Oh, boy here it comes AGAIN! Another energy price surge like we saw back in 2008! We just bought $4+/gal. fuel for the farm, machinery spare parts, oils and other supplies and chicken feed. Our fuel bill just increased by THOU$AND$ overnight. Can you say OUCH?
We maintain a pretty steady pulse on our financials to make sure we are pricing our products fairly and such that we can keep afloat. Price volatility on our supplies really reverberates through the whole farm!
We have to raise our prices on many of our products this May- but by how much is still being tweaked now. We are giving all of our customers as much notice as we can.....and we'll be back with a newsletter soon detailing our new price list. We will do this by May 15.
While grazing animals are cheaper to keep in the grass season, our fleet of iron swings into high gear putting up nearly half a year's worth of forage. And, we need to move last winter's barnyard gold onto the fields, too. The serene look of grazing animals belies the flurry of activity going on everywhere else on the farm!
Thank you for your understanding and patience!
Dave
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Just When Things Look Up.......
Well, that didn't take long for the unrest in the middle east for oil to shoot over the $100/bbl mark! And then it almost overnight translated into price increases across the board! Our vendors won't quote on future orders for our supplies and fuel, but one thing is for sure....we're paying more for things we need now. So unless things calm down soon, we're going to have to raise our prices. We'll do our best to hold costs in check and we'll announce our price increase in enough time should you wish to avail yourselves to product at a lower price. But.....being forewarned means being prepared.
Also, we're about to get our broiler program rolling for the year. We don't need reservations and deposits, but if you think you'll be looking to load up and want to make sure we have you covered, give us a "heads-up" as soon as possible. While the old program of reservations was hard to manage for us, it did give us a powerful management tool- how many birds do we need to raise?
Why does energy cost impact a grass based farm so hard? Our beef animals eat grass, grown right there, right? Yes, they eat grass and not energy intensive corn, but our long winters pushes us to put up their forage for nearly half a year. Supplies such as plastic wrap for silage bales to anything related to the machinery needed to make this all work is hit by high steel prices, shipping and we do use fuel- both biodiesel and petroleum diesel. The prices on all those supplies are way up NOW and we have to buy them now to be ready for harvest that comes as early as May/June.
For chicken, they are not ruminants and we must buy feed for them. This item is up over 10% already. Lots of transport/machinery/energy goes into making this feed. We have even less control over this item!
There appears to be little elasticity in many of the major markets that affect us. This fact makes us think that we are "skating on thinner ice" with regard to price volatility on everything we use. Are we are peeking into a new era? A goal here is to use less energy and iron for what we do.....and to use what we do use with utmost care and efficiency.
Also, we're about to get our broiler program rolling for the year. We don't need reservations and deposits, but if you think you'll be looking to load up and want to make sure we have you covered, give us a "heads-up" as soon as possible. While the old program of reservations was hard to manage for us, it did give us a powerful management tool- how many birds do we need to raise?
Why does energy cost impact a grass based farm so hard? Our beef animals eat grass, grown right there, right? Yes, they eat grass and not energy intensive corn, but our long winters pushes us to put up their forage for nearly half a year. Supplies such as plastic wrap for silage bales to anything related to the machinery needed to make this all work is hit by high steel prices, shipping and we do use fuel- both biodiesel and petroleum diesel. The prices on all those supplies are way up NOW and we have to buy them now to be ready for harvest that comes as early as May/June.
For chicken, they are not ruminants and we must buy feed for them. This item is up over 10% already. Lots of transport/machinery/energy goes into making this feed. We have even less control over this item!
There appears to be little elasticity in many of the major markets that affect us. This fact makes us think that we are "skating on thinner ice" with regard to price volatility on everything we use. Are we are peeking into a new era? A goal here is to use less energy and iron for what we do.....and to use what we do use with utmost care and efficiency.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Some Important Inventory News!
