Photo credit: Peter Baumgarten, Creative Island Photography Exploring the truth behind common misconceptions of modern agriculture is an important part of our lives as a farming family. It's a conversation @CanManFarm and I have with people almost daily. We do extensive research on ways to best manage our farm when it comes to everything from soil and crop management to … [Read more...]
Keep Chicken Canadian: Support Your Canadian Chicken Farmers
We are a farming family. We raise cattle and grow grain (barley, soy, peas, and other grains), and we also raise chickens. I write this blog post not only from the viewpoint of a farming family, but also from the perspective of a consumer and as a Canadian. As a farming family, it is important for us to grow healthy food not only for our family, but for the public as … [Read more...]
The Drought
The following post is written by contributor, Jill from Crooked Lake Farm. Jill shares stories of the real side of farming and life on a farm. To read more, follow her on her blog and engage with her on Twitter. This year in Western Canada, Mother Nature delivered dryer than average conditions across the region. These conditions brought a challenge for everyone, but … [Read more...]
Notes from the Hen House
It may be hard to believe, but I find some of my quietest moments in the hen house. If you asked me a dozen years ago if I'd find myself seeking solace in the chicken coop, my answer would have been a definite NO. Now, I spend a lot of time in the "hen house". No one follows me there (except Cupcake, our pup). I go to check on the hens, make sure they all have food … [Read more...]
Real life on the farm ~ Farming, Calving Season & Planting
The following post is written by contributor, Jill from Crooked Lake Farm. Jill shares stories of the real side of farming and life on a farm. To read more, follow her on her blog and engage with her on Twitter. Well, as some of you may have noticed I've been away from the blogging for a bit. I think the last time I wrote we were in the thick of calving season, here is how … [Read more...]
Canadian Beef Twitter Chat! #CDNbeefchat
As a city girl who married a beef farmer, I've made it my duty to immerse myself in all things beef farming. Yes, for those of you who knew me in my former life as a world traveler and literary egghead, you are likely shocked at the life I now live. On our family farm, everyone has a job. Even our six year old daughter helps feeding the cattle. Though Hubby does the bulk of … [Read more...]
What is a Farm Mom?
The following post is written by contributor, Jill from Crooked Lake Farm. Jill shares stories of the real side of farming and life on a farm. To read more, follow her on her blog and engage with her on Twitter. What is a farm mom? Often she wears many hats. Some farm moms work off the farm, some are very hands on, and others are not so much hands on with the farm work, but … [Read more...]
Who Are You?
The following post is written by contributor, Jill from Crooked Lake Farm. Jill shares stories of the real side of farming and life on a farm. To read more, follow her on her blog and engage with her on Twitter. Okay, so now you have “Who Are You” by The Who running through your head. Sorry, but I couldn’t think of a more appropriate title to discuss cattle … [Read more...]
Carry On As A Farmer
The following post is written by contributor, Jill from Crooked Lake Farm. Jill shares stories of the real side of farming and life on a farm. To read more, follow her on her blog and engage with her on Twitter. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will … [Read more...]
Grain Farmers of Ontario ~ March Classic #GFOClassic
Hubby's family has been farming for generations. Though we live on a working beef farm and raise cattle, we also grow corn, barley and hay. I know that there are many grain farmers of Ontario that produce far more grain than we do, but we produce grain nonetheless. Admittedly, I did not grow up on a farm, but married into one. In our early years of marriage, Hubby had … [Read more...]
Farm Safety Week
Did you know that the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is a national organization dedicated to improving the health & safety of farmers, their families & workers? With this week being Farm Safety Week (Agricultural Safety Week), farmers all over the nation are sharing how they keep their farms, their families, their workers, and themselves safe on the … [Read more...]
Things You Wanted To Know About Cattle Liners
The following is a guest post by fellow farmer, Jill (from Crooked Lake Farm). For more Farm Fact Friday posts, make sure to visit Life on Manitoulin every Friday. Many people see cattle liners while they are driving down the highway and question animal welfare. Are the cattle comfortable, are they safe? We transport our cattle in liners quite frequently: every summer going … [Read more...]
What do we vaccinate cows for? By Jill at Crooked Lake Farm
The following is a guest post by fellow farmer, Jill (from Crooked Lake Farm). This is part two of a two-part series on why vaccinate cattle. Just as young children go for vaccines at different times throughout their life, so do our cattle. Last time, I discussed why we vaccinate our cattle. This week, for Farm Fact Friday, I’ll be sharing with you what we vaccinate our … [Read more...]
Why Do We Vaccinate Our Cows? By Crooked Lake Farm
The following post was written by Jill from Crooked Lake Farm. As a fellow farmer, Jill wishes to engage with other farmers as well as educate non-farmers on what farming is about and what happens on a farm. If you have any questions you wish to ask, please feel free to leave Jill a comment or engage with her on Twitter and Facebook! Why do we vaccinate our cows? In one … [Read more...]
Living on a Beef Farm – Why do we do it?
With all the social media shares on agriculture that have come about with the #farm365 movement started by Andrew Campbell (aka: @FreshAirFarmer), it's great that farmers have a voice and are able to share the realities of farming. @NurseLovesFarmr has been a long-standing #agvocate and it's great to see so many others out there sharing and supporting. When I blogged on the … [Read more...]