tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post8055248801396333764..comments2023-12-15T02:04:08.213-08:00Comments on meat: Book Review: Small scale grain raising by Gene LogsdonBruce Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10995706761794063165noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post-64034012532424859332010-03-26T12:08:02.357-07:002010-03-26T12:08:02.357-07:00I'm seeding my side orchard with perennials an...I'm seeding my side orchard with perennials and cover crops for the chickens to forage. last year I planted sunflowers which they ate shells and all. I would love to raise meat rabbits but I'm not sure what they put in those pellets so I'll hold off until I can research that better. <br /><br />I'm also sowing some quinoa and amaranth as an experiment. I just don't have enough grow space to plant wheat or oats and expect to get much from them. I am doing vetch, summer oats, field peas and buckwheat as cover crops though and tractor the chickens on those beds when they are ready.<br /><br />Growing food for the chickens just has to take a backseat to food for us since I'm doing my best to maximize my 1/5 acre. We are getting close to growing everything we need save for the grains, dairy & meat but thanks to local farmers like you, dungeness and Lentz and Bluebird I don't feel the need for that. I heart ya Bruce!Sustainable Eatshttp://www.sustainableeats.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post-64638198441606764002010-03-18T05:18:23.139-07:002010-03-18T05:18:23.139-07:00If you are planning to just 'hog down' you...If you are planning to just 'hog down' your fields, have you considered planting a combination of grains/legumes?<br /><br />I have seen things like mixing soybeans and corn in a planter for deer food plots, oats and vetch for a cover crop, or a mixture of oats, rye, wheat, clover, and Austrian winter peas for a cover crop or food plot. <br /><br />Other ideas are rapeseed and oats for high quality forage and soil building.Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post-2290455612555000652010-03-17T20:35:41.080-07:002010-03-17T20:35:41.080-07:00Gene talks about how to harvest each type of grain...Gene talks about how to harvest each type of grain, including the historical harvesting methods. <br /><br />If I wanted to grow corn for my cows and pigs, all I'd have to do to harvest it is turn them loose in a portion of the field. They'll eat the stalks, the ears and the pigs will eat the roots. <br /><br />Chickens and turkeys can eat the grains directly; wheat and oats right off the stems, for instance. I planted some oats last year and the turkeys got pretty good at stripping the grains. <br /><br />After reading through it I feel a lot more comfortable dealing with small patches of this or that.Bruce Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995706761794063165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post-45284702015520881502010-03-17T17:29:12.115-07:002010-03-17T17:29:12.115-07:00how will you harvesting economically? For the pigs...how will you harvesting economically? For the pigs, would you just turn them loose in the field?<br /><br />I was looking at this book the other day. I'll have to follow up on it.Across The Creek Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00286366285047303252noreply@blogger.com