In the south of England we have a society, The Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association, formed to keep alive the traditions of heavy draught horse use in agriculture with particular reference to ploughing. Twice a year it holds Working Days open to the general public when members get together to demonstrate the various procedures necessary for preparing the seed bed for cereals. On the Work Day held in April 2002 the event was held on the land of farmer Robert Sampson, one of the foremost breeders of Percherons in the UK, and he was the driving force behind the decision to try out the largest hitch for agricultural purposes ever put together in the UK.

When David and Gus visited Mr. Hemmett they had an unexpected find. Not only was there the small tip-cart but other full sized farm wagons. The first that David looked at was a double shafted Lincolnshire wagon designed for the flat lands of that county and too big and heavy for his Suffolk mare of 16.2 hands. But tucked at the back under a tarpaulin was the ideal vehicle – a Norfolk wagon that could take either a single or double shaft and was suitable for the smaller draught horse.

It is very common for folks to have their horses so friendly, gentle and desensitized to stimuli that they cannot drive them away in the round pen. Typically this comes from concentrating on getting them gentle, without balancing it with gaining their respect and getting them to accept us as the leader or dominant partner – a prerequisite to getting them to do as we ask – whether they want to or not. And, while most people entice or teach their horses to come to them, many do not teach their horses to go away when they ask them to.

The backyard flock serves an important economic function. It is a means of producing at comparatively low cost one of the most healthful and appetizing groups of food – eggs and poultry meat. The small flock can be utilized to convert much of the table waste such as meat, fresh vegetable waste such as kale and cabbage leaves, boiled potatoes, and bread into a valuable product. In addition, keeping a small flock of chickens has definite recreational advantages, for it is interesting and educational to care for baby chicks, growing chickens and laying hens. The manure and litter produced is a valuable fertilizer for lawns, gardens, and many shrubs.

It may be safely said that any place where farming, gardening, or fruit raising can be successfully followed is adapted to the profitable keeping of bees. Many of these localities will support extensive apiaries. In addition to this there are, within the borders of the United States, thousands of good locations for the apiarist — forest, prairie, swamp, and mountain regions — where agriculture has as yet not gained a foothold, either because of remoteness from markets or the uninviting character of soil or climate. This pursuit may also be followed in or near towns and, to a limited extent, in large cities. It even happens in some instances that bees in cities or towns find more abundant pasturage than in country locations which are considered fair.

In the crisp mountain air, the horses seem to glide through the timber, side-stepping small trees and fallen logs. The chainsaw roars devastation, but the mighty pines float to the ground as they fall. These are the dead and dying, those that have been singed by fire, invaded by the beetle or abandoned by the rain and snow. The limbs fall to the forest floor as mulch, and the stripped trunk leaves its birthplace. The horses snort and bow their heads as the men call out short and simple commands through the sawdust fog. But the horses know what to do as they feel and guide the load, drawing on the generations of toil and experience of their forebears.

Although roadside marketing offers an excellent sales outlet, advance planning is necessary for a successful operation. Such factors as the number of potential customers passing by the stand, available display and parking space, and nearness to water and electricity should be considered before building a roadside market. If these items are available or nearby, a roadside market is an excellent way to sell homegrown produce.

For years now, Larry has, without hesitation and with no reward, plowed those ten miles of gravel road and many miles of long private driveways. Two of our neighbors on the road, Bob and Gayle Baker, had the idea to do a thank you celebration for Larry this summer and, having heard my stories of remote Caribbean childhood memories, asked if I would cook a pig in the ground. I agreed with relish and it turned out delicious. Many folks have asked if I would share the recipe I used. I hesitated realizing that once I did there would no longer be a reason to invite me over…

We frequently hear from readers who want very specific information about their pieces of horsedrawn equipment. One category of those questions encompasses the manufacturing dates of equipment. We offer here a lineup of the Deering and McCormick and then McCormick/Deering mowers with the manufacturers stated dates of production.

There are Threshing Bee re-enactments and festivals scattered all over North America. For those who don’t know what I am speaking of, a Threshing Bee, in days of yore, was an event where neighbors gathered together to help each other separate harvested grains. Way back when, a well-equipped farmer, or an individual subcontractor with a steam tractor and threshing machine (two major pieces of equipment), would travel from farm to farm to separate the grain, a job which required many hands. Families would come together at each farm and make a Bee or working party of the chore. Modern events such as the Dufur Threshing Bee have been organized and staged to demonstrate, through a re-creation, the old equipment, horsemanship and individual skills (i.e. sack sewing, shocking, bundle loading, etc.) as well as the entire work party aspect.

Establishing the age of farm animals through the appearance of the teeth is no new thing. The old saying, “Do not look a gift horse in the mouth,” is attributed to Saint Jerome, of the fifth century, who used this expression in one of his commentaries. Certainly for generations the appearance, development, and subsequent wear of the teeth has been recognized as a dependable means of judging approximately the age of animals.

Elk are indeed majestic, but there is so much more to these wonderful animals says Gary Queen, manager of the Rose Lake Elk Ranch. June is velvet season on elk ranches across the United States and Canada. Queen watches antler growth carefully on his ranch of about 50 bulls, waiting for the best time to harvest. “These antlers have healing powers to cure what ails us,” Queen said. He is now making his own line of nutritional supplements from the antlers of registered Rocky Mountain elk.

As with most of US livestock and poultry production, only a few genetic lines of chickens are used to supply the eggs and chicken products to supermarkets. Consequently, other breeds decline and their unique characteristics can be lost if there is not thoughtful conservation. “While these breeds might not be commercially important today, there is no assurance that we won’t need them in the future,” says Bender. “Agriculture changes, and we may yet need the genetics these breeds have to offer.”

