-
The Cashtiller legacy….
….we mentioned the passing of Tilbrook Cashtiller the other day but also the fact that Traditional Devon America has some of her calves on the ground. This is TDA3 at Walker Century Farms in South Carolina. (click on picture to enlarge) Her sire is Cutcombe Jaunty….another English great….and the result is a “meatier” animal than Cashtiller. TDA3 and four of her sisters will be bred in just a few days to Ashott Barton Millennium Falcon. Now that’s also something to look forward to!
-
Everybody sing!
Our good friend Tom Neel is a talented artist who we’ve featured here from time to time. He’s also a talen…..well, he’s kind of a songwriter. In any event, ’tis the season to be jolly and in an exchange of emails, Tom got jollier and jollier until he finally penned this little ditty. Devon, by Tom Neel To the music of Irvin Berlin’s “Cheek to Cheek” Devon, I’m a Devon and my hide’s so red if you could only see …. That beautiful meat that lives inside of me makes delicious burgers, ribs and roasted treats. Devon, a red Devon Field raised and happy as I…
-
When a Gator just isn’t enough….
….you may need a “Panther“. At least our friend Jim Yancy thinks he found his next Jeep! Warning: equipped with some options that are extra! www.youtube.com/embed/2150iFXF5Vc?rel=0
-
So easy….
even a rabbit can do it. We’re very proud of the progress our English shepherd Pokey is making at his herding class. In his latest lesson he even learned how to handle a ram who doesn’t want to be herded. Our little puppy can be a tiger, after all. Except that may not be what it takes. Strolling the internet we came across a bunny rabbit who….without lessons….has learned how to herd sheep! http://dogwork.com/buhr9
-
Let there be….
….freezers. After years of trudging down an icy hill to start the auxiliary generator, we finally took pity on me and bought the real thing. Here a member of Mike Sweeney’s crew hooks up our new Generac 20kw unit….enough to power the whole house and our four big meat freezers. Until now it’s been a real chore, not only cranking the portable 6kw unit, but moving it and various extension cords around to keep not only us warm but the meat solid. This not only senses a power loss and automatically kicks in, it also shuts off when the power returns. And the gas company keeps it filled. Again, no…
-
The test that counts….
….the latest from our new herd bull “Jackpot“. This little bull calf born in icy rain is out of another line here that has produced some top bulls, 31. Along with “Magic“, “Jackpot“, a son of Rotokawa 243, is the most impressive-looking bull we’ve produced here. But it is the progeny that counts and from the calves we’ve seen so far, “Jackpot” is going to deliver everything he promises. Mom left this little guy under a wagon in an adjoining field where we found him after birth. We tagged him and he trotted up the hill without a concern and turned into the next pasture to be reunited with his dam. From…
-
The Thistle Hill Alumni Club….
“Shenandoah“….a yearling heifer who is the result of a pairing here at Thistle Hill. The dam is Q1 and the sire, U2 “Double Trouble”. Q1 was an older cow we sent into retirement in the South—Tomina Farms in Tennessee—but, as you can see, she’s still working for Regina and Tom Tesnow. Actually, at 8 years of age, we find a Devon cow is really right in the prime of her life. There are quite a few Thistle Hill cows at Tomina Farms and, I think I mentioned before, that Regina tends to give them “Virginia names”, thus “Shenandoah“. “Brandy Station“, another yearling heifer and another result of Thistle Hill genetics…
-
In case you’re wondering….
….how the kids from St. Issey C of E Primary School did at the Wadebridge Primestock Show at the Royal Cornwall grounds…. THEY WON! We knew they would. Thanks to Cornwall Bureau Chief Juliet Cleave for the picture.
-
Pokey gets the idea…sorta…
….ok…it’s still only sheep…and if you make a mistake and praise her, she’ll break-off and come over for a pat….but these are even “new” sheep! Pokey went to an adjacent field to find the flock…rounded-them up…moved them through the gate in the background…. and brought them to trainer Monroe Williams of Strasburg. Monroe has now decided to move his classroom to Thistle Hill to start working Pokey with the real thing: cattle. Of course, Pokey idolizes Monroe. She’s less impressed with us. Photo: Duane Ard
-
Try it….you’ll like it….
….coconut oil. A few years back we began using it instead of olive oil. Unlike olive oil, coconut oil doesn’t break down at high temperatures. Turns out it’s like WD-40; it does just about everything. Sweetener in your coffee…shampoo…toothpaste. Here’s an article from Dr. Joe Mercola about its many benefits. We order large jugs of it at Amazon to hold down the cost. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/18/coconut-oil-uses.aspx