Busy Weeks

I apologize for the lack of posts, but we have just been swamped. last week I attended an artificial breeding course in Ohio where I learned to breed our herd.  After 3 days of practice, I got the hang of it (I think) and came back home to breed our first cow on Tuesday (11/22).  Since the average cycle is 21 days, I will let you know how I did.  If she comes back in heat, I missed.  We are very excited to turn over our herd to the AI program.  The stresses of a bull are not here.  No worries about one turning aggressive, no worries about heifers getting bred early, and no problems with family lines.  For our program, AI just makes sense.
Yesterday I spent the majority of the day taking an animal to the market.  She was past her productive years and had lost her ability to raise calves.  Once a cow hits that point, she has to leave.  She was a great cow and we hated to see her go, but that is how it has to be.
Tomorrow we will be getting 2 new Lowlines to add to the herd.  They come from a great herd with excellent lines.  They will be an excellent addition to our herd.  We have now grown to 28 animals (14 breeding).  We are going down the right road.
On Sunday we will be taking the hogs (16) to the butcher.  They have done a super job for us this year.  Both in growth and in the field.  I am pretty sure that next year I will not have to plow our sweet corn fields, just plant because the hogs have done all the cultivating we need.  I wonder if that qualifies us for no till?