Calves and Pigs Under Smoggy Skies

Under the haze from Canadian wildfires, Hilarie and I go looking for a calf. Afterwards, we cover the manure pile as part of our fly control plan and I talk about the future of pigs on our farm.
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Just a Few Acres Farm
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[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Hi everyone, good news…two days after I made this video, Brownie came into heat and Billy mounted her just fine. As a first-time boar, he needs to get the hang of things, so it may take another heat cycle for her to be bred. The second thing I wanted to mention is that I am sorry to have dragged out our torturous decision-making process regarding whether to keep raising pigs. There were so many factors involved we had to slowly sort through and think about over the past months. And I am sorry to those who were excited to see our feeder pig operation get up and running. I guess the silver lining in it all was that it forced us reexamine how our farm infrastructure works as a whole, and by the end of the summer we should have a much easier setup for handling the cattle, with both barns gone through and tidied up for the future. Finally, like I said in the video, we are not ending raising pigs, just scaling back for now, so pigs will still be a part of the channel. Have a great day!

[@shnobi24]

Never apologize for doing what you have to do.

[@chrisbrackett9779]

Thanks for the update Pete. Stay safe with all of the smoke, I’ve been wondering if it had affected you.

[@Budd56]

Pete you are showing the reality of a small farm. It takes time to figure things out for the future. I know you don't want to raise your pork price, but you may need to. You love what you do I'm sure, but in the end you have to make money. Thank you for sharing your operation with us. 👍👍✌️

[@maryrinehart2346]

It’s still interesting hearing your thought process and the various factors you have to consider in making your decisions. You have to make financially responsible decisions for your family no matter how idyllic people who don’t farm think your farm should be.

[@lauriecampbell1586]

Maybe it will give you more time to garden.

[@daleredmond6449]

Pete, you don't have to apologize for doing what you think is right for your family. What YOU think is the right thing to do IS the right thing to do. God bless my friend. Loved this video.

[@mllee2008]

I'll have to rewatch, I missed the part where he apologized. He doesn't seem the type to get too wrapped up in letting other opinions dictate his actions...

[@jamizimmerman8501]

I think Dale is referring to the post Pete shared as a follow up message.

[@michaeldempsey4017]

Thanks for doing what you do, Pete! My dad and I love the morning uploads; we always enjoy your videos with a cup of coffee and some breakfast!

[@tony98discovery]

The time I spend watching Pete's videos and what he does on the farm is really when I feel the most relaxed of the day.

[@reginaldwinsor2759]

I love starting the day with Pete's updates on farming going forward. The fires keep raging in the north. Let's pray that mother nature brings rain. Here in Newfoundland & Labrador, it's rain, rain & more rain.

[@scuttlebuttz7202]

Pete! You never cease to amaze me! 🤗 Even with the smog & depressed sky, you STILL manage to bring sunshine into our day! 🌄 Thank you for all your thoughtful words & sharing your happy little pigs with us today. 🐖💕🐖 You're videos are always a joy to watch!

[@Kevin-ty3yc]

Our first year not raising any pigs. I got to tell you, it's relaxing!

[@mikefleming8352]

Hi Pete. Sorry about the smoke people. Never let it be said we Canadians didn’t give you something absolutely free.

[@stevejohnstonbaugh9171]

🤣

[@tonytango6676]

Well, we did give them some roasted Canada geese a while back that went through some airplane engines. And gave Tom Hanks a performance.

[@josephcarino5829]

Gee Thanks

[@suzmj2]

I heard that if the US returns the Stanley Cup to Canada, the smoke would disappear. Sounds like blackmail to me.😅

[@Saltwatercowboy79]

Lmao you win the interzone comments today my friend! 🤙🇺🇸🇨🇦🇷🇺✌️

[@jamesrobinson9304]

I love your "talks" videos where you share your considerable knowledge and ideas. As you run your farm as a business, it makes sense to re-evaluate your direction form time to time, and adjust based on the market and the variable costs associated with your feed costs. So glad to stocked up on hay as I too see this year as a potentially dry year. I look forward to your videos Pete. I'm an 81 year old retired engineer and your videos are much healthier for me than watching the news.. Thanks, and God Bless, JR

[@mrs.9315]

Not many gentleman are randomly followed around by good looking ladies! Lucky you Pete!

