Our Revised Long Range Plans, as of 4thQ 2004:

As it says in “Farm Fresh” by Allan Nation, the key to being successful is to be flexible, small, and able to change easily.

With that in mind, and after a year's learning, we revised our Long Range Plans and here they are. (If you want to compare them to our original plans to see what and how we have changed, click here.)

October 2004

Pigs: Should become the primary focus

Chickens: 2nd

Turkeys: 3rd

Cows: 4th

Any other animals or fowl that do not produce a product or supply a service should be passed on to a new home or culled.

Priorities:

1. Reduce expenses

May 2005: Purchase a bulk storage tank, approximately $800.00 for a 3 ton tank, this will save over 50% of the feed bill if “fines” are purchased in bulk. First year saving should be in excess of $1600.00. Use tax savings from Farm designation to purchase said tank and feed for a year. In 2004 we used about 10 tons of feed.

Medicated piglet feed will still need to be purchased by all animals will be able to eat the “fines” thereby eliminating special feeds for different critters.

May 2005 Purchase more hay in bulk as needed to prevent buying rectangle bales at a higher price.

2. Repay Loan

Dec 2005 Repay the money loaned to the farm from the household for feed, fence etc., this does not include capital expenses or fuel.

3. Delay purchase of BBQ smoker until the farm profit can pay for it or we have a windfall (Stock sales, timber sales etc).

Plans by Month/Year:
These date are “By” dates, e.g. By Dec 2004 etc.

Dec 2004 Put Perry in the original Laneway.

Feb 2005 Run a road from west to east down the middle of the paddocks. This will allow the feeding of the pigs by truck if needed.

Feb 2005 Run a north-south laneway on the west end of the Ox Pasture to allow pigs access to either the original Laneway or the House Pasture.

Feb 2005 Tap up to 60 maple trees.

Mar 2005 Purchase the spreading of 4 tons per acre of lime. Purchase the spreading of grass seed: 60% Perennial Rye, 10% Red Clover, 10% White Clover,10% Alfalfa, 5% Timothy.

Mar 2005 Increase chicken population to a total of 75 hens.

Mar 2005 Finish clearing the Four- and Five-Acre lots.

Mar 2005 Divide four acre lot in to two paddocks. Process all males at 29 months of age.

May 2005 Purchase a bulk storage tank, approximately $800.00 for a 3 ton tank, this will save over 50% of the feed bill if “fines” are purchased in bulk. First year saving should be in excess of $1,600.00. Use tax savings from Farm designation to purchase said tank and feed for a year. In 2004 we used about 10 tons of feed.

May 2005 Purchase more hay in bulk as needed to prevent buying rectangle bales at a higher price.

May 2005 Build 4 portable turkey cages that will hold 5 turkeys each

May 2005 Put 20 turkeys in the peacock cage. Keep 1 male and two female peacocks and sell the rest. Total turkey population per year to be 40.

Jun 2005 Build 4 portable chicken cages, which will hold 10 chickens each.

Aug 2005 Use full web style fence in the ox pasture to eliminate escapee piglets. Do just around the outer perimeter first. Purchase “hog huts” instead of building farrowing houses.

Oct 2005 Build a “wizbang” chicken plucker.

Nov 2005 Purchase hog feeders for each hog pasture and paddock.

Dec 2005 Have the ox pasture divided with our normal wire set-up so that the adult hogs can help clean it out.

Dec 2005 Repay the money loaned to the farm from the household for feed, fence etc.; this does not include capital expenses or fuel.

Jan 2006 Have sold 40 pigs.

Mar 2006 Purchase the spreading of 4 tons per acre of lime. Purchase the spreading of grass seed: 60% Perennial Rye, 10% Red Clover, 10% White Clover,10% Alfalfa, 5% Timothy. Order more turkeys.

Apr 2006 Purchase a “Lepod” irrigation system for at least the house pasture.

May 2006 Build a proper working chute.

Jun 2006 Plant pumpkins, kale, rape, and cabbage in the ox pasture.

Sep 2006 Divide the Ox Pasture in to 6 or seven paddocks with the paddocks being on the south and north side of the lot.

Jan 2007 Have sold 100 pigs.

Mar 2007 Purchase the spreading of 4 tons per acre of lime. Purchase the spreading of grass seed: 60% Perennial Rye, 10% Red Clover, 10% White Clover,10% Alfalfa, 5% Timothy.

Apr 2007 Purchase a “Lepod” irrigation system for the North Five-Acre lot. This should be enough to do all pastures.

May 2007 Purchase a cattle scale.

Dec 2007 Put heated water troths with automatic waterers in each pasture and paddock.

Dec 2007 Run water lines to each pasture and paddock.

Dec 2007 Run electricity to each pasture and paddock.

Jan 2007 No selling a continuous 200 pigs per year. Sows scheduled to breed one sow every month for 10 months to facilitate a year round supply of fresh pigs.

Dec 2008 Have a new well drilled and erect a Wind mill to pump the water.