Rants Ramblings and Other Nonsense

Controlling, isolating, and identification of the monsters that are downright evil. Kochia (IronWeed) kochia scoparia L This nasty beast grows rapidly in many soil types and takes only minimal moisture to germinate and establish a rapidly penetrating taproot. It starts in late winter and early spring, and seedlings are tolerant of moderate freezing.  Germination continues throughout the growing season from March to September. It causes problems in non tilled and established production areas. It originated in Russia and was introduced to the US in the late 1800's. It can grow to heights of six feet or more with adequate moisture. Kochia can concentrate chemicals such as nitrates which are toxic at higher levels to sheep, goats, and cattle. It can be an issue if other forage is not available and at later stages of plant maturity. Prolific seed production, and the ability for seeds to lie dormant for many years, make it an obnoxious plant in forage and past...

Dairy farms going out of business, processors losing customers, over production, higher producing cows are all things that have been repeated over and over again. It happened in the 1960's,70's, 80's. Small processors closed and markets were lost. Retailers vertically integrated to processing their own milk. Large dairy co-op's swallowed smaller ones. Executives of processors flew around the country in corporate jets, dined in the finest restaurants, and stayed in the best hotels. They enjoy huge salaries and benefits that do not reflect the prices the dairy producers receive or their performance reviews. (If indeed they do exist)? Federal Market Orders are antiquated and in conflict with the market stability they claim to create.  Labor issues loom, immigration laws and regulations are thrown around like a ball on a Rugby field with no concern for the needs of food producers. Large retailers require their suppliers to meet more and more fad and fear driven standa...