Thursday 12 May 2011

Some interesting thoughts and observations!

Isn't it funny when, whilst immersed in routine jobs, your mind generally wanders off into the distance and you start thinking of all and sundry?? Yesterday's "poovering" job was a case in point and I started thinking of our birthing which has not yet commenced this year but my mind was focused in particular upon the new genetics that we are eagerly expecting later this summer. When we started the business, we had always planned to have a strong "elite" element within our herd and this year we will have, for the first time, a much higher percentage of  first class alpacas at Easter-Wood. We are of course excited about the forthcoming births particularly now that they have all been scanned pregnant but waiting is not one of my stronger traits!!

I have always wondered about the truth of "old wives tales" but the following photo's may have convinced me that the old saying; Red sky at night, shepherds delight may well be true!!

Previous night - Red Sky at Night, Shepherds Delight

Following morning......wall to wall blue sky!!

Today, is another day of paddock maintenance with further doc weeds and thistles to remove and thanks to a tip from Denise, the docs will be getting a dose of Grazon later!

Signing off for now but will be back again soon.

6 comments:

  1. Hello Easter Wood!
    We have resisted using chemical herbicides so far but fighting a losing battle, so may have to review this decision! How long do you rest the paddock, before allowing the alpacas to graze, after Grazon and presumably you just spot-weed rather than the whole field?

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  2. Hi Judi. We haven't used pesticides either but may well try Grazon and rest the paddock for 7 days. It seems you have Doc weed problems in France also?

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  3. I hve another great tip for getting rid of thistles. Don't try and dig them up now, but wait until the thistles start to flower and cut them down. This leaves the stem open down to the roots and once the rain gets into the roots, it rots the plants. It's hard to leave them alone, but it's worth the wait and it's cheaper and more environmentally friendly than using chemicals.
    Grazon also works on them now.

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  4. Thanks for this tip Denise.

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  5. We use Grazon but when I mentioned it on my blog I got a warning email from USA. They said keep alpacas off the sprayed area for longer than the recommended two weeks. They have been knows to absorb it through their pads and die. It is assumed that hooved animals will be grazing not alpacas.

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  6. Thanks for this bit of advice.....on balance, I think it would be prudent for me to simply dig them up!!

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