Some Pig

There are many projects in the works right now but the most troubling situation on hand is our sow did not get bred this last turn. What caused it? I do not know. Every thing seemed the same this time. I A.I. her and that means that I have to read all the signs just right. I seem to get the insemination working right about fifty percent of the time. Was it all my timing? I would like to think not. They say that pigs are very susceptible to stress a few days after breeding. She was separated from her friends, the two steers and she through a fit, moping around. Well, any way you look at the boar semen was wasted.
The way I have learned to do A.I. is through reading. Utah State seems to have the best cookbook on it, if you will. http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/AG_Swine_04pr.pdf If you do try this method, I would look to see if you can get hands on training from someone in your area. I will let you know in 42 days if she takes the next time.

New Blog

I have wanted to start a blog for some time but never committed to it. Do not take this as a pledge to write something every day; I will try to post something at least once a week. Mine and my wife’s family have been in Nevada for over five generations. We both love the outdoors and have a strong appreciation for Nevada’s rugged beauty. My wife and I are high school sweethearts and have been married for 10 years. We have two daughters 7 & 6 years old and a strapping young lad, 2 years old. As pets go, we have one chocolate lab. Livestock include chickens (layers), turkeys, swine, Boer goats, sheep, cattle and bees.

Growing up in rural Nevada I was raised on small acreage. The first home my wife and I owned was on 2 acres. We loved it! During the housing boom we built a home on a golf course and endured four years of subdivision living. We will never do that again. We built a new home on two acres; only a stones throw from our first home. The neighbors do not use their fields so we are lucky to get to use them. So as acres of pasture go, we use around 15.

Our first few ventures in to rural life were not stellar to say the least. But with a lot of reading and a few classes we have made some improvements. I would like share a few of our ideas and some of our experiences with you. Till next time…