Egg Update | Farm Storm

Good morning from your Farmer(s),

Contents:

1. 1. Egg Update
2. 2. Farm Storm Aug. 16, 2024
3. 3. Your Upcoming Order Deadline | Pickup Date
4. 4. Product Availability Update

EGG UPDATE: We never really know just how much our customers appreciate our eggs until they are in short supply! Thursday, a young lady from Columbia called because our eggs were out of stock at Corner Market. Every week she drives to Hattiesburg to buy our eggs for her Grandmother who only eats our eggs. WOW.

Yep! Our eggs are in short supply right now. Most of the issue is caused by the July & August heat (especially at night where they did not get much relief). The heat has caused them to either stop laying or not lay as often. Basically, we are getting about 40% of the eggs we should. The size of the eggs have also shrunk.

In one day we lost about 150 hens from the heat. Even with plenty of shade and fresh water.

Our priority is to give preference to our farm store customers. We have determined the average sales in eggs (not considering size) and will have stockpile to meet that demand. Any extra will go to our wholesale customers.

Good news is the heat wave has broken and cooler temperatures are in store – does not mean we have seen the last of some 90 degree days, but hopefully the 100+ days are over for 2024.

Additionally, we have ordered and will take delivery of new pullets on September 14^th. They typically need 6 weeks before they start laying. So, supply should improve soon.

We have also decided to change the day eggs are added to our store FROM Wednesday TO Tuesday because too many folks miss getting their eggs when the window is only Wednesday evening. Hopefully, this will help.

FARM STORM: Excessive heat can also cause powerful storms. That was the case at the farm Friday evening, August 16^th. The radar showed a small band of storms over our area. With it came straight-line winds from the West, a lot of lightning, and some rain (we received about 1.5 inches).

Lightning caused our biggest lost as two calves from our WY cows were lying under an oak tree when lightning struck the tree and also killed both calves.

We also lost a number of trees with the high winds. The largest one was 45 inches in diameter. This is in addition to the dozen or so lost last year from the drought.

Here is a picture of this tree:

The last item destroyed was Beth’s greenhouse. The wind caught it just right to pick it up (mostly) and move it near to where my truck is parked. This picture was taken Saturday morning after the storm and as we were getting ready to load for our Jackson Metro Route.

Otherwise, the broiler chickens, hens, pigs, and cows are all doing great.

** Product Availability Update **

NOTE: Restocks are made about 6 PM on the dates indicated below!

Chicken -Restocked August 28th. Next Restock is September 11th
.
Turkey - Sold Out! New poults arrived, but will be months before ready. Demand popped and I dropped the ball on this one.

Eggs - Restock each (NOW) TUESDAY PRIOR to YOUR delivery date. With the extended heat, eggs have become VERY tight again.

Beef -Next Restock September 20th. Half Beef shares have been added to our store for orders. Planning for a September 17th harvest.

Pork - Next Restock fresh cuts September 11th. Cured items about September 23rd. Restocked Sausages late last week.

Lamb - Restocked Wednesday July 31st.