Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[farmgirl19]

blueriver: I'll bet I can find some who want your hogs, and maybe even some piglets for feeding themselves. I might even be in that group. Many of us have noticed that almost all bacon smells rancid, and doesn't taste like it did when we were younger. (And I usually order an entire hog at a time, so it isn't because it sat on some store shelf too long.) We used to save the bacon drippings for cooking other things in, but it never was like today's drippings. I think it is all of the GMO feed, as well as other feeding practices that has led to such. I know some of my friends that used to raise hogs think so too. We have been talking about getting a few of our own to raise and finish, for that reason. It would be easier for me to let someone else do it, if it was done correctly, like you are doing. Did you find non-GMO wheat too? Seems hard to find anymore. Monsanto seems to have a strangle hold on seeds and crops.

 

[blueriver]

Jim .... I don't go very often only when I have to pick up my own meat .. I pay a neighbor to haul the hogs down there.

FG .. I sent u a pm.

 

[pacerron]

blueriver: I'll bet I can find some who want your hogs, and maybe even some piglets for feeding themselves. I might even be in that group. Many of us have noticed that almost all bacon smells rancid, and doesn't taste like it did when we were younger. (And I usually order an entire hog at a time, so it isn't because it sat on some store shelf too long.) We used to save the bacon drippings for cooking other things in, but it never was like today's drippings. I think it is all of the GMO feed, as well as other feeding practices that has led to such. I know some of my friends that used to raise hogs think so too. We have been talking about getting a few of our own to raise and finish, for that reason. It would be easier for me to let someone else do it, if it was done correctly, like you are doing. Did you find non-GMO wheat too? Seems hard to find anymore. Monsanto seems to have a strangle hold on seeds and crops.

He specifically mentioned that his meat was not considered "Organic"

 

[Western]

It was 19* this morning, hoping we get some clearing by early afternoon. By the time I see the mail girl again, I will probably have to use MY FEL to offload the junk mail from her little truck!!

 

[Bird]

I love our rural carriers and their dedication to their customers.

Yep, when we lived down in Navarro County, our mailing address was Frost, TX, 12 miles north of us. Our rural carrier's wife was the Postmistress, and they were both fine folks. First thing when we moved in out there, they asked if there was something too big for the box, and there was no one home, did I want him to leave a notice and me pick it up or did I want it left somewhere on the property and if so, where.

Incidentally, our mail carrier out of Denton didn't even run the route Friday and Saturday at all. I was a little surprised, but I think that was the sensible thing to do, with the weather we had. I know stopping Saturday delivery is being considered and a lot of people oppose that, but again I think it's a sensible thing to do. I can understand businesses wanting frequent deliveries, but it would be fine with me if we only got a mail delivery once a week. In fact, that's what we did for 6 years as full time RVers.

 

[jinman]

I know stopping Saturday delivery is being considered and a lot of people oppose that, but again I think it's a sensible thing to do. I can understand businesses wanting frequent deliveries, but it would be fine with me if we only got a mail delivery once a week. In fact, that's what we did for 6 years as full time RVers.

Bird, I expect to see Sat delivery stopped soon at most rural post offices, especially since the USPS seems to bleed money and cannot stay out of the red. Their increased package delivery and contract delivery with FedEx seems to be an attempt to stay afloat by tapping that package revenue. However, they are also trying to offer some same-day deliveries in some markets and that means expanding days instead of eliminating them. I don't want once-a-week mail delivery, even with UPS and FedEx providing most parcel deliveries. I could live with Mon-Wed-Fri delivery, and would sure prefer that to seeing our post office close. I think right now, our little post office gets inundated with packages if deliveries are not made Mon-Fri. The office in Sunset is in a little 16' x 40' building. With the PO boxes and walk-up service counter, there is not much space left in the back for stocked supplies and the increase in parcels we've seen over the last few years. They either deliver or suffocate under the load of mail.

 

[bindian]

Yesterday morning, when driving through the curve of my driveway, I flushed a Mallard drake off of my island pond. He flew a few feet, then settled in to float. I got the camera and didn't even get to my first pond when he flew up into the trees. I didn't see him this morning. So on my "Instant Pond" thread, I asked this question.

What can I plant to attract wild ducks?

I tell you, my heart was a flutter watching that guy swim and fly.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jinman]

Brandi, mallards are extremely skittish. I see them and other species of ducks on our lake quite often. I think keeping your ponds stocked with minnows is a good attraction. Of course reeds and cattails are good for birds, but few people want them in their small ponds. Just remember, there is a good reason why people have to hunt ducks from a blind. Wild ducks will flush as soon as they see you. If you want to attract ducks, try a couple of decoys; that or invite the Duck Dynasty cast over for a few days.

