Tag Archives: livestock

Episode-1136- Livestock Grazing Management with Chris Stelzer

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Modern Survival| 26 Comments
Episode-1136- Livestock Grazing Management with Chris Stelzer [ 1:34:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Chris Stelzer has been working as an intern on ranches for the past year. Chris has completed three internships on two different continents giving him grazing and livestock management experience in three different ecosystems.

He is passionate about sustainable agriculture and providing people with positive and real world solutions to agriculture’s problems. Chris also maintains a website devoted to sustainable agriculture with a focus on grazing management called “Agricultural Insights.” Grazing management is an art form that Chris has spent the past two years of his life trying to perfect and he is open to sharing all of his experiences.

Chris is currently exploring different grazing enterprises in Colorado. He also has experience with on-farm sales, direct marketing for small farms and commercial livestock marketing.

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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A Couple Videos, Hail Damage and New Geese Arrive on the Homestead

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Modern Survival| 19 Comments

Hail Damage on the Survival Podcast Homestead

Last night a band of severe thunderstorms hit north central Texas. There were only supposed to be severe storms and risk of hail was only moderate and tornadoes was low. By the time the storms formed the weather service changed the risk for damaging winds, hail and tornadoes to high.

One tornado devastated parts of Grandbury Texas and at least 7 people lost there lives, about 6 or 7 are currently unaccounted for and 15 were admitted to the hospital. This area is about 25 miles south west of us. While I am not happy about the loss of my crops I know we got off easy and my thoughts and prayers are with my fellow Texans who have lost so much more right now. This is why we are preppers folks.

Toulouse Geese Arrive on the TSP Homestead and Meet Max the 150 LB German Shepperd

On a happier note we just received 8 adorable Toulouse Geese from Cackle Hatchery, they are really cool and Max the 150 pound German Shepperd has already decided they are to be defended at all cost.  I wonder how he will feel when they imprint on him and 8 20 lb birds are following him around the property?

These are standard Toulouse not the giant dewlap or show versions.  They are calm gentle geese that do very well on grass pasture.

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Episode-1113- Fodder Systems and Small Scale Farming with Teresa Hord

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Modern Survival| 43 Comments
Episode-1113- Fodder Systems and Small Scale Farming with Teresa Hord [ 55:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

quartzridgeTeresa Hord runs Quartz Ridge Ranch along with her husband and children.  Quartz Ridge is a small heritage breed ranch located in Georgetown, California. The property is 100% off-grid. They raise dairy goats, American Guinea Hogs, Muscovy Ducks, Chickens and Geese.

Teresa and here family are able to feed their animals between 70-100% of their diet using a fodder system tehy designed.   Teresa’s Jeremy works as a city firefighter and Teresa is a stay-at-home Mom. Together they have three children ages 9, 4 and 20 months.

Teresa joins us today to discuss DIY Fodder Systems and using them for small scale livestock production.  Including why they choose to start feeding fodder and how you can grow your own feed for about 6 cents a pound!

Join Us Today As We Discuss…

  • What are the basic requirements for a successful fodder system
  • What are the components of the fodder system
  • What can you sprout and how long does it take
  • What animals can you feed  on fodder
  • The proper ways to supplement when feeding fodder to some animals
  • What they would we do differently the second time around
  • Why they are now using rain gutters as grow beds
  • Advice for land seekers who want a small ranch/farm
  • Thoughts on a farm that provides for your vs provides for your entire income

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1087- Taking “Mob Grazing” to the Small Piece of Land

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Modern Survival| 19 Comments
Episode-1087- Taking "Mob Grazing" to the Small Piece of Land [ 1:19:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
The Toulouse Goose, a Great Homestead Grazing Animal.

The Toulouse Goose, a Great Homestead Grazing Animal.

We have discussed at brief quite a bit on “mob grazing” lately, specificlly the work of people like Alan Savory and Greg Judy and the amazing results they have had.

This has resulted in a large number of questions to me about  how we can replicate this in smaller permaculture systems.

The reality is it isn’t that difficult and simply by using smaller animals and understanding their behaviors we can gain similar results anywhere from a suburban yard to a small holding of a few acres.

My hope today is that the entire concept of mob grazing is understood for what it actually is.  Simply animals moving through a system they way they naturally would in nature.  Along with why our current livestock need management to behave “naturally”.  This is based both on land size limitations and the loss of the animals normal instincts due to centuries of domestication.

