The fields of Howell Farm soaked in some hard and much needed rain today. One farmer has described recent conditions as a "wet drought." It's rained enough this summer to keep most plants green, but the soil underneath has remained rather dry. One contributor to this "wet drought" is surely the extremely hot July New Jersey just endured. According to the state climatologist, July 2011 was the second hottest month ever recorded in the state, going back to 1895. (According to the same report, six of the ten warmest Julys of the past 117 years have occurred in the past eighteen years.) In regards to rain, July 2011 recorded about half an inch of precipitation below average. So it's been dry, but not extremely dry.
Despite some challenging weather, most of Howell Farm's summer crops are doing well. According to Farmer Jeremy, the pumpkins are looking good and the field corn is looking great.
The oat field was harvested last week by Farmer Gary using a modern (well, more modern than 1900) combine and tractor. Despite some weeds, the crop was a success.
Last week, our farmers and interns tackled the task of mucking out the sheep barn and spreading the nutrient-rich manure across the crop fields. This week, the sheep barn is a much less smelly place -- though it won't stay that way for long.
Mid-summer is an important time to make sure all the work horses are fit and healthy. Farmer Jeremy reports that Jesse has just recently come off the disabled list after two weeks of healing for a swollen hock (The hock is the joint between the gaskin and the cannon bone, in the rear leg.) Jeremy also recently reset Bill's front shoes after noticing that Bill seemed to be experiencing some uneven wear.
Farmer Ian made a trip to Lancaster, Pa. (draft horses capital of America) last week to pick up some supplies. He returned to the farm with new breast chains for Tom and Jeb, some special horse minerals, horseshoeing nails, and other useful items required for horse care.
Despite some challenging weather, most of Howell Farm's summer crops are doing well. According to Farmer Jeremy, the pumpkins are looking good and the field corn is looking great.
The oat field was harvested last week by Farmer Gary using a modern (well, more modern than 1900) combine and tractor. Despite some weeds, the crop was a success.
Last week, our farmers and interns tackled the task of mucking out the sheep barn and spreading the nutrient-rich manure across the crop fields. This week, the sheep barn is a much less smelly place -- though it won't stay that way for long.
Mid-summer is an important time to make sure all the work horses are fit and healthy. Farmer Jeremy reports that Jesse has just recently come off the disabled list after two weeks of healing for a swollen hock (The hock is the joint between the gaskin and the cannon bone, in the rear leg.) Jeremy also recently reset Bill's front shoes after noticing that Bill seemed to be experiencing some uneven wear.
Farmer Ian made a trip to Lancaster, Pa. (draft horses capital of America) last week to pick up some supplies. He returned to the farm with new breast chains for Tom and Jeb, some special horse minerals, horseshoeing nails, and other useful items required for horse care.
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