Ditch The Store

Title: A Guide to Animal Nutrition Made Easy

Understanding Nutritional Needs: To take good care of goats, it's important to know what they need to eat at different times in their lives. Goats go through different stages like being babies (kids), growing up, being pregnant, giving birth (lactating does), and being fully grown (adult bucks).

Taking Care of the Place They Eat (Forage Management): Make sure goats have the right places to eat. This means picking the right fields or pastures, changing where they eat sometimes, and keeping these places healthy.

Choosing Good Foods to Eat (Forage Types): Figure out what kinds of plants are best for goats to eat and how good they are for them.

How Often to Feed Them (Feeding Frequency): Decide how often to give food to goats, depending on how old they are.

Making the Right Food Mix (Feed Formulation): Make sure goats get all the different kinds of food they need. This helps them grow well and stay healthy.

Giving Extra Food When Needed (Supplemental Feeding): Sometimes, goats need extra food like grains, minerals, or vitamins. Learn when and how to give them these extra foods.

Having the Right Space and Clean Place to Eat (Feeding Space and Facilities): Make sure goats have enough room to eat comfortably and keep their eating areas clean.

Keeping Them Hydrated (Water Supply): Always provide goats with clean and fresh water. Check that the water is safe for them to drink.

Getting the Right Vitamins and Minerals (Minerals and Vitamins): Learn about vitamins and minerals and how they help keep goats healthy. Sometimes, goats need extra vitamins and minerals.

The Importance of Plants with Fiber (Fiber and Roughage): Know that goats need food with fiber in it. This helps them digest their food properly. Hay and certain plants are good sources of fiber.

Choosing the Right Protein Foods (Protein Sources): Pick foods with the right kind of protein for goats. This can be plants like legumes or special kinds of grass.

Finding the Right Energy Foods (Energy Sources): Choose the best foods for giving goats energy. Depending on how old they are, they might need different energy foods.

Understanding How Goats Eat (Grazing Behavior): Learn how goats like to eat and what they prefer. Make sure they don't eat too much in one place, so they don't hurt the grass.

Keeping Them Healthy (Health Considerations): Learn how to spot when goats are not eating well or are missing important foods. Also, know how to prevent health problems.

Checking How Healthy They Are (Body Condition Scoring): Learn how to check if goats are the right weight. If not, you can adjust their food.

Storing Food Safely (Feed Storage and Handling): Keep the food in good condition by storing it the right way. This keeps it fresh and safe for goats to eat.

Keeping an Eye on Costs (Budgeting and Cost Management): Make a plan for how much it will cost to feed goats. Find ways to save money, like using cheaper food when it's safe to do so.

Adjusting for the Weather (Adaptation to Environmental Conditions): Change how you feed goats when the weather is very hot or very cold. This helps them stay comfortable and healthy.

Protecting Them from Tiny Invaders (Parasite Control): Learn how the food goats eat affects their ability to fight off tiny animals called parasites. Find ways to control these parasites.

Taking Care of the Moms and Babies (Breeding and Reproduction): Change what you feed goats when they're going to have babies. This is different for pregnant and nursing goats.

Transitioning to Solid Food (Weaning Practices): Make a smooth change from milk to regular food for baby goats.

Remember, taking care of goats and their nutrition can be complex. What they need can change based on things like where they live and their health. Paying attention and making changes when needed will help keep goats healthy and happy.

 The Nutritional and Health Benefits of Raw Milk: A Homesteader's Guide

In the world of homesteading, the idea of producing your own food is deeply ingrained. Few things symbolize self-sufficiency more than having your own cow or goat for milking. One of the primary products homesteaders can enjoy from their animals is raw milk, which has a rich history and a host of potential health benefits. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the historical significance of raw milk, explore its numerous health advantages, and understand why its availability varies across the globe.

The Historical Perspective: A Return to Tradition

Before the Industrial Revolution, milk was produced and consumed on family farms, fostering a direct connection between people and their food source. This hands-on approach to milk production ensured that families enjoyed fresh milk, which could be transformed into an array of delicious dairy products like butter, yogurt, and cheese. Remarkably, historical records reveal that milk-related problems were rare during this era, a testament to the quality of farm-fresh milk.

The Challenges of the 1800s: Unclean Milk

As urbanization spread, so did the challenges of maintaining milk quality. Milking animals in crowded, often unhygienic conditions led to contaminated milk supplies. By the late 19th century, this issue had escalated, resulting in what was termed the "milk problem." Sickly cows, sometimes fed brewery waste, were the source of tainted milk, causing widespread illnesses, especially among children.