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • What is “mob grazing”
  • Why is mob grazing natural
  • Why does mob grazing work
  • Paddock shift and tractoring (advantages and disadvantages of each)
  • Thoughts on different animals and their roles in paddock shift/tractoring
    • Chickens
    • Rabbits
    • Quail
    • Ducks
    • Guineas
    • Goats and Sheep
    • Pigs
    • Geese
  • Understanding animal needs and making husbandry easy
  • Developing systems that others can run for you (when traveling)
  • Thinking differently about your land, it is all a garden

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1071- Raising Quail for Eggs and Meat with MoonvalleyPrepper

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Modern Survival| 95 Comments
Episode-1071- Raising Quail for Eggs and Meat with MoonvalleyPrepper [ 1:30:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Coturnix Quail Eggs with a Chicken Egg for Scale.

Coturnix Quail Eggs with a Chicken Egg for Scale.

MonvalleyPrepper (aka Brad Davies) is a long time member of the TSP audience and community.  A few months ago he chimed in on a comments thread  here at the TSP Blog about raising quail  When I heard the shear volume of production in such a tiny foot print I knew I had to get him on the air.

It got better though!  Next, I heard he lived in the suburbs, had neighbors on either side.  That inspire of that he was able to produce in the range of 20,000 eggs a year and hundreds of meat animals.  Now get this his neighbors didn’t even know they were there!

Once I heard all that I knew how important this could be for other preppers.  I also realized it might be a solution for many of our members that want to homestead in the city or the burbs and not call down the wrath of code enforcement officials or blue hairs running the local HOA.

Join Us Today As We Discuss…

  • The basic process from start to finish
  • Setting up housing and equipment
  • Getting incubation of your eggs right
  • Inputs and outputs of the system
  • Specific suburban issues to consider
  • Using quail tractors or going large scale
  • Breeding to improve stock and culling to curb undesirable traits
  • Avoiding common getting started/first season mistake
  • Some specific equipment and feed recomendations

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Bird Specific Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1066- Paul Wheaton on Paddock Shift Chicken Management

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Modern Survival| 59 Comments
Episode-1066- Paul Wheaton on Paddock Shift Chicken Management [ 1:29:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Paul Wheaton of RichSoil.com

Strap yourself in today folks for a great episode of TSP. Paul Wheaton is such an awesome source of knowledge on so many great topics.

Today we discuss raising chickens in a paddock shift system and why Paul considers it to be the ultimate method for raising chickens.

Make sure to check out Paul’s two awesome websites Permies.com and Richsoil.com. You can also connect with Paul on Facebook.

Today we also discuss ducks vs. chicken.  Our differing views on irrigation and using tanks in a permaculute system.

We also provide an update on the Holzer designed permaculture system in Montana and discuss why some big names in permaculture seem to turn into jerks.

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1023- Listener Feedback for 11-19-12

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Modern Survival| 110 Comments
Episode-1012- Listener Calls for 11-19-12 [ 1:08:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Join Me Today as I Answer Your eMails

Join Me Today as I Answer Your eMails

It’s Monday and time for another round of you your feedback, questions and commentary sent to jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com.

Make sure if you submit content for a feedback show that you put something like “comment for jack”, “question for jack” or “article for jack” in the subject line to assure proper identification for my screening process.

Today we discuss, fear, HOAs, responsible law enforcement, GMOs, drugs in our water supply, common sense and the destruction of the resiliency of our children .

Please understand I receive several hundred emails a day and can’t get them all on the air. I do put out a lot of information on Facebook from emails that I can’t fit on the program though so keep em coming.

Join Me Today As I Respond to Your Emails On

  • The real reason people say “screw others” during a disaster – FEAR
  • More proof that HOAs actually destroy true community
  • Proof that we need more LEOs kicking the ass of their fellow LEOs
  • The wonderful results of GMOs – Parkinson’s Disease
  • The Muscovy Duck low input of grain for a high output of meat
  • How we are creating children that won’t even be able to cross a ditch soon
  • An atrocity in our health care system and to our water supply you can’t imagine

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1019- The Role of Animals in Permaculture

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Modern Survival| 33 Comments
Episode-1019- The Role of Animals in Permaculture [ 59:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Properly Managed Chickens Can Convert Pasture to Forest

Properly Managed Chickens Can Convert Pasture to Forest

Geoff Lawton just released a great video that represents the beginnings of an awesome new project and it fits in great with today’s show topic.  In his video which addresses preparing for future crisis with permaculture Geoff shows how chickens can be used to establish a food forest 150 square meters at a time.