 

[bindian]

Brandi, mallards are extremely skittish. I see them and other species of ducks on our lake quite often. I think keeping your ponds stocked with minnows is a good attraction. Of course reeds and cattails are good for birds, but few people want them in their small ponds. Just remember, there is a good reason why people have to hunt ducks from a blind. Wild ducks will flush as soon as they see you. If you want to attract ducks, try a couple of decoys; that or invite the Duck Dynasty cast over for a few days.

I was little when Dad raised Mallards. He clipped one wing with Mom's pinking shears to keep them flying in circles. Only other mallards I have had contact with are the ducks in the lake at the cemetery where Mom and Dad's graves are. Those ducks come up and ask for food. I give them bread. I'll stock with Minnows this spring. I will look into reeds. I have been told do not put cat tails in a small pond. I guess I could as long as I could take them out with the backhoe.

Guess I need to contact the Duck Dynasty cast for their input.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jinman]

Brandi, park mallards and wild mallards might as well be two different species. It's amazing what constant feeding by children and parents will do. I'd bet the mallards in the cemetery pond are the same ones year-after-year.

When I first come into view of the ducks on our lake, they flush en-masse, making lots of noise and go to the far side of lake, circle, and land. I don't think I have any pictures of them because they won't let me get into "good photo" range.

 

[farmgirl19]

He specifically mentioned that his meat was not considered "Organic"

Well, I am not "certified organic" here, but I try to stay organic in growing practices. There is a difference in pork being sold in grocery stores, as well as markets these days, and I think the feeding process has a lot to do with that. It sounds like blueriver has found an answer, especially since he can tell the difference in his own hogs' flavor.

blueriver; PM received! Thanks!

 

[pacerron]

Well, I am not "certified organic" here, but I try to stay organic in growing practices. There is a difference in pork being sold in grocery stores, as well as markets these days, and I think the feeding process has a lot to do with that. It sounds like blueriver has found an answer, especially since he can tell the difference in his own hogs' flavor.

blueriver; PM received! Thanks!

I agree there can be a difference. The point is "natural" as blueriver defined his raising of pork doesn't have a real definition.
Some "natural" pork producers do give their animals hormones but stop early enough so that when the meat is processed
the hormones don't show up. That way they still meet the requirement. Some also raise them indoors.
Our local butcher makes some excellent sausage and different varieties of wood smoked bacon. That to me is where the
taste and flavor is defined.
The only way to really control what is in your pig is to put it there yourself.

 

[Western]

Ron my hogs are all natural,, wild and free,, :laughing:Lou

View attachment 349722

Lou, for some reason I thought you was older than 16 Looks like a good wild Texas hog too, no shortage of them suckers!!

 

[pacerron]

I am the one on the left, Dennis, 50 years ago.. one of my many grandsons and his friend.. Lou

Gee Lou, Eddie just built Oscar a new house, to boot.

 

[txdon]

Gee Lou, Eddie just built Oscar a new house, to boot.

That's what I was thinking, that hide looks like Oscar. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/344358d1383526399-baby-pig-now-what-160.jpg

 

[Western]

That's what I was thinking, that hide looks like Oscar. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/344358d1383526399-baby-pig-now-what-160.jpg

Shhhhh, think Lou was trying to keep that out of it!!:laughing:

Just spent 2 hrs trying to blade our County rd. 3" of ice, but was able to at least get to some blacktop so it can start melting off. Hwy's arent to bad now, but will still have Black ice in the am.

 

[pacerron]

Here is why the Berkshire tastes so much better than the commercial pork known as "the other white meat"

 

[jinman]

Some "natural" pork producers do give their animals hormones but stop early enough so that when the meat is processed
the hormones don't show up. That way they still meet the requirement.

I got the impression that Blueriver was talking about food. I don't consider hormones as food. What about antibiotics? Female hormones and antibiotics are common in poultry production.

 

[blueriver]

I got the impression that Blueriver was talking about food. I don't consider hormones as food. What about antibiotics? Female hormones and antibiotics are common in poultry production.

I was talking food .. Ron is right when he says some producers use hormones but stop early .. No hormones here in my pork .. Antibiotics only in a life threating situation .. Then so noted and that hog is used for other purposes such as breeding stock ... Hormones, antibiotics along with premixes used in the production of all animals in my opinion is way way way out of control ... Poultry is another subject on its own and don't think for one minute that doesn't pass right on into the eggs we have for breakfast.

 

[farmgirl19]

Just spent 2 hrs trying to blade our County rd. 3" of ice, but was able to at least get to some blacktop so it can start melting off. Hwy's arent to bad now, but will still have Black ice in the am.

I managed to go to work for a few hours this afternoon. Temps were already beginning to fall when I got home, and with my driveway in the shade, it never melted. Had a very thin layer of liquid on top of an inch of ice. So, after sliding a bit, hoping to get into the drive, with no luck, my truck is now parked in a dry area between the house and the barn. Even that took a little effort Might be noontime tomorrow before I try to drive it out of here again. I've had enough ice to last me a lifetime, in this one event!