Hopefully you all are feeling an "uptick" in the overall economy, as we've felt just that in our winter's worth of sales! We've gone through expansion after expansion and optimizations to make sure we have enough beef to supply our ever expanding customer base. Well, an interesting thing has taken us by surprise........we have noted that sales of all our lower end cuts such as ground beef and our roasts are lagging historical trends. It seems our clientele would rather order our top end steaks and pass over our value priced products. As a result, we are out of most of our steaks and are sitting atop a sizable stash of ground beef, suasages and roasts. Maybe people bought our steaks for gifts this past season or they are seeking to spoil themselves with some pretty fine grilling steaks after the 2+ year recession? Suffices to say, we are in momentous times! Historical trends cannot help us plan from this point forward........
We will be processing more beef in April, so hang on if you are looking for our ever popular steaks. And we do have a good supply of ground beef, sausage, stew beef and roasts and they are priced competitively with comparable beef. Have you spied conventional beef prices in the store lately? We do, as a curiosity. Wow! For a welcome change, we aren't too far off what the supermarket will charge for beef and ours is so much better to boot! Consider us more for everyday value priced beef for you and your family!
We are out of stock on SIRLOIN, PORTERHOUSE, T-BONE AND RIB-EYES/DELMONICO. However we do have Strip steaks if you desire a loin steak suitable for grilling!
Most sorry to deliver this news, please accept our apologies for the stock outage!
Peace and good eating to you!
Dave
We will be processing more beef in April, so hang on if you are looking for our ever popular steaks. And we do have a good supply of ground beef, sausage, stew beef and roasts and they are priced competitively with comparable beef. Have you spied conventional beef prices in the store lately? We do, as a curiosity. Wow! For a welcome change, we aren't too far off what the supermarket will charge for beef and ours is so much better to boot! Consider us more for everyday value priced beef for you and your family!
We are out of stock on SIRLOIN, PORTERHOUSE, T-BONE AND RIB-EYES/DELMONICO. However we do have Strip steaks if you desire a loin steak suitable for grilling!
Most sorry to deliver this news, please accept our apologies for the stock outage!
Peace and good eating to you!
Dave
Monday, February 7, 2011
What a winter!
Now, this is a real winter!! Snow galore, cold and more! From this farmer's viewpoint, not an altogether bad thing! Too many of the previous springs have we had too little sub-soil moisture to get the grass up and rockin' and we've had to deal with way too many pests that ordinarily get knocked back by a good cold winter. We've had to pick ticks off the dogs in February and deal with red flag fire warnings in April too many years! Of course the downsides are all too obvious- life is harder when we spent our precious little time in traffic and endlessly moving snow, fearing for our structures, but with all things considered I'll take this over some years in the past!
Has anyone NOT noticed inflation in many of our purchasing venues? Fuel, food, durable goods, services? The stock market is up, and so is Brent crude as it heads up toward triple digit territory again! Instability in those areas of the world where we get a lot of our energy and with some terrible conflicts of interest, too! We promote democratic ideals, but have to support autocracies that further our interests in countering terrorism in a volatile region of the planet. In essence, we don't like what we see over there but cannot rest so staunchly on principles so we have to hold our noses and do business with corrupt, abusive entities anyway! Very tough corner to be backed into....
A caboose to this train of thought? We'd better get our collective will and wits about us to become more self sufficient in some vital areas such as energy, food, fiber and many durable goods. Personal responsibility and political will are needed in heavy dollops..........from very simple things such as energy conservation all the way up to activism in D.C. and at the ballot box. What will we do? Starting simply......
Reduce our energy use and rely more on our locally sourced biodiesel. Finish our solar collector projects to heat water. Simplify operations to use less oil and iron, and get more active politically to level the playing field for local business, agriculture, education and health. What will you do?
We have no where to go but up........
Here's to a healthy 2011! Peace!
Dave
Has anyone NOT noticed inflation in many of our purchasing venues? Fuel, food, durable goods, services? The stock market is up, and so is Brent crude as it heads up toward triple digit territory again! Instability in those areas of the world where we get a lot of our energy and with some terrible conflicts of interest, too! We promote democratic ideals, but have to support autocracies that further our interests in countering terrorism in a volatile region of the planet. In essence, we don't like what we see over there but cannot rest so staunchly on principles so we have to hold our noses and do business with corrupt, abusive entities anyway! Very tough corner to be backed into....
