It's been raining since this morning. Everytime I go out to do some ranch chores. It starts to rain again. I really need to get a work shed for rainy day projects.
After morning service this past Sunday, I did some cleaning around the ranch. The Guinea rooster was reported missing Saturday. When I went to do my morning checks. I found him back there near the pens with the caged guineas. I cleaned out the drinking containers for the dogs on the perimeter. Duchess was released from her perimeter lead. She's now back on roving patrol.
I moved Stormie back up to the North Side where she used to be stationed. Cleared out the area the day before. Oreo is back with Pepsi where Stormie used to be tied off too. Pepsi will help train her. That leaves Nugget and the other pup. Nugget is out in front of the house by the driveway. Still working on this one. Will have to figure it out later.
Noticed two bunches getting ready to ripen. Will harvest them Tuesday or Wednesday.
Showing posts with label ranch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ranch. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
Ranch: Afternoon adjustments.
I was in the ranch today after watching the Cowboys-Giants game. I walked around, overlooked the layout of the ranch, and did some work. I forgot to get a video recording of Larraine's chickens. She asked me a couple of days ago, if I would be able to. Since I am free tomorrow...I'll get do that in the morning during my morning checks.
This afternoon, I noticed that I have a lot of lemon seedlings on the ground. I'm going to transplant those along, but inside, the borders. That would be a great physical barrier to deter poachers coming into ranch, also, a lot of lemonade too. The mango tree is flowering again...after it pushed out new leaves.
The banana crop is doing really great. So many bunches for this season. The bunch I harvested the other day is now ripe. They're amazingly sweet for Saba. My mom made Turon this morning for breakfast. It was good. I'm looking forward to making Gollai Appan Aga tomorrow for the Life Cell's Party. I prefer eating cooking banana to rice in season.
I moved the ranch dogs back into the ranch this afternoon. Duchess and Stormie are now back there on rotation. Stormie got to close to Pepsi and the two of them went at it. That little rumble reminded me that the pack has not determined who is the new Alpha Female, since Lucky passed away months ago. I'm going to have them go at it to find out. Or else, I'll have control problems later on.
Stormie is on perimeter post at the South-side of the ranch, Lucky's old post. Duchess went to the East-side, her old post to guard. Once I put the fence up, I'll have Duchess back out on rover duty. I prefer her in that role. She's good at it. The three pups from Duchess: Nugget, Onyx, and Oreo will be placed around the house. Nugget went to the front of the house to Stormie's post. Oreo is at the back porch. She will not be there for long. I'm going to relocate her to the back side of the storage container next to the mango tree. Onyx is currently at the barn shack. She'll be relocated to the ranch side. I might partner her up with Scout aka Brownie to learn more.
I'm still working to schedule felling three huge trees in the ranch. I'll have to clean around them first before I do anything with them. Another chore would be to gather all the corrugated tin, stack them, then later on...use them for fencing around the garden.
One day, at a time.
ESTA...
This afternoon, I noticed that I have a lot of lemon seedlings on the ground. I'm going to transplant those along, but inside, the borders. That would be a great physical barrier to deter poachers coming into ranch, also, a lot of lemonade too. The mango tree is flowering again...after it pushed out new leaves.
The banana crop is doing really great. So many bunches for this season. The bunch I harvested the other day is now ripe. They're amazingly sweet for Saba. My mom made Turon this morning for breakfast. It was good. I'm looking forward to making Gollai Appan Aga tomorrow for the Life Cell's Party. I prefer eating cooking banana to rice in season.
I moved the ranch dogs back into the ranch this afternoon. Duchess and Stormie are now back there on rotation. Stormie got to close to Pepsi and the two of them went at it. That little rumble reminded me that the pack has not determined who is the new Alpha Female, since Lucky passed away months ago. I'm going to have them go at it to find out. Or else, I'll have control problems later on.
Stormie is on perimeter post at the South-side of the ranch, Lucky's old post. Duchess went to the East-side, her old post to guard. Once I put the fence up, I'll have Duchess back out on rover duty. I prefer her in that role. She's good at it. The three pups from Duchess: Nugget, Onyx, and Oreo will be placed around the house. Nugget went to the front of the house to Stormie's post. Oreo is at the back porch. She will not be there for long. I'm going to relocate her to the back side of the storage container next to the mango tree. Onyx is currently at the barn shack. She'll be relocated to the ranch side. I might partner her up with Scout aka Brownie to learn more.
I'm still working to schedule felling three huge trees in the ranch. I'll have to clean around them first before I do anything with them. Another chore would be to gather all the corrugated tin, stack them, then later on...use them for fencing around the garden.
One day, at a time.
ESTA...
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Ranch: Working my Banana Crop.
Putting the new ranch plans to paper. It's been more than a year since that I let my fields go fallow. Mowing them now and soon to be tilled under. I'll be putting seeds down next week. Also, transplanting lots of lemon, kalamansi, lemon-china along the borders. I'll take pictures of my progress from now on. Have to start keeping pics as part of my paperwork for audits to move into organics.
My banana crops look really good this year. I've counted 10 bunches already and more flowers budding out. This afternoon, I trimmed out a lot of suckers. I only need the mother plant, one daughter, and maybe a granddaughter on the mat, The other suckers are just competing for nutrients from the mother plant. When new sword leaf suckers show up next week. I'll cut those out and plant them in the South-side of the ranch.
My Saba (cooking) Bananas are doing really well. I was able to harvest a bunch today. Looking forward to roasted banana tomorrow. I have to work more on my Macau, Manila, Fiji, and Williams varieties.
It's weird how many names each variety has depending on region. We have Lakatan bananas here. But it is a different Lakatan from the Philippines. The Lakatan variety we have is a cooking banana that looks like horns. The Lakatan banana from the Philippines is the Williams or Chiquita. The Manila banana is also known as Lady Fingers. These are very sweet dessert bananas. I prefer the Fiji variety better than the Manila.
Normally, I check on the banana crop once a week. When the bunches turn dark green to light green. I check them daily. When one hand in the bunch is light green. That's when I harvest it. Some farmer's say you'll need to people to harvest a bunch. Especially, if that bunch is big. I've learned over the years that you can harvest a bunch solo. You just have to know what you're doing.
I noticed that I have a lot of coconut saplings. I'm gonna pull those and replant them along the Eastern and Southern borders. These will make great living fence posts for the new cattle herd I'll acquire next year. That reminds me, I'll be putting up the new goat pen soon.
My banana crops look really good this year. I've counted 10 bunches already and more flowers budding out. This afternoon, I trimmed out a lot of suckers. I only need the mother plant, one daughter, and maybe a granddaughter on the mat, The other suckers are just competing for nutrients from the mother plant. When new sword leaf suckers show up next week. I'll cut those out and plant them in the South-side of the ranch.
My Saba (cooking) Bananas are doing really well. I was able to harvest a bunch today. Looking forward to roasted banana tomorrow. I have to work more on my Macau, Manila, Fiji, and Williams varieties.
