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The winds of Change ...

4/30/2013

 
    Today was more cleaning up and I have to tell you I am loving this weather.  Well, okay except for the wind coming in at 25 mph out of the south.  That I don't find so pleasing at all.  I did take some time to fit in some riding when Mom was done having me clean up different stuff.  Dad and I just have the wood pile to get cleaned up and then the backyard is Done!!  (Yes, done to Mom's liking which is much cleaner then Dad and I would do it regularly)      
    I also took some me time to think things over.  I am sure by now everyone knows that we lost Juneau (reasons unknown)  and that I am not happy about the goats and the Vet's recommandation that they not be bred.  I am also sure that most of you know I am "rethinking this whole thing" too.  Well, I am rethinking it and I have come to the conclusion that I need to change a few things.  I have decided that I will sell shares a bit differently now.  So like all good businessmen I started with a little research.  Okay, I tried to start that way but things got complicated right off. 
    Let me explain.  I have decided I no longer want to "gamble" with your money.  I am always worried when something happens on the farm that reducess the amount in your share.  I feel like I have let not only myself, my family and the animals down but I feel like I let you the shareholder down as well.  No, no one has ever said that I let them down but I do see a different group of investors now.  It makes me wonder ... Were the old shareholders unhappy with the product?  The amounts they got in their share? How I handled things???  This brings me to the shares.  We have not sold shares for the Alpaca for 2014 yet and to be honest I don't know if I will.  The fleece that was just sheared is spoken for and is actually being weighted and skirted and gotten ready to get in the mail to the shareholders.  Right after shearing however, we lost Juneau and that means we lost an entire fleece for next year.  Last year we lost Curry.  While I care more about the loss of the animal Both losses effect the amount of fiber in each share and that is what the shareholders care about.
    So what am I going to do?  Well, I started looking at other CSAs and seeing how they handle it and what I found shocked me.  CSAs very so much that in order to compare anything you have to do so by price per a yard or oz.  And even then they very by breed so much that getting apples to apples just isn't possible.  What I found was it was the only way to compare anything close enough to study price ranges at all.  Even then I was Shocked by the difference in prices across the country.  Most yarn shares came out at about $.13 a yard undyed.  (They cost even more if you get a naturally colored share or if the producer dyes it for you)  And some Roving shares came in better then $12.00 per an Oz.  In the past our shares have had at least 8 oz of roving each time and I think our yarn shares have had about 1000 yards of yarn.  On average that is about 9$ per on Oz of roving (That price is in the middle of the price scale)  and I think there has been enough yarn to make at least a small sweater for an adult depending on the pattern. Or if you prefer you can say it was about $.11 a yard of yarn. (also in the middle of the price chart) All in all I think our amounts have been fair for the price I charge.  I know some people get more in other CSAs but they also pay more.  And most CSAs charge an extra free for shipping and handling.  I don't add extra charges (that is why if you noticed our shares went up a bit this year due to shipping cost increases and mill bill increases)  You pay one price for everything.  So if you take out the $15.00 it takes to mail your share that comes out even lower in cost per an oz or yard.  
    However, I want to make sure the customer knows more about what they are getting so that I can check off that question on my list from above.  The amount you will be getting for your money will no longer be in Question.  And it should not be a reason for me lossing customers and I will know it.  What am I going to do with any left over skeins of yarn or bumps of Roving??  Well, sell it at the show in my booth or I may list it on the internet.  As of right now, I have not worked out exactly how it will be for sale but it will be ... Any suggestions??
    Now if I lose customers it will only be because of the product or me.  Not something out of my control ... like weather or death or something like that.  As for the products ... I try to make the best product I can and when I see something I don't like I try to make it better.  The truth is that everyone's idea of the perfect product is very different.  Some people have said that soft is best ... others say long wearing is better ... I want both and while I try my best I don't always get that done.  (like our Mohair/southdown roving.  The roving was soft but didnt' spin the way Mom wanted it to.)  And I know that "You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not please all of the people all of the time".  We will continue to try and improve our products until we get something that pleases both us and the customer. 
    That leaves me ... I handle each situation (with the help of my parents) the best I can.  Just like with Juneau, I know he had the best of care (between the vet and being on the phone to the university, they left no stone unturned) and everyone can give me all the advice in the world but without being in my shoes and living it as the event unfolds ... no one can say that what someone else would do, would have made the outcome any better.  I can't control what people think of the way I handle things or what they think of me in general.  As Mom says "I am who I am meant to be"  I try my best to be fair as well as Honest and Righteous.  Yes, I am still a kid.  So no, I don't always manage to get through things with my Big Boy pants on but I do try. 
    

