News From the Dirt

May 9

Our beef calves start to arrive, and Angus cow #630, one of our two ET (embryo transfer) mothers last year, gives birth to another ET Devon calf, another little bull.

We thought all the embryos failed last autumn, as it looked like our Devon bull Abel had bred each recipient cow on her next ovulation, so it is very exciting to see that our Devon herd might be growing!

We pull a few tail hairs from each potential Devon ET calf the day they are born, and send them to U.C. Davis for DNA testing (to prove parentage).

No definitive news yet from U.C. Davis, but the calves are now 5 to 7 weeks old, and already definite differences from their Devon/Angus herd mates are showing. They are deeper bodied, wider and will carry more meat on their carcasses into adulthood than their herd mates. We can also see from their outward appearance (softer flesh and thinner connective tissue) that their meat will be more tender. From this point on, we will be able to use natural breeding of our own Sabo Ranch-born animals in our herd development

We appreciate the work all breeders of the past have had in developing breeds worldwide as good genetics. “Open pollinated” from natural breeding (whether animal or plant) takes time, patience, a good eye and exceptional knowledge of breed and environment.

Recently, hundreds of thousands of acres of Monsanto genetically-modified corn in South Africa failed. It was blamed on laboratory error. Oops, no food for the small farmers who depend heavily on corn in their diets. The country then decided to ban all further GM crops. Locally-adapted breeds, locally grown, provide far greater sustainability and variety than GM organisms of any breed.

May 23

Ennis’ first Saturday Farmers’ Market. Mark cooks samples and the boys help. It is cold and windy but very well attended! Breads, vegetable and flower starts, sage wreaths, soaps, preserves, lamb, our beef and pork, are offered and purchased. After four such Saturday Markets, Madison Farm to Fork organizers estimate that $30,000 will circulate back into Madison and surrounding counties by the end of the season, just in direct sales this first year.

Again, we see that the power of individual family decisions can very positively impact local economies. Every purchase counts. Local food purchases rebuild local economies. Risk is spread, many families find employment near home and stability is slowly regained.

June 22

Just as we start to recover from a wildly successful Field Day on June 20 (200 visitors, 9 different farms supply the great food, lots of rain, helpers, smiles and conversations), I go out to check on the last few cows still due to calve.

I find that #601, the fat healthy mother of one of last year’s biggest calves, has lost her newborn calf this morning, and looks at me expectantly near the neighbor’s fence, asking for help. The calf is too fast to catch and ear tag, so we work her and her mother down to the corrals to do the job. That afternoon I enter the corral alone, intending to send mother and calf out the gate, back to the herd.

#601 charges me without warning, stomps, rolls and finally lets me off when I scramble far enough away to get over the fence. She is a very dangerous cow, as she intended to hurt, not just warn.

We consult with ranching neighbors Rick Edmundson and Leo Lane. The consensus is to “sell dangerous cows for meat.” This cow, as others like her on all ranches, will teach her calf this same approach to humans. The basic herd profile we seek (good mothering, easy keeping, gentle temperament, tender flavorful meat) requires that she be culled, even though she and her calf are healthy and easy fattening. We take the financial loss on the pair, and save possible hospital bills later.

This year, support local, sustainable agriculture systems that promote naturally-bred plants and animals, direct sales between local farmers and local buyers. Enjoy the richness of tasty, fresh, regionally adapted food wherever you are!