Feeding cows in the winter, cutting boards, no more plastric wrap, and winter gardening!Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ 

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Fall rain showers have allowed us to graze the cows longer than previous years; we’ve gotten to run the cows through our pasture rotations a whole extra time! As a result, we didn’t feed until the 11th of November. I assumed we’d start feeding at the end of October. That saves around a thousand pounds of hay feeding half rations.

Our goal is always to be efficient and even more critical to streamline when just the two of usβ€”each with our responsibilities plus the task of keeping a toddler alive and happy.

For the past few years, we have been dry lotting the cows to give our pastures a rest for almost half the year. But dry lotted or not; cows need supplemental hay in the wintertime here.

Initially, this meant feeding them morning and night with ATV and trailer loaded down with anywhere from 70-200# of hay. One of us would drive, the other would walk by the trailer, pushing a flake off every 20 feet, creating a long, peaceful feed line. Then, when only one of us would feed, we’d drive, stop, flake the hay out, drive, stop, flake the hay out, and so on.

When it snowed too much for the ATV, we had to sled the hay out. This meant we had to keep the cows close. We would often walk the hay to the fence line and shot put 15-pound flakes over it.

It was a significant burden that we loved until about March. It also became more complicated and dicey to have an infant or toddler out there with excitable cows. Often we found ourselves dodging a flinging cow head as it darted by, bucking practically on top of our ATV. We have had many heart-pounding moments where we felt irresponsible having Clancy out there with cows who don’t know their size or weight and are frisky for food.

Then we started thinking bigger. With our 17 thousand pound tractor, we had some options. It took altering the tractor bucket and some modifications to removable hay spears that bolt to the tractor bucket before we could handle bales that were 800 pounds! The cows went from a twice-daily, extremely hands-on affair to a 1-2 times weekly task, and the tractor can’t be stopped by any amount of snow we get.

Nathaniel started out getting one bale on his flatbed trailer at a time. Then he’d get a couple. Next, we started storing them in our barn and would get more like 4-6 at a time.

This year, with the help of John, Nathaniel’s cousin, we got twenty bales in one convoy. Eight on our trailer and twelve on John’s. Never before in our five years at Big Rock have we ever had an entire year’s worth of hay squirreled away for Winter.

Having all of our hay in advance has always been the goal; it has just been difficult to calculate our hay requirments accurately. Storing the hay has been another hardship. The twenty big bales can be stored out in the elements. The outside will fade, some moisture damage will occur, but nothing that will bother the cows.

The horses’ hay can all be stored undercover in the barn; small bales need covering from the elements, especially for being fed to horses.

Nathaniel made quick work of unloading John’s trailer. Next, I helped unload our trailer. Each time I drive our massive red tractor, it is easier and more intuitive than before. I now feel that I could confidently feed the cows a 3x3x8 foot bale myself.

It is so empowering to be capable of doing practical stuff.

I often give Nathaniel a hard time about not being able to multitask like myself. Driving the tractor was the equivalent of eating a big slice of humble pie. Operating the clutch, which acts as gas and brake for tight maneuvering plus the worn-out brake when you are about to hit the trailer and then get the tilt and height of the bucket just right… It is multitasking on a very unforgiving level!

Driving the tractor is so rewarding, and I look forward to taking turns feeding the cows every 4-6 days, depending on the temperatures. Clancy loves getting to drive the tractor with Nathaniel too. Feeding the cows atop giant Zetor is a great family activity!
 

Winter Greens! It is barely that time of year again. Winter Greens is my favorite thing to eat in the garden, hands down. Picking them on cold winter days in the protection of my mom’s high tunnel is so therapeutic. It allows us to get our feet and hands in the dirt for earthing year round! Clancy loves picking greens, too, but they usually end up a snack rather than making it to the table. All end up in the same place anyway!

Cutting Boards! Nathaniel is gearing up for Christmas. He has been using small offcut material from larger projects to piece together beautiful, one-of-a-kind hardwood cutting boards of all shapes and sizes! Pictured are just a few cutting boards in the glue-up stage of production. These will be available by contacting Nathaniel or attending a local small holiday maker fair in the works. We will let you know more details when they become available!

New product alert! Say goodbye to plastic wrap and mismatch lids. I am sewing these toppers in all sizes, from the mason jar to instant pot cover and mixing bowls! I made an original batch for myself probably five or six years ago; I love them! I found American milled material that is eco-friendly and toxin-free to make a whole bunch more!

Winter Crop at Big Rock. I have never tried planting garlic and am hoping for a lovely surprise in the spring as these tiny bulbs push their way above the soil and start to produce some garlic scapes for us to enjoy early on. Clancy and I curled up on the couch, watching the original Winnie the Pooh as we broke apart heads of garlic. Then we took our heavy digging equipment out to the garden. Clancy had to use his excavator to remove several rocks where garlic cloves needed burying. It was incredibly mild, and the overcast sky felt like a big hug as we toiled in the beautiful garden soil!
 

Fri, Jan 15

Fudgy Coconut Brownies

Enjoy these yummy Fudgy Coconut Brownies as a sweet treat with your sweetie this Valentine’s Day! These are super easy to whip up, grain-free, with zero refined sugar and full of healthy fats from a

 Read More 
 

Crochet Washie Set of 3

Three Pure cotton crochet dishcloths for wiping counters, sticky toddler fingers, and soaking up all the spills.

When checking out, please enter into the additional information window how you would like them packaged and where you would like them to be sent if it is different than the details provided.

In the additional information window you can also request different colors or a combinations of colors.

You will receive an email to confirm the details of your order.

$15.00

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We have been getting so many rain showers that it looks like spring now! The rain is a promise that our life here will be sustained and nourished, even through the lean times.

Thanks for opening and reading another Big Rock Newsletter!
 

Birdie Handmade
11802 NW 10TH ST
TERREBONNE
United States

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