GrassRoots Meats Newsletter
November 2020
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We had our first snow of the season last week. It melted as it hit the ground, and happily we received a great deal of moisture from the storm. The drought continues, though, and we are scrambling to get ready for winter. Some of our animals will be going to pasture in New Mexico, but for the others we are trying to line up enough hay to get them through. Very little grass left on the ground.
The irrigation water was turned off early, then on again for a few weeks to fill ponds for winter, and off again this coming week. Managing for drought is probably the toughest thing in agriculture, forcing many producers to sell off their inventory, resulting in lower sales and reduced income. We have done our share of that over the last couple of years, and might be forced down that road again if this drought continues.
That being said, the animals are healthy and they gained well over the last few months. The old ranchers say that the grasses during a drought are much higher in nutrients than normal, probably because only the hardiest survive, even if they are not plentiful. Regardless of how much moisture we get in the summer, if the winter is dry the grasses will suffer. So we are praying for rain and snow this winter.
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We have had some below freezing nights this past week, wreaking havoc on my outside garden, for the most part. Cool season veggies like broccoli and cabbage do alright when it is cold, but summer veggies go down with the first freeze. It has been a good year for the garden, with lots of lessons learned and much to look forward to next year. Already starting to plan.
For now the greenhouse is still producing and as long as I can keep it from freezing off in there, I should be able to continue harvesting. Not ready to call it quits just yet.
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My outside zucchini is DONE! |
Inside the greenhouse it is still going strong. |
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Broccoli likes the colder weather, although it is still kind of slow producing broccolini shoots. |
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Starting to get some buds on my Brussel sprouts. Don't know if they will survive the colder weather, but hoping they will continue to grow so ultimately I will get a harvest. |
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My lima and green beans are still producing flowers but I doubt that I get many, if any, more beans this season. |
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This chard came on as part of an assorted lettuce pack. Wish I liked chard more because it has done amazingly well - of course! |
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Have a TON of green tomatoes still trying to ripen. The colder weather is not helping. Soon I will probably ripen them in boxes indoors. |
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My bell peppers are small but plentiful. Don't know how much longer they will hold on, but so far, so good. |
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In lieu of raising prices, which we have not done for years, we have discontinued the five and ten percent bulk discounts. Next season we will undoubtedly have to raise our prices due to rising costs, but for now we are holding. We are also suspending our monthly specials. These are the craziest of times, and revamping our whole marketing system has been a challenge. Thanks for bearing with us. |
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Turkey
We still have quite a few turkeys available for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Beef
We have one more processing in January, and will then be done for the season. There are only three animals left, so don't wait too long to place your order. We will have a pretty good supply of ground beef, but please place your order as soon as you can because it will go fast.
Lamb
We will be processing 10 lambs in December, and then we will be finished for the season.
Pork
We are processing 5 pigs in December, and then will be finished indefinitely. We need to find another producer, or make some major adjustments and raise some pigs ourselves. In the meantime, don't miss out on this amazing pork.
Chicken
Our supply looks good for chicken, so barring a run on it like we had this spring, we should be in good shape for the winter.
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Soon the election will be over and our country will be headed in a new direction, or President Trump serve another term and will have a chance to complete his campaign promises. Either way this election has polarized the country in an unprecedented way. We pray that God's will is done, and that whoever wins is His choice. "If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.
We pray for God's healing over this land. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family this year.
Lois & Allan
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Allan and Lois Higgins
945 CR 973
Ignacio, CO 81137
Lois – 970-582-0166 (Sales and Order Information)
Allan – 970-749-7670 (Production)
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