The ASAH Sonora Wheat crop save update

[Tumbulu]

I wanted to give you all a huge THANK YOU!!!!!!

As you may recall, the crop that I planted just was not coming up...I worried that it had been lost. Then I came to all of you and asked for help.

Within a few days the seedlings emerged and the crop was pretty darn good. In fact I got a respectable yield after all. Not higher than normal, but absolutely not the worst!

But the sad thing is that most of the other farmers who grew it suffered a total loss this year. The growing season was just so strange.

And so, my dear friends, because of you (imo) there is plenty of seed for next year on my farm and seed for all the other farmers who lost their crops as well and even still enough for people who eat it!

Thanks to you, there is plenty to go forward with! YEAH!!!!!!!!! Many thanks indeed!!!!!!

[BanzaiBonnie]

1. I'm so pleased to hear this

It's wonderful news. Farming anything, is a most difficult job. Those who have never raised animals or crops for sale, have no idea how close REAL farmers come every year to losing big time.

But you did good this time.

[icymist]

2. Excellent!

I an glad that you are giving the seed to other farmers,.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. That is so wonderful, all the way around!

[magical thyme]

4. congratulations! how wonderful!

I remember now back when you asked for our support.

imo, it's thanks to *you* and your hard work and generosity, that your special crop came in and there will be seed for those who need it! kudos to you for a job well done!!!

[Tumbulu]

5. Thanks magical thyme

I appreciate the kind words, but the other farmer's whose crops did fail also did all the work....and so in addition to my hard work, this crop benefited from the energy from this group.

I wanted folks in this group to know that they really made a difference, and that a lot of people are grateful, even though others will probably never know about this.

[magical thyme]

6. well in that case, you're welcome!

good to see evidence that when we focus our thought/heart energy, it makes a difference!

[Howler]

7. Woo Hoo!!!!!

I'm so happy to hear this Tumbulu!!! (Not about the other farmers crops of course) How are all the lambs you were bottle feeding a while back doing?

[Tumbulu]

8. Thanks Howler!

The lambs....well the coyotes killed every one of them...plus another 30 + of the sheep.....it has been outrageously upsetting. I had to call the county in as the coyotes where chasing the sheep onto the highway. The coyotes have changed their behavior. They attack by day- not by night and there are quite a large pack of them now.

I have the sheep just stuck in the 1 acre yard next to my house and am feeding them hay - for the past three weeks as a matter of fact. The rescue guardian dog spends the entire night chasing coyotes miles into the hills behind my place, but there are way too many for him. When the sheep are let out, the pack of coyotes attacks them still.

I want them to go away!!!!! Perhaps if I keep them in feeding on hay long enough and this dog keeps chasing them at night (and when the guardian pup dogs arrive that will stay with the flock.... ) perhaps it will all work out. The county trapper says that the only permanent solution is to have more dogs with the flock. That there are way too many coyotes for only one dog. But this takes time, and I am in the process. But until then, I just cannot take it anymore and am keeping them safe in my farmyard. Safe and very bored and expensive!

But in the meantime, the sheep are simply not doing their work of making topsoil and I had to buy all this organic hay, which was not in my plans....but I cannot take seeing these sheep slaughtered anymore.

[BlueToTheBone]

10. The sheep ranchers here use

Grand Pyraniese(SP?) These dogs are absolutely relentless and totally devoted to their flocks. I don't know if it's inbred, or if they're trained, but good job, dogs.

[Tumbulu]

12. The dog that I rescued is a Great Pyrenees Akbash cross (according to my vet)

I got him from the Great Pyreneese rescue and there are more to rescued, but each one takes a little time to settle in. The rescue person says that I have way too many coyotes for one dog, that is for sure.

The Akbash are from Turkey and are known for chasing the coyotes more than the Pyreneese do. They will chase them 10+ miles away. So this dog chases the coyotes all night, comes back EXHAUSTED!!!!! and while he is sleeping the rest of the coyotes attack the sheep. I have a friend with 300 + sheep and 20 dogs- my goodness, this seems outrageous to me. I am aiming for three dogs, this guy to chase away the coyotes at night (since this is what he seems to do) and two to stay with the flock in the daytime and guard them. People tell me that Maremma's are the breed for staying with the flock. But these dogs are few and far between. I am on a waiting list for those, we will see.

In the meantime, I keep hoping that the coyotes will move away now that their free meals are over and they are being bothered by this huge dog every night. He is a real sweetheart to us, we love him and he lets me check his paws every day for stickers and simply loves attention, but wants to be near the sheep more than people.

[BlueToTheBone]

9. And it's about time for me to order some more!

Really past time...somedays I run past the empty jar and say...oh, must order more!
Glad that you survived admirably with your wonderful wheat.

[Tumbulu]

11. Oh thank you!

I felt so bad that the packaging was inadequate!

I am glad that you liked it!