Pig, Beef & Dairy Ranchers

Working at the 2008 Sonoma County Farm Bureau Crab Feed

This crab feed was spectacular! It was fun watching all of the kids work so hard. 4-H & FFA kids from all over Sonoma County get together and work this annual event. It is great for them to spend time together and get to know each other before the competitions start taking place at our local and state fairs.

The food, wine and auction items were fantastic!

Thank you Sonoma County Farm Bureau and their supporters for the wonderful evening!

Wait....That's not a pig!

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, we are also raising two Red Angus Steers for the 2008 Sonoma County Fair, and the kids should be receiving their Dairy Replacement Calves soon.

We are very busy!

got hamps?

This is me after delivering a litter of Hampshire (Black with white belt) piglets.

The kids had gone out of town, and left me home alone with a brand new momma. She was so good and delivered during the day. Although, I was awake all night ckecking on her every hour.

Hampshire piglets have got to be the cutest newborn piglets ever! I could just smooch them all day!

Welcome!

Welcome to the North Bay Junior Livestock Breeders Blog!

This is a new blog site, focusing on Marin & Sonoma Counties Junior Livestock Breeders.

We are starting to gear up for the 2008 Fair's. The kids are caring for their Steer, Dairy, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Chickens, Rabbits & Cavies as we speak.

The kids I know, work hard every day of the year. Not only are the kids wonderful, but their parents continue to amaze me with their kindness, strong support, patience and love.

I did not grow up a rancher or a farmer. I grew up in "yuppy" Marin. I never dreamed that I would grow up and raise pigs with my children. I knew that I always wanted a horse, now I have 4 pastured. They sure are pretty to look at!

Our family moved to a small ranch about 5 years ago. After our son Cole was born with a rare cardiac defect, we had to make some life changes. We do not know what his life expectancy is, but we knew that we wanted the best for him. I guess that meant raising pigs!

The education and experience we have gained in the past years is something to be reckoned with. From Artificial Insemination (I thought I was going to faint!), to the pregancy (Gestation), to the beautiful labor & delivery of cute little piglets! If you choose to deliver the piglets like we do, it is nothing short of a human birth. The piglet arrives, you grab it and rub it with a towel, smack it's back to get the gunk out, suction the mouth & nose, cut the cord, clamp the cord and then put the piggie to it's mother's teat. The average Sow (Momma Pig) has anywhere from 8 - 14 piglets. The average delivery time is 2-4 hours, and they usually deliver at 2 a.m. Wow!

Last year for the California State Fair, we did a lot of research for our educational displays (which we won 1st place, thanks to the help of Yosemite Meats for their patience with our questions!). Davis' (my oldest son - 13) display title was "Rescue You, Pigs Save Lives". His display focused on Pig Heart Valves, Pig Skin (for burn treatment) and medicine. Pigs save lives every day, they are amazing creatures!

Well, I hope you enjoy this blog site. This is a new venture for us. We have 3 litters of piglets right now, and one on the way at the end of the week.

Jackie