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Contents:
- 1. Farm Improvements
- 2. Beef Restock | Half Beef Orders
- 3. Product Availability Update
Farm Improvements – Fresh water is a necessity for raising healthy animals on pasture. Until recently, we used an ICB tote on a small tralier that we would refill from our well.
During the summer the frequency greatly increases in order to keep the chickens hydrated.
So, I called my buddy at Southern Pipe and ordered pipe, fittings, etc. and then rented a trencher for May 16th to install 2,700 feet of 1.25 inch PVC pipe. Along the line we added 15 Plasson Quick Coupler Valves that we will hook to as we move the animals through our pastures.
I prefer to place them under an existing fence line. That way pastures on both sides of the fence can share the valve, cows are less likely to step on it, and humans are less likely to drive equipment over the valve.
About 1,150 feet that we installed was to extend the existing water line on the new ground for our cows. I had held off initially because the land needed to mature from clearing back in 2019.
Another improvement that is about 95% complete is replacing barbwire with a high-tencil electric wire to energize temporary polywire used to make daily grazing paddocks in our pastures. This will affect seven pastures covering about 115 acres. Along with the wire and insulators we will add a new Cyclops energizer and grounding field.
Having the additional water valves and electric fence will allow us to better manage grazing for our cows and thus improve our soil health.
Installing water lines reminds me how my Dad included me on his crew back in the late 1960's when he installed for local water systems for his occupation. Today, not only did we improve our herd management, but I was able to instruct the guys helping me how to properly install lines so one day they can take the knowledge and apply to their own operation.
The last improvement we have been busy with involves our pastures.
Currently, our winter grass has mostly died back which means our pastures are in transition to summer forages.
Back in February we spread crabgrass seed into our winter pastures which included most of our new ground and some established pastures. Then, in early May we caught a dry period and spread the balance of the new ground.
Additionally, we are drilling sorgham sudan grass into some pastures for added nutrition for our cows.
Here is a look at one of our pastures where the cows grazed and stomped the winter grass down. Key principle - without decay you cannot build soil health. That grass that is decaying also had 174 head of cows' manure and urine on it during 3 to 4 days while in this pasture. The carbon (dead grass) plus nitrogen (manure & urine) builds soil health through soil biology which releases nutrients in the soil needed by the new grasses. It's really an amazing process that God created!
And, that decaying grass is providing ground cover as well as minimizing soil temperatures while the summer grasses emerge and mature.
Beef Restock | Price Update | Half Beef Shares - if you keep up with our restock notices in our newsletter then you probably know we cut and packed beef this week. Inventory will be added to our online store Sunday at 6pm when all pickup locations ordering window is open.
Last week beef cattle futures hit a new all-time high and have held steady. I recently heard that feedlots were losing $200 per head as demand weakens. I know they are feeding out a lot of very expensive cattle right now.
Half beef orders continues to be strong. This week we delivered half beef shares to sixteen families. If you are interested in filling your freezer with nutritious grass "Finished" beef free of chemicals, hormones, and who knows what all these days then simply reply to this email to be added to our wait list. We anticipate harvesting half beef shares early July.
** Product Availability Update **
NOTE: Restocks are made about 6 PM on the dates indicated below!
Chicken - Restocked May 14th. Next Restock will be May 28th
Turkey - Thanksgiving whole turkeys have been ordered. Hatchery cannot provide us poults this year. Developing a new plan for ground & pieces for our customers
Eggs - Restock each Tuesday PRIOR to YOUR delivery date. Note that we are stocking Corner Market Hattiesburg & Petal locations
Beef - Next Restock will be May 25th.
Pork – May 9th restocked ground pork & patty sausage. Restocked May 14th for fresh items. Cured items May 25th.
Lamb - Restocked March 27th, just in time for Easter. Next Restock will be September 2025.
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