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The corn harvesting has been completed but farm animals still need to be fed everyday. Thus, we are excited over the purchase of a used New Holland 353 Grinder mixer. It will efficiently crush and mix various grains. It has rotating hammers that crush and grind feed materials. The grinding chamber is equipped with durable screens that allow for precise control over the size of the final product. It is equipped with a mixing auger that distributes the ground material evenly. By utilizing the grinder/mixer in farming it improves feed digestibility in our livestock.
We also recently acquired a refrigerated truck by "freight liner" in the hopes that it will help streamline our food deliveries. The advantages of a refrigerated truck, also known as a "reefer" truck, play a crucial role in transporting temperature sensitive goods, such as perishable foods, pharmaceuticals and certain chemicals. These specialized trucks maintain a controlled environment to ensure that products are kept at a specific temperature throughout the transportation process. At Ortman Farms we are excited for this acquisition. It will enable us to expand our geographical radius. We will be able to carry many of our products right on our truck to our customers.
It is still winter in the North Country, although the month of March always conjures pleasant thoughts of the coming springtime. This February has been a normal winter with its abundance of snow. The country roads are piled high on either side with tall snowdrifts, creating a winter wonderland in Upstate New York. This brings me to my point that the snow is not just good for skiers, but is great and beneficial for the farmers as well. I will explain why. Snow is sometimes called "poor man's fertilizer".
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The saying was referenced in the classic book "Farmer Boy" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The beloved children's book tells the story of Laura's husband Almanzo growing up on a farm in Upstate New York. Specifically Burke NY near Malone in the year 1866. Snow is called "poor man's fertilizer" because like rain it can add nutrients to the soil when it falls and sinks into the ground. As snowflakes and rain droplets fall through the atmosphere they pick up trace minerals from dust particles and other nutrients like nitrogen compounds that are needed by plants as they grow.
So look at that pack of snow with new eyes and appreciation for the help it gives us Farmers to grow our nutritious foods; although it is still wonderful to sled and skin on too!
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