Flerding with Disaster?
Flerding with Disaster?
The latest newsletter from Wild Type Ranch
The "Flerd" grazing peacefully in Spring cover crop
When we purchased the farm 18 months ago, it was almost entirely conventionally farmed corn ground. Our first year, we planted ~25 acres into a diverse (11 species!) cover crop and grazed 65 sheep and a couple hundred chickens on the cover crop and the existing pasture. This year, we planted the remaining 3/4 of the farm in cover crop and dramatically expanded our pasture grazing operation. In addition to sheep, we are "custom grazing" 30 yearling cattle for a fellow regenerative farmer. [Custom grazing is when one farmer pays another to graze their animals for them]. The plan was to graze the cattle in the tall forage for 1-2 days in smallish paddocks, then follow behind with the sheep. We planned to keep them as separate groups, as we were also lambing for the first time and were worried the cattle would step on lambs.
Well, someone (we suspect Maverick, our guardian dog), had other ideas, and the two groups ended up together within just a few days of the start of the season. Ever since then, we've had a "Flerd" (Flock + Herd). For the most part, it's worked out pretty well. The two species have slightly different diets, with the cattle preferring mainly grasses (including the cover crop rye and wheat). The sheep eat a much wider variety of plants, often selecting forbs (broadleaf plants which most farmers might call weeds). So, running them together has (mostly) simplified our daily pasture rotations.
We're entering our fall harvest season for lamb, pork and chicken. We'll see whether this mixed grazing works out when we have to more frequently run the sheep through portable pens for weights and selecting individuals for harvest or to separate ewes for breeding. So far, we've only had one "disaster" when the cattle decided to go walkabout on the neighbor's alfalfa field. Fortunately, they are good neighbors and helped us get everyone back home shortly after the great escape (and we didn't charge them for the free fertilizer).
Favorites back in stock!
Three customer favorites are back in stock!
Pork Snack Sticks: Smoked ham and cheese or BBQ flavored. 8 sticks per package. $16
Cottage Bacon: This lean alternative to regular bacon is a favorite of everyone who tries it. 1 lb packages $15.
Chicken Missing Parts: CMP went missing from the store for a few weeks because of a malicious bot attack on the product. It's back up now. Save 10% on whole chickens with minor blemishes removed (often a wing or tail) $5.85/lb, 4-5 lb average
Half and Whole Hog and Lamb
It's time to order custom-processed Lamb and Pork fall!
Save $$-At or below the cost of ground
Get the cuts you want, in sizes you want
Halal processing available for lamb
Monthly dates available Sept-December
Pickup at our farm store, or at processor
Prices include processing cost-no surprises at pickup!
Freezer Pork: $5.25/lb hanging weight* whole hog (120-170 lbs packaged) or $5.60/lb half hog
Freezer Lamb: $9.75/lb hanging weight* whole. (25-35 lbs package). Half lamb packs are $225 for 13.5-15 lbs
*Hanging weight is the weight of the carcass after it has been gutted and skinned.
Weekly Specials!
We've started featuring one or two cuts for significant discount at the markets each week. The price is available for online ordering (and can be picked up at market, farm store or Chicago deliveries). Don't delay! The specials run for 1-2 weeks only. Check out the "New, Featured, On Sale" category in the online store for up-to-date specials.
THIS WEEK:
Boneless pork loin chops $10/lb. Save $4/lb
Bacon $10lb (was $16)-It's BLT Season!
LOW INVENTORY ALERT
The following items are running low. Order now or wait until late September
Pork Cutlets
Whole Chicken
Regular Bratwurst (6-pack)
Chicken Wings
Find Us Near You
We love connecting with our community. Catch the Wild Type Ranch team at these local markets and pickup locations through October. Come say hello and pick up your order!
NOTE TO NEW GLARUS CUSTOMERS: We're not going to be able to vend at the New Glarus market until Sept. 4. However, if you place an order for pickup at the market, we can meet you there during market hours to deliver your order.
THURSDAYS 3-6:30 Mount Horeb Farmer's Market. 315 E Main
FRIDAY Sep 4 3-5:30 New Glarus Farmer's Market. 1101 Hwy 69
SATURDAYS 8-12 Monroe Farmer's Market. On the Square Monroe
SUNDAYS Monona Farmer's Market. 400 E Broadway, Monona
Farm Store (please text to arrange time) 377 County Hwy H, Mount Horeb
RETAIL LOCATION: Rooted Collective, 201 S Main Street. Blanchardville WI
254 WI-78, Mount Horeb, WI, USA (512) 826-2218
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