It's weird how many names each variety has depending on region. We have Lakatan bananas here. But it is a different Lakatan from the Philippines. The Lakatan variety we have is a cooking banana that looks like horns. The Lakatan banana from the Philippines is the Williams or Chiquita. The Manila banana is also known as Lady Fingers. These are very sweet dessert bananas. I prefer the Fiji variety better than the Manila.
Normally, I check on the banana crop once a week. When the bunches turn dark green to light green. I check them daily. When one hand in the bunch is light green. That's when I harvest it. Some farmer's say you'll need to people to harvest a bunch. Especially, if that bunch is big. I've learned over the years that you can harvest a bunch solo. You just have to know what you're doing.
I noticed that I have a lot of coconut saplings. I'm gonna pull those and replant them along the Eastern and Southern borders. These will make great living fence posts for the new cattle herd I'll acquire next year. That reminds me, I'll be putting up the new goat pen soon.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Baby Rabbits
Here are pics of the new kits, about two weeks old. I'm using an old USPS plastic box as a nesting box, shredded paper for nesting materials, and a 2x4 locked in place with a concrete block to keep the kits in the nest. It'll be awhile before can tell the genders. The pic above is from last week. The nest box is no longer in there. The kits are moving around on the wire.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Marianas Grazing and Livestock Academy: Workshop 3.
Been occupied with lots of classes, this week. Today and Yesterday was the 3rd workshop for the Marianas Grazing and Livestock Academy. We covered topics on Ranch Management Planning, Meat Goats, and Pastured Poultry. Really good topics for the ranchers on island.
Learned a lot again for this field of interest, even though...I know a lot about Meat Goats and Pastured Poultry. I've been doing the Ranch Management Planning. That was taught during the Organic Workshops.
I was able to talk with Bob in regards to the Organic Inspector Grades/Certificates. Seems there is a procurement issue with the university. That issue is holding back our grads from the IOIA. I'll just have to wait a little longer on that.
I've been working on the articles and bylaws for the Guahan Livestock Association. That's another post in itself.
ESTA...
Learned a lot again for this field of interest, even though...I know a lot about Meat Goats and Pastured Poultry. I've been doing the Ranch Management Planning. That was taught during the Organic Workshops.
I was able to talk with Bob in regards to the Organic Inspector Grades/Certificates. Seems there is a procurement issue with the university. That issue is holding back our grads from the IOIA. I'll just have to wait a little longer on that.
I've been working on the articles and bylaws for the Guahan Livestock Association. That's another post in itself.
ESTA...
Monday, January 17, 2011
Ranch Afternoon Walk.
After returning from Home Depot this afternoon, I took a walk around the ranch. I already knew what I wanted to do in my head. This afternoon, I wanted to visualize it walking through my ranch. I walked back toward the Guinea Fowl pens. I stood there for awhile taking in the scenery. I imagined what the new layout of the ranch would look like taking in the whole area.
The Guineas would have to move towards the north paddock to make room for the Goat holding pens. The new Boer and Kiko herds that I plan on investing in from Hawaii would stay out in the paddocks, rotating from one paddock to the other. I plan to build a mobile hoop shelter to drag along to each paddock that their in to provide shade and shelter from the rain..
The new horse fencing would be use for perimeter fencing, supplemented with 3 strand electrical polywire on the livestock side. My interior fencing would be 2 or 3 strand electrical fencing between paddocks and 6 strand at main ranch area and house.
The piggery operation will be pastured pigs. I picked up the concept from Polyface Farms in Virginia. That will save on lots of facilities costs. The pigs will be in their natural environment albeit controlled. With the pigs, I'll only have to run single wire electric wire and rotate them every month until slaughter.
The apiary operation will be on the roof of the house. I'll be getting a new 32' extension ladder to use, until the wooden staircase is built, to manage the bee hives. I'll start with one hive and increase it to one hive a month, until I get 10 hives up there on the roof. The bees will help pollinate the crops and vegetables that will be planted this year and in the future. They will also provide honey that I will use and sell. The price of honey is going up on island. I might as well start raising my own honey for personal use and sell the surplus. The reason why I'm putting the bee hives on the roof. It's to keep the toads and frogs from setting up any ambush to the hives entrances, like if they were on the ground. I got the advice from a former beekeeper here. Several toads will wipe out a whole bee colony.
We'll be going back to raising egg layers as well. The new mobile coop based on Polyface design will be built next to the new goat pens. The eggmobile will follow the goats, from paddock to paddock. I'm still debating if I'll raise 50 or 100 hens. I know, I won't be able to eat all those organic farm fresh eggs. But, I'm thinking of selling the surplus to family and friends. The last time we did this. My niece, Arissa, was in elementary. She enjoyed going out collecting the eggs. Because of that, she started baking cakes using the organic fresh eggs from the ranch. She would then share her cakes with her cousins in the compound. Back then we had a dozen egg layers. Each hen averaged 4 eggs a week. With 12 hens in full production, we were getting 48 eggs a week on average. Those eggs were really good.
The duck operation is still in the air. Raising Muscovy ducks is easy. They're great to get rid of snails and slugs on the ranch. That helps cut down on the nematode issue. Also their meat is nice and sweet, especially when you roast it. I just don't want to grow to fast where I won't be able to handle it. We'll see how things go during our start up this year.
It would have been great if I was able to get that chipper. That would have helped me in making my own feeds. Next time...
Things are falling into place.
ESTA.
The Guineas would have to move towards the north paddock to make room for the Goat holding pens. The new Boer and Kiko herds that I plan on investing in from Hawaii would stay out in the paddocks, rotating from one paddock to the other. I plan to build a mobile hoop shelter to drag along to each paddock that their in to provide shade and shelter from the rain..
The new horse fencing would be use for perimeter fencing, supplemented with 3 strand electrical polywire on the livestock side. My interior fencing would be 2 or 3 strand electrical fencing between paddocks and 6 strand at main ranch area and house.
The piggery operation will be pastured pigs. I picked up the concept from Polyface Farms in Virginia. That will save on lots of facilities costs. The pigs will be in their natural environment albeit controlled. With the pigs, I'll only have to run single wire electric wire and rotate them every month until slaughter.
The apiary operation will be on the roof of the house. I'll be getting a new 32' extension ladder to use, until the wooden staircase is built, to manage the bee hives. I'll start with one hive and increase it to one hive a month, until I get 10 hives up there on the roof. The bees will help pollinate the crops and vegetables that will be planted this year and in the future. They will also provide honey that I will use and sell. The price of honey is going up on island. I might as well start raising my own honey for personal use and sell the surplus. The reason why I'm putting the bee hives on the roof. It's to keep the toads and frogs from setting up any ambush to the hives entrances, like if they were on the ground. I got the advice from a former beekeeper here. Several toads will wipe out a whole bee colony.
We'll be going back to raising egg layers as well. The new mobile coop based on Polyface design will be built next to the new goat pens. The eggmobile will follow the goats, from paddock to paddock. I'm still debating if I'll raise 50 or 100 hens. I know, I won't be able to eat all those organic farm fresh eggs. But, I'm thinking of selling the surplus to family and friends. The last time we did this. My niece, Arissa, was in elementary. She enjoyed going out collecting the eggs. Because of that, she started baking cakes using the organic fresh eggs from the ranch. She would then share her cakes with her cousins in the compound. Back then we had a dozen egg layers. Each hen averaged 4 eggs a week. With 12 hens in full production, we were getting 48 eggs a week on average. Those eggs were really good.
