Farming does not make very much money. It feeds us. But makes very little cash unless I actually sell animals. 
I am doing the sums. And they do not look good. It is hard and near impossible to create security from a little farm unless you grow your own grain. And feed is expensive now. I need to cut down to hay eating animals for the winter. (and a few mother and father pigs). And Sheila. And Tima and Tane of course. Time to start selling. (And you know how I hate that.) And because I am not an Illinois native I have no network for the selling. Everyone here knows someone. Except me. I am, by nature, much too shy. I can grow wonderful animals.
But I think there are too many of them this year!
I hope you day is lovely.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
54 responses to “Tightening the Belt”
Fall is always that time of year when you have to sell the animals…a time of year I HATED! I think when a person spends lots of time with animals parting with them is very hard, although the bottom line (sometimes) speaks way too loud!
Linda
Yes and the bottom line is smacking me in the face at the moment.. c
We are lucky in that we grow our own feed and I can’t recommend it enough, I can’t imagine how we would cope if we had to buy in food. We are also able to scale the number of pigs we have by buying in weaners to meet the demand year on year. That said demand is now at the point that we are likely to start breeding next year. I just wish we were close enough to but some stock from you as you have lovely looking pigs.
Looking at the market pork prices are also on the rise, so if all else fails the abattoir will take any surplus, although this would only be a last resort for us.
Good luck and consider an arce or two of oats at least, it all helps to keep the feed costs down.
Hmm – I did not know that the Locker itself would take them – my last resort is the sale barn – and yes – I will be putting in oats next year – good thinking.. c
All those babies are so cute, I don’t know how you keep from becoming more attached than you are. Even with non-names like Bobby and Plonker, I fall in love with each tiny tot… And I’m 1000 miles away. My father is in Illinois (the Peoria area) and has some farmer friends in the area. I will ask him if they know of a network you might access.
Thank you – Peoria is not too too far from here.. c
Oh dear, I had no idea! I was thinking, with all your excess piggies this year, you’d be laughing all the way to the bank but, alas, seems that’s not to be. I note above you’ve said they’re not ready for the abattoir yet, so I am of course wondering at what age they are ready. I was thinking I had read some place it would be at four months of age, but can’t remember where or when that was that I read that… so perhaps it was a dream. In any event, hope the solution comes up very soon! The photos today are so brisk and clean looking. Hope you have a lovely day too! ~ Mame 🙂
Looking at those cute rounded bottoms, it started wondering….do pig tails permanently to one side or the other, or can they change up? Made me wonder by the straight tail on the last photo. Best of luck with the sales of your excess stock.
Don’t know why words went missing, one of the missing is the word curl
There is a butcher shop on the north side of Chicago that specializes in sustainable, locally grown meats. It’s called The Butcher & Larder, located at 1024 N. Milwaukee Ave (312-432-6575) and they are allied with other locally sourced and sustainable food selles/producers with the website http://localfoods.com. They might be interested in the piglets, just a thought. Wouldn’t hurt to contact them and ask. Wish they were closer to me, I’d love to shop there. If I could I’d pay for you to raise a pig for me, but right now that’s not possible. I’ll keep looking, there might be something that would help.
Maybe a Go Fund Me for your budget problems? Only half-kidding…
The solution will come-wish I lived closer I’d be paying good $$ for at least one to be fattened. xoxo
Tho’ not a farmer have come from one financial extreme to the other and well understand about the ‘best laid plans of mice and men’ coming apart at the seams. A lot of good ideas above: I suppose farmers’ markets are closing for the season? Having a farm truck now you could take some across and more than a few might be tempted? Shy: don’t underestimate yourself: you brought up a large enough family on your own, were a long-time drama teacher and a 2IC for film director. You built up a hugely popular blog and began a successful and helpful wwoofer programme for the summer months. Someone truly ‘shy’ would not have managed a fraction: methinks it is more a case that we Down Under are brought up to be somewhat less assertive than Americans . . . just don’t take ‘no’ for an answer 🙂 ! Wisdom to make the hard choices and good luck in managing . . .
Goodness maybe you should write my profile – I sound quite good!! c
No need for a profile we all already know and admire Milady 🙂 !!
Aquila had an interesting idea – bears investigating I would think. Also – perhaps Chicago John might have some truly “local” ideas and possible contacts. The CSA option might work – you would need to do some solid number-crunching to come up with a “share” price that is paid up-front or in installments. I would think that there are restaurants and/or small grocers who have the customers to support local nearly-organic meat at decent prices.
I will wrap this problem in a fuzzy pink blanket and hand it over to God tonight in my prayers. I’ll ask Her to send suggestions directly to you. You might be surprised at how often this way of approaching a problem or challenge actually works.
Think outside the box – we all know you’re good at that already!
Chris S in Canada
I wish I had an answer or suggestion, alas all I can do is wish you time for clear thinking and planning, ending with the correct results for you.
Do any of the high schools in your area have an FFA program? Those kids generally aren’t raising pigs for show, but for production. Worth a look, at any rate!
Are you far from Arthur, Illinois? They have a great weekly auction. Your pigs might sell well to the Amish and surrounding community that knows that sale.
We are two hours away but I will keep that in mind – good to know
We have struggled with the bottom-line-face-smacking-scenario, too! It’s frustrating when input costs are so high. I’ve always admired your way of doing things – good sense. Hope your feeder pigs bring in some cash! We have to buy our hay … and that fact has culled our animal population down to Happy the donkey.
Self suffcient ranching and farming is hard. My sister-in-law did start raising calves for high school FFA/4H show animals after a while – but they found you have to build a reputation for “good” quality animals that win – which takes time ( But does make money once you have the reputation.) MArla does have a good idea there – people who appreciate animals raised properly, with dignity and care. Does your feed store/grocery store have a bulletin board for notes about ? Might contact the local school district 4H/ FFA coordinators with a little note about the farm and what animals you raise. Short newpaper article about the farmie – lurch the pig’s life – peopel would like to read that and then slip in a last line about animals for sale?
Sales is hard to get started in – but you have to do it as so many creatures are depending on you. You can do it.
That second pix of high flying dog and piggy ears is hilarious!