Small Farms

I thought this was a joke, but alas, no.  Just when you think things can’t get any worse for American farmers, someone gets the brilliant idea to start taxing farmers based on how gassy their animals are (thank you, bored people at the EPA).  The three top gassy animal offenders are:

1. Milk Cows $175 per animal
2. Beef Cattle $87.50
3. Pigs $20 and up

Pardon my sarcasm, but since I’m a farmer I find this latest push for legislation ridiculous at best.  What is next, legislating the size and quantity of other waste products?  I think these green happy people need a reality check.  Do they not realize how many wild animals are out there, happily passing gas?  Need I mention other large animals, such as deer, moose, and bears?  If we start to legislate these animals, will we eventually legislate other animals, such as sheep, chickens and the barn cats?  More importantly, who is taking the time to monitor the gas emissions of farm animals anyway, and how do you get a job like that?!

Take the following statistics regarding farmers in New York State :

“Saratoga County has about 15,000 dairy cows. Rensselaer County has approximately 10,000 dairy cows. And there are 627,000 statewide. The tax on beef cattle and hogs would be $87.50 and more than $20 per animal, respectively. Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain a permit, the same as factories and heavy industry.”

If you think dairy products are expensive now, just imagine what they’ll be like with a this tax placed on farmers who barely make a living now.  If you think knocking farmers out of business is a brilliant idea, you have no idea how expensive imports are going to be.

If you’d like to get in on complaining about this bureaucratic nightmare, visit http://www.nyfb.org before December 12, 2008.

~~Charlotte

If you buy an animal that isn’t already registered, is it worth it to trace its ancestry, do the paperwork and pay for the registration?  Yes, and no.  If you are planning on showing the animal and are building a specific type of herd, the answer is probably yes.  If you won’t be doing either of these things, registering it as a purebred is probably a waste of time and money.

For those who want only purebred animals, consider just purchasing animals that are already registered.  A registered purebred animal is one whose hereitage can be traced back to its beginnings, through a herd registry.  It doesn’t matter if it is a cow, horse or goat- all of these types of animals have their various registries.  To register an animal that isn’t already registered, usually all you need to do is to be able to prove the animal you now own came from purebred registered animals.  (That is where the paperwork comes in).

The cost of registering an animal varies from registry to registry and some are pricey.  Make sure it is worth your while before you spend the money on it.

To find a registry for the breed of animal you want to register, either contact the person who sold you the purebred animal for the papers or Google the breed association on the Internet.  They’ll be able to provide you with specific information and the application to be included in the registry.

~~Charlotte

No matter how you look at it, some small farmers try to make money by skirting inspection laws intended to protect consumers, and this is illegal.  However, these same laws which are supposed to protect the consumer don’t always do so.  Cases in point- e. coli tainted spinach and ground beef, which came from government inspected producers.

What is a small farmer to do, who wants to make money off of “organically grown” meats or sell “raw” milk products, like cheese and yogurt?  The answer is simple- either become an inspected facility or lie like the devil.  Small farmers by and large would rather follow the rules, but they simply can’t afford to compete with mass producers.  Rather than go under, they simply don’t follow the rules.

How can they become compliant?  The following websites have information on how to become an inspected facility to avoid becoming a felon:

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

Ohio Meat Licensing Requirements

Meat Inspection Act in Canada

History of Meat Inspection

Small farm operators may also contact their state Department of Agriculture office to find out what the licensing requirements are.

If you’d like to learn more about several cases of “Felons or Heroes,” check out this article:  Bitter Harvest for Small Farms.

~~Charlotte

The COOL Rule is the Country of Origin Labeling Rule that went into effect this month (October, 2008).  The American Farm Federation has provided information to farmers that will help them follow this new rule.

Livestock farmers will have to choose one of the following methods to comply with COOL:

• Affidavits - the affidavits on the livestock must be provided by someone with first-hand knowledge of the animals involved in the transaction.  Producer and Packer Affidavits can be accessed on the AFBF Voice of Agriculture website, or click on the following links:

Producer Affidavit

Packer Affidavit

• National Animal Identification System (NAIS).  Animals have an ear tag or other form of individual identification in compliance with the COOL Rule.

• USDA Approved Age Verification Programs.  Farmers who participate in the QSVP, PVP or QSA programs is considered acceptable evidence for the COOL Rule.

If you’d like to learn more about the COOL Rule, please visit the Farm Bureau website for more information.

~~Charlotte

Small Farms 4 You.com

Miniature beef cattle make the perfect small farm or hobby farm project or a business.  These are relatively new to the small farming business arena.  Their appeal is that they sell for a pretty penny and they are easier to manage than standard sized cattle.  In addition many women who go into the cattle business find managing a herd of miniature cattle much easier as well.

Miniature cattle grow to weigh 500-700 pounds and a height at the hip of 42-48 inches. The cost of these cattle as calves range from $1,000 for bulls to $1600 for heifers.  While most are sold to be raised for beef, many are also sold as pets.

If you’re interested in learning more about the various breeds and purchasing miniature cattle, check out these websites:

*Mini Cattle Country

*International  Miniature Cattle Breeders Society and Registry

*Dexter Cattle

~~Charlotte

SmallFarms4You.com

Alright, it is probably true that everyone’s least favorite activity in taking care of animals is getting rid of animal waste.  That being said, it is necessary and in most cases needs to be once if not twice every day.  I used to work for the Agricultural Department of the Ohio State University.  We would periodically travel to the best farms in the state to observe how the farmers ran their successful businesses.  Every time we visited these farms they were clean -  obsessively so.  These farmers were successful for one very important reason - clean animals are healthy animals.  Healthy animals will bring more when they are sold at market, will cost less in veterinary bills and lost production (i.e. dairy cows) and the barns will look better for visitors and inspectors (depending  upon your business).

Cleaning out your barn completely may be necessary several times a year.  This means using a pressure washer to thoroughly clean all areas where waste accumulates, the walls and equipment (such as water systems and grain/hay holders).  A disinfectant should be used after the initial hose down to get rid of any bacteria or parasites that may have taken up residence in the stalls.  For most farmers, using a mix of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water works pretty well and is very economical too.

Let your stalls air dry completely before placing clean bedding in them.  Some farmers prefer hay left over from the year before or straw, while others use sawdust.  Just remember, use the appropriate thickness of bedding for the animal you are caring for.

It is also important to note that for horses, using old hay is usually a bad idea.  Horses are susceptible to health issues caused by dusty hay and mold, namely heaves.  Protect your horses from this condition by providing fresh, dust and mold-free bedding and hay.

So, without further ado, get to mucking out those stalls before the cold weather hits.  It isn’t much fun, (especially in the north where I live), to spray down stalls when it is cold outside!

~~Charlotte