Fall Pasture Update

By Richard de Wilde 

Muscovy Duck with ducklings.

While our focus is on growing vegetables, animals have always been an important part of our farm. At present we care for our small herd of goats and Angus cattle along with pigs, ducks, and chickens. Not only do they add ambiance to our farm, but they also help us better manage our land. Given our valley location, we have hillside areas that are too steep for vegetable production and are better managed as pastures. Without proper management, these hillside pasture areas can quickly be overtaken by undesirable “weed” trees and invasive species such as garlic mustard, honeysuckle and buckthorn which would choke out more desirable pasture grasses. Our animals also help us by fertilizing the land which keeps the pastures nutrient-rich and lush with vegetation to prevent hillside erosion. Pasture grass is also a great way to capture carbon and store it in the soil.

All of our animals, as well as the land they graze and live upon are certified organic.   Every year at our organic inspection, the inspector asks to see our animals, where they reside, records of feed purchases, etc. Our beef cattle are all grass-fed. We use managed or rotational grazing for our beef cattle, which means our pastures are divided into paddocks and the animals are rotated systematically through the different areas. They are only in a paddock until they have eaten the grass to 4-6 inches high and then we move them to the next paddock. After an area is grazed, the animals don’t return for at least 30 days which gives the grasses time to regenerate.  This system also provides a great habitat for grassland bird nesting!

Pigs hanging out in their pasture.

We choose to raise our animals in an environment that allows them to exhibit their natural behaviors and characteristics. We treat them gently and with respect so they do not live in fear of human touch or presence.  This creates a much more pleasant environment for them to live in and allows us to work amongst them more safely. Our pigs have a 20-acre pasture which they cover daily eating grass and clover as well as digging up roots with their amazingly strong snouts! We often only see glimpses of them moving through the woods throughout the day, but rest assured they return to their home base for dinner at night and they are front and center for breakfast in the morning! We feed them a modest ration of organic corn, barley, and flax seed, but they also enjoy a wide variety of vegetable trimmings that we take to them from the packing shed every day. In the fall they enjoy checking on the wild apple trees in their pasture where they gobble up the dropped fruit. They also fill up on hickory nuts, acorns, and hazelnuts. They have a pretty good life, eat well, and from time to time they appreciate a little scratch behind their ears.  

Cattle grazing in their pasture.

Our black Angus beef come to us each fall from John and Denise Hildegard who farm in Auburndale, Wisconsin. They are set up more appropriately than we are to raise calves. The young animals come to us when they are fully weaned and weigh about 500#.  Their farm and animals are also certified organic, but the thing we really appreciate about John and Denise is that they are excellent animal caretakers. The nature of their animals clearly demonstrates they have been raised with love, care, and gentleness. While they are very large animals, they are also very gentle and calm.  Our cattle are on pasture their entire lives. They eat only pasture grass and clover during the summer months and in the winter, we feed them hay that we bale from our hillsides. They also get a free choice mix of kelp meal and natural mineral salts mixed with garlic and diatomaceous earth (DE). This mix is kind of like their daily “multi-vitamin,” plus the DE acts as a natural wormer.  When they stick their head in the feeder their face gets wiped with a blend of organic sunflower oil mixed with citronella which helps to keep the flies away from them. They also meander down to the creek bottom each day to get water. They are large creatures to be respected, but we also appreciate how they contribute a serene vibe to our farm.

Healthy animals that are allowed to live in a natural environment seldom have health problems. However, sometimes in the cold of winter or during the changing of seasons they may get a little sniffle or a cough. During these vulnerable times, we feed them pellets containing aloe, garlic, and molasses. Sometimes we put them in a feeder, but some of the cows really like them and are tempted to take more than their fair share which leaves us feeding them by hand. 

While we do enjoy living amongst our animals and they serve an important role in helping us manage our land, we do also raise our pigs and cows with the intention that they will be harvested for meat.  We realize the decision to include meat in your diet, or not, is a very personal one and may be based on a variety of reasons. We certainly respect each individual’s decision and do our best to be transparent about our practices, so our customers have the information they need to make a fully informed decision when purchasing meat.  Unfortunately, there is a wide array of practices amongst meat producers, so it is important to make sure you know what your purchases are supporting. Our fall meat delivery dates are quickly approaching. At present, we do still have beef & pork available for November and December. However, we are likely going to sell out pretty soon for November delivery.  If you’re interested in purchasing meat this fall, we encourage you to send your order in as soon as possible!

In closing, we just want to reiterate how important it is for consumers to be well-informed with their purchases. Not all meat is produced similarly and there are some practices in the industry that are, in our opinion, unacceptable. We value our animals, the value they add to our farm and our lives, and we will continue to do our best to treat them with the respect they deserve. If ever you have a question or would like to see them for yourself, don’t hesitate to give us a call!