The Innovative Solutions: Pasteurization and Certification

To address these issues, two transformative solutions emerged: pasteurization and certification. Pasteurization, the process of heating milk to eliminate harmful bacteria, was introduced to ensure the safety of dairy products. Certification aimed to establish rigorous hygiene standards for raising and milking cows, thereby guaranteeing the production of clean, safe milk. 

1893 - First time someone said we need to be clean about how we collect milk, and from that point on milk production changed, raw milk began to be used again but it was only those who could follow the instructions of how to maintain hygiene that produced drinking milk that was clean.

1999 - Raw milk became the boogyman, more than likely because factory farming started to leap ahead with more people wanting milk from the supermarket instead of the farm gate. 

Clearly with the larger quantity of milk being produced it became harder for the farmer to monitor animal health and also ensure cleanliness of all the equipment. It became more economical to just pasturise everything than worry about hygiene. 

Is Raw Milk Good for You?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. 

Raw milk can carry harmful germs, such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella. These germs can pose serious health risks to you and your family.

The main foods for cause food poisoning are undercooked meat and raw vegetables, leafy greens and rice, fruit and sprouts.

Raw Milk Today: Health Benefits and Beyond

Raw milk, the purest form of milk, is milk that hasn't undergone pasteurization, preserving its natural state. Advocates of raw milk celebrate its numerous potential health benefits:

Enzymes: Raw milk contains essential enzymes like lactase (facilitating lactose digestion) and lipase (supporting fat absorption).

Probiotics: Beneficial probiotic bacteria can thrive in raw milk, offering digestive health benefits and bolstering the immune system.

Nutrient Retention: Raw milk may retain higher levels of vitamins, such as B12 and vitamin C, compared to pasteurized milk.

Improved Digestibility: Some enthusiasts suggest that raw milk is easier to digest, thanks to the presence of enzymes and beneficial bacteria.

While these potential benefits continue to be debated, it's essential to note that pasteurization serves to eliminate harmful pathogens, ensuring milk's safety for broader consumption.

Legislation in Different Countries: A Global Perspective

Remarkably, the legal status of raw milk varies widely across the world. Canada, Australia, and Scotland have imposed bans on raw cow's milk, citing safety concerns. However, raw goat's milk remains legal in some Australian states. In contrast, numerous countries in Europe and beyond allow the sale of raw milk without major issues.

Raw goat's milk is legal to produce and consume in four Australian states and is available from licensed producers. These are Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

Only Australia, Scotland and Canada have a blanket ban on the raw drinking milk from cows. In Scotland people have been purchasing it online from England for many years. In Canada many herdshare arrangements provide milk despite being under prosecution. Raw milk for human consumption is technically ‘illegal’ in Canada unless you own the animal, but some communities enjoy access via herd shares ‘ownership’, and some routinely bring it in from the USA where it is available in 12 of the 13 bordering states.

Important to note Raw milk is directly sold to customers at farms in countries such as France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Ireland and the U.K. With what appears to be no major issues.

280 farmers across the Netherlands still make raw milk boerenkaas, or farmer’s cheese.

90% of Pakistan’s total milk consumption is raw unprocessed milk.

The Financial Realities of Small Farms

Small farms are the heart of homesteading, where self-sufficiency thrives. However, financial challenges persist, affecting these small-scale operations:

High Operating Costs: Small farms often grapple with steep expenses for machinery, equipment, fuel, and labor.

Market Access and Competition: Limited access to markets and competition with larger operations can pose income challenges.

Regulatory and Compliance Burdens: Compliance with agricultural regulations can demand significant time and resources.

The Economic Side of Pasteurization

Pasteurization, while crucial for food safety, can be cost-prohibitive for small farms. Adhering to strict hygiene standards and pasteurization regulations adds a financial burden to these operations, sometimes leading to the decline of small farms in favor of larger, more mechanized ones.

The average age of the Australian farmer has been estimated at 57. Many raw milk producers overseas are millennials and ex-vegans. They understand the value and consumer demand for RDM.

Since 2000, Queensland has lost over 75% of its dairy farms, plummeting from 1500 to 360 in May 2019. 1 in 10 dairy farms in Victoria have closed in the last year since May 2019.

Australia is losing its family farms at an alarming rate, with our numbers down to 86,000 from 157,000 in 2011.