[@RenaissanceThinking]

Pete, ya'll and those that do buy your pork, enjoy the pork way too much to not raise and butcher at least a few pigs throughout the year. I've learned that if we get hung up on charging for our time when it comes to livestock, the price per pounds becomes so high that no one can afford it. The enjoyment of raising high quality animals so that we have high quality food for our families is priceless though. Whatever you decide to do, I just wanted to tell you thank you for sharing the journey.

[@sandraengstrand2784]

Glad you are feeling good about the direction of your farm! Things always change, that’s just how life is. I love the new barn addition and look forward to seeing the new *flow*!! And it’s always a good feeling to have a clean-up and clean-out! 👍🏻💕

[@vickyburton2434]

You two are too cute! I hope our Canadians neighbors get some rain soon! Praying!

[@cherylmillard2067]

Pete, do what you need to, we'll be along for the ride.

[@janetdupree6353]

When my kids were in 4H, among other projects they participated in throughout those years, they all realized raising pigs yielded a substantial return on investment. While we never butchered their pigs for our family freezer, we did buy a pig from the auction at our local fair. Those pigs were raised by kids in 4H and FFA. I know what you mean about the taste and quality of the meat. It was delicious. Gee-I miss those times. Thanks for today’s insightful video.

[@maureensurdez7841]

It's Father's Day, and I miss my father and I lived on a farm. Your show has been lots of fun. Thank you.

[@dayneholt4149]

Pete, I live in Southern California. I sympathize with your smoky sky blues. Hopefully the fires will run their course and a rain shower or two will clear the air once again. Love your & Hillary's videos. Best wishes & good luck 👍 😊.

[@stormsserenity2496]

Good morning Pete, Hillary, Kids, an livestock. I have enjoyed to journey of your farm thus far. The family and I have been watching and following since the beginning. Your farm has been a huge inspiration for us. Thank you from the early morning cup of coffee to the late night glass of wine. Thank you for being you and farm simple and passing on the old school knowledge of farming. Have a blessed and nice day.

[@physiologist7237]

Thank you for sharing your life with us. When I was going through chemo I would save your videos to watch during my every two week chemo session. You definitely helped! Hope to see you at the farmers market one day. Much love!

[@colettenewell4634]

I think your conversations about your thought process is one of the best things about the channel and i think it helps people to realize the very real challenges farmers face every day. You show us all the decisions and ramifications of making your farm work for you and your family. Excellent job

[@co-defendant3577]

Oh, Man! Fewer pigs, it’s like my favorite character on a television show is being written off!

[@glennegan219]

Hey Pete Love these videos ! Don't be afraid to raise your prices ! As a small scale operation, you need to remember the mantra "Quality , not Quantity " That's how I do my firewood. "Quality cooking , smoking , bbq wood" If it really is superior product, it will sell !!! Talk up the attributes that make it better than stord bought !!! Customers in the know will find you !!! Buying a farm next summer !!! Can't wait to live the type of life you and Hillary have ! Keep sending training videos !!!

[@bobcounts4507]

Pete, you already know this, the only constant is change. When you said you had a feeling of relief, to me, that means you probably needed a break. Good for you. We didn't suffer through your thoughts, it is reassuring to know that others go through the exact same things that I do

[@koko2bware]

That barn is a great place to sleep on a rainy night, next to a fire!!

[@rickgill-bh2cr]

We have piled ours for 4- years and it turned into the nicest black dirt and mulch you ever seen, and we never covered it,,we piled it in the corner of a small corn field that was a lot of times to wet to plant or work,so we designated it for compost piles and every fall or winter depending on the weather we would haul it out on our cornfield or hay fields and enrich the soil,,It done wonders for all our fields and our 1-acre garden!🙂👍

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Sounds like you have a good plan going forward with the pigs. I know what your saying when it comes to costs and justifying the animals, we recently got rid of our rabbits, just not cost effective for us. Good luck with all your plans, thanks for sharing, I hope you have a nice Sunday!

[@ewingsharp8916]

Business tells you what to expand. My favorite thing about your videos is that you explain the realities of selling food. Buying up hay for a dry year and not expanding the into a slow market are two recent examples. Thanks again

[@carlzentmayer2118]

Well done sir! Your rationale behind dialing back the feeder pig operation makes complete sense! Expand in the areas according to the demand from your customers and on your time - makes perfect sense!

