Great Big Farmer

With the steady rhythm of the electric fence charger in the background, I think about the calves that were just picked up to be sold. It seems like this gets harder for me as the years go on. I don't think I like the calves more than I did in the past, I'm just more aware of my affection for them. I read a few pages from Sun House by David James Duncan. He writes about the relationship between an old rancher the land and his cattle, and those who will be nourished by their bodies. After reading, I think about the same. I conclude "if the cattle are living in the beauty of the world, then so am I". When I listened to this recording later, this really stuck with me. It is the essence of ecological farming and I believe this notion transfers to the production of tomatoes, honey, apples, wheat and whatever else we raise.

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

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Rambling about all kinds of stuff today. Thinking about the quality of the pastures and how much grazing time is left. Will the Super El Nino allow for a longer grazing season? Had the same problem with the combine; it definately needs a new belt. The sourghum-sudan cover crop will be left for the deer. Still no fix on the flooding from upstream farms. Upcoming jobs include rolling the composting manure windrow, cut Queen Anne's lace, and get the new disc and cultivator ready for next spring. Beavers are eating the cover crop, and have some interesting slides down to the water. I volunteered at the Ripley Fall Fair where it was noted how polite everyone is, even when a bit tipsy. Nice community!

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

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I ramble on about the beavers who have set up a temporary home in the deepest part of the river. Seems like equipment repairs are happening all day, every day. Picked up a wider disc and I ramble on about that. Working on firewood, tooth test for soybeans, cover crops need rain, calves go to OLEX next week, and to finish a sound you'll recognize if you prep your own fire wood. (Sep 23)

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

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I thought I had rambled in previous episodes, but in this one I have outdone myself! Prepping the combine for soybean harvest. The planter is repaired and almost ready to be put away. The cows are wondering why I'm talking to myself. Fall maintenance on the White 2-62 tractor took so much longer than expected. It's weird that there are flies on the cows this time of year. My cattle brand is Bar Double A, the same as my ancestor Molly Lyle in Arrowood Alberta. I'm thinking about forcing the graze on this paddock. Another fantastic evening to be in the pasture with the cows. The sound of cows munching red clover to finish. (Sep 14)

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
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I ramble on... about the organic audit coming up and a whole bunch of other things such as field histories, receipts, tags for seed bags, transferring anecdotal notes to summary sheets, and things I would do differently in hindsight. Then I suggest that planning cover crops by seeds-per-square-foot is a good idea and better than pounds of seed per acre. Flint's calves are always awesome, and I wish she would have a heifer to keep. My calves are chill when they get vaccinated. I had to change the hydraulic hose fittings on most of my equipment because my new Ford tractor is weird. I reflect on this audio journal. When I search the internet, I include .edu in the search criteria.

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
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Before rambling on about other things, Tom calls the cows "Bruce County Style" to cross the river. Sounds of the crossing and the cows feasting on apples. The question of the best number of cows to keep in my little herd is contemplated in non-directional monologue style LOL. At this point in the fall, I'm starting to plan for the end of the grazing season. (Sep 5)

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
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I've got concerns about the number of apples on the ground where I am about to move the cows. If they eat too many, one or more might bloat which is a real concern. The DIY loose salt or mineral feeder is described. These have been great and have really stood up well over the years. (Sep 5)

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
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I confused the neighbour's cows bawling with mine. Well not me, my cows. Using a zig-zag path to help erosion on hills. Chisel plow to rip for compaction in the heifer barn field. Breaking shear bolts. Kincardine seems to be in the rainshadow of Michigan's "thumb". Wendell Berry influenced me greatly. Red clover in the mineral mix has resulted in a good stand in the most distant paddock. This remote paddock is a resting place for deer and this morning, it is providing habitat for meadowlarks, snakes, and monarchs. There is nothing like a program of rotationally grazing cattle to increase biodiversity.

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
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We like to make a small fire and sit around it at night. There is a line of maple trees along the east side of the front yard, and their trunks support a supply of wood that helps to make a cozy space. A ring of field stones defines the fire pit, and six or eight chairs are arranged in a somewhat coherent circle. The best seats face west with a clear view of the setting sun over the sloping west treeline of the farm. This is the place where we entertain friends, and where the kids have had their small parties over the years. Sitting there happens most nights when we are free, and we tend to have a fire on weekends or in the shoulder seasons when it is cool. On this night, we enjoyed a small fire and were taken by the loud and consistent chorus of crickets and grass frogs. You'll also hear Oakley's patrol barking. I think he's letting the coyotes know that he's on duty. He is a Maremma livestock dog, so it is in his DNA to continue like this all night and every night. Needless to say he sleeps most days LOL. He is a gentle, intelligent, and independent dog, and a fierce defender of the property.

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
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Rambling on about care and management of weaned calves. Not seeing peas emerge in the cover crop. It makes no sense to worry about things on the farm that are out of my control to change now. In the barn with the newly weaned calves. Very few stress days for these calves. Weaning "across the gate" vs "separation". Jumping back to the start of the recording to the sounds of morning...about a minute standing on the cow path where the pasture, river and woods meet. Recorded September 3, 2026.

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
[email protected]