A caboose to this train of thought? We'd better get our collective will and wits about us to become more self sufficient in some vital areas such as energy, food, fiber and many durable goods. Personal responsibility and political will are needed in heavy dollops..........from very simple things such as energy conservation all the way up to activism in D.C. and at the ballot box. What will we do? Starting simply......
Reduce our energy use and rely more on our locally sourced biodiesel. Finish our solar collector projects to heat water. Simplify operations to use less oil and iron, and get more active politically to level the playing field for local business, agriculture, education and health. What will you do?
We have no where to go but up........
Here's to a healthy 2011! Peace!
Dave
Friday, January 14, 2011
Farewell to a good bud!
The continuum of life swirls all around us......births, celebrations and the necessary difficult good-byes. My trusty, great all-around horse Cavan left us Thursday January 13, 2011. He was a smallish Trakaener cross horse, barely 1000 lbs but tough and strong as nails and was arguably the best horse I had the privilege to work with. Put a beginner astride him......no problem, safe and kind. Many youngsters got their start into the equestrian arts with him. Field work- no problem! Supremely "forward" and attentive, straight as an arrow and snappy, too! No need for the driving lines- he knew the routine. Get to the end of the row "gee" over two rows and do it again back to the next headland.
Cavan was already 20 when he came to us 11 years ago, from a riding academy in Willington, CT- Woodcock Hill, very close to where my wife and I went to college (University of CT), but aside from some stiff hocks, he had gumption enough to go strong another 11 years! There are countless students from Woodcock Hill who remember him well- ears back attitude, kind of grumpy. He turned out to be an honest mush for a good bum-scratch and absolutely loved his 24/7 turn out on our many pastures that also see our chickens and cattle in rotation. Life afterall was pretty laid back here for the horses. Sure they got used and worked, but had (and still have) the very best that we can provide and they certainly had way more down time than work time.
We raise a toast to his memory and celebrate some foal just born somewhere to replace him in this world.
Remember that life is short...too short.....live it well and give thanks to all you meet and truly cherish those in your life now. You never know what tomorrow holds!
Three cheers for Cavan!
Cavan was already 20 when he came to us 11 years ago, from a riding academy in Willington, CT- Woodcock Hill, very close to where my wife and I went to college (University of CT), but aside from some stiff hocks, he had gumption enough to go strong another 11 years! There are countless students from Woodcock Hill who remember him well- ears back attitude, kind of grumpy. He turned out to be an honest mush for a good bum-scratch and absolutely loved his 24/7 turn out on our many pastures that also see our chickens and cattle in rotation. Life afterall was pretty laid back here for the horses. Sure they got used and worked, but had (and still have) the very best that we can provide and they certainly had way more down time than work time.
We raise a toast to his memory and celebrate some foal just born somewhere to replace him in this world.
Remember that life is short...too short.....live it well and give thanks to all you meet and truly cherish those in your life now. You never know what tomorrow holds!
Three cheers for Cavan!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
End Of The Year Musings
Wow, here we go AGAIN....turning the page on ANOTHER year! And what a year, or two for that matter! From a farm/business and personal standpoint, I am amazed to see the things that have passed us by. The sub-prime mortgage debacle, BIG bank closures, high unemployment and for some reason I am always drawn to the ever widening class gap. Did you know that a quarter of the top 400 "richest" people are in the financial services sector? Did you know that in 1982, that number was closer to 1/8? Hmmmm. Your bank as well as mine is not just a bank, but an investment house, too. Lending into the community is at a standstill because you will not get as rich from your neighbor as you will by taking your deposits and rolling the dice in a game of fancy derivatives! Now, this dumb farmer is connecting the dots. I've been uneasy about taking charge cards for the business and now I can put my finger on it!! What true value will that bank who services it add to my bottom line? The answer comes in negative terms; their hands are in my pocket!! Monthly fees, swipe fees, terminal rental fees.....etc. Who puts out the hard dough, rolls up the sleeves and does the real pulling in the economy? Those true working, innovating folks aren't as rewarded as they once were. Working toward the American Dream? Work hard, get ahead........not so fast! We do need banks, yes......don't get me wrong, but these days the banks are investing outside the community to chase higher profits. Local business, innovation and community health suffers as a result. Big time!
