I saw something funny yesterday. CBS interviewed T.Boon Pickens in a thinly veiled attempt to get him to endorse either McCain or Obama. He was there with Katie talking about his push for Wind Power and putting up enough wind mills in the center of the county to then put cars on natural gas, thus cutting our need for oil by 30.%.
He was asked if he had given his theory to President Bush. He had, but according to Pickens, Bush was more interested in Bio Fuels from corn. Pickens said that he wasn’t going to give any money or “support” either candidate, but that he was looking for the candidate that embraces wind power. (He is a self proclaimed Republican and has been a McCain supporter in the past.)
I bet ya candidates will start talking about wind power this week. I wonder if they will stomp on the Bio Fuels idea and talk about the increase in feed costs for livestock, thus making farming more expensive.
We have decided to reduce the flock by more then half for the winter. Most of my lamb crop is going to Rhode Island along with Moses. God is leaving next week for Southern Vermont and I am talking with two other shepherds about the other rams and some ewes. With these sales, I will have sold enough stock to cover all of my farming expense, plus be able to invest in some farm equipment. Bub’s wood splitter.
After a good year off, I have made the decision to go back to work full time and continue farming on a scaled back level. The cost of raising a small flock has nearly doubled in 2 years. It does not take long to build up a flock from 6 breeding ewes, so by keeping the older girls, I will still be able to raise lambs and wool and have the sheep pay for themselves. However, I will not be able to support myself.
My sheep have only begun to bring me income this year, but not enough to call it a salary.
I would need to have much higher numbers and I would have to already own more grazing land, hay fields and haying equipment. Oh, and I would have to already have a larger barn that could house more livestock. Since that ain’t the story, for the sheep to break even and keep the land clear, a small flock will do.
I wouldn’t mind a windmill on our property. As a matter of fact, I think they are cool looking. But even with T.Boon Pickens pushing the idea, it will take quite some time for the idea to really go main stream. Here in Vermont, where we are known to be liberal, putting windmills up is fought tooth and nail. Many Vermonters want the views more then the power. Go Figure.
I wonder if the candidates will get on board?
