Sunday, January 7, 2024

Update: hay feeders for horned cattle

When your animals have horns, having proper hay feeders is a concern... you don't want to have injuries, it needs to be easy to refill, and it needs to be stout.  We also get lots of rain in the winter, so rolling out hay on the ground just isn't feasible.  

We frequently get asked about our feeders.  We've tried several things over the years, all home built because that's just what we do. 


The original version of this feeder had a roof.  The metal square tubing was repurposed, some flat metal strapping, and a roof to help keep the hay dry, but hard to feed big bales....



.... so the roof was removed and it works great.  We can fit two round bales in it.  The bottom bars help keep animals from getting into the feeder; occasionally they still do, but they can also get themselves back out.



Then we made a smaller version of that feeder, perfect for one big bale.  Full size cows can reach the middle just fine, but smaller animals can't so we just fluff the hay out when it gets that low.  These feeders are heavy... great that the cows can't move them very easy, but not so great when you want to move them.  A small tractor bucket fits right inside for moving, or a chain with a larger tractor.   



Another dry hay feeder that we used for several years, that recently was sent to the scrap pile when a 6 month old calf got their head stuck in the bars. 🤦‍♀️ I'm not even sure exactly how, but cutting out a cow is no fun.  Just glad we found her when we did.  This one was made out of rebar and round metal tubing.  


We still use this feeder at the back of the barn when feeding out of the loft, and it works good.  It hasn't been revamped since we added the wire paneling inside the rebar to help keep animals from pulling big chunks of hay out.  


This wooden feeder is currently in the goat pen but works well for weanlings...just not enough volume for large animals.  We've tried wooden versions of our current large round bale feeder, but they just don’t hold up to large cattle rubbing on them.  




Wednesday, November 29, 2023

New merchandise available

 We are now offering calendars, note cards, and small notebooks to bring some Highland cow happiness into your own home. All pictures are taken on our farm.  Shipping is available for an additional cost.  Find all the ways to reach out to us on the contact page.





Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Farm update January 2023

With life happening at full speed around us, and taking on a few big projects, our farm page has taken the backseat.  

We're still expanding our herd and retaining most of our heifers.  A few AI calves on the ground in 2022 and a handful more are expected in 2023 to help broaden our genetics.  

We are appreciative of those who help support us with breedingstock, beef, and hay purchases, and are looking forward to the year ahead.   





Saturday, June 5, 2021

Breeding season has begun

We spent the day sorting cows and prepping for breeding season.  Henry, our herd bull, got moved with the majority of the ladies and our young bull Junior got his first few cows.  





Sunday, January 17, 2021

Happenings on the farm in 2020

As usual, life speeds on too quickly.  There is never a shortage of things to do, and it's hard to find the time to actually sit and relax.  As much as we don't like the shorter days of Winter, we do find ourselves sitting around the dinner table eating together and playing card games.  

Looking back through pictures we can remember just how crazy of a year 2020 was... Covid, online school, nearby forrest fires and days of horrible smoke.  

No photoshop here, this was taken mid-morning when the fires were close to our farm.  


Our farm also welcomed several new animals in 2020.  We have been wanting to expand our breeding herd for awhile to include more registered cows with broader genetics, and this was definitely the year for that.  We ended up making trips to Eastern Washington, the San Juan Islands of Northwest Washington, and having a shipper bring in two heifers from Kansas.  The trips themselves were definitely exciting... from snow and ice to hauling cattle on a ferry.  Now that quarantine has been completed for all of our newcomers, we can try to relax before calving season starts, and we're already making breeding plans for later this year.  


Spending her quarantine with the goats.

Got quite a few looky-lou's waiting in line for the ferry and when we would stop for fuel.  Great time to educate others about the breed.


Waiting on the ferry with a trailer load of cows.

Beautiful sunrise headed to pick up a heifer in E. Washington... not so fun to drive a stock trailer in.


And yes, the trip through Yakima, Washington wouldn't be complete without having to stop and pick up a new goat for our daughter!  When she found out there would be trailer space available, she didn't waste any time finding a goat to fill that spot.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Boer buck looking for ladies - SOLD

 Our daughter is looking to re-home the buck she used for this year's breeding season.  He is a registered 100% Fullblood Boer.  He is 17 months old, and is ready for some new ladies.  Contact us for more information.





Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Orchard grass hay now available


We now have premium quality orchard grass hay in the barn and ready for pick up. 
60-65 lbs two-string bales; sold by the bale.

We are open by appointment only.  
Call or text 503 580 9626