We raise our livestock using regenerative farming methods.
Our sheep and cattle are 100% grass-fed & finished, while our poultry and pigs are supplemented with non-GMO, soy-free, corn-free, chemical-free local feed. All of our livestock is rotationally grazed (moved regularly) on fresh pasture.
We never use antibiotics, wormers, growth hormones, or vaccines.
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Our turkeys & chickens are raised on rotational pasture and supplementally fed non-GMO, soy-free, corn-free, chemical-free local feed.
"We live on 30 acres, 15 of which is fenced in. This is where we have our poultry in mobile coops, and move them twice daily, which gives a great trample for the grass. The poultry are more hands-on labor.
My pastures don't look pretty all the time, but there are tons of bugs. I do have tall grass, weeds, and there are bugs jumping and flying all over the place. It's fun to watch the chickens and turkeys get onto a fresh patch. The chickens also love the clover in the pasture.
I move my poultry onto pasture at 4 weeks, and they have access to all those bugs and clover. I move them twice a day, and I'm currently not re-grazing the poultry on any one space during the year. From 6-8 weeks of age, my chickens and turkey are eating 50% less feed than my neighbor's poultry! The longer rest periods really help with diversity and the growth of varied plant species.
The chickens need input, so they get a lot of their whole nutrients off the feed, not depending solely on the pastures which are being built up. I feel I can build quality poultry through the addition of supplemental foods, while also employing them to slowly build up my soil quality.
Poultry get non-GMO, soy-free, corn-free, chemical-free supplemental grains in addition to the rotated pasture forage. They are organically raised and organically fed (the feed is tested with beyond organic testing, but not Certified).
I like being close to home because I get to have daily chore time with my children. My 2-year-old daughter loves helping me with chores. If I start doing chores without her, she breaks down and cries. I have the portable chicken coops and she?ll go to the other end and push for me, and we move the chickens that way. That is a lot of fun for me."
- Enos King
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Our sheep are 100% grass fed & finished on rotational pasture.
"I employ rotational grazing (regenerative farming practices) for herd and soil health, and, in the winter, feed hay out in the pasture on grass. I have boosted microbes in the soil with organic applications (MyCorr Plus).
Everyday, the sheep are moved to fresh pasture and are given fresh water. I move them rotationally and give the fields (paddocks) long rest periods. Sheep follow the cattle in the pasture.
On the 78 acres which is shared between family and I, we removed a bunch of trees, turning it into pasture land, and silvo-pasture. The sheep are sometimes there. We also have 65 acres, also owned between family, which has had my sheep and cattle in the summer.
The sheep get supplemental Thorvin kelp and Redmonds salt."
- Enos King
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Our cattle are 100% grass fed & finished on rotational pasture.
"I employ rotational grazing (regenerative farming practices) for herd and soil health, and, in the winter, feed hay out in the pasture on grass. I have boosted microbes in the soil with organic applications (MyCorr Plus).
Everyday, the cattle are moved to fresh pasture and are given fresh water. I move them rotationally and give the fields (paddocks) long rest periods. Sheep follow the cattle in the pasture.
On the 78 acres which is shared between family and I, we removed a bunch of trees, turning it into pasture land, and silvo-pasture. The cattle are sometimes there. We also have 65 acres, also owned between family, which has had my cattle in the summer.
Allen Williams talks about a long rest period being a good thing, but also says he doesn't want that to be a pattern. He talks about using different grazing pattern, start and stop grazing heights, different rest periods. Basically, the diversity in management helps create a diversity in plants. Different animals also have different grazing habits.
I am not planning on grass-finishing my steers, because of where I am with soil fertility and quality pastures. I am planning to raise just one steer here a year, to test what we have going on here. My steers will likely be sold as grass-fed feeders, weaned at 9-10 months, to friends in PA. Those friends would finish them off on grass and process them at 1 year of age.
I am planning on keeping my heifers so I can increase my numbers."
- Enos King
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Our pigs are raised on rotational pasture and supplementally fed non-GMO, soy-free, corn-free, chemical-free local feed.
"I rotationally graze my pigs on silvopasture, which has some hardwoods which are starting to produce acorns. That's where we have pigs like to be. I move the pigs to fresh pasture weekly.
Pigs get non-GMO soy-free supplemental grains in addition to the rotated pasture forage. They get supplemental watermelons and cantaloupes as a special treat, in season. I broadcast some radish and turnip seeds in the late summer, and let my pigs run in that area once they are ready.
The pigs need input, so they get a lot of their whole nutrients off the feed, and not depending solely on the pastures which are being built up. I feel I can build quality pigs through the addition of supplemental foods, while also employing them to slowly build up my soil quality."
- Enos King