FAMACHA Tests Show Fecal Egg Counts Down

Fecal egg counts on Wild Wind Farm are best determined by use of the FAMACHA test. But studies conducted by the Western Maryland Pasture Performance Test show that egg counts used by the same FAMACHA test are down this year as compared with past years.

Many reasons could be behind this decline, such as warmer temperatures, less rain in drier spots, better treatment, etc. Unfortunately, this is not an indication of what the future holds for the Barber Pole Worm or other parasites found in goat and sheep feces.

Susan Schoenian of the Western Maryland Agricultural Center in Keedysville, Maryland has conducted extensive research around this issue and data on her findings can be followed at one of two blogs she writes: Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test and Shepherd's Notebook.

Wanna buy a goat?

It's coming! The 2nd Annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day and Sale will be held Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center (fairgrounds) near Boonsboro, Maryland.

This is always a fun event, with a morning youth skill-a-thon, testing young farmer's knowledge of dairy, fiber and meat goats.

The skill-a-thon starts at 9 am and the auction bidding starts at 10 am.

Of note this year is Dr. Richard Browning, a research animal scientist from Tennessee State University. Dr. Browning is conducting a multi-year breed evaluation study, comparing Boer, Kiko, and Spanish goats and their reciprocal crosses.

Read more about the event.

Monkey as Goat-Herder?

This is a great story from National Geographic about a monkey who herds the goats on a farm in India.

See the video here.

The biggest issue on Wild Wind Farm is when younger goats get their heads stuck between the wires of the fences. It is hard to be there 24 hours a day to monitor. But how great would it be to have a monkey to serve as their shepherd and remind them that the grass, weeds or brush on the other side of the fence is no greener than the pasture in which they are grazing? Priceless.

The Sheep Poo Canoe? It's All About You ...

It's an "environmentally friendly resin," and now it is being tested as a challenge across the English Channel. The product is sheep poo, the remnants of sheep poo that has been transformed into sheep poo paper, then applied to the frame of a canoe and finished off with beeswax.

Lawrence and Lez are trying to raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance. According to the site, poo floats and the effort will be used to help a cause which is there to "help you when you're up poo creek without a paddle ..."

Read more.

Sheep as Art ...

The busy summertime always reminds me of one more thing to do around the farm. Having said that, I am amazed that some farmers have so much time on their hands (what's the deal?).

But I guess with their free time they had an opportunity to create this multimedia masterpiece, utilizing their sheep as the primary actors. Enjoy!

Organic Dairy Farming in Frederick County

I came across a great story about an organic dairy farm in Jefferson, Maryland - in Frederick County - where the whole family plays a part in producing quality, organic dairy products.

Having visited this farm, I can say they have a really great operation.

Read more.

The machinery in the first picture is their current dairy operation, equipped to milk many of their cows all at once, aiming for efficient production twice per day.

The device in the second picture is designed to eliminate the flies that tend to congregate around cows out in the sun. The cow walks through here, equipped with machines that work similar to a bug-zapper, and it eliminates the majority of the flies.

The purpose of the device is to eliminate the need to medicate a cow with fly spray or ointment (remember, this is an organic operation, i.e., no chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, etc.).

While I think this would be very hard to manage an entire operation, I admire the Holter's for doing such a great job with it.

As for me and Wild Wind Farm, I think we'll stick with the all-natural approach as best we can and go from there. But it certainly is a great operation.

Farming for Sanity's Sake ...

Times have not been the best in 2009, but it is amazing to me to see the number of recent articles about different types of hobby farming as therapy, as escape, and as that added boost to help people cope with the insanity of the world around them.

For example, take the recent Hometown Annapolis newspaper in which a couple decided to give up the urban hustle-and-bustle for the respite found in alpaca farming. Read the article.

In The Washington Post, another couple decided to hang it up with suburban living and are escaping to more peaceful confines on the Eastern Shore to raise chickens. Read the article.

A recent documentary on the National Geographic Channel takes a closer look at farming as therapy with, "The Farm," chronicling how the Louisiana State Penitentiary System uses farming to help inmates cope with their circumstances and as an outlet for many of their inmates. Read more.

There it is, your moment of Zen ...

History or History?

A recent article in The Washington Post highlights the battle between those who want to "preserve lands" for the sake of history and those who own and have to pay ($$$) to maintain the property in order to keep it "historic."

Read this farmer's plight in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA. Yes, yes, right here in Maryland this is happening. Read more.

