Has anyone read . . .

[DrakeMaiden]

Joel Salatin's book "You Can Farm: The Enterpreneur's Guide to Start and Succeed in a Farm Enterprise?"

I would imagine you may have, Beekissed?

I just am wondering what anyone who has read it thought. Is it practical? Motivational?

Thanks in advance.

 

[sylvie]

No, but I've read it's praises so much that I think I need to!

 

[farmerlor]

Oh great, another book to add the list!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

No I haven't, but I'm guessing you have the chance to get it?

 

[dragonlaurel]

Joel Salatin's book "You Can Farm: The Enterpreneur's Guide to Start and Succeed in a Farm Enterprise?"

I would imagine you may have, Beekissed?

I just am wondering what anyone who has read it thought. Is it practical? Motivational?

Thanks in advance.

This timing is funny. It's sitting on the desk, right in front of me. Got it from library but have just leafed through it so far. Pretty sure I need to buy a copy of this one!

 

[Big Daddy]

Please don't give my dear wife any more ideas.

 

[big brown horse]

Sounds like a great book!!

 

[Beekissed]

Excellent book and very practical.....if one is committed to actually implementing his methods.

For instance, parasite control. My sis heard me talking about using the Shaklee's soap for de-worming, decided her Ivermectin was getting costly and wanted to try the Shaklees ala Salatin. Now, this attitude is typical of so many people, I must make the point:

The first time she read his book~no, I must say she glanced at it~she decided he was too "preachy".

So....she tried some soap~Dawn dish detergent~ and then, two weeks later, she wormed as per usual with Ivermectin and saw the usual worm load coming out of her pigs. Immediately she decided the soap theory just didn't work.

As she was spouting this to me, I just had to point out a few things.....

First, Salatin culls vigorously to eliminate livestock who are not naturally resistant to parasites and illness. SHE does not, nor would she ever even consider it. This culling process takes years.

Second, Salatin uses rotational, intensive grazing...meaning his animals are not walking over and ingesting the same egg load they just shed. They are also getting a different level of nutrition than her feedlot style setup.

Third, Salatin has been using these methods for YEARS to gain the desired result. One dosage of soap and a decision that it just doesn't work without determining how often he uses it, what he uses in conjunction with this treatment, what other steps one should take to make this effective.....well, that's just stupid!


Practical? It's the most practical information I've ever read about farming....EVER. If you want to farm and are committed to making a real, sustainable living from it~longterm~it is the best book, along with Salad Bar Beef, that one can buy. But one can't expect to half-a$$ it and expect the same results as Salatin.

 

[big brown horse]

Thanks Bee, that was very informatve. I believe I am ready for those two books. Salad Bar Beef, is that also by Salatin?

I'm going to Amazon!!!

 

[Beekissed]

Yes, same author...and more in depth about his pasture management, woodlot management, pond use, watering techniques, winter feeding methods, etc.

So ingenius one has to wonder why no one thought of it a long time ago!