HAPPENINGS

This page is devoted to what's going on with the farm on a daily basis.  Check in weekly to see what's new on the farm!

 Updated August 16, 2008

TURKEY STRUT! These turkey poults are only 6 weeks old and they are already strutting.  They appear to be very fast growing and should be ready for the table in just 20 weeks.  This breed is on the critical list for the ALBC but we see a bright future for them after winning a major taste test recently.  Here at Wolfe Mountain Farms we have one flock but intend to increase it to three separate flocks next year to produce genetic diversity.  We don't just want to increase their numbers but we want to selectively breed to ensure only the best traits are passed on to the next generation.  Our goal is to produce a consistent product for our customers and provide young flocks to other farmers who wish to take a serious role in preserving what may be the best tasting turkey in the world.

BABY PERCHERON This is baby Andre born on the farm April 24, 2008 to one of our mares and a stallion out of Canada that won the National Reserve Champ at the age of one year old.  When grown, he will weigh over 2,000 pounds and be a lovely dapple grey similar to his mom.  He was born jet black and then his baby hair soon bleached out to a brown, but that too is shedding to reveal a salt and pepper color underneath.  His mom never gets far from his side but she does allow us to work with him on his training.  For the first two years he gets to run and play and grow but he has been learning to lead and stand tied.  He is so friendly and will follow people around like a dog.  But, after he turns two he'll be off to the Amish to be trained as a work horse for the farm.

Gloucester Old Spots: This is our new girls, Spot and Dot.  Since Wolfe Mountain Farms is dedicated to the preservation of endangered heritage livestock and are members of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, we have decided to expand our pork operation to include the lovely spotted pigs originally known as the orchard pig.  These two came out of Northern Pennsylvania and will be bred using frozen semen from Europe to help establish new blood and to insure the survival and improvement of the breed in this country.  Sounds all intentional but the truth is, we just love pigs.  As the man said that loaded them into the back seat of the truck to ride inside with us on a 21 hour drive back home "Someone really loves pigs!"

Ken at the USDA facility in Miami with a load of pigs before being exported to the country of Haiti.  He had been working with the buyer for over a year getting all the permits, blood tests, vaccines, and health checks in order to pass inspection.  Our pigs were tested for things we didn't even know existed and they passed with flying colors.  We are very proud to be the ones to provide the first Large Black Pigs to populate the country of Haiti.        FOLLOW THE LEADER Here are some pigs just weeks old following mom in the pasture as mom follows Ken with the feed bucket.  They start grazing even before they are weaned.  The grass makes for healthier pork and brings out the best taste with this old fashioned breed.  Our pigs are not confined and enjoy running and playing on clean ground like all growing youngsters do. We have a limited number of hogs ready for market in December 2008.  If you miss your chance for the best tasting pork on earth this time, it will be next year before we have more so be sure and get your name on the list early!        This little pig was one out of 5 litters born in December in the midst of a horrible ice storm followed by a week of non-stop rain and power outages.  Our losses were many and very disheartening but then that is the nature of farming.  All is well that ends well I guess and these little pigs are doing great.  This one will soon be in his new home in the country of Haiti where he will father many many pigs to repopulate the island.  Others are on their way to Montana and South Dakota to start herds there.  We get much satisfaction in knowing that our work with the majestic Large Blacks will go on long after we are no more.  The only way for us to guarantee their success though is if you buy their wonderful pork.  Otherwise, farmers will not raise them.  You can do your part by buying only locally, humanely raised pork from heritage breeds such as the Large Black.  Not only will you enjoy the taste and the health benefits but you will be helping conservation efforts at the same time.            PARADE TIME Douglas County celebrated its 150th anniversary with a parade along with many other events.  Here is Crystal driving the team with State Representative Van Kelly next to her.  In the back is the 2007 Douglas County Fair Royalty.  The team was directly behind the muscle cars with their loud mufflers but nothing seemed to phase them.  This pair of Percheron mares are so broke and calm that nothing spooks them.  If you ever thought you might want to learn to drive a team but were intimidated by their size, contact your local driving club for a test drive.  I think you'll be sold on them too.  They are big yes but the most gentle breed of horses you'll ever meet.