My opinion? I know this is a tough issue which has many people divided. But this case, in particular, seems pretty straightforward. The farm, from 1933, is not nearly as old as others around it that were preserved from the 1700s, which sound like better "historic" sites to preserve. In the meantime, let this poor farmer do what he wants to with the land (to build a new home for his grandson).

And how can you really justify preserving this old house and barn when developers have carved up more than half of Montgomery County with small subdivisions and cramped communities already anyway?

If you want to see the true signs of aging, drive by some of these communities, which were built in the 1950s (only 20 years after this farmer's place was established), and you'll see the signs of wear and tear, aging and buildings that could use some revitalization for the sake of history.

But torturing this old man and his family by making them PAY for repairs to a property that they want to doze anyway? What has become of us as a society, if we FORCE a family to do this and to PAY for it? Land of the free? Home of the Brave? Let him tear it down and build a new home for his family on it.

Isn't that what America and "the American Dream" is all about anyway?

Goats (and Sheep?) to the Rescue!

I always love hearing these stories about how goats are used to help trim back or eliminate invasive plant species in undesirable areas. From Key West, Florida to the highways of Maryland, and other hard-to-reach places on government properties and wetlands, goats are "eating away" at the problem. Read more.

Goats are renowned for their ability to eat away at much of "the brush" that former President Bush used to spend countless hours "clearing" on his ranch. All he really needed was a couple dozen goats with hungry stomachs turned loose on the property and he would have never had to spend another weekend trading cleared land for poison oak or poison ivy.

The only issue I tend to have with this story is the fact that sheep aren't usually the ones eating away at these invasive plants. Far from it, in fact. Most sheep breeds find these invasive plants poisonous to them, so the goats tend to be the invasive-eaters while the sheep are there to graze on the grasses and keep the goats company.

Read more on the article and decide for yourself.

Do sheep and goats grieve over lost "friends?"

An article in SouthCoast Today shows a study among animal behaviorists that herd animals, like sheep and goats, actually DO grieve over the loss of a fellow member of their herd. Would you agree? Read more.

I don't know about this one. Based on reactions by my herd animals, I am inclined to disagree with this less-than-statistical finding. My animals appear more interested in the "grain bucket" than in time spent grieving over a fellow herd animal, but I could be wrong.

Read the article.

Are chicken farms adding to algae problems in Chesapeake Bay?

The Eastern shore is known for its chicken farms. But a new report shows that the high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus may actually be contributing to algae blooms, or higher amounts of algae being produced in the Chesapeake Bay. What will this mean for farmers? Read more.

Filly Wins Preakness Stakes!

Rachel Alexandra, the filly who was thwarted by a bunch of colt owners for even thinking of running in the Preakness Stakes, sure showed them on Saturday in an awesome victory!

Read more from the Washington Post.

In the News: The Preakness Stakes

All eyes turn to the Pimlico Racetrack in Maryland this weekend for the Preakness Stakes. The latest news includes:

- Washington Post: Fears of the Final Stretch at Pimlico

- Baltimore Sun: Preakness Truly a Gem

- New York Times: Trainers Hope Patience Pays Off at Preakness

Old Dominion Invests in Wind Power

Even Old Dominion is getting in on the wind power game. The electric cooperative is buying wind power from a Maryland wind farm. A shifting tide? Read more.

Maryland Wind Farms ... Waves of the Future?

It looks like legislation allowing wind farms across Maryland may finally be taking shape. What will this mean for "going green?"

Read more.

In light of Preakness, what is the future of Maryland horse racing?

With the Preakness Stakes this weekend, the Washington Examiner took a closer look at the horse racing industry in Maryland and what the future may hold. Read more.

Governors launch new efforts to clean up Chesapeake Bay

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine met with EPA Chief Lisa Jackson this week to kick off a renewed effort toward doing more in the next 2-5 years to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

The Obama Administration's efforts will be tied to water pollution reduction and increased enforcement of banned substances to reverse the Bay's course.

Read more.

The Challenges of Farming in Maryland

A reporter with the Baltimore Business Examiner wrote on the challenges facing Maryland's farmers today. Among the highlights:

1. Farmland is worth more to develop than it is to farm
2. More food is needed to feed a growing population
3. Rising costs of farming are putting many out of business
4. Additional jobs are needed to supplement farmer's incomes

So what can be done? What can you do? Read more. These are some helpful tips for farmers and consumers to help today's farmers stay in business for many years to come.

Virginia Pig Farm Catches the Swine Flu

As if the misnomer of a name, swine flu, is not bad enough for hog farmers coping with the stigma of the H1N1 virus, now one Virginia pig farmer may be connected to a pig farm near the center of the epidemic in Mexico.

