November editon

I hope you have had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

On Monday, we processed 12 turkeys and learned much during the day - another chapter in our book titled "What not to do on the farm." The turkeys were just a little bigger than we expected - ok, lots bigger than we expected - and the day became a comedy of errors as we tried to work with 25-30 pound turkeys instead of the expected 15-30 pounders. For example, we had intended on leaving all 12 birds in the chill tank for several hours. That is, until we discovered that the tank would hold at most 3 turkeys. Eventually, all the turkeys were cleaned and chilling. Several of our customers were surprised by the size as well - none so much though as Kurt's sister. She told us she wanted on of the big ones - I don't think she was expecting 29 pounds! We got a report from her later and she barely got the turkey in her oven. Next year, we'll start the turkeys a little later so they're not quite so big. Thankfully, everyone we've talked to has been very pleased with their turkeys. We're planning on doing more turkeys next year (maybe 40-50??) and we'll definitely tweak our system so that they don't all roost on the porch and I'll do some strength training before we process.

I think last month, I mentioned that we were picking up bratwurst and hot dogs. Wow! We've been very pleased with the product, quality and the response. In less than a month, we've sold out of the bratwurst and sold a bunch of hot dogs - my favorite. Because of their popularity, Kurt has scheduled another date in January to have more made. He's also considering having some beef jerky made - let us know what you thinks.

During the last month or so, our egg production hit rock bottom - maybe 6 eggs a day - from 30 hens and 60 pullets! I decided to do some research (you can find anything on-line!) and found a 1930-s publication that said mixing older layers and pullets would cause production to go down. The older hens get fat and quit laying and the younger pullets get bullied and don't get enough protein to lay. Amazing what wisdom you can find in the older literature! Next year, we'll be more careful about mixing our replacement pullets with our current layers. To solve our problem, we culled the old hens - we had several customers interested in stewing hens - they make great chicken and noodles! Anyway, within 2 weeks our egg production has gone from 6 to 20 eggs. We hope to be getting 3-4 dozen eggs a day pretty soon. We've also started getting an occasional green egg from our Araucanas. If you are an egg customer, watch for a green egg or two. We're also getting a few double yolks right now - they're more common with young hens whose reproductive systems are not fully mature.

Recently, a young friend of ours gave a report on processing chickens to his 3rd grade class. He'd helped us last summer and wanted to share what he'd learned with his classmates. Surprisingly, very few of his classmates knew where their food came from. One young man argued that his turkey for Thanksgiving didn't come from a farm - it cam from the store. Adam has become quite an ambassador for our farm and knowing where your food comes from. We hope to post his power point presentation on our web site soon.

If you're still looking for that perfect consumable, green, one size fits almost anyone gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list (or even your easy-to-buy-for person), consider a Dale Family Farm sampler or a smaller cut. We offer a Grilling Sampler with sirloin, hamburger, and hot dogs and a Country Comfort Sampler with a roast, soup bone, stew meat and hamburger. Both retail for $40. We're also working on a Steak Sampler.

Kurt wanted me to share that we interseeded turnips with some of our wheat this year (ok, Kurt did the interseeding. I didn't really help with this one.) Apparently, it's a good winter forage and the cattle like the turnips when they show up. We'll keep you posted.

I will be in Wichita (Pratt and Greensburg, as well) on December 6 and December 22. If you are interested in anything, please let me know. I'd be happy to bring it with me.

Allison will be making her piano debut this month in church. Piano has been good for her - it makes her think!

Natalie lost her first tooth. She hit her mouth on the couch two weeks ago - probably doing something we'd warned the girls against. The next week she just grabbed hold and yanked. She looks like such a big kid with the gap.

Anna got a big girl haircut. She wouldn't let me comb it or put it up so we went with a pixie cut. Her sister thinks she looks like a boy - I think she's sweet.

It's been nice to have Kurt home early in the evenings. Between football season being over and the time change - we have a lot of time together in the evenings.

I've enjoyed being busy with the girls and the farm - I think my official title lately has been chauffeur.

As you look forward this month to Christmas, take some to be quiet and prepare your heart for the season.

Blessings!

October edition

Greetings! Even though the calendar might show November 2nd, this really is the October edition of the Cattle Rattle - really. Seems like every month I write that it has been a very busy month - this one really has. My guess is that November probably won't slow down either. However football is over for the year and we are looking forward to sharing supper as a family before eight.

We are done with broilers for the season. Of the many (many) lessons we learned this summer about raising meat birds, a key lesson is that mid-October is too late to be processing our last batches of chickens. The weather is just too variable. We did two batches of chickens in one week (110 total). One morning it was in the 40's and wet - it kept showering on us. The first time it started raining, Kurt's mom kept waiting for Kurt to stop - thinking that maybe we'd wait the rain out - nope, we plowed bravely on. Three days later, it was much nicer - 60 and sunny. We had great help both days and the work went quick. Let us know if you're ever interested in seeing how your food is prepared or if you're interested in helping - we're always willing to trade out a few chickens for good help. For one woman's account of processing day at the Dales', see the following link: http://dalefamilyfarms.com/chicken_butchering.pdf

Kurt weaned calves last week. The last few years, we have weaned "across the fence." This means there's a whole lot less bawling and the calves seemed to be stressed less when they can look across the hot wire and see momma. Nutritionally, they no longer need to nurse but still kind of like to know mom's around. Within a few days, the calves are ready to move on to a new pasture.

This month has been one for travel. At the beginning of the month, the girls and i drove to Matfield Green to see my mom. We made several deliveries on the way and had a great time. This weekend, we had "Dal-las fun" (Natalie made up a little song as we began talking about the trip. Those of you who know her well can picture her singing it - every time anyone said the word Dallas). Kurt's oldest nephew got married this weekend and we got to spend some time with Kurt's family. This was maybe the 2nd time since we've been married (12 years ago) that ALL 6 siblings were together in the same place at the same time. Natalie was enchanted by the bride and has decided when she grows up, she will get married and live in Dallas at the hotel we stayed in - that way all her friends can come visit her for the reasonable rate of "$11/night."

This week, I will be heading to McPherson to pick up meat. Usually, we don't want to take animals that far for processing but we're trying something different. We're going to give all beef hot dogs and bratwurst a try. Our hot dogs will be nitrate/nitrite free and will come 5 to a 1 pound package. The brats will also be all beef and will have 5 in a 1 pound package. Please let me know if you're interested in trying them out.

Success! Kurt, Allison, and Natalie herded the turkeys in to the Trap tonight. Only three weeks left until Thanksgiving and Kurt finally got tired of cleaning off porches. Bigger turkeys leave bigger messes!

Family updates:

Kurt: Without practice, he's now got three extra hours in the afternoon. There should be lots of honey-do's crossed off the list, right?

Andi: I've taken a very part-time job and am doing some consulting and tutoring for the On-Line Learning Academy at Mullinville.

Allison: She competed in the pumpkin decorating contest at school and won 2nd place - her pumpkin looks like our turkeys.

Natalie: She won 1st place in her category of the pumpkin decorating contest. Also, she has become very proficient at walking in high heels - a skill all 4 year-olds need,right? She was a bride for Halloween and had the shoes to match.

Anna: I think she gets ornerier by the day. She talks non-stop and if you stop to listen, you can often figure out what she wants - which is usually what her sisters have