MY DAIRY!  Research has shown that raw milk has many health benefits but most of all, we just think it's good.  I have begun making our own yogurt and will soon try my hand at cheese making.  This is one of two Jersey Holstein cross heifers we have due to be calving late 2008.  That means in a few months, we will have our very own fresh, grass fed raw milk.  Not only do I love the milk but I just love the girls.  They are so sweet and fun to have around

DEER SEASON  Some may object to deer hunting but here in the Ozarks, its more like a national holiday.  Without a yearly harvest, the deer would soon over populate and suffer starvation during the long winters with limited food supplies.  This way the herd stays healthy and plentiful.    Here is a picture of our nephew with his very first deer.  He is 15 and bagged this one on Wolfe Mountain his first morning out.  He was so excited and we were excited for him.  Ken taught him to hunt safely and how to skin and clean it.  Now his family has meat in the freezer for lots of wonderful healthy recipes.  A blessing since his dad is disabled and on a fixed income.  Ken has a heart for young people and is glad to serve as a mentor.

BABES         Kidding season is over for this year but it will be here sooner than you know.  Crystal is our main goat keeper and what a wonderful job she does.  The little ones are so much fun and absolutely irresistible.  Even non-animal people love these long flop eared babies with the bunny rabbit fur.

PARTY TIME: We recently had approximately 60 people out to tour the farm and enjoy a whole pig cookout.  the highlight of the day though turned out to be a wagon ride with a team of registered Percheron mares.    We had hoped to have our customer appreciation day in October but we will have to cancel it this year due to the damage done by the recent floods.  We had fences taken out and the road is almost gone.  But the animals are alive and the house is still standing so not all is lost.

MILK COW We raise Highland cattle so we never had a desire to raise "bottle babies" as dairy calves are called.  Dairy calves are removed from their moms at birth so the dairy can harvest the milk instead of the calf.  We had a friend call us one day with 5 calves that he could not raise and wanted to know if we would take them.  Being the animal people that we are we couldn't say no so we brought them home and hoped for the best.  We had beginners luck I guess because here we are several months later and they are all 5 healthy and now grazing on pasture.  They are a cross between Jersey and Holstein, both dairy breeds.  Two are females so Ken has decided to keep the girls to produce our own milk in the future.  I have since done some research and discovered that raw milk has numerous health benefits so we are excited to to have "real milk" as Ken calls it.

DRAFT HORSE SALE I couldn't resist posting this picture.  I don't know her but she epitomizes the uniqueness and spirit of living the farm lifestyle. This was taken at a draft horse sale in Missouri where this lady handled several of these giant horses all by herself.

VALLEY OF THE GOATS This is the valley in between Wolfe Mountain, freshly planted with Rye grass.  The goats love it as you can see, so we had to move them to another pasture to allow time for this grass to grow.  Rye is a winter grass so we can provide fresh greens to our animals even in the midst of winter.  Our girls are the whitest, and brightest they have ever been and we attribute that to our all natural worming program.  We are pleased with the results and trust you will be too.

YOUTH BOER GOAT PROGRAM Wolfe Mountain held a competition at the local schools for agriculture students to compete for a registered show quality buck.  Anna and Bradley were our winners but there were many deserving students.  CONGRATULATIONS Anna on winning best showmanship and Bradley on winning Reserve Champ Buck at the 2006 Douglas County Fair.  Great job kids!

WOLFE HORSESHOEING This is our son, Josh Wolfe, the BWFA Certified Farrier preparing Blondie's feet for showing.  Josh helps out on the farm when he's not traveling around over the Ozarks, shoeing all types of horses.  As you can see, there is nothing easy about being a farrier.   If you would like your horse shod by Josh you may contact him at 417-683-9486.

CHAMP! Congratulations Crystal on winning the World Champion Novice Amateur Trail Horse at the 2006 Fox Trot Fall Celebration and Show and also the top point earner in the novice division.  You represented your home state and home town well!    This picture is of the opening ceremony with Crystal carrying the Missouri flag.