[@kyliepierson8718]

Hello Pete and Hilary great to see you. Your a wise man Pete 1st off you got a awesome partner 2nd off you follow your dreams 3rd off you make sure there's sensible decisions specially nowadays uncertain times we gotta make sure family 1st no 1's gonna do it for us. You teach a lot of people a lot of good things some people are all stuck in their ways. There's no way the small guys ever gonna compete against the big guy and there's no reason to It's almost like 2 different products A red apple is red and a green apples is green both are apples but too different things just like pigs on a farm and pigs in a processing plant quality over quantity. So whatever the video may be I'm gonna watch them and I bet a lot of other people will too well till next time God bless

[@jeannec1308]

It's healthy to reaccess your life/business! Your videos show the thought processes that are needed when you want or need to change things up. No need to ever apologize!

[@bonniejudd6214]

Good job, no falling this time carrying the baby calf!

[@CharlesSmith-ty2ce]

Pete that young lady standing beside you is your better half 😊😊😊

[@MichaelAllanTorrey]

Good Sunday morning to you, Hillary and family. Hope the poor air dissipates quickly. Sorry the pork production is not always sustainable. I always appreciate your detailed explanations of farm operations. Pete, you would make a great and effective professor or lecturer of Architecture. Hope the air clears and all of you have a great week.

[@SusanA1056]

Hi from Canada. Yes this year the smoke from our wild fires was unprecedented. Hard to breathe in it and very dangerous to breath in it. On bad days since farmers can't stay indoors we sugest wearing a mask. All the best!

[@grusgott7188]

I understand about the pigs. You have to do what is best for you guys. For what it is worth, the pigs were the most entertaining on animals on these videos.

[@suetripp123]

i LOVE YOUR CALVES, COWS... BABY CALVE IS SO PRETTY.

[@miguelavelasquez8056]

Hay pete your cattle are looking good it's understandable about your decision on your pigs hopefully you will change your mind cuss you do such a good job raising them good news about billy hopefully it will work out for you pete thank you for sharing blessings

[@vmcougarintn5035]

I was waving at you at the start, glad you noticed! Your discussions always make me rethink what my uncles did and why. Those lovely gents are long gone now, as are most of their farms, I fear. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.🙋‍♀😄

[@helodriver20]

Fantastic video and discussion Pete. Congratulations on the replacement drone. May she always have tailwinds and no trees or pasture in her way.

[@mariesheppard3750]

Sorry for the smoke , In B C we also have Fires and some smoke, I think your doing the right thing on the pork problem, Lots of work ahead of you this Summer, good luck

[@Pharphette]

Do what’s best for your farm and family. We will continue to watch no matter how you grow. Less stress is best!

[@wbsims2996]

Great channel. Being a former hog farmer, I think you are moving in a good direction. I found that raising both top hogs and feeder pigs to be a low to no profit operation. I really enjoyed the process, but it was very time consuming. I would rather find a good source of feeder pigs to raise a couple for our use. I think egg production is way more profitable especially on a small farm. Keep up the good work, I love what you are doing with your small farm. Love the red tractors.

[@davidmoore2942]

Thanks for everything Pete, definitely my favorite channel.

[@realGrandmaBrowne]

Nice name. That sky was awful everywhere. I am down in Athens and I live in what is known as the valley. I work as a home health aide in the high rises here and could not even see 2 blocks from where I worked on the 8th floor (top floor). visibility was a bit better on the ground.. but that smog was all over. I hope we never get that crap again.

[@ThoughtfulBiped]

Grew up in Upstate, NY and live in Northern CA now. Never thought I would see smoky California skies in New York. Hope all that smoke clears up soon for you all.

[@jasmadams]

We just got back to VA from visiting Manhattan the past couple days. We were fortunate that the smoke cleared right on time for our trip. I hope we don't have to go through that again soon.

[@kingyeuyam10]

Happy beautiful Sunday morning to you Pete and Hillary, enjoy your day. 🎉

[@samvalentine3206]

Here's to Droney McDroneFace Mark II and the Flight of the Valkyries! Thank you, Pete!

[@johnpeschke7723]

thanks Pete, all i can say is that if i lived nearby I'd buy your pork every week end.

[@moplum]

This is the absolute best plan ever. Glad to hear you and Hillary made this choice.

[@bythesea550]

Thanks for the shirt shoutout to Oregon 💚💛 Go Ducks! We greatly enjoy all your videos

[@howardwhitney9314]

I liked the music “Ride of the valkyries ”. It sounds like victory. Keep on farming Hillary and Pete.

