Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[foreman Etexas]

My neighbor hauled 25 head to the sale averaged 612 lbs at $2.09 a lb .. Nice thick black Brangus calfs

I'm keeping 16 heifers and with prices like that hard to hold onto them. But to go buy some ready to breed:shocked:,2850pc...

 

[Western]

I'm keeping 16 heifers and with prices like that hard to hold onto them. But to go buy some ready to breed:shocked:,2850pc...

Keeping them for replacements?, or just to grow out more. Would be hard for me to pass on just for a few more pounds.

That is what is keeping me from buying a couple pair, thought about 4 calves too. Kinda hard to do on 15 mostly wooded acres, but I have always enjoyed having some. I even thought about maybe leasing or going halves with a landowner close to the house, but that comes with it's share of headaches too.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Keeping them for replacements?, or just to grow out more. Would be hard for me to pass on just for a few more pounds.

That is what is keeping me from buying a couple pair, thought about 4 calves too. Kinda hard to do on 15 mostly wooded acres, but I have always enjoyed having some. I even thought about maybe leasing or going halves with a landowner close to the house, but that comes with it's share of headaches too.

I plan on keeping them to start other herd eventually,they will get there. I have been been keeping only the best for 3 yrs and buying a select few heifers,some of those dropping calves now and some just put with bull. Some of them heifers replaced,the old cows sold off. Been trying to get my pens finished so can work and move everything.

 

[Western]

Nice looking chute! built many of those!! Usually out of drill stem and sucker rod though.

Got ya on the heifers, pretty much the same thing I did. I would keep what I thought was a good cow, at least through one calve. If she did good, she got a name and became part of the "herd" :laughing: The name was my young at the time daughters deal..........

 

[Western]

My last one I hung up yesterday, I know, a bit sloppy

 

[Western]

rlgustafson,

Make sure to cut a bunch of kerfs (SP) on the back of the front, so the fledglings can get out easy. I made that mistake on my 1st one and lost 2 of them

 

[jinman]

Are you sure that's a Folger's can? Looks like Maxwell House to me. Hasn't Folgers been all red for many years?

My last one I hung up yesterday, I know, a bit sloppy

 

[Western]

Jim you're right:thumbsup: It is MH

 

[jinman]

Jim you're right:thumbsup: It is MH

Yep, if you put up Folgers, the stinkin' cardinals will take over.:laughing:

Also, you asked me about soaker hose ends. I have not had any problems with the Gilmour brand, but we have had the sewn thread leak on the sides. They are easily fixed with some heavy poly thread and a needle, but I think we have had only one hose with a seam that blew out.

You do realize that the drip hose guys are laughing at us, don't you? I keep saying I'm gonna do drip and never get around to it. Drip hose and emitters with our good water would be ideal.

 

[Western]

Jim, it is hard enough for me to want to mess with soaker hose, let alone a bunch off drip nipples and the calcium we have.

 

[Western]

Ron, All my houses can swivel open, I use galvanized nails to hold the door closed. Not worried about the deck screws, mine usually last longer than the BH.

Not my 1st BB house and as hot as it gets here, I have it vented on both top and bottom. I cut steel donuts with the plasma for the holes if they ever get chewed on, squirrels are usually the biggest pain here. Know all about sparrows, brown cow birds and starlings, nest robbers for sure.

I have never had a coon problem when the conduit is kept maintained ( I use steel wool to polish), much bigger problem if you use a wood post, so I dont.

 

[Bird]

Jim, it is hard enough for me to want to mess with soaker hose, let alone a bunch off drip nipples and the calcium we have.

I have 1/2" soaker hoses that I've had a few years. Naturally, none of them are exactly the right length, and all the repair parts (hose ends) I've found in the past were for 5/8" hoses. I'm trying to decide whether to order one of those 250' rolls of 5/8" soaker hose from Amazon, cut them to the right lengths and put new ends on them.

 

[jinman]

Jim, it is hard enough for me to want to mess with soaker hose, let alone a bunch off drip nipples and the calcium we have.