The duck operation is still in the air. Raising Muscovy ducks is easy. They're great to get rid of snails and slugs on the ranch. That helps cut down on the nematode issue. Also their meat is nice and sweet, especially when you roast it. I just don't want to grow to fast where I won't be able to handle it. We'll see how things go during our start up this year.
It would have been great if I was able to get that chipper. That would have helped me in making my own feeds. Next time...
Things are falling into place.
ESTA.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Oldest Ranch Dog -- Lucky, now in K9 heaven.
Lucky, our old ranch dog passed away sometime after morning checks, today. We had her since 1997. Her territory was wide, beyond the ranch. She helped train our current dogs: Stormie and Duchess. Great guard dog to the goat herd and our poultry. Gonna miss that old dog.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Transitioning from Conventional Farming to Organic Farming.
I've been attending these organic workshops provided by the Cooperative Extension Service from the University of Guam, for a couple of months now. The workshops are great and very informative. The last one dealt with Organic Certification and the process to go about getting it. It was for both the producer and those interested to become Inspectors.
It has piqued my interest somewhat attending all the seminars and workshops. I didn't think it would be feasible for a local producer to go into organic farming. But when I heard Marty talk about how he transitioned from conventional farming methods to organic. I became more interested in the process.
Marty Mesh is from Florida and owns an organic watermelon farm there in the Galveston area. He was brought out here by the University of Guam CooperativeExtension Service on a grant to give an organic workshop to the local producers. I learned a lot during the organic certification seminar that Marty presented.
In hindsight, I have been moving towards doing organic farming. But more towards raising organic livestock and poultry. So instead of farming, it is organic ranching, a play in words. Most of the local producers present at the seminar are interested in organic farming. I was the only one interested in raising organic livestock. Which is a lot harder to do by the National Organic Standards (NOS).
One of my farmer friend's asked me why am I going organic. Well, certainly not to get rich. Although the prices for organic products are high, but affordable. I'm doing it for my family. I want my children to be able to eat fresh produce and meats raised on the ranch. None of that store bought adulterated processed junk that we're all eating. Because we think it's cheaper. That is what we were taught. I want to provide good clean healthy food for my family. Any surplus, I'll sell to family, friends, and clients. If I make money, so be it.
A lot of the transition would be on paperwork: doing a farm plan (done that), farm map (done), and record keeping (needs improvement-working on it). The next step is preparing my land areas. I have gotten rid of lots of chemical pesticides and fertilizers prohibited on the NOS the last couple of years. So the ranch area has been cleaned the last 8 years. I don't spray chemicals for pest control or fertilizers. So I'm good in that area. I do need to get rid of lots of metallic junk on the ranch grounds. That is a work in progress.
Having gone through and reading the NOS, I'm about halfway done to transition. I'll have 3 fields in Transition as of today. The other four, I can get certified this year using the 3 year rule in the NOS. I may hold off until next year though to actually get certified. There are no inspectors on island. If I do pay for my certification, an inspector will have to fly out from Hawaii to inspect my ranch areas. So in the mean time. I'm working on my Farm History and building up my funds for the certification application.
Today, I grow "organic" Cherry Tomatoes. All my fruits; mangoes, bananas, siniguellas, lemai, are raised organic by the NOS definition and standards. All my livestock are organic in a sense. But because I am not certified organic by an accredited certifying agency. I can't use the term organic on my products. All in time... I'll use "Ranch Fresh" for the time being.
Keep Smiling
It has piqued my interest somewhat attending all the seminars and workshops. I didn't think it would be feasible for a local producer to go into organic farming. But when I heard Marty talk about how he transitioned from conventional farming methods to organic. I became more interested in the process.
Marty Mesh is from Florida and owns an organic watermelon farm there in the Galveston area. He was brought out here by the University of Guam CooperativeExtension Service on a grant to give an organic workshop to the local producers. I learned a lot during the organic certification seminar that Marty presented.
In hindsight, I have been moving towards doing organic farming. But more towards raising organic livestock and poultry. So instead of farming, it is organic ranching, a play in words. Most of the local producers present at the seminar are interested in organic farming. I was the only one interested in raising organic livestock. Which is a lot harder to do by the National Organic Standards (NOS).
One of my farmer friend's asked me why am I going organic. Well, certainly not to get rich. Although the prices for organic products are high, but affordable. I'm doing it for my family. I want my children to be able to eat fresh produce and meats raised on the ranch. None of that store bought adulterated processed junk that we're all eating. Because we think it's cheaper. That is what we were taught. I want to provide good clean healthy food for my family. Any surplus, I'll sell to family, friends, and clients. If I make money, so be it.
A lot of the transition would be on paperwork: doing a farm plan (done that), farm map (done), and record keeping (needs improvement-working on it). The next step is preparing my land areas. I have gotten rid of lots of chemical pesticides and fertilizers prohibited on the NOS the last couple of years. So the ranch area has been cleaned the last 8 years. I don't spray chemicals for pest control or fertilizers. So I'm good in that area. I do need to get rid of lots of metallic junk on the ranch grounds. That is a work in progress.
Having gone through and reading the NOS, I'm about halfway done to transition. I'll have 3 fields in Transition as of today. The other four, I can get certified this year using the 3 year rule in the NOS. I may hold off until next year though to actually get certified. There are no inspectors on island. If I do pay for my certification, an inspector will have to fly out from Hawaii to inspect my ranch areas. So in the mean time. I'm working on my Farm History and building up my funds for the certification application.
Today, I grow "organic" Cherry Tomatoes. All my fruits; mangoes, bananas, siniguellas, lemai, are raised organic by the NOS definition and standards. All my livestock are organic in a sense. But because I am not certified organic by an accredited certifying agency. I can't use the term organic on my products. All in time... I'll use "Ranch Fresh" for the time being.
Keep Smiling
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Ranch Log: Getting back into the Ranching Lifestyle, not that it ever left.
Posted a couple of cherry attempts at video blogging aka vlogs. It's not easy as I thought. Camera is okay, not top of the line type. But it'll do for now. I still prefer writing. It's a lot easier to back space to delete. Than to figure out how to erase or start over on the video camera.
I finally got the tarp up to the ranch shack. Which is now located behind the house. It's a lot bigger than I thought it was. I'll take a video shot of it after I'm done cleaning under and around it. At least I have some shade to work in, out of the sun.
The heat has been unbearable the last couple of days. I am now praying daily for rain. My ranch is turning brown and fruits are drying up on the branches. I love the sun and heat. But this is unbearable. I shower at least 3 times daily, jump in to cool off and out again to work. I should build an outside shower and just wear quick dries as I work the ranch. Whenever I get hot, just jump in and cool down.