Work, work, work

4/29/2013

 
    I am pretty sure that everyone knows just what was going on here on the farm today ... First, it is spring.  Spring means spring cleaning.  Spring cleaning around here means stuff like Mending fences, cleaning the water troths, Mowing the yard weedeating....  You get the drift.  
    Dad and I spent most the day fixing fence and clearing young trees for Mom.  It took most of the day to get the fences done so while we were busy with that Mom cleaned all 7 water troths and then mowed and weedeated the yard.  She also cleaned the inside pen out and did all the laundry but hey, she wouldn't me Mom if she didn't try to be an over achiever ... LOL
    I did find some time to check out a possible source of another Dorset Ewe.  But that was just something I did on my down time.  As I type this I am waiting to hear ... I should know something this week. 

Sheep Playpen ...

4/28/2013

 
Today is a new day... From here on out everything will be great.  I did put up a temporary sheepie playpen.... Here is Bottle time with Quapaw, Chickasaw, Cheyenne, Charlie and our Gaurd dog Jethro.
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Everybody gets some ... 
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Charlie wants some too ... LOL
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Jethro and Cheyenne Hate that they can't both be on the same side of the pen ... LOL
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Play time!!
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Me and Jethro soon get bored and think we need a nap ... Jethro got one ... I did not!
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Today's Cute

4/27/2013

 
So I thought I would try and cheer everyone, including myself up with a little cute Sheep ... Check out Charlie!!
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Again?

4/27/2013

 
    So I thought today would get better.  I was wrong.  I went to work normal enough.  Only to come home and find that Dimples had given birth while I was gone.  The baby wasn't cleaned all the way and wasn't alive.  I don't know if me being here would have made a difference but I do think that I am going to give up on Breeding Angora Goats.  I know I made a good product but without the herd growing I can't keep going.  Mom still believes with all her heart that it is just another way that we are being guided to the Original RJ's Qts Designer sheep .... The Quads and the Trips.  I am thinking it is time to sit back down and rethink this whole thing. 

Farmer's Prayers

4/26/2013

 
    I know that sometimes things aren't for us to understand.  But I am human and I still ask why.  Today the Question is Why did Juneau have to pass from this life so soon??  I called the Vet this morning after I did chores and he told me the news.  The only thing that we are 100% sure of is that for whatever reason Juneau's blood sugar bottomed out yesterday and he never recovered.  While he showed improvement yesterday, he didn't make it through the night. 
    Mom is going a bit overboard and has all the Alpaca's penned.  She is watching them like a hawk.  And when she isn't checking them she has me running out to the barn yard to check them.  She has questioned everything we have done.  From Shearing to weed control to a vitamin deficiency.  She has even dug up her flowers along the fence line because she read that some were poisonous to Alpacas.  The flowers aren't in the pasture but they are along the fence line and she said she is just moving them because she isn't taking any chances.
  
    I guess it is Mom's way of dealing with what has happened.  Some how I guess she thinks some how she can keep it from happening again.  The truth is we can't prevent it if we don't know why it happened.  So that brings me back to my question of Why.   As for me, I want to try and think of things that I am thankful for.  It kind of puts a good out weighs the bad spin on things. 

As a Son I am thankful for my Mother who is emotionaly Strong.
     And for a Father who corrects me when I am wrong. 
As an Indian I am thankful for the land which I come 
    And for the heavens that watch over me since my journey begun.  
As a farmer I am thankful for the rain and the sun 
    For we need both not just one.  
As a country boy I am thankful for the ground on which I live.
    And for the harvest that it is sure to give.  
As a rancher I am thankful for each animal that we have in our care 
    And I Pray they will always be there. 
And when my time comes to visit the purley gates, I can only Pray
    that I am told that my footprints on this Earth will never be washed away.    
                
                                                                                                        Author
                                                                                                          Christy Straw

    Mom wrote that for me years ago and yes it is simple but sometimes it helps to reread it ... Expecialy when the going gets tough.
    Tonight Juneau was brought home to rest here on the farm right next to Statler.  Before we committed his to the land I did trim the front tough of hair from his forehead for Mom.  As most of you know the alpacas were part of the shares and therefor we never kept any.  I thought Mom would at least want a little bit to hold on to.  And just so you know ... until further notice there will be no flowers along the fence line.  Mom is however saying she will put in a flower spot near the spot where we have treasured loved ones buried.   
    I do need to add one little thing here... And that is a word of Thanks to my "Fairy Godmother"  When we got to the Vet's office to settle up and bring Juneau home we were handed a receipt that said the bill was taken care of by my Fairy Godmother... So to you I say from the bottom of all our hearts,  Thank you ... It was a beautiful act of kindness.