Mmmmm, that smell! That sweet, dry grass smell! Whenever I catch a whiff of it… I need to breathe it deeply – into me. They’re haying at the Gallagher Ranch as I drive by. I open the car window wide and smile. My mind drifts off to childhood memories and I’m back on our farm on Martha’s Vineyard, in haying season.

I can’t say specifically when the bug bit me, but it did. I had an opportunity to work for someone who offered to pay me in draft horses. Like, two draft Percheron mares to be specific. I thought about it, and took the deal. After my work was completed, my wife and I were the proud owners of two draft animals. And then all of a sudden all the horse articles became so important and pertinent! It was like a light turning on!

Guineas are a landrace breed. This is not to be confused with Danish Landrace pink production hogs. Small ‘l’ landrace means that they developed by adapting to their environment – the way nature selects. In the 18th and 19th centuries Guineas were free rangers. They scrounged for their own food. Those that were good mothers had good litters. Rather than farmers choosing the characteristics to breed back, which we do now, Guineas bred in the woods. The capable survived. What this leaves us with is a lard breed of swine which does well on low grade forage; a smaller, good natured animal that does well outside. The perfect pastured pork for a smaller or homestead operation.

Puppet Theatre • Newspaper Race • Pass Around • Airplane • Who Touched the Eagle? • The Little Bull-Calf and the Poppy

This kind of low-impact management has yielded visible results for Rose who can display flourishing pasture grasses, healthy cattle, and firm banks in his riverside pasture. “I am just a detail oriented person and one of those farm boys who always likes to have a project,” Rose said. “I am trying to get the most out of my land and efforts and I really enjoy seeing the positive outcomes of a finished project.”

Six o’clock on a June morning in western Russia sunshine spills across a farmyard as a woman carrying a pail approaches a milking barn. This classic rural scene is still common in parts of Russia today, but inside the barn the scene changes from common to bizarre. For there, standing in a milking stall is not a cow, a goat, or even a sheep, but Nella, a six foot tall 500kg moose.

I was born in 1901. I have been successful at a few things in my life. I have been a mule skinner, trapper, farmer, railroad engineer, tie peeler, hunter, prospector, coal miner, stump puller, blacksmith, carpenter, wagon builder, firewood cutter, lumberjack, hobo, bum, road construction worker, worked on the railroad, and ditch digger. Back in the 1930’s, anywhere I could find work as a fence builder or plowboy. I fought with Poncho Villa and his army. I joined his army to help him and his people. I don’t really think I proved anything by it but I did come back alive. I used to go pull stumps for farmers, cut firewood, repair and build wagons and harness too.

The manner in which wool is prepared for market has a great influence on the quality and value of the finished cloth—hence on the marketability of the grower’s clip. Proper shearing is important—growers should supervise it carefully. Other points vital to good preparation are keeping the wool clean and dry, tying fleeces attractively, and packaging them properly.

The WSDA is asking everyone who is raising birds, including pet birds, to monitor for signs of illness. Any suspicion of disease should be promptly reported to the state veterinarian’s office. WSDA is also urging poultry farmers to limit personal contact with one another and to minimize visitors at their farms to reduce the chance of spreading the disease on shoes or clothing. The department has also asked those planning sales or auctions of farm equipment to consider postponing them to prevent potential spread of the disease.

A small combination type barn with the accommodations for two horses, eight cows and several calves. Picture shows a view of the end where calf pens are located. Concrete wall is carried 2′ above grade, balance being frame construction with 6″ drop siding. Roof is of cedar or composition shingles. Working plans show the installation of a gravity type ventilating system.

Breeding a small flock can be successful, avoiding inbreeding weaknesses and perpetuating the strengths that meet the small farmer’s goals. Choosing a breed that has historically succeeded in your geographic area may be the key to success. Many historic breeds are also becoming rare. By establishing a small flock of a rare and historic breed, small flock owners can help restore rare breeds. Many find it rewarding to participate in helping rescue these valuable breeds, with their individual contributions in egg and meat production and unique appearance.

“It is likely we English probably cannot understand the depth of bonds that are formed when children not only work side by side with their parents but live side by side after they grow up and get married. In addition it is routine to volunteer to work in other’s fields to share the heavy workload. Once when I was with a threshing crew, I followed the wagons to pick up the bundles of spelt… I couldn’t help but notice the boys who were working were having a wonderful time. They worked there all day and enjoyed the whole experience… The social fabric of the community is as strong as the work ethic fabric.”

In these days of standardization and the extensive use of metal wheels you might think there is little call for the centuries old craft of wheelwrighting, but the many demands on the skills of Gus Kitson in Suffolk, England, show this to be very far from the truth. Despite many years experience of renovating all types of wagons and wheels even Gus can still be surprised by the types of items for which new or restored wooden wheels are required.

Mr. Barden’s experience with the D-Ring harness reaches back over seven decades, and through thousands of acres of hay and woodland. He has worked extensively with single, double, and triple horse hitches. This video supplies valuable information, at the same time allowing the viewer to observe in action, a lifetime of knowledge about the working horse. It is specifically intended for those who understand that the value of a harness is how it functions in the field, not how it looks from the road.

The Header had a short career in wheat country but was an absolute marvel of engineering. Horses pushed a cutting and conveyor assembly resembling that of a grain binder. The grain, instead of being tied into bundles, was conveyored up a ramp and into a Header box wagon. This cumbersome implement required an unusual maneuvering to complete operable turns.