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Farm Fresh Weekly Kefir
This week I made a batch of kefir just like I always do only this time it turned out all together different. This batch has a thick curd at the top and whey on the bottom. When stirred up it tastes and acts like other batches. We incubate kefir at room temperature so I do not know if it being considerably warmer this week made the difference or not. Anyway take some and try it and if you do not think it is OK replace it on the house the next time you come.
Butter
Last week we told you about this year being a good year for growing feed for the cattle. One benefit to you is that we were able to make more butter due to increased production. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Farming operation changes
This week when a customer came we had a big tractor and field cultivator in the yard and the paddocks west of the barn were worked up. They wondered if we were changing our farming operation. Rest assured we are not. The paddocks were tilled up as part of our pasture renovation process and the big equipment belongs to a neighbor. He rents part of our shed to store the equipment in and as part of the rent we get to use the equipment a very reasonable rates.
Stories from the farm
One day this week Judy and I were picking beans on a warm, muggy morning. I have never experienced a July like this one in Kansas. I know that we are in a small pocket and other people are experiencing a hot dry July. I thank the Lord for the blessings we have received through somewhat regular rains.
Healthy food for healthy living. Daniel King and Kenneth King
JaKo, Inc.
6003 E. Eales Rd
Hutchinson, KS 67501
www.jakoinc.com
620.663.1470
Farm Fresh Weekly Frozen milk
Our intent this year was to freeze all the milk in half gallon containers to expedite the freezing process. To facilitate this we built some racks with fans on them to help us freeze milk (and chicken pieces) faster. What we discovered was that these racks sped up the freezing enough that we could also freeze gallons. So we are again carrying frozen milk in gallon containers.
Cattle feed
We have been blessed this year with timely rains and moderate weather. We are growing lots of feed for the cattle and are starting to build a stockpile for our winter needs. Maybe if the rains continue we will be able to take in cattle this winter instead of looking for pasture for ours. That would be a another blessing!
Weaning time for our calves
We wean our calves when the youngest one is at least two months old. To do this we put the calves on really great pasture with the mommas on the other side of an electric fence. That way they can still nuzzle and be close together but not nurse. It is not a quiet time on the farm as the babies want their mommas and the mommas want their babies, but it only lasts for about 2 days. The benefit for us is that milk production that we get goes way up.
Stories from the farm
On Friday morning of this week as I was bringing the cows up to the barn for milking I observed what I believe to be two sand pipers. I do not know my migratory birds that well and sand pipers are not native to these parts, but they did look a lot like the pictures I saw on the internet when I got back to the house. Early mornings are great times to observe our wild friends.
Healthy food for healthy living. Daniel King and Kenneth King
JaKo, Inc.
6003 E. Eales Rd
Hutchinson, KS 67501
www.jakoinc.com
620.663.1470
Farm Fresh Weekly Last chicken butchering
Our broilers are growing faster than expected, so we have moved our last chicken butchering up to tomorrow, July 14, instead of a week later. Let us know if you want fresh chicken.
Chicken feed
For those of you who purchase broiler chicken feed from us: We will not be making any more this year (since we are done raising broilers) unless someone orders a whole batch.
Sides of lamb available
If you are interested in a side of lamb, let us know soon. We will butcher ten on July 22 and most are spoken for. We would be happy to transfer their frequent baa miles to you.
Stories from the farm
When you work with nature all the time, you work with rhythms and cycles. This keeps life exciting and changing. With the sweet corn put up, the last batch of chickens to be butchered tomorrow and freezing milk for our winter stockpile as hard as we can, it feels like summer is almost over. But then I look at the tomatoes that are just ready to deludge us with their bountiful produce and remember that it really hasn't been very hot this year yet and I wonder if the summer is just beginning. Our Lord Jesus Christ does truly bless us with rhythms, cycles and bountiful harvests while at the same time challenging our guessing game trying to figure out what will come next. May you be blessed this week.
Healthy food for healthy living. Daniel King and Kenneth King
JaKo, Inc.
6003 E. Eales Rd
Hutchinson, KS 67501
www.jakoinc.com
620.663.1470
Farm Fresh Weekly Greetings, we are home.
We had a great time in Grand Lake, Colorado where Judy's sister had rented cabins for our family reunion. Even though the mountains were beautiful, the pine beetle has killed most of the pine trees in that area, making the mountainsides brown instead of green. A park ranger told us that it was all part of the natural cycle.
New beef product-- "grillers"
Starting this week, we will add "grillers" to our selection in the sales room. These grillers are an all-natural beef product without preservatives, made from our cattle. They are fully cooked and similar to a bratwurst. You can grill them, heat them, or just eat them cold. We've enjoyed tasty samples and we hope you like them, too! Let us know what you think.
Sweet corn
We will have sweet corn available after Wednesday for $3/dozen. Let us know before you come, so we can be available to pick it fresh for you.
Stories from the farm
Tis the season for sweet corn. We will butcher chickens on Monday and then spend all day Tuesday or Wednesday putting up sweet corn. It is a family tradition to freeze enough corn to last us all year. We call in the aunts, uncles and cousins and make a party of it. It is one of the things I enjoy about living on the farm. If done by yourself it is very tedious work but if done in a festive environment is quiet enjoyable.
Healthy food for healthy living. Daniel King and Kenneth King
JaKo, Inc.
6003 E. Eales Rd
Hutchinson, KS 67501
www.jakoinc.com
620.663.1470
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