This is just one role that livestock both small and large can play in a permaculture system.  From talking to hundreds of people I am convinced that you can have some sort of livestock in just about any environment.

To me if you really wish to branch out into individual sustainability at some point animals must become part of the formula.  Today I discuss how to do that and how to actually sculpt land with animals being one of your tools in doing so.  We discuss how to do this on a large acreage or even a small suburban lot.

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • Why animals in the first place, what does nature teach us
  • Understanding soil creation both fungal and bacterial
  • Using chickens to restore a pasture OR create a food forest
  • Using ducks for pest control and free ranging them in “forest”
  • The role animals play in nutrient bioavailability
  • How improperly managed animals can destroy a system
  • How to adapt large scale animal concepts into small scale operations
  • Using animals in suburban environments
  • How to even use animals covertly in suburban environments

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1002- The Why, What and How of Modern Homesteading

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Modern Survival| 44 Comments
Episode-1002- The Why, What and How of Modern Homesteading [ 1:14:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
The Classic View of "Homestead" is not the Only Option

The Classic View of “Homestead” is not the Only Option

There is an old saying, “what’s old is new again”.  While a fashion minded yuppie may be referring to something like a brief return of the awful concept of bell bottom jeans or some such nonsense, there is a real meaningful component to the statement.

When we are unhappy, when we know something is wrong we try to think back to happier times and make part of what they had part of what we have today.  Why do you think “I Love Lucy”, “Andy Griffith” and even “The Three Stooges” enjoyed a lot of rebirth after 911? Why do you think one network plays “A Christmas Story” for 24 hours strait every Christmas?

This is particularly playing out today in the homesteading and back to the land movements.  Something is different this time though, people seem to be doing it for a new reason, while seeking the lessons of the past, they are actually looking to the future.  Rather then nostalgia driving a quaint idea, we seem to have realized, there is “a better way to do things”.

Join Me Today as We Discuss….

  • The Why of Modern Homesteading
    • Saving Money
    • Improving Health (mental and phyical)
    • Taking Control
    • Building Value in our Homes and Communities
  • The What of Modern Homesteading
    • Food Production
    • Animals That Have Jobs
    • Creation of Income
    • Development of Skills
    • Energy Independence (even by percentage)
    • Resource Identification
  • The How of Modern Homesteading
    • Gardening/Permaculture and Irrigation
    • Food Preservation Methods
      • Fermentation
      • Dehydration
      • Canning
      • Flash Freezing
      • Jerky/Biltong
      • Brewing/Vinting
    • Foraging
    • Barter and Buying from the Local Economy
    • Animal Husbandry
    • Tool Maintenance
    • Planning/Scheduling Activities and Upkeep
    • Record Keeping
    • Community Development

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-832- Darby Simpson on Full Time “Beyound Organic” Farming

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Modern Survival| 48 Comments
Episode-832- Darby Simpson on Full Time "Beyound Organic" Farming [ 1:25:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
A Pigs Life is a Good One at Simpson Family Farm

A Pigs Life is a Good One at Simpson Family Farm

Darby Simpson is the owner of Simpson Family Farm, a 7th generation family farm (1828-present) and a lifelong Indiana resident Darby grew up not realy learning anything about farming, became a mechanical engineer.

He worked in the engineering field from 1994-2010.  Began small scale pastured based meat farming (Joel Salatin style) in 2007.  Grew the business while continuing to work off farm full time. In 2010 like many Americans he lost his job due to the recession and took the farm full time.  The farm now provides his family with a full time income.

Darby’s family began homeschooling in 2011, and his family is now together everyday.   In his words.

“We have a blessed life.  I feel like Neo in the Matrix: I’ve unplugged from what society told me my life was supposed to look like – public school, college, cubical, fast food lifestyle.”

Today he joins us to discuss small scale, beyond organic production of pastured based meats & eggs (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs) for the homesteader or for someone looking to begin their own business (full or part time).

 

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