Would you like a pair of handcuffs with that raw milk, Ma'am?

I'm not exactly sure what I want to say in this post... Upon reading the articles in the below links, and then watching the YouTube, I wasn't surprised at what I saw/read, but there was still that feeling of outrage, helplessness, and  horror. It was that feeling of "You have got to be kidding me", and "Why am I not surprised?".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/geneticmodification/8423536/Genetically-modified-cows-produce-human-milk.html
This link was what really made me mad. Am I the only one who sees something wrong with implanting human genetics into cows and thus making a mutant like this? I'm still up in the air about my opinion about cow milk (raw as well as pasteurized), but I do know that I wouldn't touch this new stuff with a ten foot pole!


http://wholefoodusa.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/fda-dragon-slayer-speaks-out-on-amish-raw-milk-sting/
 I loved the video on this article! I was laughing out loud at the cow being milked on the Capital grounds!

I've heard a huge amount about Monsanto's methods of silencing people who try and tell the truth about their products, and here's just another example... It is scary to be sure, what lengths Monsanto will go to, to gag those who try to do what the reporters in the below video have done.




Another groan escaped me when I read another article about a new brand of milk that is being sold in CA.:

US - Ganeden Biotech, makers of the probiotic ingredient, GanedenBC30, and Foster Farms Dairy, the largest privately owned dairy in California, have announced the official debut of Dairy Balance milk with probiotics. 

The new milk line is one of the first to include the probiotic, GanedenBC30, and is one of only a handful of probiotic-enhanced milks currently available to consumers.

Dairy Balance is now available in more than 150 northern California locations, including CVS/pharmacy, Nugget Markets, Winco and O’Briens in the Bay Area and Sacramento region. Distribution to over 500 outlets is scheduled by the end of the year. Dairy Balance milk includes whole and 2% reduced-fat varieties and has a suggested retail of $3.49 for a half gallon."

The whole political tidal wave behind raw milk is staggering. It never ceases to amaze me to see what Monsanto, USDA and FDA are pushing next. The nation is in an uproar over a seemingly simple food: Milk. One side of the people fights for the liberty to have free access to this wonderful liquid. The other fights just as hard to extinguish all who stand up to them. It's a crazy game of tug of war... Who will win? The side that has the legal papers, government officials, money and power? Or the side that has people who believe in truth, transparency, health and freedom? 

Small Noises...

This morning I checked on the incubator, as I have been for the last 28 days.

But today...

As I leaned closer to it, I heard a very distinct noise coming from within the Styrofoam walls...

A very small noise...

A quiet, but steady peeping! Upon closer inspection I found that one of the eggs had a small hole cracked into it,  and from there came the small noises! It is so cute watching our first duckling start to hatch, and hopefully within the next 24 hours it should be ready to come out of the incubator and explore the big world!

I'll keep y'all posted... :)

The Lonely Goatherd

You might say it's my theme song....

My Best Friend

Yes, I do have a best friend. She's the best of the best. She's always ready to go on an adventure with me (or sometimes vice versa), always ready to sing with me, she's a good listener, she never judges, and she's gentle.

My best friend is: Heidi. My ugly duckling that I rescued.

She and I have had some royal battles together. I remember one night in particular where I was ready to reach for the .22 after an episode with her on the milk stand. But over time, we won each other's respect, and things are going much smoother now. She has blossomed into a sweet tempered lady. Last week, someone came out to see my cow and with them came a hyper three year old girl. That little girl desperately wanted to play with my goats, but they all ran in fear from her! Except Heidi. 

Heidi allowed herself to be pulled, shoved and whacked by that little industrious soul for who knows how long. Little wonder that my other goats ran in fear!

For a few days now I have been feeling under the weather, and at first I groaned at the thought of milking the goats. Milking when you're sick is bad enough, but goats always know when you aren't feeling good and do their best to make you feel just a little more miserable. Capri and Ivy didn't fail me in that area. I don't know when those two imps have ever been so exasperating! The surprising part though, was that Heidi knew I wasn't feeling good and practically walked on eggshells around me.

I must say it was nice. I was expecting prank after prank from her, but she has been extra gentle with me lately. 

Heidi is definitely a goofy gal. She gets grumpy when it rains, and stomps around in the barn. Ever seen a goat stomp? It's pretty funny. ;) She tries to sneak up on people, but her creaking joints always give her away. Yesterday, she got her head stuck in one of our chicken feeders and started running around madly, trying to get it off. I'm afraid it took some time to disentangle her from the clutches of the feeder, due to the fact that I couldn't stop laughing! 

She loves rolled barely above all else in life, but snubs alfalfa pellets as if they were poison. She won't go back into the pen after milking unless you scratch her on her favorite spot. If you fail to respect her demand, she will stubbornly stand in the gateway and let the other eight goats out. She has mastered the art of doing a withering glare, and gives the look quite frequently to rambunctious goat kids. She snores when she sleeps, and her ears twitch when she dreams. She's a great big bully to a couple of the goats, but loves the ducks. She's the herd queen and she knows it.

She's ma' friend, and I don't know what I would do without her...

Upcoming Goat Show!

Woohoo! There is going to be a dairy goat show at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on June 4th-5th! I won't be showing any of my goats at this one, but I am planning on being there and enjoying all the sights! You can read more about the show HERE.

Will I see you there?

Sold...

She's gone...

T'was a most amusing adventure, trying to get her in the trailer. But it ended up only taking us about 10 - 15 minutes; which surprised me. She went to a good home, and will be a 4-H project for a young girl. The new owners already have cows, so they are used  to the pranks that bovines like to pull, and Poppy will finally have someone her own size to play with. 

Farewell Prankster Poppy... T'was nice knowing you! Rest assured that I will never have another cow, unless it's a beef steer! I'll stick with goats, thankee' very much!

New Pasture

It was time. The other half of our pasture has finally reached a height of 3-4 feet tall, which meant one thing.

It was time to call in the horde (er, cough, cough, I mean herd) to start mowing it!

The electric fence was dutifully put up, and the aforementioned herd of gamboling goats (and one ornery cow) made their way to what seemed like paradise to them!

It was so cute seeing Capri's two week old kids munching on the towering grass. :) (below is Aylah)

[sigh] I love Melilots badger stripes... And her spots; let's not forget the spots!

It's been especially nice to see Heidi gorging herself. The poor thing has been losing weight lately, due to her trying to give too much milk! 

T'was very hard to get any decent pictures, as the grass was so tall! Not to mention, Chamomile kept on jumping on my lap whenever I knelt down. ;)

Frodo...

Samwise...

Frodo again! I love those spots!!

And who is this, sneaking amongst the grasses!?

She cleverly hides her face from view of the camera, but I think I know who it is...

Voila! 'Tis Penny! Did y'all forget that I had her? The poor dear has been in quarantine for awhile now, but she has been deemed ready to rejoin the herd! It's been so fun watching her as she excitedly explores the place. :) She does still walk with a limp, but that will hopefully fade with time. 

Her tummy is also starting to get very round; I can't wait to see her babies!! 

All's well, that ends well. :)