Dennis, I know that many Wise County wells have calcium problems, but my well is magically low in calcium with extremely low calcium build-up or residue. I wipe my glass shower doors down with my towel each time I shower and they stay stain and spot free. My water is very soft. I have to remind myself that other people's wells are not so trouble free. For me, a drip system would make my garden watering more directed and conserve water.

 

[jinman]

I have 1/2" soaker hoses that I've had a few years. Naturally, none of them are exactly the right length, and all the repair parts (hose ends) I've found in the past were for 5/8" hoses. I'm trying to decide whether to order one of those 250' rolls of 5/8" soaker hose from Amazon, cut them to the right lengths and put new ends on them.

Bird, before you buy that much hose, I'd suggest buying a 50' flat soaker ribbon from HF. I believe the store in Denton is where I saw lots of those nylon flat soaker hoses last year. The flat one's give you much better water distribution throughout the length and are sure easy to manage. If it turns out you don't like that style, you won't have a huge investment in them. I think the HF ones sell for $9.95.

I can't get but one year out of the soakers made from recycled tires. They just split and crack anytime i try to move them or bend them.

 

[Bird]

Jim, I guess I'll have to stop by Harbor Freight and see what they've got. My old soaker hoses are least 3 years old, so I do think it's about time to replace them. Many years ago I had flat soaker/sprinkler hoses that were some kind of plastic.

 

[pacerron]

Jim, I guess I'll have to stop by Harbor Freight and see what they've got. My old soaker hoses are least 3 years old, so I do think it's about time to replace them. Many years ago I had flat soaker/sprinkler hoses that were some kind of plastic.

We have one of those flat plastic guys that is about 50 years old. Grey color with 2 greenish stripes along the top side where the water comes out.
I much prefer those to the soaker hoses. Usually covers 2 rows at once 3-4 feet apart with well tank pressure. I'm sure there is more evaporation from the airborne water than with a soaker but less than a rotary sprinkler. Only problem is going around and back on short rows. The water squirts sideways there, but most of our rows are 50 feet long so the hose is in a straight line normally.

My wife prefers using a regular hose and spray nozzle in the evenings to get away from me
She says she has better control of the water around the plants that way and is relaxing.:confused2:

Watering her way would drive me nuts. It would be like watching paint fade:laughing:

 

[jinman]

Jim, I guess I'll have to stop by Harbor Freight and see what they've got. My old soaker hoses are least 3 years old, so I do think it's about time to replace them. Many years ago I had flat soaker/sprinkler hoses that were some kind of plastic.

Yep, the old plastic "soaker" hoses were really sprinkler hoses. The new style are tightly woven nylon or some other synthetic material that is folded over on itself along the edge and sewn. To my knowledge, there is no rubber used except the hose washers in the ends. Each soaker hose comes with several regulator orifices you put into the female hose end with the washer.

 

[Bird]

Yep, the old plastic "soaker" hoses were really sprinkler hoses. The new style are tightly woven nylon or some other synthetic material that is folded over on itself along the edge and sewn. To my knowledge, there is no rubber used except the hose washers in the ends. Each soaker hose comes with several regulator orifices you put into the female hose end with the washer.

Harbor Freight says those fabric hoses are regular $11.49, currently on sale for $7.99, and I got the last 3 the Denton store had, but the Carrollton store has lots of them. They come with 3 restrictors, 1, 2, & 3 holes; one of each.

 

[Western]

Jim, I haven't tested my well, but it sure has calcium. Probably not as deep to the good aquifer as yours either, iirc we measured ours to the bottom at around 280'

 

[pacerron]

Everyone is enjoying a 39 deg. sunshine day up here. It was actually 50 yesterday.
The cat and horse are each sunning themselves in the wind protected shed.
Some dog was brave and went across the ice when it was melting.
The pond is as full as it ever gets.
The flowers know it is time to get started on spring.
Last is the crazy dog who probably made the tracks in the ice pretending to not know anything about it.

Have a good day, take time to enjoy the great outdoors, and pet your dog!