The goat kids are getting bold. They've walked into the house through the back door numerous times. Mom thinks it's funny. I don't. Hercules knows when I actually feed the poultry. So he comes over and waits until I open the feed bin to get feed out. Then he tries to force his muzzle into whatever I have that is carrying the feed. Alinnah, Larraine's goat, is still shy with me. But now comes close, especially when I have feed in the bucket.
The Guinea Keets are feathering out nicely. They are approximately 3 weeks old. Soon they'll be molting their feathers again to the beautiful pearl design. I heard 3 females so far in that brood. That is great news to me. I'll have a bunch of new eggs next season to grow my flock.
Kyle loves to catch chicks. He has a black one in a box. Soon that will grow to big to be kept in there. He still wants to buy or catch more poultry chicks. I'm glad he's active though. I just need to dial down his enthusiasm a bit. I need him to start thinking, "Safety First" when working or playing in or around the ranch. Other than that, he's a good ranch hand.
I have so much ripe mango in the kitchen, refrigerator, and freezer. I'm going to have to start cutting them up and making bunelos manga (mango doughnuts) and or cake. Lots to do in the next couple of days.
I finally got the tarp up to the ranch shack. Which is now located behind the house. It's a lot bigger than I thought it was. I'll take a video shot of it after I'm done cleaning under and around it. At least I have some shade to work in, out of the sun.
The heat has been unbearable the last couple of days. I am now praying daily for rain. My ranch is turning brown and fruits are drying up on the branches. I love the sun and heat. But this is unbearable. I shower at least 3 times daily, jump in to cool off and out again to work. I should build an outside shower and just wear quick dries as I work the ranch. Whenever I get hot, just jump in and cool down.
The goat kids are getting bold. They've walked into the house through the back door numerous times. Mom thinks it's funny. I don't. Hercules knows when I actually feed the poultry. So he comes over and waits until I open the feed bin to get feed out. Then he tries to force his muzzle into whatever I have that is carrying the feed. Alinnah, Larraine's goat, is still shy with me. But now comes close, especially when I have feed in the bucket.
The Guinea Keets are feathering out nicely. They are approximately 3 weeks old. Soon they'll be molting their feathers again to the beautiful pearl design. I heard 3 females so far in that brood. That is great news to me. I'll have a bunch of new eggs next season to grow my flock.
Kyle loves to catch chicks. He has a black one in a box. Soon that will grow to big to be kept in there. He still wants to buy or catch more poultry chicks. I'm glad he's active though. I just need to dial down his enthusiasm a bit. I need him to start thinking, "Safety First" when working or playing in or around the ranch. Other than that, he's a good ranch hand.
I have so much ripe mango in the kitchen, refrigerator, and freezer. I'm going to have to start cutting them up and making bunelos manga (mango doughnuts) and or cake. Lots to do in the next couple of days.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
AGRICULTURE: Farm plan development training, Session 2
I thought I was running late for class this evening. I didn't realize that I was actually early by an hour. Oh, well...just sat in the lecture hall and chilled out until the rest of the participants and staff came in.
Tonight we followed up on last week's homework. Bob B. touched on the actual way it was supposed to have been answered. I was close. Jocelyn B. and Colleen S. from NRCS-USDA talked about their programs that can help the local farmers. Follwed by the rep from SBDC gave his presentation on how the Small Business Development Center can help the local farmers write their business plans. Tom C. and Irene B. from FAS-USDA talked about disaster insurance available to local farmers. There was one more topic regarding loans...I didn't pay attention to that.
You know the saying, There is no such thing as a stupid question. Well, I heard a couple of stupid questions tonight all from one person. I couldn't help myself but laugh. No, not loud but within my own group of tables around me. I don't understand how someone can equate the island and nation's recession to farming and it's potential loss. Farming is a non-traditional business. It's high risk. Not many lending institutions will lend money to a farmer without collateral of some sort. I don't know if the person was confused or just plain ignorant. This person basically believed that you cannot make a profit in farming.
My friend Tony then told me...so what is that person doing here? I just laughed at his comment. I replied back to him that I know of several farmers who have made $5000 to $10,000 last month selling cucumbers to the local grocery stores and the hotels. That is just one crop. I don't know where this person is coming from asking the unrelated stupid questions to this seminar. Later, this person asked another person to see a profit statement. What an idiot!
Anyway, later we broke into two groups. Those farmer/ranchers with 3 acres or more property were to group on one side. Those with less were to group on the other. I went with the 3 acres or more. My friend Roland Q. was moderating that group. We talked about different types of soil. Most of us in the group were from the Northern part of the island. So we all had the same soil. We touched on obtaining soil samples, vegetation cover, and water issues. This question and answer period would help us formulate our farm plan.
We ended late, around 2200. I spoke with Rick LG. at the parking lot for a good 30 minutes on raising goats. He is the brother of a good friend of mine, Roy LG, who was also my Supervisor in Germany. I had sold a doe to his other brother Frame LG, last year. It was great networking with him and talking about our ranches.
I wanted to talk with Bill M. regarding the Guam Farmer's Co-op. I didn't see him after our group broke for the evening. He was with the other group. He must have left right after their group called it a night. We were still meeting in our group.
Learned a lot tonight through networking. I'm glad I decided to participate in this seminar.
Keep Smiling
Tonight we followed up on last week's homework. Bob B. touched on the actual way it was supposed to have been answered. I was close. Jocelyn B. and Colleen S. from NRCS-USDA talked about their programs that can help the local farmers. Follwed by the rep from SBDC gave his presentation on how the Small Business Development Center can help the local farmers write their business plans. Tom C. and Irene B. from FAS-USDA talked about disaster insurance available to local farmers. There was one more topic regarding loans...I didn't pay attention to that.
You know the saying, There is no such thing as a stupid question. Well, I heard a couple of stupid questions tonight all from one person. I couldn't help myself but laugh. No, not loud but within my own group of tables around me. I don't understand how someone can equate the island and nation's recession to farming and it's potential loss. Farming is a non-traditional business. It's high risk. Not many lending institutions will lend money to a farmer without collateral of some sort. I don't know if the person was confused or just plain ignorant. This person basically believed that you cannot make a profit in farming.
My friend Tony then told me...so what is that person doing here? I just laughed at his comment. I replied back to him that I know of several farmers who have made $5000 to $10,000 last month selling cucumbers to the local grocery stores and the hotels. That is just one crop. I don't know where this person is coming from asking the unrelated stupid questions to this seminar. Later, this person asked another person to see a profit statement. What an idiot!
Anyway, later we broke into two groups. Those farmer/ranchers with 3 acres or more property were to group on one side. Those with less were to group on the other. I went with the 3 acres or more. My friend Roland Q. was moderating that group. We talked about different types of soil. Most of us in the group were from the Northern part of the island. So we all had the same soil. We touched on obtaining soil samples, vegetation cover, and water issues. This question and answer period would help us formulate our farm plan.
We ended late, around 2200. I spoke with Rick LG. at the parking lot for a good 30 minutes on raising goats. He is the brother of a good friend of mine, Roy LG, who was also my Supervisor in Germany. I had sold a doe to his other brother Frame LG, last year. It was great networking with him and talking about our ranches.