Just Don't know

4/25/2013

 
    So as you read yesterday Juneau was having some issues.  We had moved him into the house to help keep him warm through the night.  Everything went well and last night he was eating and drinking.  He could stand but not for very long and he was a bit wobbley.  Last night he seemed to get better and ate his dinner and took fluids.  This morning he was fine at 2:00am when Mom checked him.  At 4:00am when Dad and I checked him and got him up he seemed to be getting stronger.  At 6:30am Mom had to be at work and he was fine then.  I was in and out of the kitchen where the pen is as I did my school work and waited on Mom to get back from work.  
    I checked him at about 7:00am and he was fine but within 30 minutes he had gone to throwing his head back and not being able to stand.  I called Mom, who was on the way home, and she had me drench (give him electrolytes and Vitamins and Minerals) him and see if he was getting enough to drink then she had me call the vet again While she drove home.  When Mom got to the house we loaded him up and rushed him to the Vet.  There they worked to get him stablized.  They did blood work to see what was going on.  They didn't know what the normal standards were so they had to call K-State University.  The only thing the blood work showed is that his blood sugar that was suppose to be 115 was 14.  No I didn't forget a digit.     
    At this point we have penned all the alpaca and are watching them like a hawk.  Doc is treating Juneau's symptoms as they can't find anything wrong with him other then the Blood sugar and they fixed that by giving Dextrose intravenously along with fluids and antibiotics.  He did find Blood worms in his stool but we wormed when we shear as we always do so that is already being treated.  For now Doc is keeping Juneau over night and trying to figure things out.  While we all are upset Mom has been fighting back the tears all day.  I will keep everyone posted.  That also means that I am going try and encourage everyone to visit the etsy shop to begin covering the Vet bills ... It can be found by clicking QTFarmshop or for searching Etsy for it ... Thanks for your support and helping to try and save Juneau ... Prayers welcome!

Juno issues

4/24/2013

 
    As most of you know we sheared Monday.  Last night, however, it got down to around freezing.  When sheared we found that some of the animals were a bit thin.  It is hard to tell with all that fleece on them and we had them penned almost an extra Month due to the weather.  We gave the vet a buzz and talked to him about the herd and he thought that the weather was playing a large roll in the issue we are having.  Under the careful hand of our vet everything has been checked for worms and should have been just fine.  He said to give them 30 days on the pasture and they all should be right as rain.
    Okay, well, that was until today.  We found Juno in the shed and he was shaking and weak.  He could stand but was wobbley.  He ate and was fine this morning and at the noon check of the barnyard and pasture.  We got him in under a heat lamp and called the vet.  The way Juno was acting the vet thinks he got something caught in his throat.  He was making a hacking, rattle sound at the time.  Combine that with him not getting out in the sun he lost heat and got cold.  Add in the dampness of the rain yesterday and the weather flip flopping back around and you have one hard time for all the animals not just Juno.  Alpaca keep warm by digesting food but if he isn't getting out and grazing all day he won't have the food to digest at night to keep warm.  Doc had me give him some Pepto just incase he had a tummy ache and Then He had me drench him with vitamins and electrolytes.   
    After that he said to give him plenty of water and keep him warm.  So what are we going to do???  Well, we did everything Doc said and then we did what we do best ... Use that inside pen!  Yup, Juno won't be fighting the cold tonight.  He will be bedding down in the warm and tomorrow it is suppose to be up to 80 degrees so he will be going out to soak up the sun and from there on out he should be going good ... If not we will be making a run to the Vet in the morning.
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On the up side Juno ate his dinner and munched on some Grass that I went and picked for him ... After that he took time to rest.
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Every few hours I would help him up so that he could get his barrings.  Like all animals he needs to have his time standing up so that his insides don't have to take the weight of their entire body all the time.  By 9pm Juno was doing very well but we noticed him coughing and gave him a shot of Antibiotic just to be safe. 

Learning Curve ...

