News and Blog

A New York Time editorial yesterday, 2/14/2012, described commercial egg production.  It was alarming.  It said that in most states, 4 - 11 hens are crowded into "battery cages" that are the size of a microwave oven.  Four to 11 hens in a microwave?  Are you kidding?  They can't even turn around, much less find a private place to lay an egg!  Califorinia, Ohio and Michigan have banned the use of battery cages.  Only California requires that hens be kept in cages large enough for them to stretch their wings.  

Even these improvements are a long, long way from how hens should be treated.  At Waverly Farms, and many other good small farms, laying hens forage in pastures all day long.  In addition to a bit of organic chicken feed, they eat the forage, insects and worms in our pastures which are never sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or other potentially harmful chemicals.  After the chickens go into their generously sized coups to roost at night, we close the door to protect them from predators, then open it again at daylight the next morning.   

Last year, Waverly Farms earned the very prestigious Animal Welfare Approved certification for our laying hens.  Studies have shown that the eggs from free range hens on pasture have lower cholesterol and a much better balance of Omega 3 (the good fat) to Omega 6 (can cause inflamation).  Vitamins D, E, C and other micronutrients that are bodies need are also more prevelant in correctly raised eggs.  They are richer, taste better, and make fluffier cakes for sure. 

The next big kidding at Wavelry Farms is in May/June 2012 and will feature both pure Valera Spanish and Spanish + Savannah crosses.  These are premium Valera Spanish does crossed with one of our best Valera Spanish or Savannah bucks.  The kids should be magnificent for their hardiness, meatiness and maternal capabilities.  We cull for parasite resistance and adhere to a strict multi-species rotational grazing plan for the management and prevention of parasites.  Please contact Patti Rosenberg at patti_rosenberg@hotmail.com or 214-914-0323 if you are interested in knowing more or to reserve your kids today.  Prices vary from $300 - $500 per kid.  

My sister asked me about eggs today and I had not realized how much I had learned.  Here are interesting facts from the Egg Board and USDA that you might also want to know:

1.  Eggs should be refrigerated within 36 hours of laying to avoid bacterial contamination.

2  Eggs could have Salmonella and there is really no way to tell.  When they do, it usually comes from inside the chicken.  Salmonella makes people sick, but not chickens, which is why it is recommended that eggs always be cooked.

3.  Eggs should not be washed.  During construction, the hen applies a coating to the egg which protects it from bacteria and other pathogens.  Once this film is washed away, the porous shell of the egg is more vulnerable to pathogens.  Of course, commercial egg houses wash their eggs, and so do I because some eggs are pretty dirty when they are laid, naturally.  A particular wash is required by the USDA that kills harmful bacteria, but the protective coating is lost in the process, which is why eggs should be kept at 45 degrees F immediately and forever after washing them.  

4.  Once refrigerated, eggs should remain refrigerated and never allowed to sweat, which opens the pores of the shell where bacteria might penetrate.  

5.  Eggs can last in the refrigerator for months.  They actually do not spoil, but they evaporate and eventually disintegrate.  

6.  To tell whether an egg is fresh or old, place the raw egg in a bowl of water.  If it sinks to the bottom, it is fresh.  If it floats, it is probably old and beginning to evaporate, which allows air to form between the egg and it's shell.

The best information I found about eggs is located at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/Focus_On_Shell_Eggs/index.asp  

We pushed the envelope and have completed our Spring garden with over 2,000 feet of vegetables.  Here's what's in store for our CSA members, possibly in early May:

Peas, turnips, carrots, beets, spinach, Swiss chard, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, collards, white and purple cabbage, garlic and onions.  Our vegetable garden contains no pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.  We fertilize with natural means, including our own composted goat and llama manure t grow the healthiest food for families. 

We just received 900' of solar powered electric netting.  With it, we will put GOATS anywhere we want to on our farm and our neighbors' farms to eradicate weeds - reducing or eliminating the use of harmful herbicides and artificial fertilizers.  Did you know that today's herbicides are at least 10 times stronger than they were just a few years ago?  And, those clever weeds become resistant to every formulation.  Goats prefer poison ivy, kudzu and other invasive plants over pasture grass.  Field weeds never "develop resistance" to Goats!  Goats love them.  The more the merrier!  The great thing is that while goats are in the field, they fertilize pasture and leave the grass for cows.  By eating weeds out of pastures, our cattle ranching neighbors can reduce costs since goats replace or reduce the need for expensive herbicides and artificial fertilizer.  That makes food safer to eat!  With our new electric netting, we are hopeful that our goats will extend their benefit to the whole community!   If this works, our llama, Mocha, may run for Mayor. 

Mayor Mocha... I like the sound of it!

In recognition of a generous donation from our cousin, Johnny, we have renamed our premier buckling "Johnny Stone".  He's quite the man, just like his namesake.  Introducing "Johnny Stone" of Waverly Farms:

Pastured Black Angus Beef shares are now for sale.  This beef is raised on grass with a little corn in pasture to keep them manageable.  Our pastures are free of pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers (and as a result they look and perform superbly!).  Our beef is free of growth hormones, preventive antibiotics and will never know what a feed lot looks like.  A quarter share is $5.00 per pound and should yield about 80 lbs of beef (~$400).  A half share is $4.50 per pound and should yield about 160 lbs (~$720).  A whole share is $4.00 per pound and should yield about 320 lbs. (~$1280).  Our beef is cut, packaged and ready for your freezer and delivered in December or January for orders received before November 15th.  Treat yourself and your family to fresh, great tasting, nutritious beef. 

If you would like to buy a quarter, half or whole share, complete the form below and fax it to Patti Rosenberg at 857-233-4171.

Waverly Farms Beef Shares

About our Beef:  Waverly Farms raises select Black Angus cattle on fresh, green Virginia pasture that is never sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.  Our beef are fed a small ration of grain each day to keep them manageable and tasty.  They are sent directly from pasture processing without growth hormones or antibiotics. 

About our Beef Shares:  Friends and family may purchase a share of our Black Angus cattle while they are “on hoof”.  Quarter, half or whole shares are sold by the pound.  Packaged beef is delivered cut, frozen and to you in January, 2011, within weeks of actual processing.  All payments are due prior to December 18, 2010.  Approximate yields and prices are:

• Quarter share yields about 80 lbs of packaged beef and is sold at $5.00/lb (appx. $400)
• Half share yields about 160 lbs of packaged beef and is sold at $4.50/lb. (appx. $720)
• Whole share yields about 320 lbs of packaged beef and is sold at $4.00/lb. (appx. $1,280)

To reserve a share of one of our grass/grain fed Black Angus steer:  Complete the form below and send to: Patti Rosenberg, Waverly Farms, 938 Elletts Mill Rd., Burkeville, VA 23922 or email us with your order: patti_rosenberg@hotmail.com or fax to us at 857-233-4171.

Name: ___________________________________  Telephone: __________________________

Shipping Address: _______________________________________________________________

Billing Address: __________________________________________________________________

Email Address: __________________________________________________________________

Black Angus Beef Share (check one):

Method of Payment:
____  Check: Amount enclosed: $__________________; will send later $___________________
____  Lay Away:  Send what you can each month.  Total due no later than 12/18/ 2010.
____  Credit Card  
         Card Number: ___________________________  Exp. Date: ______________  Code: ____

Payment in full is required before delivery.  Our beef is 100% guaranteed.  Since we cannot store beef, any shares that are not paid in advance of 12/18/ 2010 will be sold to others.  Please don’t hesitate to call Patti Rosenberg at 214-914-0323 if you have any questions.  Thank you!