Ok, ok- so what's my point? Take a moment to ponder where your money goes in a monthly budget. Who gets paid, and what happens to that money? Is it worth it? Who's adding true value to your life and to the American dream?
We won't take charge cards and we work with banks that take a real and personal stake in our business and our community and country. It is hard to ferret the facts out, but alternatives exist! Starry eyed over that super low advertised mortgage rate? Read the fine print! Do you have a mortgage? Who owns it? Who are you working for? When the chips are down, will they listen to you?
We work hard toward a simple principle; do it right, work hard, work smart and make damn sure whatever you do nourishes your soul, your family, your community!
Best wishes to all for a super 2011! We'll be there!
Dave
Ok, ok- so what's my point? Take a moment to ponder where your money goes in a monthly budget. Who gets paid, and what happens to that money? Is it worth it? Who's adding true value to your life and to the American dream?
We won't take charge cards and we work with banks that take a real and personal stake in our business and our community and country. It is hard to ferret the facts out, but alternatives exist! Starry eyed over that super low advertised mortgage rate? Read the fine print! Do you have a mortgage? Who owns it? Who are you working for? When the chips are down, will they listen to you?
We work hard toward a simple principle; do it right, work hard, work smart and make damn sure whatever you do nourishes your soul, your family, your community!
Best wishes to all for a super 2011! We'll be there!
Dave
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Chicken is here!
Hurray! Our long list of patient customers who ordered chicken are getting their orders filled, at long last! Are we ever thankful for your patience!
We are extremely pleased with our new hatchery that delivers us healthy, live chicks (Mount Healthy Hatchery) and to our new processor, Westminster Meats of VT! We can toot our horn here by now offering a full interstate trade legal USDA inspected product to all of our customers. No more reservations and deposits for both farmer and customer to keep track of. Chicken is now a standard stock item along with our USDA inspected beef. What we trade for this simplicity, will be swapped for some marketing "soothsaying". How many birds should we be growing, what will the demand be, will we have scores of new customers? If you are either a new or returning customer, you could help us by giving us some guidance as to how much you might want in 2011. We went through growing pains with our beef business; we've expanded production and our land base several times....from 20 acres and 4 animals to over 24 animals and over 150 acres, with all the necessary investments to make it all work. In our early years, we turned away many customers due to low stock. We are hoping to advance the curve by getting some insight on the poultry market so no one goes away empty handed.
The market season is winding down, and the farmer is getting some respite from the frantic pace of farming and markets and buying clubs! We will go into our shop this winter to fix the fleet of aging iron and we'll go into our office and do market research, customer outreach and planning for 2011. What did you like, or not like in 2010? Let us know!
We are looking forward to 2011 already!
Thank you for your business and support!
Dave
We are extremely pleased with our new hatchery that delivers us healthy, live chicks (Mount Healthy Hatchery) and to our new processor, Westminster Meats of VT! We can toot our horn here by now offering a full interstate trade legal USDA inspected product to all of our customers. No more reservations and deposits for both farmer and customer to keep track of. Chicken is now a standard stock item along with our USDA inspected beef. What we trade for this simplicity, will be swapped for some marketing "soothsaying". How many birds should we be growing, what will the demand be, will we have scores of new customers? If you are either a new or returning customer, you could help us by giving us some guidance as to how much you might want in 2011. We went through growing pains with our beef business; we've expanded production and our land base several times....from 20 acres and 4 animals to over 24 animals and over 150 acres, with all the necessary investments to make it all work. In our early years, we turned away many customers due to low stock. We are hoping to advance the curve by getting some insight on the poultry market so no one goes away empty handed.
The market season is winding down, and the farmer is getting some respite from the frantic pace of farming and markets and buying clubs! We will go into our shop this winter to fix the fleet of aging iron and we'll go into our office and do market research, customer outreach and planning for 2011. What did you like, or not like in 2010? Let us know!
We are looking forward to 2011 already!
Thank you for your business and support!
Dave
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)