[@ginstar3]

So glad you got another drone. I absolutely love your drone shots. Ginger had a nice calf. Can't tell who the daddy is though...lol. That smoke was nasty here in Auburn too. The orange mornings were definitely weird.

[@gmass7238]

I'm glad you took my advice, you and Hillary have enough work to do... You didn't need a big pig operation ... God Bless

[@jc13781]

Hi Pete! Another fantastic video. I hope I am in the top 30 this time so you see this. I don’t like to comment because my questions might sometimes come across like I’m questioning your operating process. I know you don’t like people making too many suggestions. When I saw your videos on selling out of chickens I literally asked myself “I wonder why he doesn’t just grow a bunch more chickens instead of putting so much time into pork!” Hahaha I love your pig videos more than any of the others aside from making hay I think. But I can’t blame you for wanting to make a profit. I think you need to do what is right for your farm and as I’ve gotten older I have realized how important it is to stop beating myself up doing hard jobs and have gradually phased some things out or contracted certain labor out of my life. Cheers to you and all you do!

[@alexzanderrossington3126]

Have one sow to breed twice a year and that meat can be sold then have one sow that only has 1 litter a year then swap them over next year. Love the video 😊

[@kennethgipson794]

I was excited to see your operation get up and going but I’m more excited to see y’all do what’s best for you.

[@scbckc]

No apology necessary. Love to hear your thought process and especially the calmness in your words. You make (my opinion) the nest informative videos on the net.

[@rodneywager2142]

Very smart Pete. When you lost the batch of chickens, I thought to myself then I'd double up on the order in case it happens again and I remembered you saying they always sell fast. Good luck with everything.

[@vickiephelps5169]

I am happy to see that you are not planning to give away your labor in the long term. It makes a lot more sense to focus on what works for the farm and your personal needs. Raising pigs for your own use is a no brainier and if you have customers who are willing to support the pig operation with a CSA, go for that too! I love the new barn. That is going to be much better for the winter for sure. If you can consolidate the pigs over there too then one bay of the old barn could be converted to the mechanical shop you have always wanted. I am thrilled that Billy is finally stepping up. He is such a fun character and is going to be good foundation for your new pig plans. One thing that I would like to see you put your toes in is a food forest. Not for profit but for your own use and pleasure. You have a good start with nut trees. Berry bushes and other perennials would be easy to add and very low maintenance. That would pay you back in 2 years and last for decades. Love your videos and happy to see your new drone! Keep up the good work!

[@ronaldschultz1189]

Thank you for your videos. I watch everyone. Yes we have Canada smoke in Indiana also and extremely dry. Keep up your conversations with us.

[@dwighthires3163]

Great video. Congrats on your fly control success. Experiments is what makes you such a wise farmer as you watch what actually works. Wildfire smoke can be tough to face for days at a time.

[@brianedwards2124]

Pete sorry to hear about you not raising that pigs .Your pork we buy from you at market is AWSOME wish more people would try it .there is no comparison to store bought . Thanks to you and Hillary for all you do in helping small farms .See you this summer at market.

[@douglasthompson9482]

Sorry about the smoke. We had that a few years ago. Please enjoy your day

[@xoxo2008oxox]

You got some smoked meats there! LOL... thanks for an entertaining Sunday video!

[@peterfrebold]

...... Yup!!! .... the old "plan do and review" thingy .. so many have the blinders on and do n see the signs, do not head what the review is telling ..... it's gotta make sense ..... had a neighbor here in city life that was a very active gardener, flowers and vegetables. He had a compost and would take the core temperature to determine if it was operating to his desired expectations ..... thx for the share .. as always .. never stop dreaming, just dream bigger .. have fun be safe, save our oceans .....

[@Flowing23]

good news about Billy, thank you Pete.

[@ElsaInCa]

I hope your skies clear soon! I’m in Northern California, so have lived through the awful smokey aftermath of wild fires. Everybody suffers. Interesting video, as always.

[@ravenwoodacres-homegrown]

We compost, rarely spray or use insecticide, but always keep our extra roosters out in the barnyard to scratch through the piles. It works wonders!

[@ethanford4402]

Pete, I cant stress how much I appreciate the ability to see the realities that surround farming and agriculture that you provide.