I wanted to talk with Bill M. regarding the Guam Farmer's Co-op. I didn't see him after our group broke for the evening. He was with the other group. He must have left right after their group called it a night. We were still meeting in our group.
Learned a lot tonight through networking. I'm glad I decided to participate in this seminar.
Keep Smiling
Monday, April 5, 2010
Ranch Log: Day After Easter Weekend
Athena didn't make it last night. She passed away sometime after I checked on her and before morning checks. I disposed of her carcass in the South Area. At least, I have her offspring, Hercules, as my new herd sire. I still have her bloodline. I can't believe I'm down to 4 goats again. I need to invest in acquiring new stock for my herd.
After I did my morning chores and watered my fruit trees. I did my homework for the Farm Plan Development Training. I had a week to do it. But I waited until today, before class, to even start on it. I guesstimated the hours to commit to the farm. Those are forever changing. You can't commit so many hours because each day is different. And, so many factors involved with ranching. Although, I understand the intent of the question.
I've been catching the baby chicks in the ranch for the brooder. This new flock of soon-to-be-trained birds is called, "Larraine's Flock". The pullets will be marked with yellow leg bands or quick ties. The cockerals I'll raise for meat. By the time, Larraine gets here on island later this year or early next year. The hens will be laying eggs.
You're probably wondering what is a trained bird. Well I am certainly not going to train the birds to sit, roll over, or beg. But mostly, "Come", to a certain sound, when it's time to eat. Or, when I want to do a head count. To go in their coop at sunset, and lay their eggs in there for Larraine to collect. And, to be a lot gentler and friendlier than their parents. These are not the egg-layer hens. These birds are chicks from my free range chickens. It's a starter flock for Larraine to get used to working with chickens. When she's used to her birds and gains experience. I'll move her to the more valuable Buff Orpingtons, Plymouth Barred Rocks, and Rhode Island Reds.
Have a great week.
Keep Smiling
After I did my morning chores and watered my fruit trees. I did my homework for the Farm Plan Development Training. I had a week to do it. But I waited until today, before class, to even start on it. I guesstimated the hours to commit to the farm. Those are forever changing. You can't commit so many hours because each day is different. And, so many factors involved with ranching. Although, I understand the intent of the question.
I've been catching the baby chicks in the ranch for the brooder. This new flock of soon-to-be-trained birds is called, "Larraine's Flock". The pullets will be marked with yellow leg bands or quick ties. The cockerals I'll raise for meat. By the time, Larraine gets here on island later this year or early next year. The hens will be laying eggs.
You're probably wondering what is a trained bird. Well I am certainly not going to train the birds to sit, roll over, or beg. But mostly, "Come", to a certain sound, when it's time to eat. Or, when I want to do a head count. To go in their coop at sunset, and lay their eggs in there for Larraine to collect. And, to be a lot gentler and friendlier than their parents. These are not the egg-layer hens. These birds are chicks from my free range chickens. It's a starter flock for Larraine to get used to working with chickens. When she's used to her birds and gains experience. I'll move her to the more valuable Buff Orpingtons, Plymouth Barred Rocks, and Rhode Island Reds.
Have a great week.
Keep Smiling
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Binadu Dinga Dos.
A few minutes ago, I was sitting underneath the canopy, that I call the barn or shack, in the ranch. I was rubbing Duchess, who loves to get petted from me whenever I sit down on my chair. All of a sudden, Duchess's ears perked up. Then I heard a distinctive bark coming from the South Area of the ranch. Then the dogs across the street starting barking wildly. When Duchess tried to get up, I grabbed her collar and kept petting her to calm her down. I wanted to see if I was right. I started calling out to that toro (buck) at the South Side. I had readjusted my chair into the shadows of the shack, while holding onto Duchess.
After waiting and watching for a few minutes, I could make out the toro coming up my hunting trail. My heart started pumping faster... I could see that he was walking up slowly, sniffing the air, and twitching his ears. He was approximately 200+ feet away. I'm glad my goats did a good job clearing the underbrush of the jungle or I would not be able to watch this guy come up. I continued watching as he kept moving forward towards the ranch. I started to squint my eyes. So he wouldn't spot the the white of my eyes. All the while I was whispering really softly to Duchess to take it easy, easy girl, it's okay, while I was petting her coat and holding her collar with my other hand. It's a good thing I had lowered the brim of my hat to help cover up the upper portion of my face.
I watched as the toro came up to the watering hole I established. He kept looking around, sniffing the air, twitching his ears to my direction. I kept very quiet and still. Only the tip of my fingers were now, scratching Duchess's coat. I wished I had a camera or video to capture the moment. He is a beautiful toro. His rack was a dinga dos (four point), and pretty tall toro. The water basin is a little over 100 feet away from the shack. So it was really cool watching the toro drink his fill.
Then just like he arrived, he left...slowly following the trail back to the South Side.
I noticed that my ranch dogs were not barking. Hmmm, this toro has been coming in for awhile now. My dogs have gotten used to him. I'll be putting out more water basins to establish a watering hole for the binadu (deer), other than my goats. I know the wild pig drove comes up to drink every now and then.
The Dry Season is affecting their watering holes in the jungle. I'll probably have to check the water containers at Uncle Jojo's ranch at the very end of the South Area, this week.
After waiting and watching for a few minutes, I could make out the toro coming up my hunting trail. My heart started pumping faster... I could see that he was walking up slowly, sniffing the air, and twitching his ears. He was approximately 200+ feet away. I'm glad my goats did a good job clearing the underbrush of the jungle or I would not be able to watch this guy come up. I continued watching as he kept moving forward towards the ranch. I started to squint my eyes. So he wouldn't spot the the white of my eyes. All the while I was whispering really softly to Duchess to take it easy, easy girl, it's okay, while I was petting her coat and holding her collar with my other hand. It's a good thing I had lowered the brim of my hat to help cover up the upper portion of my face.
I watched as the toro came up to the watering hole I established. He kept looking around, sniffing the air, twitching his ears to my direction. I kept very quiet and still. Only the tip of my fingers were now, scratching Duchess's coat. I wished I had a camera or video to capture the moment. He is a beautiful toro. His rack was a dinga dos (four point), and pretty tall toro. The water basin is a little over 100 feet away from the shack. So it was really cool watching the toro drink his fill.
Then just like he arrived, he left...slowly following the trail back to the South Side.
I noticed that my ranch dogs were not barking. Hmmm, this toro has been coming in for awhile now. My dogs have gotten used to him. I'll be putting out more water basins to establish a watering hole for the binadu (deer), other than my goats. I know the wild pig drove comes up to drink every now and then.
The Dry Season is affecting their watering holes in the jungle. I'll probably have to check the water containers at Uncle Jojo's ranch at the very end of the South Area, this week.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ranch Log: Kids goes to study, clearing up more land area.
The guinea's got me up at around 0430. I got up and glanced outside my window to see if there was anything to see. The fresh cool morning air smelled really good. I didn't see a thing and the dogs weren't barking. It must be the wild pig drove somewhere in the ranch on a rooting raid. I crawled back into my bunk and knocked out again.
