tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post548525155822823989..comments2023-12-29T05:25:24.503-06:00Comments on The Midlife Farmwife: Organic Certification; The Great DebateDonna OShaughnessyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-67345981153849198602011-08-08T21:12:37.538-05:002011-08-08T21:12:37.538-05:00Trailrider, yup we hate to lose any animal on the ...Trailrider, yup we hate to lose any animal on the farm where it might have been prevented. And speaking of prevention, boy have we been busy, Naother post about THAT soon.<br /><br />Lana, tell your hubbie I certainly understand that autopilot thing. Its what I would go into whenever we had a code on the floor, You just do what you have to do and then review it all later. And it is ironic that we have to label the farming we are doing as "organic" when pre-WWII it was just "farming"Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-71136030258267252692011-08-08T14:34:42.748-05:002011-08-08T14:34:42.748-05:00Oh Donna...we're so sorry for this loss. Such ...Oh Donna...we're so sorry for this loss. Such farm losses are inevitable, but my husband said to tell you that when you're in the midst of the problem, you just do your best while on autopilot with the knowledge you have. (He's a Deputy Sheriff, so he knows about having to make due without timely "back-up"). It's difficult to know when to call the vet. But, sometimes the best lessons come through heartache & loss. After my husband & I discussed your calf loss, he also said that even if things could have been done a bit different, the calf may have still died, especially since the decline was rapid. Your honesty is so touching. You are proving that the organic certification is not an easy road...making us appreciate the farmers of yesterday who did not have the over-used anti-biotic solution of today, but those farmers still managed to raise healthier livestock, overall. It's almost like our farmers are slowly going full circle...back to the farming days that involved LESS industry & fewer commercialized products. Your organic cerfication allows for better farming practices, but it's certainly not taking the easy road.Lana from Farm Life Lessonshttp://www.farmlifelessons.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-44359117790201091732011-08-08T13:46:01.607-05:002011-08-08T13:46:01.607-05:00So sorry to hear about you losing the calf. Such a...So sorry to hear about you losing the calf. Such a shame to lose a young one. It seems when a calf scours they can go downhill fast. Glad I have not had to deal with it myself. Take care and feel better.TRAILRIDERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01610787521587613701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-4280893829902184372011-08-08T10:49:31.443-05:002011-08-08T10:49:31.443-05:00Tonia, Many thanks. Do you remember the amounts yo...Tonia, Many thanks. Do you remember the amounts you used of each? <br /><br />I understand your mistrust of labeling but why do you mistrust ALL things labeled organic ? Granted there are shady producers and inspectors but certainly not ALL are corrupt. For example all our pork and beef is certified organic and my husband and I are meticulous about truth in labeling.So much so I make my husband NUTS.<br /><br /> MOSA (our certifying agency) is well known for yanking the organic label from those who knowingly abuse the program. <br />And what guarantee do you have that your "natural" products which have not oversight at all, are pure ?<br /><br />My bottom line has always been. KNOW your farmer, your producer, your store owner. There are good , decent reliable folks out there . Find them, buy from them and tell everyone you know.Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-11716431841591144292011-08-08T09:21:23.703-05:002011-08-08T09:21:23.703-05:00I successfully treated a pretty bad case of Cocci ...I successfully treated a pretty bad case of Cocci in my goats this year a little wether about 2 months old started going down. I gave him a mix of Cinnamon powder, Basil, Slipery Elm powder and Oregano Essential oil. These are all powerful Antibacterial and Anti Viral herbs. I was giving it 4-5 times a day in a bottle along with his milk. It cleared up in 3 days. I hadnt had Cocci in any of my kids in about 5 years and had used conventional methods before that really stunted their growth. <br /> I am not trusting of aything labeled Organic because of the people that try to let things slide. I dont call anything I have organic but its as natural as I can possibly do..Toniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09223141257252367520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-16478413382550204162011-08-08T08:14:27.843-05:002011-08-08T08:14:27.843-05:00Cro and Chris...One more thing. In addition to the...Cro and Chris...One more thing. In addition to the annual inspections fees we also pay .75% of all our sales each year to MOSA. I don't mind this so much as I call MOSA for advice often and they are wonderful but it is just more paperwork. The US does have many granst available for those with low income who want to be certified which addressess your earlier questions about the poor getting in on orgnaic farming. There are no grants for labeling COSTS that are charged to us by the locker. ten cents per label to write the words "Certified organic" and another 10cents to put a copy of the USDA Organic SEAL on our meat packages.<br /><br />So, when we sell this farm and buy the new farm producing only enough food for ourselves, we will remain chemical free but there will be no goverment programs, inspections, lablels of any kind allowed on our property. It will be a happy dayDonna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-16192787036664136242011-08-08T05:36:47.067-05:002011-08-08T05:36:47.067-05:00I agree with Cro, using the word 'Organic'...I agree with Cro, using the word 'Organic' has become a complicated political minefield.<br /><br />Very sorry about your calf, Donna. You did your best with what you knew at the time.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11487456386841182116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-39523832376808080202011-08-07T23:59:24.779-05:002011-08-07T23:59:24.779-05:00Donna. Thanks for all that. What a complicated lif...Donna. Thanks for all that. What a complicated life being organic has become. When the movement first began it was just a matter of 'not using chemicals'; now it's become so government controlled that it frightens people off.<br /><br />So sorry to hear about your calf.Cro Magnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06840670227576695352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-84802710476159977712011-08-07T21:53:18.795-05:002011-08-07T21:53:18.795-05:00MBJ, you are friekin' me out !! You respond so...MBJ, you are friekin' me out !! You respond so fast to my posts I'm starting to think you've taken up residence in my house in that spooky little craft room upstairs I never go in.Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212817062207309616.post-35338409082364573162011-08-07T21:37:03.700-05:002011-08-07T21:37:03.700-05:00I am so sorry to hear that the poor little baby di...I am so sorry to hear that the poor little baby died. Scours are terrible. I only remember one case of it from the few years my parents farmed and that calf died as well. The only treatment suggested to my dad was to starve it until it tightened up. It didn't work. Please don't feel so badly. You did the best you could.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com