To cull or not to cull?
The big question I've had to deal with this week is whether to cull two very questionable goats I bought at the auction a few weeks ago. I bought two Nubians, a buck and a doe, and have since bought two more really good looking goats. I am seriously contemplating culling the first two.
For me, the reasons for culling include: bad udder and age.
I did a little research and found an excellent article on Onion Creek Ranch's website about culling in a meat goat herd. Most of the basic principles apply.
Hope this information makes your choice to keep or cull a little easier.
For me, the reasons for culling include: bad udder and age.
I did a little research and found an excellent article on Onion Creek Ranch's website about culling in a meat goat herd. Most of the basic principles apply.
Hope this information makes your choice to keep or cull a little easier.
First Frost of Fall 2010
We had our first frost of the season on the morning of Saturday, November 6, 2010.
Down at the Co-op
Had an early morning at Atmore Trucker's on Saturday. My dad has started using protein supplement tubs and the Co-op has the best price around.
First frost? Weather folklore explored.
 |
| So many tales involve sunsets. |
"Each winter, on average, your risk of frost is from November 17 through March 13.
Almost certainly, however, you will receive frost from December 5 through February 23.
You are almost guaranteed that you will not get frost from March 31 through November 1.
Your frost-free growing season is around 249 days." Dave's uses data from the National Climatic Data Center.
I remember hearing an Old Wives Tale (weather folklore) about the first frost. My Grandpa Lancaster has long believed that the first 12 days of the year indicate the weather of the months to come. He writes temps and conditions on his calendar. Many, many people say this type of predicting works. I just might have to try it this year.
With a little googling, I found this interesting list of weather lore. See how many of these you've heard before...
Red sky at night, shepherds delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherds warning.
Evening red and morning gray will set the traveler on his way; but evening gray and morning red will bring down rain upon his head.
The evening red and morning gray are sure signs of a fine day, but the evening gray and the morning red, makes the sailor shake his head.
A setting red sun means it'll be hot tomorrow.
If the sun goes pale to bed 'twill rain tomorrow, it is said.
Who doffs his coat on a winter's day will gladly put it on in May.
The sun reveals the secrets of the sky, and who dares give the source of light the lie.
Do business with men when the wind is from the westerly, for then the barometer is high.
Evening red and morning gray. Two sure signs of one fine day.
If red the sun begin his race, be sure the rain will fall apace.
If it thunders in February, it will frost in April.
When the glass falls low
stand by for a blow;
when it slowly rises high
all the light sails you may fly.
Long foretold, long last
short notice, soon past,
quick rise after low,
sure sign of stronger blow.
At sea with low and falling glass soundly sleeps a careless ass, only when it's high and rising truly rests a careful wise one.
When the wind shifts against the sun, trust it not, for back it will run.
When the wind is from the south, the rain's in its mouth. The wind in the west, suits everyone best.
When the wind is blowing in the South, it brings the food over the fish's mouth. When the wind is blowing in the West, that is when the fishing's best!
A little rain stills a great wind. When the wind is blowing in the North, no fisherman should set forth. When the wind is blowing in the East, 'tis not fit for man nor beast.
No weather is ill, if the wind be still.
High clouds indicate fine weather will prevail. Lower clouds mean rain.
When clouds are gathering thick and fast,
keep sharp lookout for sail and mast;
but if they slowly onward crawl,
out with the lines, nets, or trawl.
When clouds appear like rocks and towers, the earth's refreshed with frequent showers.
A cold May gives full barns and empty churchyards.
If on February 2, it is bright and clear, the groundhog will stay in his den, indicating that more snow and winter are to come; if it is dark or rainy the winter is over.
Go plant the bean when the moon is light,
and you will find that this is right;
plant the potatoes when the moon is dark,
and to this line you always hark,
but if you vary form this rule,
you will find you are a fool,
if you always follow this rule to the end,
you will always have money to spend.
Fishes in general, both in salt and fresh waters, are observed to sport most and bite more eagerly before rain than any other time.
Christmas in snow, Easter in mud.
Easter in snow, Christmas in mud.
Onions skins very thin,
Mild the winter coming in.
Onion skins thick and rough,
Coming winter cold and rough.
If the grass be dry at morning light,
Look for rain before the night.
When the ring around the moon is far, rain is soon;
When the ring around the moon is near, rain is far.
It is a sign of rain if the down flies off dandelions or thistles when there is no wind.
When eager bites the thirsty flea,
Clouds and rain you’ll shortly see.
Dew before midnight
Next day will be bright.
If Christmas Day on Thursday be,
A windy winter shall ye see;
Windy weather in each week
And hard tempest, strong and thick.
The summer shall be good and dry,
Corn and beast shall multiply.
When the wind is in the north-west,
There’ll be weather at its best.
A thick fog and small moon
Bring an easterly wind soon.
Thunder in spring,
The cold it will bring.
If New Year’s Eve night, wind bloweth south
It betokeneth warmth and growth;
If west, much milk and fish in the sea;
If north, much cold and storms there’ll be;
If east, the trees will bear fruit’
If north-east, flee it, man and brute.
If clouds be bright, ‘twill clear tonight;
If clouds be dark, ‘twill rain, d’ye hark?
If the cock moult before the hen
We shall have weather thick and thin.
If the hen moult before the cock
We shall have weather hard as a rock.
When fish refuse bait or fly
Storm it is that now is nigh.
If the thunder comes from the north, it will surely double in wrath;
If it comes from the south, it will open its mouth;
If it comes from the west, it will never be at rest;
If it comes from the east, it will never give us peace.
The first frost of the year will occur three months after the sound of the first cicadas.
An open anthill indicates good weather; a closed one indicates an approaching storm.
Dust rising in dry weather is a sign of an approaching change.
A dream of gardens foretells great joy.
If bees stay at home, rain will soon come;
If bees stay away, fine will be the day.
If harvest flies hum
There’s warm weather to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