At 0900, I went to do my ranch morning checks. The rabbits were fine. The 2 day old kits are moving around quite a bit in their nest. There is 4 black skinned kits and 1 pink skinned. Their hair is starting to come out. Duchess was going around rounding up the free range chickens. Ranger, Scout, and Goldie were busy barking, acknowledging my presence. I went to check on the goat herd. They're all fine. I found the two kids browsing, so I gathered them by their leads and walked them back to the nursery pen. After I secured them in the pen, I checked to make sure they had fresh water.
I went inside to eat breakfast. I had a cup of hot chocolate with scrambled eggs, which I made into an egg salad with Jufran (banana sauce) and mustard, and put in a slice of wheat bread. That was breakfast.
At 1030, Dr. Manny came in, while I was picking the ripe cherry tomatoes from my bushes. Lito came out of the passenger side of the truck and was surprised to see me. Lito is a good friend. He is the manager for the UOG/Department of Agriculture Breeding Station. I showed them around the ranch. Lito and I enjoy talking to each other about farming techniques. At the goat herd, Dr. Manny noticed that one of my does was pregnant. I didn't even know that. Surprise...surprise. I paid more focus on the lactating does with kids than this doe and the buck. I'm glad she is pregnant, means more additions to the ranch later. On the way back to the nursery pen, I got Hercules and Alinnah out and placed them in Lito's kennel. They'll be staying at the breeding station for the duration of this processed local feed study. I'll be stopping by there weekly to check up on them and to see their progress.
During lunch, I was able to talk to my beautiful but very pissed off wife. No, I didn't piss her off. I know better. The examination instructor who graded her on a practical exam pissed her off. He gave Rhoda a low score on her practical exam even though she did the procedure correctly and answered his questions correctly. I know Rhoda to well...She does things correctly. She's also an aide to her class Instructors. So I know she knows her nursing procedures inside and out. I don't know if this "instructor" had it in for Rhoda. But, I was able to calm her down...I think...and talked her into moving on and to focus on the other exams. That went well I hope.
This afternoon at 1400, since the weather was really nice, and strong cool breeze sweeping over the ranch. I decided to go cut more trees. I finished off the area where I was expanding to plant more banana trees. The same area the wild pigs decimated the earlier banana saplings that I planted there a couple of months ago. This time, I'm closing off the access between the hedgerow and the berm. I'll pile up more felled trunks and limbs into the gap to close it off.
During my break, I fed my free range chickens and guinea fowl. Mom harvested the fresh eggs from two nests that she found on the ranch. I guess it was over a dozen for ranch fresh eggs for the table. A lot better than the store bought eggs. I brought a bucket of water over to the goats and went and drank some water myself. No, not from the same bucket, from the hose. It was nice and hot outside. Then I sat underneath the shade of my ranch shed cooling off in the breeze. It was great to be watching the animals.
At 1600, I continued cutting down more trees until close to sunset. The herd will be eating well for the next couple of days. I was able to get most of the trees in the center. Tomorrow I only have a handful to cut towards the berm. Once the felled trunks and limbs dry out in a week or two. I'll trim them down and then stack them on the hedgerows.
I fed the ranch pack before I got my tools ready for storage. It was a great day, a lot accomplished and completed.
God Bless Y'all
Keep Smiling
At 0900, I went to do my ranch morning checks. The rabbits were fine. The 2 day old kits are moving around quite a bit in their nest. There is 4 black skinned kits and 1 pink skinned. Their hair is starting to come out. Duchess was going around rounding up the free range chickens. Ranger, Scout, and Goldie were busy barking, acknowledging my presence. I went to check on the goat herd. They're all fine. I found the two kids browsing, so I gathered them by their leads and walked them back to the nursery pen. After I secured them in the pen, I checked to make sure they had fresh water.
I went inside to eat breakfast. I had a cup of hot chocolate with scrambled eggs, which I made into an egg salad with Jufran (banana sauce) and mustard, and put in a slice of wheat bread. That was breakfast.
At 1030, Dr. Manny came in, while I was picking the ripe cherry tomatoes from my bushes. Lito came out of the passenger side of the truck and was surprised to see me. Lito is a good friend. He is the manager for the UOG/Department of Agriculture Breeding Station. I showed them around the ranch. Lito and I enjoy talking to each other about farming techniques. At the goat herd, Dr. Manny noticed that one of my does was pregnant. I didn't even know that. Surprise...surprise. I paid more focus on the lactating does with kids than this doe and the buck. I'm glad she is pregnant, means more additions to the ranch later. On the way back to the nursery pen, I got Hercules and Alinnah out and placed them in Lito's kennel. They'll be staying at the breeding station for the duration of this processed local feed study. I'll be stopping by there weekly to check up on them and to see their progress.
During lunch, I was able to talk to my beautiful but very pissed off wife. No, I didn't piss her off. I know better. The examination instructor who graded her on a practical exam pissed her off. He gave Rhoda a low score on her practical exam even though she did the procedure correctly and answered his questions correctly. I know Rhoda to well...She does things correctly. She's also an aide to her class Instructors. So I know she knows her nursing procedures inside and out. I don't know if this "instructor" had it in for Rhoda. But, I was able to calm her down...I think...and talked her into moving on and to focus on the other exams. That went well I hope.
This afternoon at 1400, since the weather was really nice, and strong cool breeze sweeping over the ranch. I decided to go cut more trees. I finished off the area where I was expanding to plant more banana trees. The same area the wild pigs decimated the earlier banana saplings that I planted there a couple of months ago. This time, I'm closing off the access between the hedgerow and the berm. I'll pile up more felled trunks and limbs into the gap to close it off.
During my break, I fed my free range chickens and guinea fowl. Mom harvested the fresh eggs from two nests that she found on the ranch. I guess it was over a dozen for ranch fresh eggs for the table. A lot better than the store bought eggs. I brought a bucket of water over to the goats and went and drank some water myself. No, not from the same bucket, from the hose. It was nice and hot outside. Then I sat underneath the shade of my ranch shed cooling off in the breeze. It was great to be watching the animals.
At 1600, I continued cutting down more trees until close to sunset. The herd will be eating well for the next couple of days. I was able to get most of the trees in the center. Tomorrow I only have a handful to cut towards the berm. Once the felled trunks and limbs dry out in a week or two. I'll trim them down and then stack them on the hedgerows.
I fed the ranch pack before I got my tools ready for storage. It was a great day, a lot accomplished and completed.
God Bless Y'all
Keep Smiling
Ranch Log: Western Sare - Local Processed Feed Study.
It's official...Matua Ranch is now partnered with University of Guam Cooperative Extension Service and Department of Agriculture on the Western SARE Grant on "Pocessed Local Feeds". My two goat kids, Alinnah and Hercules will be staying at the UOG/Department of Agriculture Breeding Station for the study. Dr. Manny, co-op extension, and Lito, manager for the breeding station, stopped by the ranch this morning. I showed them the ranch and the goat herd. I discovered from Dr. Manny that one of my does is pregnant, approximately 3 months. I didn't even know that. That surprised me. So in two months Matua Ranch will have more additions.