4/23/2013

 
    So today was a much easier day then yesterday.  It is also cold and rainy but we won't get into that.  We were up early like normal.  Mom cleaned a bit while I did all my other school lessons but Algebra.  Then Mom and I sat down and worked together to help me get some of the concepts that I don't understand.  Each Day for the next few weeks we plan on working on different concepts that I am having issues with.  
    After that Mom and I both took it easy.  Mom actually took a nap but she said it made her more tired so she didn't have the energy to do much else.  So we turned on the Show McLoed's Daughters on Roku and we "vegged" out for most of the afternoon. 
    I spent some time on the computer looking into growing our Carrie Clothes line.  While I was digging up info I found two things of interest.  First is a grant worth $500.00 to purchase a Dorset Ewe.  I applied and we will see what happens.  I also emailed the farm that bred and raised Carrie to see if they had any more Ewes for sale.  I haven't herd (okay I know the word is Heard but I couldn't help it ... Sorry)  back from them yet. 
    In my research I found out something that I wish I had found out a little bit before now... Okay, Yesterday would have been so much better then today.  You see we keep all the sheep together when it isn't breeding season so after we sheared yesterday almost everything was turned out into the pasture.  The only thing left up in the stalls is still waiting to birth or has issues.  Now for the fun part.  Did you know that there are some breeds of sheep that can breed out of season.  Like the Alpacas some breeds of sheep can be bred anytime presented to a Ram.  Did you know that Dorsets are just such a breed??  Me either.  That explains Chief's behavior yesterday when we turned Carrie out.  If I am not mistaken by fall Carrie may be throwing a Dorset/Southdown Cross.  
    Did I want a fall birthing season???  Well, I guess I have one now ....

Rockin' Little Earth Day

4/22/2013

 
    So what is so great about Earth Day around here???  Well, I will give you one hint ... THEY ARE NAKED!!!!  That is right this year Earth Day is also known as Shearing day.  With Shearing day came good and bad news.  Okay it isn't really bad news but it isn't great news either.  As Mom says well, "It is what it is...."
    This also means that with Shearing day here ... 2013 Fleece is done growing and we are now working on 2014 Fleece.  That also means 2014 Shares are on the General Store Page and up for sale... Don't miss out on these great products that seem to be on everyone's minds.  And I will remind you that 2014 shares will include the fleece from the wonderful babies you have watched be born this birthing season ... That is right, you already are watching the crop grow. 
    So first the not so great news.  Well, with shearing you get a chance to see all the fleece up close and really good.  The truth is that the weather has been hard on alot of fleece.  According to our shearer, Not just my fleece.  He says that with it being 80 degrees in the day time and 30 degrees at night and the rain coming and going, it has caused Sheep to start losing fleece and even have some fleece start to felt on the animals.  Needless to say this will not be our best crop ever but it will produce some decent products for shareholders.  
    The other issues that we found were health issues.  First up, we found that Seneca is blind in both eyes.  This really is a wonder as she not only cares for her own twins, Chicksaw and Quapaw, but she is raising Cheyenne too.  She never bagged so all her babies are bottle babies but she doesn't care.  Seneca is one of the southdown ewes and she probably isn't going to see many more years as she is already about 10.  At this point we are scared to put her in the pasture for fear that she can't see danger so her and her "babies" are still penned until we figure out what we will do.
 
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    LaKota has an issue as well, that was also found while sheering.  Only one side of her bag is producing milk.  And her baby has created sores on the one milk producing side from nursing it so much.  All in all what we found is that because our Southdown were bought older, their lives here on our farm are getting shorter.  That means we have the three older southdowns and Momma Shetland that are not really in the best of health.  We will do what we can but we are weaning Commanche and Apache early so that the Mommas have a better chance at getting to look and feel better sooner. 
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   Moving on ... First, OH MY!!!  You shareholders for Carrie Clothes shares ... I am jealous.  I only kept one share for myself and oh Man.  I will tell my readers that Carrie Clothes shares have sold out for 2014 but check this out ...
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And a close up .... I will say that Carrie's fleece really is "VOGUE Baby!"  Look at all that pillow of softness!  I am telling everyone now that if you ever get the chance to get in on Carrie Clothes I really don't think you will regret it.
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    Okay, so one last suprize that we found while shearing.  I am kind of scared to share with everyone because of how the last one went but here it goes.  When we flipped Dimples over to shear her we found this ...
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    If you can't really tell, I will fill you in.  That my friends is a bag ...  Dimples is pregnant.  If you read the blog the other day you know that Carmilla gave birth to an under developed stilborn.  That is why I am scared.  I will be watching Dimples very closely from here on out.  We pulled the Buck Dec 1st so the last possible day for her to birth is suppose to be April 30th but if she runs 10 days over it could be as late as May 10th.
    I will let you in on one more a little secret ... today didn't really go as we had planned.  We were pushing to shear before the rain set in and we were actually running fleece to the barn to save it from the rain.  We had to move into the shed to finish up and it was pretty hectic at times.  But all in all it all worked out.  
    When Danny the Shearer left, we set out and cleaned up the Shed and two of the stalls we had sheep and lambs in for birthing.  At this point we have just a select few head in the sheep pen and everything else is out on the pasture enjoying green grass.  It is now time to rest those pens before breeding season comes around again this year.  
    So enjoy a few pictures to go along with a great Earth Day.  And Happy shopping ...
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As for us we are off to sort and skirt us some Fleece so we can get it off to the mill. 
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