Monthly Archives: June 2012

Project Mineral Feeder

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I needed a project and the cattle needed a mineral feeder; in other
words-we needed each other. This week’s column is project mineral
feeder.

I want high quality and low cost-more the first than the latter.
However, I prefer both and will work to unite both philosophies.
Please remember, the cost of most things you buy is labor, marketing,
transport and sales commission; the actual material cost is fairly
low. What this means is that if you are willing to leave your chair
and try, you can save money.

I had searched for a mineral feeder for the cattle on the internet
and eventually found a design from North Carolina State University.
I prefer to break new ground but am not abhorrent to adopting an
established design. I immediately recognized the design could be used
as both a mineral feeder and a water tank-with a little modification.
I will describe both in this column.

plastic barrel mineral tank

mineral feeder holds about 150 pounds of mineral

The materials for this project are basically a 55 plastic barrel and
a 24.5 truck tire. If you lay the truck tire flat on the ground and
place the barrel inside it, you will get the basic design. In the
case of the mineral feeder you would then cut an eighteen inch hole
in the face of the barrel and leave the top intact. If it is the
water tank, then I would say cut the top of the barrel off at about
the 30 gallon mark.

The mineral feeder is going to get beat up a little as cattle reach
through the large hole for mineral. The barrel should be able to move
back and forth but not pull out of the tire. Bolt four, six-inch
pieces of threaded rod through the side of the barrel and allow them
to extend into the hollow area inside the tire. This will keep the
barrel inside the tire yet still allow some flexibility when the
cattle are rough on the barrel.

plastic barrel water tank

cattle waterer currently serving about 35 cattle

The water tank was a bit more involved. I cut four pieces of treated
2×6 boards and bolted them like skids on the bottom of the tire. The
front of each skid is cut at 45 degrees in order to keep the boards
from digging into the ground when the tank is moved. I wanted to
remove the water from the tank each time I moved it to make it easier
on my four wheeler so I installed a one inch valve on the bottom of
the tank to release the water. I also installed a Jobe(c) valve into
the side of the tank then attached the garden hose to the valve
body. I also wrapped the first nine inches of the hose in duct tape
to protect it as it would permanently live in the face of the tire
(with sharp exposed steel cords) after I installed the tank. I then
drilled an inch and a half hole in the face of the tire after which I
threaded the garden hose through it then set the tank inside the tire
and on top of the skids.

Interior of water tank.

interior of cattle waterer with Jobe valve, water
release valve and escapement.

Both the mineral feeder and the water tank need an eye bolt installed
into the face of the tire so you can use some rope to pull the whole
contraption around. Both of them have pulled very easily and seem to
work pretty well.

Finally, I should mention that the Jobe valve delivers water at a
high rate and that is very important as this tank is small and needs
a good, high pressure water system in order to properly water your
cattle. Also I think releasing the water prior to each move is
easier on your ATV and will make the move easier. I spent about $12
on the mineral feeder and $32 on the water tank although I already
had the Jobe valve, hose and other plumbing on hand. I also included
a small piece of metal fabric attached from the top of the tank to
the bottom which will allow escapement should a small animal fall
into the tank.

Use your common sense in constructing this project and if you have
none, then please don’t keep cattle-or any other animals for that
matter. Enjoy.

Heated Leftovers

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Writing a column is like preparing dinner; sometimes you make a nice
Sunday dinner and sometimes you heat up leftovers. You are getting
the latter this week.

Pet Dander
I heard a recent study that reports the inclusion of a pet in the
household may reduce the incidence of asthma in children. The pet
dander helps them sort out the good microbes from the bad. I’ve
suggested in the past that a butting heads with nature helps our
immune system grow and here is yet another study that proves the
point.

Creamsicles
I don’t eat a lot of dessert, however there is one frozen treat which
is less confectionary and more like a cherished childhood memory on a
stick-the Creamsicle. The Creamsicle is a perfectly synergistic blend
of vanilla ice cream wrapped in orange sherbet. The two tastes blend
perfectly as they reach the 98 degree confines of the human mouth.
Lisa picked up a box the other day and has since spent much of her
evening mortified at the horrible slurping and sounds of enjoyment
which emanate from me as I glory in Creamsicle goodness. It is such
an intense experience that I need a moment before moving on to the
next section.

All Class Reunion
Thief River Falls is celebrating the return of many former Lincoln
High School alumni with an All-Class Reunion this week-end. It is
said that ten year reunions are for showing off but that the later
ones are more fun because no one cares about status anymore. I
believe for my ten year reunion I was driving a $500 pick-up and was
in the middle of a divorce; I was really impressive. Things are
better now-I’ve got Lisa and I sold that pick-up. I hope everybody
has fun catching up with old friends this week-end and enjoy that
rented convertible.
The bird bath
I had one call at home and a few other requests for information on
the bird bath and waterer I spoke of in last week’s column. This is a
bird bath that stores water plus acts as both waterer and bath. You
can simply go to the google.com website and search for “first nature
bird bath” after which there will be several pictures and links to
choose from. The only problem with this bird bath is that the hook is
weak and will not hold the weight of the bird bath. I purchased a
tiny clevis at a hardware store to replace the plastic hook and have
been nothing but satisfied. I also threw a fishing bobber in the
water storage area so I could see from the kitchen when it was time
to fill the reservoir again.
Ice Road Truckers
The History channel series, “Ice Road Truckers” started its new
season earlier this month. My favorite trucker, Alex Debogorski, is
back on the road praying and singing “Amazing Grace” as he crosses
frozen lakes, temporary roads and the great frozen expanse of the
Arctic Ocean in his tractor/trailer. “Ice Road Truckers” experimented
with higher drama last year but this year the series is back inside
it’s wheelhouse with tough men doing a tough job. I’d written about
the ice roads several years ago and interviewed one of the companies
involved in the creating the ice roads. My interest was sparked after
reading the book “Denison’s Ice Road” by Edith Iglauer which has
finally been reprinted so you can purchase it for under $20. Anyway,
the show is fantastic and new episodes are aired Sunday nights at
eight-just watching the show will keep you cool on a hot summer’s
night.

 

http://rreflection.areavoices.com/2012/06/28/rural-reflections-radio-40/

Letter to Dave

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Dear Dave,

We got our rain after your fields took what they needed, plus a
little extra. It seems whatever rain crosses Carrington, North Dakota
ends up here, Dave. We’ve had a about two and a quarter inches of
rain since I wrote you a month ago. A little rain really changes your
perspective, it just makes things seems more lively. There is a lot
of corn around here this year and it seems to grow noticeably even
overnight. I also believe we will see a fair amount of combines the
middle of July or so harvesting the rapidly maturing small grains.

This has been the best of my last 17 years in residency for the
sighting of birds. I counted probably 15 gold finches just the other
night. We’ve also had a flicker, with the black bib and red poll,
hanging around recently. We have a good variety of birds and there’s
nothing like sitting on the porch and nursing a cup of coffee in the
morning or cold beer at night while birds of all variety act out
their lives. I think the high population has a lot to do with Lisa’s
flower selection and consistent bird food and water. We started
feeding a sunflower seed mix this summer from Fleet and I think it
made a difference; so many mixes rely on millet which the birds seem
to waste. Our bird waterer is ingenious in manufacture  It serves to
both water the birds and provide a bath, plus stores its own supply
of water. I have included a picture for you and those who might want
to purchase one for themselves. (here’s a link if you’re interested) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21965&cmpid=10csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA .

I work pretty hard to keep mosquitoes and flies at bay, Dave. We use
fly predators, a Manitoba fly trap, fly zapper and mosquito vacuum to
keep things nice. However, we recently have seen an insect that is
welcome, at least on an intellectual level. One night, Jeanette had
stopped by to join Lisa and I on the porch. We believed we were
watching a hummingbird in flight when we realized it just didn’t look
right. It actually looked a bit creepy. A quick online search
revealed it to be a moth, the Hummingbird Moth. It looked a like a
hummingbird but didn’t flap it wings nearly as fast and didn’t have
the crisp body outlines like actual hummingbirds. I kept telling Lisa
it was in her hair which creeped her out and kept me entertained.

I read a recent story about the decrease in area steak houses. Do you
remember the Hi-By, Dave? The Hi-By was so named because it was “By”
“Hi”ghway 59 in what is now the Twice but Nice building here in town.
I loved to play video games after we ate there and look at the
animated Hamms beer signs. Lisa and I both remembered how good the
vegetable tray was at a steakhouse, particularly the Third Base in
Brooks. The tray included pickled peppers, little ears of corn, a
variety of crackers and was a nice offering by itself. The steakhouse
occupied a time of dinner jackets for dad, white gloves for mom and a
Shirley Temple for the kids. Unfortunately they’re few and distant
today.

I am going to spread some fescue and clover on one cattle paddock
after which I’ll let the beeves in to “hoof” the seed into the
ground. I hope it works as seed is a little spendy. Anyway, I better
let you go.

You’re little bro’

Living in the Country

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Abandoned farm yards have long sat and waited for life, a break from
the boredom of loneliness. It seems to me more and more of these
lovely sites now have construction or even completed homes. It is
good that these places find purpose but their new inhabitants should
ready themselves for country living.

Moving to the countryside is much like moving to another country, if
you’ve been lived there before-you should be fine. If this is your
first visit, then please learn the customs. It will make a difference
in your enjoyment of this experience and your new neighbor’s
enjoyment of this experience.

First off, the country is not the great pet reserve of which it is
rumored. You need to keep your pets at home or your will be the new
pariah in the township. It is rare to find leash laws out in the
countryside however you will find people have little or no interest
in feeding and housing your dog, cat, horse, marmoset, whatever. If
you keep a pet to teach your child something, then let it be
responsibility. Feed, water and care for your pet on your property;
it is that simple.

In the country, you are basically your own utility company.
Electricity and phone are provided for a fee, however you need to be
able to remove your snow, provide your own water (unless you have
rural water) and dispose of your own waste. You also need to be able
to fix these systems and equipment, at least until professional help
arrives, or your stay in the country will last longer than your
enjoyment of rural life. If I fail to shovel my sidewalk clear of
snow I do not receive a letter from the city; I instead slip, fall
and am unable to care for my cattle. The cause and effect of personal
action or inaction is more immediate in the country.

I think city dwellers can enjoy the mentality that most problems are
cured with a phone call. In the country, you will find more problems
are fixed with a shovel or hammer than the convenience of the
telephone. Rural folks pay less in taxes but that is because we
demand fewer services or provide for ourselves. If the cell phone is
your only skill, stay in town.

If you still feel like a move to the country, please find a mentor
from the pool of people who are already in the country. An event that
may cause you massive concern may be just regular life to us simple
country folk. You may find a crp fire an excellent reason to panic,
wet down pillow cases and fight it “Little house on the
Prairie”-style; however to us most crp fires are just land
management. Also if you see a truck with a tank on it spreading the
contents of a recently-pumped septic tank into a field, it is not
cause to call the Environmental Protection Agency, it is just
fertilizer.

If you move to the country you will need some tools. You’ll need a
set of flat wrenches, a socket set, a pry bar, lots of hammers (lots
of hammers,) an air compressor and a couple of crescent wrenches to
start. Another essential in the rural tool kit is patience; without
it you will act without thinking and engage in physical battles you
can only win with your mind. If the only tool you have is a cell
phone then please use it to have someone come rescue you and bring
you back to the relative safety of your nearest municipality.

If my words sound harsh it is only because I speak the truth and wish
to do you the favor of true words without the fat of soft, cushioning
phrases which would dull my message. I have observed today’s homeowner
and find that a percentage of them should stay in town where they can
more easily avail themselves of a higher degree of services or only
venture out as far as the most-recently annexed city lot. Perhaps
some should just skip a few steps and find residence at an
advanced-care facility where they will have to neither clean, cook,
repair or change light bulbs for themselves. There exists a
possibility at that same facility they will find a resourceful old
man or old woman who once did it all and can tell stories of what it
is to live in the country.

 

Second herds and mirror images

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I like my column to be fun but also a little educational. The few
points I feel well-versed enough about which to speak somewhat
authoritatively include beer, our cats and cattle pasture. This week
you get the cattle pasture talk.

I could almost hear the ground stretch this spring as it shook the
stiffness from its awakening structure. The winter came and went with little snow so the
land slept lightly without a blanket this winter. As a result, the
cold penetrated more deeply and there was little melt water to kick-start the growth.

We have received approximately 4/10th’s of rain this spring until
last Friday so the topsoil is dry and hard. As I dug some fence posts
recently, I found standing water at about three feet. There is also
subsoil moisture so I have left the pasture alone to allow the grass
to grow and establish a mirror image of roots deep into the ground
and also a canopy to prevent evaporation. May 19th was the first day
off the sacrifice paddock and onto my finishing pasture. The
sacrifice paddock is some tough, old native pasture that defies abuse
and always bounces back from over-grazing.

I have two paddocks to renovate this year. I would prefer some cover
on these two pads however the alfalfa was almost gone and I need
legumes to help me finish the steers quickly. I sprayed Round-up then
no-tilled some corn and soybeans into the first pad and a mixture of
alfalfa, orchard grass and fescue-for late season grazing-into
paddock number two. Honestly, I wish I’d left last years cover in
place however my crystal ball doesn’t pick-up the Weather Channel so
I have to decide when to renovate a paddock and let God decide when
to let it rain. I also picked up a little red clover to try in a few
paddocks that have plenty of grass but declining legumes. Legumes
include clover, birdsfoot trefoil and alfalfa, all of which create
nitrogen which is inhaled in great volumes by the grass roots.

The cattle receive 3-5 days on each paddock which means they take the
tips of the plants and move on, gotta preserve root depth. The roots
of most pasture plants create a mirror image of whatever plant
material is above ground so the higher the plant, the deeper the
roots. Deep roots take advantage of subsoil moisture which we may
need if rain gets short. We will focus on mashing the overgrowth down
in June to create a nice pasture mat to decrease evaporation and make
the soil cool for the worms and microbes. Worms and microbes are the
“second herd” on the pasture and eat up some of what the cattle leave
then turn it into elements beneficial to the soil. Other than that;
it is up to the sun, fresh water, the cattle and my management.

I create the workplace, the cattle are now at work. I will update you
later about how well my new paddocks are doing and how much sugar the
pasture plants are creating. That is the kind of technical
information that should make even the most interested reader’s eyes
glaze over.