A
nd
Frie
Visit us online at:
www.fertrell.com
of Nature Since 1
94 6
Notes & Quotes
Notes from Dave Mattocks
A
s I write today, the question may be “Where is this year going?” The season of planting and preparation is over. We
now measure the results of our earlier planning. Hopefully, we
are measuring the successes of those plans. What we are learning
will truly affect how we approach next year.
With the current growing season in full bloom, we can make
better choices in the future. Summer months have for many years
served as my educator for products and practices.
Too often we are influenced by other growers. Failure to learn
from our own experiences can cause financial misery. Many were
the days when this advice was given to me: “Mind your own business, and you will have a business to mind”. After several disappointments, this statement became a way of life.
If I minded my business, it most often was satisfying - not always
the most or biggest, but enough to meet our needs.
When we separate the “wheat from tares”, there will be sufficient
wheat. Wisdom comes with experience. Experience with doing
– this wisdom is desirable.
Ecclesiastes 7:19 states “Wisdom strengtheneth the wise men
more than ten mighty men which are in the City”
May your year be all that you hoped it would be.
J u l y / A u g u st 2 014
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Fertrell Goat Balancer
2
Six Hole Mineral Feeders For Sale
2
Marketplace
3
Upcoming Events
3
No Rest for the Weary!
4
From the Desk of de Ode Farm Gal
5
Bugging Problems
6
Question Corner
7
News from the front
7
We Have What it Takes
8
Time- Do You Have it
9
Basic Benefits of a Grazing Operation
10
Wecome New Dealers
Turkey Talk
10
11
Fertrell Goat Balancer
I wanted to write in regards to your product, Fertrell’s
Goat Balancer, to let you know how happy I am with
your fine product!
I raise purebred Nubian goats for show, milk and
temperament. I remember when I started with my
goats, a neighbor suggested I try Fertrell’s balancer
for goats. I did, and everything went well.
It wasn’t until I reached the bottom of that bag that
I was using, that I realized just how well things had
been going. I was unable to get anymore “Fertrell Goat
Balancer” for several months. During those months I
tried a wide variety of other goat products for supplementation. None of them did what Fertrell did. During the period where I was unable to provide Fertrell
Goat Balancer to my herd, they had decreased energy,
decreased milk output, dull coats, thin-walled feet and
low conception rates. I tried just about every other
product on the market, but regardless of reviews or
price, it didn’t impact my goats the way the “Fertrell
Goat Balancer” did.
Upon getting more Fertrell products and giving them
to my goats, the changes in my herd occurred almost
overnight! No more lay-about goats - they were all
running and playing and butting heads. Milk output
went up noticeably. Within weeks I watched bright,
shiny coats and tough, hard hooves reappear. The does
that had not conceived became pregnant. The biggest
change I saw was in my buck; on the other supplements
he had shown little interest in breeding, he was more
content to eat and chew his cud.
Two days after starting the Fertrell again, he became
perky and very active, showing a renewed interest in
the does. His coat is thicker and shinier, and he is back
to being his usual self; king of the herd.
I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful product that has made such a difference for me and my
goats. As far as I am concerned, there are no other
goat supplements that even come close; Fertrell’s Goat
Balancer is in a class by itself.
Notes & Quotes
Sincerest Thanks, Ella Garritt, EchoSong Farm &
Dairy, Cambridge Springs PA
Easy To Move Six Hole Mineral
Feeders For Sale
The feeder comes with wheels and a U-shaped
handle on one end so that it may be pushed like a
wheelbarrow. It can also be ordered with runners so
that it can be pulled around with a horse, small tractor
or ATV. The feeder is heavy duty and built to not tip
over easily. Made with hardwoods weighing around
200 pounds, the 4x4 runners are offered in treated and
untreated woods to accommodate organic, certified
farmers. The feeder is covered with a ½-inch rubber
mat to keep the rain and snow out. They are for sale
through Gideon E. Fisher Jr. 717-626-2194, Sunset Supply LLC, 805 Log Cabin Road, Leola, PA 17540.
2
The Farmer to Farmer Marketplace
Upcoming events:
Hay, Forages, Grains and Livestock:
Organic balage - 2nd cutting mostly alfalfa. Cut
early bloom. 100+bales 3x3x6. Contact Ernest Miller
[email protected] Phone 574.202.3250. (T0314)
July 19th 2014 - Polyface Farm Field day, Swoope, VA.
Register by June 24th and save, or register at regular
price between June 25th and July 10th 2014. Registration
and info 800.355.5313 or at www.acresusa.com
Will start your pullets - ready to lay in October. To
order or for pricing, please call Aaron Stoltzfus at
717.464.4834 by June 30th 2014 (T0314)
July 25th – 26th 2014 – Family Farm Field Days,
Lancaster Cty. PA. Please call Fertrell office for details.
Equipment:
Poultry Processing Equipment - Ashley, Pickwick,
Featherman, Poultryman pickers and salders. Vacuum
packing machines, shrink bags, knives, kill cones and
any equipment for poultry processing. We ship
anywhere; Jim McLaughlin, Cornerstone Farm Ventures, Norwich, New York 607.334.2833 or on the web
at www.chickenpickers.com (P0107)
Edible Processed Products:
Grass fed and finished ground beef from Scottish
Highlands and red Devon crossed cattle - $5 per pound
for smaller orders. $4 for orders over 50 lbs. Contact
Al Granger at 610-360-6926. Located at Glasbern Inn,
Fogelsville, PA (T0114)
Certified organic garlic – grown on our farm – Valley
Organic Garlic Farm, 523 Valley Road, Quarryville, PA
17566 phone 717.806.0392 (T0114)
Cheese - Shepherd’s Hollow Farm ,1624 Georgetown
Rd., Christiana, PA 17509 (T0114)
Cheese - King’s Kreamery , 995 B Musser School Rd,
Gordonville, PA 17529 (T0114)
Farm Sales:
Turnkey Farm – 10+ Acres specialty Farm, Blueberries,
Shiitake, Ginseng, Produce etc.
100% solar powered, Knox NY ---- Karl 518.496.1162
Notes & Quotes
August 1 – 2, 2014 – PCO Farm Fest, Grange Fairgrounds,
Centre Hall PA. This is a free event and open to the
public. Info: [email protected] or 814-422-0251
August 20, 2014 – Fertrell Corn Plot Field day,
Galesville WI - tentative day. Please call Fertrell office
for more info.
September 4, 2014 – Spiral Path Field Day, 538 Spiral
Path Lane, Loysville, PA 17047
September 12th - 14th 2014, Mother Earth News Fair,
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, 777 Waterwheel Drive,
Seven Springs PA 15622 www.motherearthnews.com .
September 20th - 21st, 2014, Sustainable Poultry
Network Workshop, MT for info or to register, contact
Jim Adkins 209-890-5326 or [email protected]
or check http://www.sustainablepoultrynetwork.com/
coaching-clinics
October 10, 2014 – Giant Pumpkin Weigh off, Sam’s Club
parking lot, Altoona, PA
November 3rd - 5th, 2014, Sustainable Poultry Network
Workshop, Western Piedmont Community College,
Morgantown NC. To register, contact Jim Adkins 209890-5326 or [email protected] or check http://
www.sustainablepoultrynetwork.com
December 4 – 7, 2014 – Acres USA Conference,
Columbus, OH.
3
No Rest for the Weary! By Monica Pape
It’s that time of year! Seasoned gardeners know what
I’m talking about. You want to put your garden on
auto pilot and sit back and admire it for a while. I
don’t want to be the one to tell you, however; as the
title implies, you must keep pressing forward. Now
is not the time to become complacent and let all your
efforts go for naught.
During the next couple of months there are a few
things you can do in your garden that will ensure a
rewarding finish. Let’s talk about my least favorite
garden activity – weeding. It would be nice to walk out
my back door and see a perfectly manicured garden
that is weed free. However, that will not be the case
if you come visit. I no sooner get one of my gardens
weeded and debris under control than noticing that
another area needs the same attention. I have started
using WeedBan at the border of my flower beds and
garden to decrease the spread of crabgrass. I start by
pulling back any stone or brick I used to create the
border, physically removing any weeds and/or grass
that is present. Then I re-edge and apply the WeedBan in a 1 to 2-inch band and finish by replacing the
stone or block. I have been mindful of balancing the
calcium-to-magnesium levels in my flower beds and
gardens. A spring application of Aragonite typically
goes a long way to curb the amount of weed pressure
I have noticed in previous years.
Next on the priority list is pest and disease control.
I have come to understand the saying “An ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Minimizing
these issues is as easy as cleaning debris away from
the base of plants to allow for plenty of ventilation.
Just like we need fresh air, it is beneficial for plants as
well. Not allowing rotting fruit to lay on the ground
is critical. I have been known to miss a tomato or two,
Notes & Quotes
only to find them rotting into the soil later. Rotting fruit
is a neon sign for unwanted pests. I once heard a wise
person say, “Gardening is like setting a table the habits
you keep and the nutrients you supply determine who
you invite in.”
Liquid Kelp is a storehouse of vitamins and micronutrients vital to the health of your soil and plants. It
supplies them with essential ingredients for maximum
growth. I have also found that the healthier the soil,
the healthier the plants, making them less inviting to
insects and less susceptible to disease. Consequently,
I periodically water with 2-3 tablespoons of liquid kelp
per gallon of water.
And now for what we have all been working so hard
for, a bountiful harvest! It should go without saying
that we would be out picking our vegetables and fruit
at just the right time I have to admit sometimes I let
things go longer than I should. Take for instance, the
year I was determined to grow the world’s largest zucchini. I don’t know if it really was. However, when we
went to eat it, it was tough and bitter. Zucchini are
meant to be picked relatively small. They are sweeter
and juicier if not allowed to go to Guinness Book of
World Record stage. Beets are at their best at around
2 inches in diameter, and the greens at that point are
tender and good for salads and sautéing. Herbs are
best picked in the morning, maximizing their flavor
and intensity. Tomatoes can be picked when they are
green. There is nothing better than fried green tomatoes. If I can practice patience, picking a ripe tomato
before it splits makes a great sandwich. I’m starting
to get hungry, and I think you get the point.
So keep up the good work - you’re almost done! It
will soon be winter, and then you can rest. Oh wait, I
almost forgot about snow and shoveling.
4
From the Desk of de Ode Farm Gal
Redmond Clay - there is nothing I can think of that
this product can’t do. It’s a real must have for the farm
and farm house.
Things we have used it on the farm for: Tramped teats
- Make a runny liquid of the clay and use as teat dip. It
will prevent swelling and take the soreness out. I have
had many cows wrap the neck chain around their leg,
creating a deep cut in it. I make a heavy paste with the
clay and water and spread it on the open wound - no
swelling, no infection. Udder sores - Mix up a paste of
Redmond Clay, and they disappear within days. Use
often on any cuts, swelling or infection.
In the house: There is not one person with a bee sting
that has not gotten relief immediately with a paste of
Redmond Clay. My husband ran a torch over his hand,
and I immediately ran for the clay. The swelling and
pain had already started, but when I applied the paste
to his hand, he had instant relief. The pain stopped,
Notes & Quotes
the swelling went down, and he was back to work the
next day! If you get poison ivy, you won’t want to be
without Redmond Clay.
Using a small (baby food) jar, whip up a batch of clay
paste and apply whenever you need it - it works every
time. This stuff makes the best facial cream - it won’t
make you look younger, but it makes your face feel
wonderful, and it sure is less costly than the beauty spa.
Here is my absolute favorite use for Redmond Clay.
I have a very poor stomach and have been on expensive medication (Prilosec) and others forever. Now I
use Redmond Clay every morning and whenever my
stomach is upset. I use it for all my stomach ailments.
I definitely would not leave home without my clay.
Start with 1/2 teaspoon in yogurt, or sprinkle it on
your cereal. If you don’t like the taste, remember there
are far more benefits to this product than flavor – a big
one is its price compared to Prilosec.
5
Bugging Problems - by James Schiltz
In the dog days of summer, while the crops are
cruising along there are often those bugging problems of insects. In organic crop production systems,
this can be a real challenge. The three key points
in insect pest management are identifying the pest,
determining when to pull the trigger and developing
control strategies.
Since the options for controlling insects are fewer in
organic production, identifying the pest is key. Knowing the exact insect being dealt with is not as important as knowing the way the bug is built. Once the
build of the bug is known, a strategy to attack them
can be put together. Soft-bodied insects, for instance,
are easily controlled using DE, which takes advantage
of their water filled and soft membrane shell that can
be punctured to dehydrate them. Beetles, on the other
hand, are like walking army tanks or mini silos and
are tough as nails. This leaves a real challenge.
A few insects roaming around in a high tunnel or
out in a field of crops is certainly not something to be
concerned about. To manage well, regular monitoring
of the crop and scouting for pests - insect or otherwise - is key to a successful and profitable operation.
Losing as little as ten percent of the yield or even
visual appearance of the produce crop due to insect
pressure all adds up at the end of the day. So then,
when do we pull the trigger and apply an organically
approved product, since insecticides are out of the
question? Sooner than later is always better. Some
low level insect pressure will usually not impact you
economically. However, since insects reproduce so
rapidly, a proactive strategy is always best. If a grower
wants to manage this more closely, such as in the case
of their fruit or vegetable crops, implementing an IPM
program along with keeping Liquid Kelp and Pyganic
(pyretherins) on hand will be good strategies.
Fertrell has several products for you to use when
controlling insects. The heavy hitter is Pyganic which
Notes & Quotes
is made a from pyrethrum flower extract. This extract
is very effective since it attacks the insect using a naturally occurring toxin. However, this must be used out
of sunlight as much as possible, as sunlight will break
the product down and make it inactive. The Fertrell
#3 liquid (fish and kelp) uses a different strategy by
feeding the plant lots of available nutrients and iodine.
The iodine boosts the plant’s immune system, helping
the plant to defend itself, since insects are less attracted
to healthy plants. It must be noted that this Fertrell
#3 will only be effective in medium to low levels of
insect pressure. When dealing with a soft bodied insect, diatomaceous earth will work well on a pest such
as cabbage worms. The key to all of these products is
getting good coverage of the plants or canopy to have
a successful kill.
While growing organic crops, certainly using an excellent fertility program will reduce insect pressure
and has been proven time and again over the years
at Fertrell. The two keys to successful organic insect
management are knowing your pest so you can attack
him the right way and scouting for them early in the
season to catch them while the numbers are lower.
Lastly, as Dr. Layton (Extension Entomologist) stated
“It is much more difficult to ‘spray your way out of
trouble’ in organic production.”
We wish you a successful growing season from the
Fertrell Agronomy department.
6
Question Corner
Do you have anything to give my cows relief from
flies? Can it be sprayed in their face?
We have seen great results with Pyganic and Pure Spray
Green mixed together. Use 1 oz Pyganic 5.0 and 4 oz Pure
Spray Green to 1 gallon of water. Can be sprayed directly
onto face and is accepted by most certifiers for organic use.
Do you have something for pink eye in cows?
Kelp Meal offered free choice or force fed at a rate of 2-4
oz per day to livestock will normally prevent or cure most
cases of pink eye.
I have a customer with a couple of hens showing
signs of stumbling and circling as though drunk.
They also have a hard time getting up again. Any
thoughts? The drunken hen is mostly like affected by a
sinus condition causing an equilibrium issue on one side.
You should look for any signs of nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, snitting or wattle inflammation to verify
my diagnosis. If the symptoms persist, I would consider a
more significant type of respiratory disease like Newcastle,
Infectious Bronchitis or other.
My Agvet flock supervisor’s manual shows that Newcastle
is the most likely if the circling continues. That symptom
occurs shortly before death. This is a completely conventional booklet, and it indicates no treatment available.
Marek’s is generally more symptomatic of sitting around,
lethargic, dozing off, leg paralyzation, immobility and
death. Naturally speaking, whenever faced with an unknown or untreatable type disease, I try to get some liquid
vitamin E purchased over the counter at the health food
store and put 1000 mg per 10 birds per day on the water
drinking surface or trough area so that it will float and
each bird will get some.
Does Fertrell have any rabbit programs? I have a few
small producers in my area and would like to formulate a
natural/organic feed for them.
Fertrell does have some organic rabbit producers. The feed-
Notes & Quotes
ing of the rabbits is fairly simple. Offer two feed dishes - one
containing whole wheat mixed with Poultry Nutri-Balancer
at the rate of 5% by weight, and the other containing organic
alfalfa pellets. Keep both dishes filled with feed, and the rabbits will self-select their diet pretty well. Be careful to have
good, sound wheat without any molds or aflatoxins - rabbit
are easy to kill.
News from the front
Drop ship quotes - For our customer who have internet access, if you need a UPS quote right away, please
go to www.ups.com or call 1-800 PICK UPS - it will
give you a pretty accurate quote.
Please don’t forget to add the $5.00 handling fee
(Fertrell) and any special handling fee UPS may
charge for unboxed items (5 gal container, etc.). The
origin zip code is 17502.
Also, we are often asked for our shipping hours.
They are Mon – Fri, 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM. (We are closed
for lunch from 12:00-12:30).
Please note that all freight inquiries are quoted business to business, dock to dock unless other instructions have been given.
Carriers will charge additionally (often by driver’s
discretion) for any unforeseen “issues” regardless of
what the original quote may have been. This includes,
but is not limited to: residential deliveries, driver assist, redeliveries, lift gate, etc.
In order to avoid any of these unpleasant surprises, please have all details regarding the destination
available when requesting a quote. Please allow 12-24
hours for a response. If we can get it to you sooner,
we will. Thank you for your cooperation.
7
We Have What it Takes
by Don Brubaker
The roosters are crowing as the sun rises over your
farm, and you are optimistic that this summer’s harvest is going to be a good one. Fertrell has products
and personnel to help you meet your harvest goals.
Procidic - a bactericide/fungicide that will protect
your investment through all stages of growth including post-harvest applications, Procidic’s advanced formula works to eliminate bacteria and fungi on contact
and is also rapidly absorbed into the plant. Working
systemically, Procidic then moves toward the apex of
the plant to inhibit the future growth of bacteria and
fungi. Apply at a rate of 1/4 oz. per gallon of water
or as a field application, use 4 to 6 oz. per acre.
Oxidate – works to control bacterial and fungal diseases after first sign of the disease appears. Mix at
a rate of 1 quart to 1 gallon per 100 gallons of water
per acre or 1 ¼ fluid ounce per gallon for first application and 1 fluid ounce per gallon for each application thereafter. Spray on plant ‘til run off occurs with
complete coverage of all parts of the plant every 7 -10
days. You can enter the field and harvest crops right
after applications.
Pyganic 1.4/5.0 – an OMRI listed insecticide that
works to control insects by negatively impacting their
Notes & Quotes
nervous system. Mix 1.4 at a rate of 1-2 fluid oz per gallon or 1 quart per acre. Mix 5.0 at a rate of 1.5-3 tsp per
gallon or 9 fluid ounces per acre. Complete coverage
of plant is necessary for control of insect infestation.
Apply every 7 to 10 days for control of pests.
Pure Spray Green – an affective insecticide that controls insects by suffocating them. Mix 1-2 fluid oz per
gallon or 1 quart per acre. Complete coverage of plant
is necessary for control of insect infestation. Apply
every 7 to 10 days for control of pests.
Nature’s Avenger – a non-selective herbicide for both
broad leaf and grasses -also labeled for fruit and vegetable production. For best results, mix at a ratio of 1:6
for broadcast application, and for spot spraying mix at a
ratio of 1:4 and apply to foliage no taller than six inches.
Baicor – a water soluble trace mineral that will correct
mineral deficiencies that are discovered through leaf
tissue sampling. They are available in boron, calcium,
copper, Micro Plenty, zinc, iron, magnesium and manganese. The application rate is ½ quart to 1½ quarts
per acre.
As the sun sets, you can rest knowing that Fertrell
has given you options for a successful harvest.
8
Time - Do You Have it?
by Don Brubaker
Do you and your spouse have enough quiet time together? Most would say no, even if you work together
all day. It is summer, after all, and the list is long and
the days are too short.
The one thing that we all should be doing to make
our farms more profitable is observing what is happening around us daily. Whether you are a crop, vegetable,
fruit, livestock, dairy or poultry farmer, you all need
to observe what is going on, on the farm.
Now let’s get back to that spouse thing called “time
together”. I can’t think of a better thing to do with a
spouse outside on a farm but to go for a walk in the
quiet of the evening. The two of you can talk about
the day’s activities and tomorrow’s for that matter. The
Notes & Quotes
old saying “Two minds are better than one” comes into
play here. Walk your land, and check out all the crops,
livestock and poultry - looking for insects, disease and
any health issues. This will help you stay ahead of
those unexpected challenges that show up every year.
Now that you are all relaxed, it is time for a good night
sleep. Oh, and don’t forget that your Fertrell rep will
be available in the morning to help you through any
challenges you may have come across. Good Night.
9
Basic Benefits of a Grazing Operation
by Seth J. Epler
There are many benefits to having a grazing operation within any livestock situation. Most specifically,
when livestock are grazing, they are in their most
natural state. That is to say that if these animals were
completely left to themselves, they would graze any
available pastures because that is how they were born
to act. Basically, grazing is exactly what livestock want
to be doing, as opposed to being in the barn.
I think all of this is obvious. It can be easy to see just
how a herd can improve when they get out on some
green grass. Their production rates will rise, their coats
will improve, and overall the animals just seem to be
happier. And after the tough winter we had this past
season, I don’t blame them one bit.
But besides the boost in production, along with the
overall improvement in the comfort of the animals,
there are some other basic benefits we can see in a
grazing operation. One reason is that a grazing system
can improve wildlife habitats on a farm. By having
animals out of the barn, the animals will produce most
of their manure out in the paddocks. This can increase
the dung beetle population which can benefit the soil
in the long run. Also, pasture based operations can
increase the birds and other animal populations on a
farm. The more wildlife that we see, the healthier the
land is in general.
Also, when the animals are producing most of the
manure outdoors instead of in the barn, mastitis issues
can decrease. When paddocks are moved often with
new fresh clean grass, there becomes less opportunity
for the animals to slop around in the dirty bacteria that
may cause mastitis and other issues. Ideally, during
the grazing season, farmers will see lower somatic cell
counts and less new cases of mastitis. Also, with the
manure mostly out in the paddocks there should be
less flies in the barn. Flies tend to congregate near the
fresh manure, so if most of it is produced outside, that
should keep the bulk of the flies out of the barn, which
Notes & Quotes
will keep the animals comfortable. The exercise cows get out on pasture is also beneficial.
This can help them to avoid sore feet and hocks which
can lead to better production for the animals. Also,
with the extra room outside, it is rare to see stepped-on
teats during the grazing season. This again all generally relates to animal comfort.
In the consumer-driven world in which we live in,
more and more people are looking to buy pasture fed
meat and milk. Therefore, more and more farmers
are seeing the value in pasture based operations. Everyone knows that animal comfort can go a long way
to improve any livestock system, which most of these
benefits boil down to. These are just some of the many
benefits we can find in a grazing operation.
Welcome New Dealers
Bluestone Mountain Farm - 550 Brush Ridge Road,
Hinton, WV 25951, 304.466.9288 [email protected]
Attention
www.fertrell.com
10
Turkey Talk - by Peggy Meier
You are probably thinking (what, why, now???). As I
looked at my time line for raising turkeys for Thanksgiving (a good revenue source) I decided that putting
this article off for the next newsletter might be too late
for my information and thoughts for you. I was with
Don Brubaker last November on one of his runs, and I
watched, for the first time, turkeys being packed up for
shipment at one of the farms. The turkeys had already
been butchered; the men had been up since 4:30 a.m.
processing. And they did not stop - it was work and
talk at the same time - they had orders to fill!
In the past, I have been asked about raising turkeys
and chickens and other birds together. If turkeys and
chickens are raised together, a disease called Blackhead
can develop. Symptoms are loss of appetite, increased
thirst, droopiness, drowsiness, darkening of the facial
regions and diarrhea. Turkeys are more susceptible
than chickens, which is why they are usually raised
on separate farms.
If they are raised together it can be only be until about
week four; after that they figure out they are not the
same, and they will start killing each other.
That being said, every year we went to my Great Aunt
Tillie’s for Thanksgiving. We were usually a group
of 14. As far as Aunt Tillie was concerned, the bigger
the bird, the better. Well, one year she outdid herself.
She found a 27 pound bird, and she was delighted.
Nothing gave her greater pleasure than feeding us a
plentiful holiday meal. I had my first homemade jellied cranberry sauce, made from scratch. Believe me
when I say I know the difference between that and the
canned cranberry sauce.
Well, she and her daughter (my cousin) Marge stuffed
and trussed and dressed that bird until it was a thing
of beauty. Then, she tried to get it in the oven. The bird
did not fit into the oven. So, they took out the rack to
put the bird directly on the oven floor. The bird still did
not fit into the oven. So, together, they got on either side
of the roasting pan and pushed it in. Well, the top was
somewhat crispy, and there was no basting that year
Notes & Quotes
(they were too afraid they could not get it back in the
oven) but it was still delicious. But that does lead into
the next part of this article.
Turkeys - Too Big for Market
This is a common problem every year. Turkey producers get their turkeys too early in the growing year to
hold them for Thanksgiving. Producers should try to
get their poults the last week of July or first week of August for appropriately-sized turkeys for Thanksgiving.
The average purchaser of Thanksgiving turkeys is
looking for a 14-18 lb. bird. This is achievable in 18
weeks of growing.
The percentage of purchasers looking for a 20 pounds
or larger turkey is less than 10% of the consumer base.
Today, families are smaller and getting together less
than in years past.
Taking the fishmeal out will help slow down growth.
It reduces the diet protein content by approximately
2.5%.
So, even though this article is being offered earlier
in the year, it is based on questions that I usually get a
month or so before Thanksgiving and during the summer if turkeys and chickens have been raised together.
Poor Pigmentation of Brown-Shelled Eggs
I get calls about hens who have always laid brown
eggs and suddenly start to lay white eggs. More often
than not, the cause of shell pigment loss is some stressor
to which the flock has been exposed. Pale-shelled eggs
should be expected if stress occurs during the last 3 to
4 hours of the egg-laying cycle when the cuticle formation is interrupted.
As the brown egg-type bird ages, there is a decrease
in eggshell pigment intensity. The reason is unknown.
The color can be affected by too much vitamin D from
sunlight.
These are the main reasons; usually the cause is not
disease. Many times, the exact cause of periodic, flockwide pigment loss is never identified. There is no single
factor responsible for the loss of shell pigment in brownshelled eggs.
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