Embracing the Benefits of Raw Milk

As a homesteader, the choice to include raw milk in your lifestyle reflects a commitment to tradition, self-sufficiency, and potential health benefits. Whether you're considering raw milk for its nutritional advantages or contemplating having a milk-producing animal on your homestead, it's essential to weigh the evidence carefully and make informed choices that prioritize the well-being of your family.

Resources

Australian Raw Milk Advocacy

https://www.ausrawmilk.org/

 Raw Milk Institute (United States)

https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/

 Raw Milk Institute (United Kingdom)

https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/rawmilkuk

 Find Raw Milk Near You

https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/updates/find-a-good-raw-milk-farmer

In "Bees and Other Pollinators," we explore the critical role of these tiny creatures in urban homestead gardens. Pollinators are the unsung heroes behind bountiful harvests and flourishing landscapes. For urban homesteaders, understanding how to attract and support these vital insects is essential.

The episode begins by introducing various pollinators found in Australia, emphasizing the diversity of species, from European honeybees to native stingless bees, blue-banded bees, and more. We delve into the symbiotic relationship between pollinators and gardens, emphasizing their importance in crop pollination and biodiversity.

To create a pollinator-friendly haven, we discuss selecting the right plants, understanding the role of nectar and pollen, and maintaining a continuous bloom cycle. We highlight the significance of planting a variety of flowers and shrubs, especially native species.

We emphasize the harmful effects of pesticides on pollinators and offer alternatives like biological controls and integrated pest management techniques. Additionally, we explore the world of beneficial insects, their roles in natural pest control, and how to attract and sustain them.

Understanding different pollination methods, including self-pollination and cross-pollination, is crucial for garden success. We cover when and how to resort to hand pollination, providing a step-by-step guide and essential tools and techniques.

Lastly, we discuss creating pollinator-friendly habitats, considering garden layout, nesting sites, water sources, and shelter. We emphasize recognizing signs of pollinator stress and the value of collaborating with local beekeeping communities.

By embracing these practices, urban homesteaders can establish gardens that thrive while supporting pollinator populations, fostering a healthier, more sustainable environment.

 https://www.mojohomestead.net/bees101

https://www.mojohomestead.net/7mustknows

Livestock Breeding and Reproduction

My favourite thing on the farm is managing the livestock and especially the breeding process. We discuss breeding cycles and timing, selection of breeds, issues with breeding etc.

Products you can buy from Mojo Homestead

Beeswax Wraps Available at https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07TRHHBMZ?ref=myi_title_dp

24PC Kitchen Storage Accessories https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BKGC2SLJ?ref=myi_title_dp

20pc Eco Beauty Box https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BKXWTZM6?ref=myi_title_dp

Seed and Plants

Let's talk about prepping your growing season in time for spring by sorting out seed saving, grafting and using cuttings to grow new plants. 

If I can learn to grow plants anyone can, because I absolutely have a brown thumb. 

Products you can buy from Mojo Homestead

Beeswax Wraps Available at https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07TRHHBMZ?ref=myi_title_dp

24PC Kitchen Storage Accessories https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BKGC2SLJ?ref=myi_title_dp

20pc Eco Beauty Box https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BKXWTZM6?ref=myi_title_dp

Why are so many people anti-farming? Especially when there are so many other things you could be against? Why not be anti paedophile, anti-thief, anti-scammers or just anti-arseholes!! Anti-farmer seems weird given without farmers we'd be hungry, naked and sober.

Iowa Dairy Farmer

https://www.instagram.com/iowadairyfarmer/?hl=en

SunStone Orchard and Rabbitry

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1019498728/sunstone-orchard-rabbitry/?hl=en

Spring Bee Preparation

Cleaning and Inspecting Beehives and Equipment

   - Thoroughly clean beehives and equipment from the previous season.

   - Remove any debris, dead bees, and mold.

   - Inspect frames, foundation, and boxes for damage or wear.

   - Ensure hive components are in good condition.

Ordering New Bees or Queen Bees

   - Assess the strength and health of existing colonies.

   - Determine if any colonies need replacement or supplementation.

   - Order new package bees or queen bees from reputable sources if needed.

   - Coordinate delivery dates and prepare equipment for new arrivals.

Providing Supplemental Feeding

   - Check stored honey reserves in hives to gauge food availability.

   - If food supplies are low, provide supplemental feeding with sugar syrup or fondant.

   - Monitor feed consumption and adjust as necessary.

Setting Up or Repairing Bee Yard Infrastructure

   - Repair or build new hive stands, platforms, and shelters as needed.

   - Ensure proper spacing between hives to prevent overcrowding and improve airflow.