Read more.

Buddy Hance Appointed as Md. Dept. of Agriculture Secretary

This just in ... read more.

Pay cut vs. Job?

A recent study (see article) confirms that most Americans agree that a pay cut is better than losing a job entirely.

Unfortunately, that doesn't help the latest Maryland unemployment numbers, which shows a 17-year high in the state's unemployment rate (see article).

Is this the best time to cut aid to farmers?

A Tour of Lambco

It was a great opportunity to get a tour of Lambco, LLC, the new lamb and goat processing facility in Carroll County (New Windsor, MD) that opened not too long ago. The Frederick County Sheep Breeders Association sponsored the tour on Saturday morning and Mr. Joe Kavanagh, the family proprietor of Lambco, LLC showed the group around the new facility. Amenities included:

• The only processing facility for lamb and goats of its kind in the area


• A full Halal processing center for Muslim holidays


• Space for "one-at-a-time" harvesting of animals as part of the facility


• A complete processing center to handle orders around busier times of year


• An immensely clean facility with a full-scale wastewater treatment system


• A well-researched and implemented nutrient management plan

One part of the facility that I liked was the holding pen area. The designers thought of everything, right down to the chicken wire above the ceiling and below the rafters to keep birds and pigeons out of the area - a welcome preventative step!

I have included many photos of Lambco on the site. Also included is a link to the LambCo. site. I highly recommend you visit it if you are interested in lambing and/or goat processing.

View the photos or go to the LambCo site.

Help Days End Horse Rescue Win $$ in a Voting Challenge

We need your help!

One of the best fundraisers is getting people to vote online in a contest where the organization can win some real dollars. Such is the case for Days End Horse Rescue in nearby Lisbon, Maryland.

Last year, the horse rescue organization won $2,000 in this contest. So don't just sit there, help them out! Vote today!

Read more on the story.

Farm-Fresh Food for Maryland's Schoolchildren

We knew that the best food for Maryland's schoolchildren comes from local farms, where meats, fruits and vegetables are grown and shipped to area schools. But the latest article in the Baltimore Business Journal confirms it.

One interesting point from this article is reaffirming the need for better education among children and parents about the foods available to them from nearby farms. There's SO much out there ... why not use it? And eat it!

Read more.

Will Biofuels Bring Jobs Back to Farming?

A recent news report in The Gazette talks with Maryland farmers about the potential jobs created by biofuels production facilities being created, developed and expanded across Maryland.

But will jobs come with the expanding services? Read more.

Should Maryland Seize a Racetrack to Maintain Preakness Stakes?

The latest news from Annapolis is that Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is asking legislators and aides to work on paperwork to seize the Pimlico racetrack in order to preserve the Preakness Stakes in the state of Maryland.

According to news reports from The Baltimore Business Journal, O'Malley and legislators are concerned that a new owner to the track could close it down and turn it into a shopping mall.

Should the state of Maryland seize the track by eminent domain? Post your comments.

Read more on the story here.

The Poison Dart Frog Lives In Maryland

Thanks to one Maryland farmer, the poison dart frog - which is endangered in many places of the world (mainly in Central and South America) where it was once native - is alive and well.

Read more.

'Tis the Season ... for Lamb!

With the Passover and Easter holidays upon us, we hear all the buzz about everyone's penchant for lamb. A recent article in the Baltimore Sun focuses on the religious holidays and their focus on lamb. The article also highlights several Maryland farms who produce and sell lamb specifically for these purposes.

Shameless plug: Regardless of the season, Wild Wind Farm continues to raise lambs throughout the year for your dining pleasure. Email me for more information.

A Sign of the Times?

Think about it: Back in the day, the grassy fields around what is now Comcast Center on the University of Maryland campus used to be grazed by animals as part of Maryland Agricultural College (circa 1856) - the center of the Maryland "college" campus. Today, you would hardly know it. Do most students even know there IS an agricultural wing to this college?

What's even more frustrating is the fact that agricultural students will now have to pay additional fees (on top of what they are already paying) to use the farming facilities that once were a much larger part of the university system. Couldn't they just add a fee to the thousands of cars that park on campus every day? There has to be a better way, no?

Read more here (link courtesy of DiamondBack Online, Maryland's independent student newspaper).

Farmers + Schools = Agri-cation!

A neat program about Maryland farmers working with schools to educate kids about agriculture and its effects on their lives today.

Read more at the Baltimore Sun.

"Program connects farms, families through schools"