April was a busy month.  One of our farm raised heifers was selected Reserve crossbred  champion at the Carleton County Spring Show and Sale.  Thank you to Peter Cook, Valley Equipment and Hartland Fresh mart who purchased the heifer. An excellent sale, thank you to all the bidders, show committee, volunteers and supporters of this annual event.

Calving progressing with several white faced calves in the pasture.   Waiting for warmer weather to get the pasture grass growing.  Taking pictures and will post soon.

Taking orders for farm raised growth hormone free freezer beef and have  frozen  raspberries for sale.
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Betty

​I hope someone is documenting the effects of both climate change and Covid 19 upon agriculture and farm families.   The effects of insufficient rain and extreme heat in 2020 is carrying over into 2021 with questionable pasture and hay crop, higher feed costs, low water levels, and decreased herd numbers.

On the farm, today, eight calves have arrived and enjoy the freedom of the pasture.  Checking the herd and calves provides lots of opportunity for exercise and snapping photos.   I will put pictures up as more calves arrive.

What do beef farmers do in the winter?  In Carleton County beef enthusiasts prepare beef animals for the annual Carleton County Spring Show & Sale which takes placed at NCCC Florenceville-Bristol, April 12 & 14.  4-H Beef Club members compete with the open classes showcasing the best beef animals in the county.  68 years of tradition demonstrates the determination and the pride of beef farmers.

I invite viewers to check out the Carleton County Spring Show & Sale site. I think the board of directors and other volunteers have put together an informative picture and story of what we do.  

Be safe and wear a mask.
Betty

Here is a link to learn more about the Carleton County Spring Show and Sale this week!

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

.The past year flew by with little addition to the web page but a promise to do better. 2020 began as usual on the farm with barn chores, the endless pile of paperwork, snow and cold weather and what to grow this year.
COVID 19 arrived and everything began to change worldwide. First was the toilet paper panic, followed by illness, businesses shutting down, not enough face masks and sanitizer, etc.
By April it became apparent the Thursday Riverside Market, Florenceville-Bristol and three other special event where I market my products would not happen. After 12 years I am back to direct marketing my products, but today I have my website and facebook. Each week I will post what new items are available and will take orders over the telephone or email. I will set up delivery days in my local area or give directions for a scenic drive to the farm.
WHAT DO I HAVE FOR SALE TODAY, Friday, July 03, 2020.
FROZEN BEEF TWO QUARTERS (150 lbs each ) $675.00 each.
Lean ground beef pound packages, assorted cuts of steak, brisket, liver and roasts. 
Please call 506.278.5439 for prices of the above cuts.

Taking orders for the next beef. You can custom order your side or quarter to your preference


WE WILL NOT BE AT THE MARKET, BUT WILL HAVE THE SAME GROWTH HORMONE FREE, FARM RAISED, LEAN BEEF AVAILABLE FOR YOUR BARBECUE.

Here are a few of the April calves from the 2017 calving season

February 20, 2017
What a winter!! My pet Hereford cow presented a beautiful bull calf January 3, which happened to be a nice sunny day. He is thriving and anxiously waiting for playmates due end of March.
Cull cows and feeders went to Quebec middle of January decreasing the barn chore time.  Then came paperwork that had piled up over the months.  Now just filing left and a visit to the accountant.
25 cows were bred A.I. in 2016 and the rest of the herd to the Hereford and crossbred bull.
Strawberry plants and vegetable seeds ordered and planting will begin later this week.
The greenhouse was completely covered in snow last week with three snow storms in one week, but warm temperatures and sun the snow had slid off most of it.
​Pictures will follow shortly