October 06, 2005

Is it summer, or is it fall in Vermont?

October Cows Grazing 2005.JPG

The calendar reads October 4th, but outside it seems like summer. The daytime highs have been in the upper 70's, and the grass is still growing like crazy out in the grazing paddocks. Everyone you see talks about how wonderful the weather is for this time of year. We sure won't complain knowing what lies ahead.

The soft maple trees that grow in the low lying areas of the farm have started showing some nice color, but most of the other hardwoods haven't really begun to change yet. Because of the extended growing season, the pastures are still providing plenty of forage for the cows so I haven't had to start feeding them any round bales yet. This helps the farm's bottom line in the feed expense catagory. With production costs so high right now, every little bit helps.

The warm weather is great for finishing up projects around the farm and around the house. The compost windrows are ready for spreading, and we'll cover one windrow and save if for use in the spring when local gardeners come looking for some of the rich, black stuff. On the old farmhouse, we've been scraping and painting trim around the windows and getting chimneys cleaned and ready to start burning wood. My forage supplier baled some third-cut round bales today, too. Dad has been keeping an eye on what Dennis has been up to. The feed looks great and the cows should milk really well on it.

Yes, this spell of beautiful weather is truly a blessing. It's giving farmers all a chance to harvest an extra crop of grass, and the warm temperatures are helping to delay having to turn on the furnaces to keep warm.

October Fields 2005.JPG--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont


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Posted by Blogger Chris at October 6, 2005 02:06 PM
Comments

Thanks for your blog, Jonathon. I love Vermont, and for a minute, when I read your column, I'm there.

Posted by: Susan Hanway Scott at October 18, 2005 02:08 PM

I enjoy your blog and pictures of your farm. I live in Florida and we are really sick of this heat! 90 degrees plus every day still. It should start coming down to the 80's soon we hope. Your farm is so green and your cows so beautiful. I would love to live on a farm! I am trying to talk my grandaughter who lives at Camp Pendleton,Ca. into letting me sponsor her some cows! Her daddy has been in the Marine Corp 17 years and is in Iraq now. Take care. Thank you for going organic. You are doing our planet a great service. Sincerly Ms. Lisette Parks

Posted by: Lisette Parks at October 9, 2005 05:02 AM

its a strange year everywhere. In the southern corner of western Australia we have had the wettest year for 50 years, and the dams are all overflowing where last summer they were mostly dry. We grow beef and the market is paying well so everyone is smiling.

Posted by: Darren at October 7, 2005 05:45 AM

We just had to cull our home dairy cows due to Johnnes Disease. After I read about it and talked to the vet and a local dairy farmer, I decided not to buy any milk products from the store. Do you all test your cows for Johnnes and could you say that you have clean herd?

Posted by: Liz Dodson at October 6, 2005 10:03 PM

Here in Michigan it was 85 yesterday! Today in the 50's. It's been a nice long summer for all of us, but now we must face reality. Close and caulk the windows, change filters and get ready to fire up the furnaces. We're never ready to let go of nice weather a prepare for the c-c-cold. Mother Nature's stubborn, but if we prepare for what's coming, we can enjoy this too.
Thanks for all you do and good luck in the coming months!!

Posted by: Lauren at October 6, 2005 07:45 PM