   - Ensure hives are positioned to receive optimal sunlight and protection from wind.

Planning for Swarm Prevention and Management

   - Inspect hives for signs of overcrowding and swarm preparations.

   - Perform early-season hive manipulations to reduce swarming tendencies.

   - Provide adequate space for colony expansion by adding supers.

   - Monitor hive population and queen performance closely.

Reviewing and Updating Beekeeping Records

   - Update hive inspection records with observations, treatments, and actions taken.

   - Record any changes in hive health, behavior, or productivity.

   - Review previous years' records to identify trends and make informed decisions.

Researching Local Regulations and Permits

   - Review local zoning laws and regulations related to beekeeping.

   - Check if permits are required for beekeeping in your area.

   - Ensure compliance with any beekeeping ordinances or restrictions.

Additional Spring Considerations

   - Attend local beekeeping workshops or meetings to stay informed about best practices.

   - Monitor for signs of diseases and pests, and take appropriate measures if needed.

   - Prepare for potential fluctuations in weather conditions and nectar flows.

   - Assemble necessary tools and materials for the upcoming season, such as protective gear, beekeeping tools, and medications.

Remember, beekeeping practices can vary based on regional differences, climate, and individual beekeeping goals. It's important to adapt these tasks to your specific situation and consult with local beekeeping experts if needed.

Fruit and Nut Orchard Prepartion Podcast

Pruning your fruit trees before spring growth. Pruning involves trimming away dead or diseased branches and those that are growing too close together. This helps improve sunlight penetration and airflow, leading to healthier trees and better fruit production. Remember, different fruit trees require different pruning techniques, so do your homework for each type you have in your orchard.

Now, let's talk about inspecting and fixing tree supports or trellises. These structures help keep your trees upright and prevent them from breaking under the weight of fruit. Regularly check for rust, wear, or damage. If you spot any issues, repair or replace the supports promptly to avoid problems later on.

Pest control is a crucial aspect of orchard management. Applying dormant oil sprays during the dormant season helps suffocate pests and their eggs, reducing pest populations in the coming months. Follow the instructions on the label carefully and make sure you time the application correctly. Integrated pest management techniques, like introducing beneficial insects, can also help keep pests in check.

Moving on to fertilizing your fruit trees – it's like giving them a balanced diet. Soil tests will tell you what nutrients your soil lacks, and you can then choose the right fertilizer accordingly. Aim for a balanced nutrient ratio, and don't forget secondary and micronutrients. Develop a feeding schedule based on your tree's growth cycle to ensure they get the nutrients they need.

Soil health is vital. Assess your soil's pH, texture, and drainage. Amend the soil with compost or organic matter to improve its structure and nutrient-holding capacity. Mulching around the base of the trees helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Healthy soil equals healthy trees.

Protecting your fruit from birds and pests is essential. Plan ahead for fruit tree netting or covers. These physical barriers prevent birds, insects, and other critters from feasting on your hard-earned produce. Make sure the netting or covers are secure and properly installed.

Unfortunately, orchards aren't immune to diseases and pests. Regularly inspect your trees for any signs of trouble, such as discolored leaves, unusual growths, or pest infestations. Early detection is key to effective treatment. If you identify a problem, research the specific issue and consider various solutions, including organic and chemical treatments.

And there you have it – a practical guide to kickstarting and maintaining your fruit and nut orchard. Remember, orchard care requires consistent effort, observation, and adaptation. Take the time to learn about the specific needs of each type of tree in your orchard, and you'll be well on your way to enjoying a bountiful harvest.

Episode 24 - Livestock Preparation 

 This is my favourite time of year when all our babies are born!  But there is a lot of work that goes into the birthing season, shelters, fencing, medical supplies, feedstock up's and the planning processes.  

Special mention to Datadoo Anglo Nubians 

https://datadoo.myshopify.com/

Podcast - Episode 23 - Garden Preparation 

CJ discusses what we do at Mojo Homestead during the month of August to prepare for our garden's prime growing season.  

We discuss soil and garden bed preparation, seed purchase and starting seedlings.

Also crop rotation, garden structures and watering systems.

Garden Suppliers

Eden Seeds - Australian supplier

https://www.edenseeds.com.au/

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (which comes up now as Rare Seeds) in USA

https://www.rareseeds.com/

RHS Plants in the UK have a good reputation

https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/seeds/plcid.294/

MJB Inspired for garden supplies - an awesome supplier who I have had contact with, mention Mojo Homestead, no affiliation however he will look after you.

https://mjbinspired.au/