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What were the odds…
…with four daughters what were the odds they would all marry men who love to cook? I’m a lucky guy and am particularly blessed when Thistle Hill can supply the entree! Son-in-law Curt Humphreys demonstrates what a pork loin should look like: perfectly pink. You won’t find flavor like this at a supermarket. Curt did a simple topping of garlic and rosemary and a few fresh mushrooms. David
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Breeding step two…
…is very much a family affair. The herd has to be brought in from the pasture and sorted to isolate the target cows. We started in the dark, in a light rain. Grandson Church is really in charge now. He administers a shot of lutalyze which will bring the cow into heat in 48-72 hours. Dad Curt (in background) is the Chief Wrangler, bringing the designated cows into the chute. Mom Carolyn is “manning” the headgate. Gotta grab ‘em just right or it’s back around and try again. How many farms have a gynecological cancer surgeon in their crew? The final step: putting an alarm patch on the rump. When…
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Warning!…
…do not date a farmer! He will put you to work! Here Mackenzie Mason, who could be basking in the sun in San Diego, is helping with a rush fencing repair job. She’s in the camo jacket with son-in-law Curt Humphreys. Take our word for it: she’s pretty! David
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Our newest hand…
…and a picture of pure joy. Oliver and mom, Ashley! Maybe he should go in our calving report. Oliver was eight pounds-one ounce…and big hands and feet indicate he’s going to be a big ‘un like his Dad. A tribute to carefully selected genetics: Warhurst, Ostroski, Mayo and Schoumacher. Check out the girth! Okay, the upper arms anyway. Lift that bale! David
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Living in a resort…
…that’s what my 18 years at Thistle Hill have felt like. The farm has been in the family a lot longer…almost 75 years. And now a new generation…the fourth…is beginning to take hold. Grandson Church Humphreys is managing our Devon cattle herd and showing the same appreciation for the setting in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia that his great-grandparents fell in love with. Cutting through the picture…and the farm…is the beautiful Rappahannock River…the stream legend has it George Washington threw a coin across. (Actually a pretty easy toss). And no farm is complete without its fishing hole…and thanks to grandson Luis Gentry we’re well-stocked with large mouth bass perch,…
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Let’s call this before….
Christmas weekend opened splendidly with sunrise reflected off the Blue Ridge..captured by our designated early riser, daughter Carolyn. But if there’s a before there must be an after. At the moment Carolyn took the before picture a passing motorist was also admiring the sunrise over Thistle Hill. At least that’s what he told the investigating state trooper. In any event the motorist lost control and we lost four sections of four-board fence. Fortunately a neighbor saw the accident and moved our cows to a nearby pasture with intact fencing. Thank you Kathy Hartz! Rebuilding fencing wasn’t the way we planned to spend Christmas but the job is done! Thanks to…
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At the end of the day….
….the sun sets over the Blue Ridge mountains. Photo by our daughter, Carolyn Matthews.
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Moving cattle….
….our “grazing guru”, Jim Gerrish, has written an article about the best time of day to move cattle. We didn’t realize there was much debate but, anyway, Jim recommends mornings. As always, Jim “nails it” but we particularly enjoyed the picture he used to illustrate putting up temporary fencing on his ranch. http://onpasture.com/2016/05/09/when-is-the-best-time-of-day-to-move-animals/ By coincidence the young man stringing the wire just arrived here at Thistle Hill. Grandson Church Humphreys will be put to work tomorrow morning…moving our herd to new grass.
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Buddy is in the house!
Thanks to son Church Matthews on several levels. To explain: “Buddy” is this two-week old calf, a twin rejected by his mother that we brought into the garage and bottle-fed. In addition to being orphaned, he also had a serious infection that had crippled him and left him mostly blind. That required we “break protocol” and use antibiotics. Several days ago, we put him outside in a protected pen and permitted some of our nursing cows to visit….hoping for an “adoption”. It didn’t happen. And now, with up to three-feet of snow in our forecast this weekend, we decided we needed him where we could be sure we could get…
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In the beginning….
….this was Thistle Hill Farm! Wooz’ parents bought the farm at the end of World War II. This is 1947….her father is sitting on the steps….an aunt in dark clothing in the center…her mother in white on the left. (click to enlarge) Wooz and her sister slept in the kitchen…her parents in the other room in the house…the living room/bedroom. The Bells thought they had purchased about 100 acres with the cottage…a later survey indicated they owned 140 acres. The house was eventually enlarged by the addition of a two story log cabin to the left…and a glassed in year-round porch in front. Eventually son Church sheathed the entire structure.…