward to in 2010 is Tom's new schedule of working only on Monday and Tuesday of each week and spending the rest of the week together at the ranch.

I'll post more about our new solar system once it is complete.

Happy 2010 everyone!

Our new road after an inch of rain last night - no 4WD needed!

Bees, Goats & Green Grass

Finally checked on my honey bees yesterday after months of neglect. Good news -- they've been doing just fine on their own. Have some more honey on them, which I'll leave for the bees, and both hives appear strong. One hive was very passive and calm, while the other hive was very loud and had lots of bees in the air, although none flew at me aggressively. Thanks to my new bee suit, not one sting.

I made some beeswax candles a couple of weeks ago. I've had a time finding real beeswax candles to buy. Last month when I finally found some, I was assured they were wax candles but once I opened them I knew they were not. I finally called the wholesaler who read me the description from their order book: ". . . and contains 100% bees wax . . ." I knew then what the problem was. I could tell by their scent they contained mainly paraffin and very little, if any bees wax. But of course the drop or two of beeswax they did have in them was 100%! So, now that I've finally gotten set up to make my own, my bees and their production are even more precious to me. And I waxed one of my hard goat cheeses with the bee wax as well. Can't wait until that one finishes ripening!

The goats are doing well; I really enjoy listening to Bubba sweet talk the Girly Goats!

Finally I am using the goat-milk soap I made last month. I am pleased with my first attempt and will be soon be making some Bubba Gruff Baaaaaad Boy Soap.

With all the good rain we've had the cows and calves are looking good. Mostly I've been enjoying the animals, riding my bicycle for errands into town and seeing this place all green again after months of devastating drought.