This Sustainable House

Posts Tagged ‘Livestock’

In 2003 Joel Salatin, of Polyface Farms, wrote an article of the above name. The article was written for Acres USA and can be found here. As much as I dislike ‘stealing’ his title (or is that research under the western academic system?) I have to admit that I haven’t yet come up with a title that sums this topic up more appropriately. My apologies Joel.

The point of this post is the raft of beaurucratically inspired idiocy that seems to pervade the ‘lucky country’. This is all the legislation, guidelines, audits, notifications, regulations, inspections, disallowable instruments, and general silliness by which the paternal state ‘protects’ our food supply. But who is this really protecting? The Consumer? Or vested interests in the industry? I am beginning to think it is the latter rather than the former. Read the rest of this entry »

Last night nature did it’s best to remind me just how incredible it is… a calf was born.

Fryderyk was born a little after 9.30pm on the 23rd August to Dalila (Dam) and Eminance T Baxter (Sire). Baxter is a bull owned by Eminance Dexter’s, and Dalila was ‘covered’ prior to joining me at TSH. Little Freddy, he is still in ‘short trousers’, is a beautiful black calf who seems to be quite happy to be out and about, exploring a new world.

In fact, he might be a little too adventurous, managing to squeeze out of the original paddock in the dead of the night leaving a very frantic Mum behind. I was awoken, about 12.30ish, to a bellowing that could only foretell doom. When I arrived at the paddock Dalila was beside herself, and there was no sign of Freddy at all. I later found him in another paddock quite scared and confused. As a result he spent the evening inside where I could keep an eye on him.

However this morning I lined a paddock with some 40mm chicken wire, about 100m worth, and popped both Fryderyk and Dalila in there. When I left for work Fryderyk was ‘dead to the world’ after filling his belly with milk, and Dalila was contentedly chewing the cud.

I think he’ll be a fantastic addition to the household.

Fryderyk - at approx 2 weeks old.

Do you purchase Free Range Eggs?

Why do you buy them? Is it because they;Free range chickens merrily picking their way over lush green grassy slopes

* taste better?

* are more nutritious?

* have a better ‘energy’?

* the chickens are more humanely housed?

All the above are reasons that many people shell out the additional sheckles for Free Range eggs but the sad truth is that there is little protection for consumers. This article, on the Green Phoenix Permaculture website, looks at the ‘definitions’ of Free Range Eggs, focussing on the housing requirements within the standards, and considers the question “Can bought eggs ever be considered Free Range?”

Check out the article here.

Well it has been two weeks since I put the Camembert experiment aside to age, and today all three cheeses where covered in a thick white mould.

The first thing one notices about the cheeses is the fact that they have slumped a bit, indicating that there was a little too much moisture in the curds. I think it was a case of not cutting the curds small enough. The next batch, which will probably be made tomorrow, will have the curds cut a little finer.

But apart from the aesthetics, what’s it like???????

Well upon cutting the cheese one is definitely met with the correct consistency, colour and odour. The interior of the cheese has that lovely gooey, off-white that is so familiar with Camembert. The flavour is mild, though I expect that’ll change with a little more aging, but delicious!

In short, I think the very first attempt at cheese making has produced an edible product… Who’d have thunk it!

One of the major personal drivers of the TSH experience is to bring the produce from the farm back into the kitchen and turn it into glorious food. And this passion was recently reignited by an episode of the Gourmet Farmer in which Matthew Evans made cheese from his Jersey Cow.

This got me to thinking about Dalila, who is due to calve in August, and the possibility of doing the same at TSH. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the major differences between standard gardening and permaculture is that the latter put’s great emphasis on design and planning. It can seem that ‘permies’ only ever talk about design however it is often easier to correct a deficiency in garden design prior to it’s implementation. This is especially true if you site something in the wrong location… in that case moving it is a drag!

The video below outlines the new Mandala Gardens being set-up at TSH, and the reason they are laid out the way they are. The system being adopted was originally designed by Linda Woodrow (The Permaculture Home Garden) so credit where credit is due.

Building a sustainable property involves more than just plants, it also includes technologies and animals. At the moment TSH has a number of different animal species with the two most ‘useful’ being chickens and cattle. Dexter cattle actually. And it is these beautiful creatures that this post would like to introduce. Please say ‘hi’ to Congo and Dalila.

Congo and Dalila joined TSH approx 8 weeks ago and are settling in fine. Dexter Cattle were chosen, as a breed, as they are a miniature breed of cattle which are dual purpose, ie good for both meat and milk. Being a smaller breed they are ideal for a small block with more individuals per tonne of animal. They also have a beautiful temperament.

Both are pure-bred animals registered with the Dexter Cattle Association Incorporated. Congo is a ‘short’ bull, and Dalila is a ‘long’ heifer… she is also in-calf. Keep an eye out for more on these beautiful creatures and on our arrival… he/she is due in August.