Julie Helms

Just found this:

"Modern scientific tests have shown that red clover contains isoflavones, plant based chemicals that produce estrogen like effects in the body. Isoflavones have shown potential in the treatment of a number of conditions associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, cardiovascular health, and osteoporosis. However, as researchers have become aware of the side effects of taking estrogen, there is also some concern about the safety of isoflavones. And the evidence that red clover helps reduce any menopausal symptoms -- like hot flashes -- is mixed."

and

"No serious side effects have been reported in people taking red clover for up to one year. General side effects may include headache, nausea, and rash. However, animals that graze on large amounts of red clover have become infertile. People who have been diagnosed with breast cancer should not use red clover without discussing it with their physician."

Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/red-clover-000270.htm#ixzz2JaqJ8tIM

Angelika, we did make sure the ground was pretty flat for the cinder blocks to lay flat. We used no mortar. There is a rebar down each corner though to help with stability. We recycled used blocks we picked up here and there and then finished off with purchasing the remainder new for about $1.20 each.

After our first season, the level of the dirt sank by almost a full block. Since we used mostly branches, not so much trunks, it continued to compact over the season. I wish we had had more trunks/stumps to use. But produce-wise this was the most successful garden I have ever grown.

This style may not be appropriate for everyone, but I have a very bad back and getting onto the ground to garden is nearly impossible for me. The design of this was so that I could sit on the edge or on a chair to garden.

I used wood ash on my raised bed/hugelkultur in addition to lots of hot sheep manure and some semi-composted chicken manure. My garden grew like gang busters. It was so lush. I would say we used 6-8 inches of manure to 1/2 inch wood ash. Here are pictures if you want to scroll through them to see the garden grow:

http://woolyacres.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/our-hugelkultureraised-bed-garden/

Mariah Wallener wrote:Would the same thing apply to crimson clover?

I don't know, but the vet specifically asked if we had RED clover. So I suspect it is something specific to that variety.

About 3 years we (our whole state) had a terrible year with haemonchus contortus and we lost an adult ewe. Everyone local I knew with sheep or goats was having losses that summer. That was when I stopped my regular worming routine with Ivermectin every 6-8 weeks. It clearly wasn't the solution. I have since learned about the Famacha system and have begun integrating DE. Once I started actually checking the eye membranes I could see that most of the sheep weren't having any problem at all. Just a few, which we could treat and note for future culling. Off to read about the vinegar in that link!

Hand-spinning fleeces command a fantastic price still, even in a sluggish economy. I sold my purebred Corries fleece for up to $21/lb (about $150-$220 per fleece) in 2012.

http://woolyacres.wordpress.com/fleece2011/fleece2012/

Very ironic. After I left my post above I just got the following notice. Apparently I sold my last lambs before the crash that has happened. I was not aware of this.

http://www.premier1supplies.com/sheep-guide/2013/01/national-lamb-feeders-letter-to-the-sheep-industry/?source=targetmailer&utm_source=sheep-target-promo&utm_medium=target-email&utm_campaign=2013-01

Just wanted to share something to help warn others. We planted a new pasture a few years back and included red clover in the pasture mix. The red clover did VERY well and our sheep and goats absolutely love it. As a nitrogen fixer it is supposed to be excellent for the land.

Then for the past 3 years about half of our ewes were not getting pregnant. It was very perplexing. Finally the vet asked if we had red clover in the pasture. Oh YES, we have tons! Well, apparently red clover has estrogen in it and may be responsible for preventing our ewes from becoming bred. There is not much we can do about it now--it is too much to tear up and reseed ten acres because of this. So we resorted to the (very unnatural) giving of injections to force the heat before breeding. The vet believes that will overcome the problem, if that was the problem.

At this point our goats remain unaffected and reproduce just fine.

I am not sure about all your terms, but here in PA, USA, the lamb prices were great as of 6 months ago. We were getting close to $200/ head for a 6 month lamb (approx 100 lbs). I now get the same amount for auction culls as I can get for top breeding stock--it's odd.

Dan Sprenger wrote:

I'm a printer so.... There are petrolium products in the inks, the kind of alchol that caused blindness in the fountain solution, glue no one should eat in the paper, the paper fiber themselves go through bleaching, book covers usually have UV lacquer or varnish on them. So I'd STRONGLY suggest that you not do this.

Thanks, Dan. That's exactly what I needed to know.