We greet the new year with a review of the past and planning for the future, as well as other routine tasks.
While we continue to get hay to the animals and be sure water tubs aren’t frozen the animal care slows down – unless we get really nasty weather. Our mild winter thus far means there is still quite a bit of “standing forage” in the fields. The Fescue grass in particular becomes more palatable after freezing. The nutritional value of the standing grasses is not as high as in the spring so those animals with higher nutritional needs (young, pregnant) get some grain supplements as well. We keep the bred ewes (8 this year) up in the bank barn so we can keep a closer eye on them. But as long as we don’t get wet blowing cold, ice, or deep snow this time of year is actually less stressful on the animals than the hot summer weather.
We do have several upcoming dates for processing beef and lamb. This meat will be available as individual cuts through the mercantile or at wholesale prices if you are interested in quarters or halves – and you then get to decide on the cuts you want. Contact Tom if interested.
We are also awaiting a new delivery of yarn. We took over 65 pounds of fleece to Blue Mountain Fiber Mill in July. They will wash, card, and spin the fiber for us. We are expecting to have sock and worsted weight yarn as well as some of the core spun thicker yarns back soon. Then we will start dyeing some new colors.
Otherwise, like many folks we start preparing for tax season – balancing accounts, tidying up paperwork, and reflecting on what has worked and what hasn’t as we do so. And making plans for the future. We have several exciting things planned so stay tuned!