The first two months of 2020 consisted of the usual farm year end paperwork, getting calves off to auction and shovelling snow.  Along came March and Covid 19.  On the farm, March and April slipped by fast with calving and getting ready for spring and summer activities.

May came with the announcement that the Florenceville-Bristol market was cancelled. The vegetable patch was downsized and now I needed another avenue to market my beef.  May and June did not provide ideal growing weather for pastures or the hay crop so more corn was planted for corn silage, and then searching out more standing hay to cover the fact cattle were going to start eating winter hay by August.

Late frost hit the strawberries, and haskaps. There were plenty of haskaps on the lower part of the bushes. We had the best raspberry crop ever. I was able to sell some and froze 8 cups in a bag for winter sale, nothing like a raspberry pie in January.

Extreme heat came before all the haying was complete, making short days, but great for the corn. Pastures quickly dried up so feeding hay became a daily routine. Seven calves were weaned a month earlier than normal and cows shipped. Reconnected with freezer beef customers and sent animals to butcher shop.  I missed the Thursday market reconnecting with the community and an opportunity to share our beef burgers and chili. Record breaking heat temperatures for most of August.

September back to wrapping bales of green oats to supplement the hay and corn silage.  RAIN, RAIN, where are you. Many of the water sources dried up leaving only well water for the herd on the home pastures.  Mother Nature did provide an array of fall colors to enjoy.  The custom team arrived and harvested the corn silage, a good crop for hungry cows.

November brought much needed rain and today December 1 we have had over 2 inches and it is still pouring.  Now we are in the process of shipping some of the calves to auctions this month instead of January to cut back on the amount of feed being used.

BUY LOCAL is important to keep the local economy alive. Keep beef in mind when making your gift list. ANYONE WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE A BOX OF LEAN, GROWTH HORMONE FREE BEEF AS AN UNIQUE GIFT.

I cannot believe summer is gone and now we are enjoying the beautiful fall foliage.  The summer extreme heat and little moisture has created challenges for all farmers.  Hay crop was down, pastures quickly dried up along with springs, cattle ponds, brooks and now wells.

On my farm strawberries and some vegetables were a write off. Great crop raspberries, haskaps, beets, carrots, beans and herbs. Potatoes did not set heavy but a good size. Either the deer or wild turkey liked my tomatoes, so the crop was downsized, but had lots.  This year I have frozen raspberries and haskaps for sale along with the frozen beef.

Consumers will find food items in limited quantity and more expensive due to climate change.  Hard decisions had to be made in July regarding the lack of winter feed and pasture conditions so 9 cows had to be sold.  When calves are weaned mid October and replacement heifers preg checked more animals may go.

In New Brunswick more consumers are embracing the “Buy Local” concept of shopping for food and many other items. Agriculture has been one of the back bone industries of New Brunswick and food dollars spent locally ensures the survival  of family farms. Call your local farmers to see what they have to sell and learn how the food is grown.
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PRAY FOR RAIN

Pastures and fields are drying up with the lack of rain.  The hay has been hauled home and we are feeding the herd so the herd has to get smaller.  In June cows were selected to stay and cows were on the  cull list for a variety of reasons. Last week sent some to auction and more to go next week.  Some become pets and watching the cattle truck leave the farm is tough.

Hopefully the corn silage still to be harvested and the hay we have will keep them fed through the winter and into next spring.  Springs and brooks are drying up and well water is rationed.

The calves look great with some outstanding ones noticed by cattle people who drop by.

Ronald and & I celebrated 55 years last week though it does not seem possible the years have gone by so fast.
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ALL FOR NOW
BETTY

The challenges of Covid 19 along with the high humidity, extreme heat, strong winds and very little rain raises the question WHAT NEXT?

July 3rd eighteen cows went  through the A.I. program at the home pasture testing out the rebuilt corral system.  The replacement heifers along with five cow/calf pairs and a bull went to a neighbouring pasture. Today the Hereford bull joined the ladies in the home pasture for the summer.

Haying is underway, a light crop due to lack of moisture. The strawberry crop was a 90% write off, but the raspberries are great. Sold at the house and froze lots for those who want to wait until cooler weather to make pies and jam.

I miss going to the Thursday market, but safety comes first, so come to the farm for your beef, or let me know what cuts you want and I can make arrangements to deliver.
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Catch up later
BETTY