Although, I'm surprised and excited that another doe is pregnant. I'm upset at myself for not keeping up with that doe. I thought she was big from what she was eating. I put to much focus on the lactating does and their kids. It's a good thing, Dr. Manny came by.
The feed process for the two kids involves breadfruit, taro, molasses, and urea. From what was described to me, they will process the ingredients into feed and study the effects of the local feed on the two kids. They'll study their monthly weight gain and body mass. I'm pretty sure it'll work. I've been feeding breadfruit to my goats when it's in season. And, they gain lots of weight, especially the former kids back then. I have never fed taro to my goats. I didn't even know you could feed taro to goats. I knew you could feed it to pigs. Something new, I learned today.
I'll be visiting the breeding station once a week to check up on the kids. Also, my mom wants to go see it. So I might plan a trip next week.
Dr. Manny even brought over a patch of Malato, Hawaiian pasture grass. It's a great forage grass for livestock, Up there with Guinea Grass. I'll plant that today.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Ranch Log: New Kits (Baby Bunnies)
Just returned from checking the ranch after my siesta. My rabbit doe kindled a couple of hours ago. This morning she was in the next box, just sitting down in it. When I went back to check her. There are 3 maybe more kits(bunnies) in the nest. Two can be seen underneath the coconut fibers I put in there yesterday. I saw movement under her down fur, but didn't see the kit(s). I'll have to wait a couple of days, about 3 days, to check the kits.
I'm so happy. Lancho Matua has new additions to the ranch.
Keep Smiling
I'm so happy. Lancho Matua has new additions to the ranch.
Keep Smiling
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Rainy Day Workday.
It's evening here. Nice cool breeze going through the house. It was a nice day even with the numerous rain showers. This El Nino weather is weird. But rain is good for the ranch.
This morning, I had a hot mug of lemon Vita Plus Lite. One of many herbal drinks I take during the course of the day. There was a pot of Arizcaldo on the stove. That was a good change for breakfast. I added some fresh lemon from my tree to give it that nice tangy kick. It was really good. Had two bowls of it.
Duchess was waiting for me on the back porch. I gave her the chicken bones from the arizcaldo. After she was done, we went to the ranch and did our morning rounds.
I took the does with kids out of the nursery pen and pastured them on the rise by the front of the house. I want to get the area cleared of brush and put up a garden there. After I was done moving the first group of goats to the rise. I readjusted the other 3 goats on the border with the Cruz house. Iris was moved to the rise with the first group. Lighting doesn't look to well. I checked his droppings. He doesn't have scours, yet. And he's not anemic...So I'll just keep an eye on him. His hide is getting darker. It looks like he's shedding his coat. I may have to give him a dewormer shot tomorrow. I'll see how he's doing first thing tomorrow at first light. Princess is doing okay next to him. I want her to finish cleaning the underbrush. That way I can clean up that area of the border. I'll rotate them out tomorrow.
Noon today, I started finishing up my cleaning project at the front yard. I raked up some trimmings and hauled it to the compost. The other stuff I took the the fire pit. I put my mom's bonsai mango towards the rocks to give it more sun. I'm going to get that bonsai to bear fruits next year. The mango tree at the front yard is flowering. I'm glad. I'll have more mangoes to eat this season. The rest I'll sell.
My plan is to terrace the front yard. It's on a downward slope from the road. So terracing should help control the erosion and flooding during the rainy season. I am considering using the palm tree logs that we had cut two years ago. Another day or two, I'll be done with the front yard.
The right side of the house, the bedroom side, I plan to put my new garden there. I'll use the planters along the wall for my lettuce. I going to put some raised garden beds for the eggplants and other types of tomatoes. I already have potential buyers for cucumbers. I haven't even planted them yet. I figured that if I plant closer to the house, the wild pigs will stay on the ranch side. Also, I will put up a fence to separate the house/plant nursery area from the ranch. I'm tired of planting crops, just to feed the wild pigs. I'm taking some of the taro that the pigs rooted up and transplanting them to the berm on the Eastern side of the ranch. The berm will become a feeding lot for the pigs later this year.
My Cherry Tomatoes are doing great along the driveway. Their nice and bushy, and the fruits are sweet and juicy. I'll be planting some Cherry Tomatoes in hanging pots later in the next couple of weeks. I'll place them on the poles, along the canopy frame. My plants are doing great, look healthy. The only fertilizer that I am using is rabbit and goat manure. My pineapple is growing well in the pot. The other pineapple crown just started rooting. I'll transplant that into a pot on Monday.
The mango tree in the backyard is flowering really nice. We'll have lots of mangoes from that tree. It's similar to what we call the local mango. You can eat it green or ripe. I took an old chicken round pen and used it to compost the leaves by the mango tree. Before we just piled it at the base of the trunk. Now, it looks a lot better and organized. I'm slowly reorganizing the backyard. Once I cut down that typhoon damaged star apple tree. I'll get that place cleaned up once and for all. I do plan to get rid of that container that I'm using for storage. That will go to the clan property at the end of the road as a pig or goat shelter. When I move some of the livestock over there.
Work is never done on a ranch.
Keep Smiling
Pics coming soon.
This morning, I had a hot mug of lemon Vita Plus Lite. One of many herbal drinks I take during the course of the day. There was a pot of Arizcaldo on the stove. That was a good change for breakfast. I added some fresh lemon from my tree to give it that nice tangy kick. It was really good. Had two bowls of it.
Duchess was waiting for me on the back porch. I gave her the chicken bones from the arizcaldo. After she was done, we went to the ranch and did our morning rounds.
I took the does with kids out of the nursery pen and pastured them on the rise by the front of the house. I want to get the area cleared of brush and put up a garden there. After I was done moving the first group of goats to the rise. I readjusted the other 3 goats on the border with the Cruz house. Iris was moved to the rise with the first group. Lighting doesn't look to well. I checked his droppings. He doesn't have scours, yet. And he's not anemic...So I'll just keep an eye on him. His hide is getting darker. It looks like he's shedding his coat. I may have to give him a dewormer shot tomorrow. I'll see how he's doing first thing tomorrow at first light. Princess is doing okay next to him. I want her to finish cleaning the underbrush. That way I can clean up that area of the border. I'll rotate them out tomorrow.
Noon today, I started finishing up my cleaning project at the front yard. I raked up some trimmings and hauled it to the compost. The other stuff I took the the fire pit. I put my mom's bonsai mango towards the rocks to give it more sun. I'm going to get that bonsai to bear fruits next year. The mango tree at the front yard is flowering. I'm glad. I'll have more mangoes to eat this season. The rest I'll sell.
My plan is to terrace the front yard. It's on a downward slope from the road. So terracing should help control the erosion and flooding during the rainy season. I am considering using the palm tree logs that we had cut two years ago. Another day or two, I'll be done with the front yard.
The right side of the house, the bedroom side, I plan to put my new garden there. I'll use the planters along the wall for my lettuce. I going to put some raised garden beds for the eggplants and other types of tomatoes. I already have potential buyers for cucumbers. I haven't even planted them yet. I figured that if I plant closer to the house, the wild pigs will stay on the ranch side. Also, I will put up a fence to separate the house/plant nursery area from the ranch. I'm tired of planting crops, just to feed the wild pigs. I'm taking some of the taro that the pigs rooted up and transplanting them to the berm on the Eastern side of the ranch. The berm will become a feeding lot for the pigs later this year.
My Cherry Tomatoes are doing great along the driveway. Their nice and bushy, and the fruits are sweet and juicy. I'll be planting some Cherry Tomatoes in hanging pots later in the next couple of weeks. I'll place them on the poles, along the canopy frame. My plants are doing great, look healthy. The only fertilizer that I am using is rabbit and goat manure. My pineapple is growing well in the pot. The other pineapple crown just started rooting. I'll transplant that into a pot on Monday.
The mango tree in the backyard is flowering really nice. We'll have lots of mangoes from that tree. It's similar to what we call the local mango. You can eat it green or ripe. I took an old chicken round pen and used it to compost the leaves by the mango tree. Before we just piled it at the base of the trunk. Now, it looks a lot better and organized. I'm slowly reorganizing the backyard. Once I cut down that typhoon damaged star apple tree. I'll get that place cleaned up once and for all. I do plan to get rid of that container that I'm using for storage. That will go to the clan property at the end of the road as a pig or goat shelter. When I move some of the livestock over there.
Work is never done on a ranch.
Keep Smiling
Pics coming soon.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Siesta Update...
Woke up late this morning. But it was good to sleep in. I didn't sleep well last night. No, it wasn't my insomnia. It was more like Wild Pigomnia this morning from 0100 to 0400. That drove would come in, do their rooting raid, then take off to the South Area of the ranch, every 30 minutes. It drove my ranch dogs crazy.
On the 3rd cycle, I got out of bed and grabbed my rifle, opened the screen to my bedroom window. If it wasn't for the mosquitoes, I probably would have shot one, rooting a couple of feet from the window.
I figured out the droves routine. Like most animals, this drove are creatures of habit. They would come into the ranch from the Eastern border along the berm, then they would cut into the ranch right into the glass pile. That glass pile are beer and coke bottles from World War II when the Army camped right here after the liberation of Guam. That camp was here until the late 1950's/early 60's. Anyway, the drove would walk right into that glass pile making a bunch of noise. Then it would be a couple of yards to the taro patch that is in front of my bedroom window. From there, they would root around and make their way to the small rise by the streetlight and head back down along the hardtop road to the South Area.
I really don't want to hit them yet. That exotic taro has to be wiped out. It's competing with pasture grass for my goat herd. So I want them to eat it all up. They've already eaten up 2 taro patches...there are 4 more to go. Once the four patches are gone. Then I'll take down a couple of pigs.
Since I know the routine and time they come into the ranch. I know exactly where I want to setup my hide.
Keep Smiling
On the 3rd cycle, I got out of bed and grabbed my rifle, opened the screen to my bedroom window. If it wasn't for the mosquitoes, I probably would have shot one, rooting a couple of feet from the window.
I figured out the droves routine. Like most animals, this drove are creatures of habit. They would come into the ranch from the Eastern border along the berm, then they would cut into the ranch right into the glass pile. That glass pile are beer and coke bottles from World War II when the Army camped right here after the liberation of Guam. That camp was here until the late 1950's/early 60's. Anyway, the drove would walk right into that glass pile making a bunch of noise. Then it would be a couple of yards to the taro patch that is in front of my bedroom window. From there, they would root around and make their way to the small rise by the streetlight and head back down along the hardtop road to the South Area.
I really don't want to hit them yet. That exotic taro has to be wiped out. It's competing with pasture grass for my goat herd. So I want them to eat it all up. They've already eaten up 2 taro patches...there are 4 more to go. Once the four patches are gone. Then I'll take down a couple of pigs.
Since I know the routine and time they come into the ranch. I know exactly where I want to setup my hide.
Keep Smiling
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Saving Hercules.
I was cutting trees again today. The tree that I chose to cut today was a typhoon damaged tree. That was laid down by a typhoon years ago and just happened to grow again laying on the ground. I had made sure the goat herd was pastured on the Southern end of the ranch before I started to cut down trees. This was to keep the kids from getting into the area accidentally. I had prepped the tree I had chosen to cut down. It had 3 shoots of branches from it's laid down trunk. Cutting the vines and nearby shrubs, and making my escape route took little effort.
I had already cut off one branch shoot and was already cutting the 2nd and 3rd shoots together. I checked the drop zone area to insure it was clear. Then I commenced to doing the final cut on the the last shoot. Just as the branch trembled as I was cutting into the final cut, I heard a kid cry nearby. I looked up to the drop zone area, and I see Hercules eating the water vine from the first branch shoot that I had cut earlier.
Everything slowed down...the branch shoot that was starting to fall was a good 14 inches across and 30 feet high. I immediately stopped what I was doing and with the chainsaw still running. Instead of running along my planned escape route, I ran towards the buckling, Hercules, jumping over the big branches that I had cut earlier, grabbed him by his right hind leg, pulled him up with my left hand, with the chainsaw running on my right hand, and still running away from the falling tree. I had barely cleared the drop zone when I felt the air brush the back of my neck from the falling tree's leaf filled branches as it hit the ground behind me. That was inches to close for comfort.
Any Slower, and this big boy and that young buckling would have gotten crushed or been seriously injured. Thank God, I'm still fast when I really need to be. I surprised me, today!
I know some of you are probably thinking, should have let the kid go. That's hard. I've lost 3 kids this past season; 1 at birth, 1 weeks ago to a centipede, and 1 yesterday to another centipede. I was not going to lose another kid today, let alone my only replacement buckling. Hercules and Alinnah are the two kids I have left from the kidding season.
You're probably also wondering why I had still had the chainsaw running while I was running to get the buckling. I don't know. It was like it was a part of me when I started running. Good thing I didn't chop my leg off with the chain running. Everything just happened so fast. I was literally shaking after I put that buckling down and shut off the chainsaw.
I thank God for keeping me safe today, even with my unsafe actions. Whew! Don't know if I'll do that again.
After all that excitement, I realized that I had sprained my left ankle. I don't know how I did it. I don't remember spraining it. It has been throbbing since pulling that buckling out of danger. But like a hardcore paratrooper, I went and finished my planned project for today. Cutting up the trees I felled a week ago and stacking the limbs and trunks on the hedgerows. I know, I'm going to feel it when I wake up tomorrow morning.
Keep Smiling
Friday, February 5, 2010
Lost a Kid Doeling
Lily, one of my kid doelings died this afternoon. She was fine this morning. I'm suspecting the centipede. The neurotoxin from the centipede is really fast. I found her laying in the middle of the nursery pen about an hour ago. That centipede is the local ranchers worst pest.
A discouraging loss. She was the quiet and friendly one of the kids.
I have to focus on Hercules and Alinnah the remaining two kids, a buckling and doeling. I'm going to have to invest in two does this year to make up for the loss.
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