Farming 2011

This weekend we were finally able to get back into the fields to do some field work. Last spring we tore up part of a pasture and seeded it to oats. We then swathed the oats before they were fully ripe, and left the swaths in the fields rather then removing the grain and making straw. This is called swath grazing and is a pretty common practice in Canada.

Dad breaking up a piece of land

The cows are then turned into the swaths when there is no more grass for them to eat. Last year the swaths lasted right until December 24th when we brought cows home for the winter. This allows us to do less tractor chores and feeding, and keeps the cows out of the main yard longer. With the cows being in the pasture, they get more exercise, and can fertilize the pasture rather then the corrals.

Fields that are ready for seed

We are hoping that in the next week we will be done the field work and will be able to get the crop seeded. We have been getting a good mix of rain and heat lately so that should make for some great growing conditions.

I hope to keep you all posted on the crop progress this year. Until then we will just keep making rounds with the tractor!

Summer on the Farm

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to walk through the cows out on pasture. Over the last couple of weeks we have been taking cows to summer pasture where they will stay until September or October. 

Our cattle are very quiet as most are old show cattle, or have at least been tie broke during their life. This makes it easy to walk through them, be able to scratch a few old friends, and just enjoy the site of cow/calf pairs.

Each year we keep a few pairs at home to eat the grass there. The ones that stay are usually a few that we are going to show or sell throughout the  year. It also means that the better cows get to stay home so that visitors have something to look at when they stop.

If you are in the area, feel free to stop in any time to see the cattle at home, or a tour of the rest of the herd. Most of the cows are within 10 mins of the home place, so they are always a short drive away!

Golf Courses

One of my favorite summer activities is golfing. It started about 3 years ago, and I have been hooked ever since. After my first round I went and bought my own clubs and have never looked back. 

Not a lot of my friends golf, so it started out going with the family on the weekends. Now it has turned into a weekly thing for me to do, and there is nothing better then hitting the course or the driving range after a long day at work, or on a relaxing weekend.

One of my other favorite things about golfing is just getting out and enjoying the course. Golf courses are really beautiful, and this year I have been able to play 4 new courses, and have enjoyed each one of them.

Millwoods Country Club

Victoria Park Golf Course & Driving Range

Black Bull Country Club

 

Dorchester Golf Course

Ralph Lauren & Double RL

After watching the Oprah special on Ralph Lauren today, my love for Ralph Lauren and the brand was rejuvenated. 

Crystal had told me a little big about the Double RL ranch after she drove by it this winter on the way to Teluride. This is a ranch where pictures do more justice then words. What I love most about this interview was the love of the land and animals that Ralph and his wife have for this place. It is great to see a family with money and fame be so grounded and normal. Just another testament to the ranch lifestyle.

And what does this beautiful ranch inspire? Thousands of beautiful looks and designs like these...

Slave Lake Forest Fires

Over the last few days the media has been flooded with images and stories of the tragic forest fires happening in the Slave Lake area right now. Slave Lake is located 3.5hrs NW of Edmonton.

In the last few days fires have forced residents out of the town and into emergency centres that have been set up in surrounding communities. The reports that have been coming from the town are sad, heroic and unimaginable. All roads into the town have been closed, and thankfully there have been no casualties to date.

My heart goes out to these families as they try to rebuild their lives, homes, businesses and community. To help out please donate or visit one of the many resource centres that have been set up.

 

Murder on Simpson Drive

This weekend we held our 2nd Annual Murder Mystery party. With so many friends having birthdays around the same time, it is a great time for us to all get together before the summer and have some fun. This year's theme was 80's Rock Stars!

Flush Day- Part 2

On Thursday we did round 2 of flushing our cows at the farm. This time we only flushed 2 of the donors, Elle and Signature.

Both cows got flushed to Power Drive. We are really starting to see the impact of Power Drive in our herd. We have our first set of 2yr olds with calves on the ground now. They have turned out to be great cows, with beautiful udders.

Power Drive

This go round we got 8 embryos out of Elle and 10 out of Signature. We got a few of these put in and will hopefully have some of these calves on the ground in 2012.

Elle

Signature 2N