Taking Over the Web

AGvocacy is spreading all over the web and I've found another great example on youtube.


For everyone wanting to get an inside look at the ag. industry check out Meet Americas Farmers Youtube Channel for great videos of agvocates from dairy and beef cattle, swine, sheep, poultry and crop growing Americans. Yes I wish there was a Canadian version too, but these videos are great to watch for those interested in learning more about the agriculture industry in North America.

Spring and Easter

Today its raining in the city and it makes me hopeful that spring is here. Normally associated with new life like flowers, green grass and leaves on the trees but here in Alberta it still looks pretty barren even though spring equinox happened awhile ago. Easter time has come and gone and we are pretty well done lambing (two ewes are left) even though most would think that now would be the time we would be starting since the weather is so much nicer. Along with new plant growth in Spring and chocolate at Easter, baby animals are also a traditional sign that spring is here.


While a spring lambing season sounds much easier we lamb earlier so that there are lots of lambs to choose from for 4-H market lamb projects. However there are always some that decide to wait to have their lambs, usually it is the first-timers that lamb after most of the herd. During breeding season ewe lambs may need a few extra weeks to mature before being bred and according to what I learned in biology last term their gestation period may be a little longer (especially when carrying twins) because their energy budget is different than a mature ewe during gestation. Ewe lambs will be putting more energy into their own growth and maintenance than a mature ewe along with the energy required for fetal development of their lamb(s), equalling more time being pregnant. However this is not always the case this year we had a couple of ewe lambs that lambed at the same time as the older ewes but the last 8 ewes that have lambed have all been ewe lambs.


Sometimes being pregnant as a ewe lamb can affect the ewes own personal growth because so much of her energy is being put into the lambs so it is important that they are very well fed during pregnancy and while nursing. We have left a couple of ewe lambs open some years to allow them to grow and mature to be ready to raise lambs next year.


Here are some pictures of the newest babies on the farm

97 days

The countdown begins to the Calgary Stampede's Centennial! For me Stampede is not too far behind Christmas for my favorite time of the year, especially since last year was so much fun. This year is sure to be extra special too since the exhibition is celebrating 100 years.

Last year my Stampede started on Sneak-a-Peek night, July 7, with the reception for the winners of the Western Art Scholarship in the BMO Center's Western Oasis. The reception took place before the venue was opened to the public allowing us to get a look at the artwork, crafts and photography before anyone else. The awards were handed out and we were treated to some music, I can honestly say the atmosphere changed quite dramatically when we ventured out of the hall and into the busy midway. We watched my cousin skate in the Enmax Ice Show and wandered around the grounds for the rest of the night.
Days later we were back. July 16 I headed back into the city very early in the morning to the Stampede grounds but this time I went in the back to get accreditation to be on the grounds as an exhibitor. I was lucky enough to win with my Yearling Ewe at the Provincial Sheep Show and that morning we met the trailer at the Ag. Building to unload my ewe and her lambs. Once they got settled into their pen, I hauled water and gave them hay. 
Next the exhibitors met for information about the schedule for the day. Groups of Sr. members started to head over to another building for their scholarship interviews, I think I was in the last group and was excited to talk to the judges about the sheep industry. After the interview I pulled out my ewe and lambs for a quick grooming before heading over to the Big Top tent for the Supreme Parade of Champions. Winners from the beef, dairy and sheep shows at Summer Synergy all entered the ring for the judge to select the Supreme winners of each group, it was pretty interesting seeing so many excellant looking animals being shown at the same time. While I didn't take home the top prize I was happy a fellow Hampshire breeder won Supreme Champion with her awesome mature ewe and twin lambs. 
Later that night the Sr. members were called upstairs in the Ag. Building for the big announcement of who would be receiving the $2000 and $1000 scholarships ( I got a $1000 one) and for cowboy hat fitting. Next we went downstairs to have a group picture in our hats and jackets with the sponsors and travelled in a group over to the grandstand. We arrived during the chuckwagon races it was neat to stand so close to the rail as the wagons went by. In-between heats we walked out onto the grandstand and had our names called one by one infront of the huge crowd. After that it was back to the barns to feed and water the sheep for the night and head home. 
We were there early again the next morning to feed and water the sheep, you could tell it had been a long week from the people passed out in the tack room. Since there was no scheduled events for us that day most of my time was spent sitting in a lawn chair beside the stalls answering questions about the sheep. We also walked around the grounds to pass the time until it was time to move out the animals.
Last year's Stampede was lots of fun and I also came home with $3000 in my jeans by the end of it. I can't wait for this years!