[@gregneymeyer5220]

A savvy business man has to take his business in the direction it needs to grow and profit. Good luck, you got this.

[@lanaarpin6540]

I find your videos very interesting - especially when you share your thinking process. Life is a series of experiments and we learn the most from the experiments that don’t go in a straight line.

[@karenspeer7378]

It's a lot of work to not make a profit!! You do what's right for your family! Happy Father's Day!! 👍😊🌻

[@edmuir6132]

Hi Pete, new subscriber here,an old city boy from Vancouver . I just discovered your channel a few days ago and have since watched about 6 of your vids and I subscribed after the second one. You convey a sense of honour and wholesomeness that is sadly lacking in our society today. Your videos are interesting educational and entertaining . I look forward to enjoying your stories far into the future.

[@georgemccoy219]

LOL, I tried to pay attention to you but from 8:58 to about 10:57 I got distracted by the antics of those two piglets!! Mutt and Jeff LOL!

[@christopherputland3640]

Thank you Pete and Hillary for another 5 star video. Although I was pleasantly surprised how you managed to traverse the fence with the new heffer without falling. Lol. Chris from England.

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

As others have said Pete there is no need for an apology, you are blessed in the fact that you do have the mindset to evaluate your farm. its pro's and con's and what is good all the way round. for sustenance, profit, work load. labor etc. you do have a keen business sense that has been obvious. so go with the flow and do what you deem necessary to increase your life style and profitability. Lets face it the Bottom line IS! the thing it is the Bottom line and it needs to be nurtured.Thanks for sharing. ECF

[@ricksheafer528]

Hey brother just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos. They really bring back memories of when I farmed in the mid-60's to mid-70's. I certainly miss those days of being close to the land and my love for animals. At 73 I'm too debilitated from a stroke about 10 years ago. I can't do much of anything anymore. My wife died almost 30 years ago and I'm alone now, just waiting to die a d go home. Thanks again my friend, as I said your videos really brighten my day.😊

[@billroberts3864]

Pete, it makes sense to cut back on your pig operation based on the numbers you and Hilarie have crunched. It would be nice if the smoke dissipated so you folks can breath more healthy air. Yes, continue to update us on your manure experiment so we can see the results of placing the tarps on the pile. Blessings to you folks.

[@plankface]

Pete having heard all your different plans on growth re: the pigs, I think you’ve nailed it and that was so cute with bossy pig stretching to say hi oh❤

[@elliott_hunter0510]

I love that her name is bossy pig. Also, I love the pigs. U know if they aren’t a good money maker then you shouldn’t have them, but it seems like billy and you have a good bond

[@craigstclair4743]

It’s great that your adaptive and willing to change,a lot of us are not.

[@charlenepartlow7880]

Hang in there for cleaner skies! We've had some here too in Michigan. But nothing like yours....I like your thinking over your pig situation...you are always good at resolving issues logically Pete and Hilarie !

[@sheilamesick96]

I’m sorry the pigs aren’t working out. I do enjoy them but I also appreciate that you have an amazing business plan and I always enjoy your videos!

[@markflick1641]

Morning Pete and Hillary .smoky here in west Pa.Thought that calf was gonna kick some hair off ya 😁Somtimes you need to rethink your plan ,so is life.Thank you for including us in your life .God Bless

[@mi.sheila7456]

Pete I like seeing your pigs, especially the piglets but I also enjoy seeing your cows and calves. You have to do what you need to go forward. Hope the smoke clears up soon for you and Hillary and your family. I live on Prince Edward Island in Canada, we have been very lucky so far with no smoke from the forest fires. Take care.

[@robertkelley1990]

Pete u do what u think is right for your farm .

[@Alpha1Farms]

I remember the first time I stepped out and looked directly at a sun that was just an orange circle in the sky. It is a strange almost otherworldly sensation. A few years ago the wild fires here in AZ where so wide spread the smoke cover most the US. This year, after the nonstop rain we received leading to the beautiful “superbloom” everyone was talking about, we are preparing for the commencement of once in a lifetime wildfires across the entire state.

[@PatricesProjects]

Seeing that sky and the sepia air reminds me of a few years ago here in California. We suffered here for several weeks. I hope they get that fire out in Canada. Glad you will be keeping the breeding stock. I enjoy watching you interacting with the pigs.

[@jagriffin1]

Sending clean air and rain your way, