8/7/08 Thursday

Its another rainy evening in the Adirondacks. The farm is just about underwater. I am just about ready to train the cattle on how to use snorkel tubes and swim fins. Everyone one is complaining that their vegetable crops are rotting in the field. Mine were slow to come about but ever the optimist. . . I think a few days of sun and time to get out and pick, pick, pick!
New York Ag & Markets stated that there has only been 6 "hay" days since June 1. We are getting ready to reduce our herd by 10 because we will not be able to feed the cows. No hay hurts. We have been able to put up about 20-25% of our annual farm consumption. In the last 3 years we were finished making hay by August 15. And if we are selling we have to market the animals before the sale barns are full with other farmers' cattle and prices bottom out.
Our grass fed herd looks great right now. The few head of dairy cows are looking good also but I have to decide now if I have time to milk cows now that I have an "off" farm job and the farmers' daughter is heading off to college in 2 weeks. I am trying to decide whether to sell them as well. Leisure time is non exsistent. The boy is not interested in anything agricultural (maybe someday he will cross back to the "dirt" side)!
The horses will be back from summer camp in two weeks. I can't believe the summer has shot by so quick. I worry about some of the older ones.
Next week is the County Fair. Always a lot of work and always worth the trouble.