Remain Calm, Neighbour's Cows Not Mine + Chisel Plow And Compaction + Wendell Berry's Passing + Red Clover
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.
greatbigfarmer@gmail.com
5 Oct 2026
(September 3) Night Sounds By The Fire Pit + Oakley's Patrol Bark
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.
greatbigfarmer@gmail.com
5 Oct 2026
Care And Management Of Weaned Calves + Other Stuff + Sounds Of The Morning
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.
Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder
Please contact me with your own stories.
greatbigfarmer@gmail.com
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