Ranchwabble’s Blog

Some products may not be availible year to year or season to season because of elements out of our control such as climate or demand.

Informaton 1+719-541-5555 or bret@wadeacres.com

Horses –

 We take in horses sometimes because we love to work with them.

– DO NOT JUST DROP THEM OFF

 The state of Colorado requires a brand inspection and in some cases a cogins test.

Beef – Lowline Angus Cattle by the 1/2 or 1/4

Low size and weight, natural lack of horns, docility, and ease of birthing are hallmarks of the Lowline Angus breed. Small size means less stress on fences and less damage to pastures. Lowlines’ docility allows some owners to give vaccinations without using a chute or restraint. The same traits that make them ideal for those with no prior cattle experience makes them perfect for 4-H projects. Children can more easily manage smaller, lighter Lowlines.
 

Typical Lowline weight and size:
• Calf at birth: 30 to 45lb
• Mature cow: 500 to 700 lbs, 35″ to 42″ tall.
• Mature bull: 800 to 1000lbs, 37″ to 48″ tall.

Efficiency:
Lowline cattle consume about 1/3 the amount of feed as a full-sized animal, gaining weight and finishing earlier with very little cost. They do not need grain to reach full maturity. Where you would normally stock 6 Angus cows you can run 10 Lowlines, and you can expect more pounds of meat per acre than with standard size breeds.

Market perception and value:
Health-conscious people who like red meat are drawn to the smaller cuts of well-marbled Lowline beef, which, as the breed’s reputation grows, has begun being served as a gourmet food by some of the world’s leading chefs. Lowline beef offers a high proportion of meat to bone and fat. This is most evident in the amount of chuck that the carcasses produce. Known health benefits: more omega-3 fatty acids, more conjugated linoleic acid (a potent cancer-fighter), less total fat and calories, less omega-6 (linked to several disorders and diseases), and less risk of bacterial contamination due to the higher pH of the cow’s digestive tract if grass-fed.

Crossbreeding benefits:
Lowline-cross dairy calves typically have low birth weights, allowing easy, typically unassisted calving. Lowline-bred dairy heifers hit full milk production rapidly after calving, and shorter gestation means it is possible to produce a quality calf every year from a Lowline bull. Lowline bulls are very fertile and have proven ability to reach heifers, yet their low weight reduces the risk of injury to heifers. Lowline Bulls do not require the same amount of feeding as larger bulls, making them inexpensive to maintain, and they are easy to handle, whether separated or among the herd.

Produce

Pumpkins!

(2010) was our first failure.  We got hail on July 4th and after the pumpkin plants recovered we ended up with 100 green pumpkins the size of a baseball.  We changed some things up and planted 500 seeds.  We now plow the ground and ad organic matter.  I fertilize with kelp.  Hope to see you in fall when they’re ready to go.

Eggs

Click here to see the yummy facts—->Pastured Chicken Eggs.  Our chickens walk around all day and take care of the farm.  They get locked up at night for their safety in the hen house.  Try our eggs.  They are the best!

2011 we started to plant wheat grass around the house for erosion and the chickens love it.  It make the eggs taste even better.  We’ve also made wheat grass sprouts for them in the winter but I think we’ll try barley sprouts because they are better for them and have more protien and nutrients.

It is awesome knowing I have such knowledgeable neighbors. I think it is great to see someone with their own business. It will be fun getting together and sharing laughs and stories this summer.

Comment by Andy Laux April 10, 2011 @ 7:38 pm

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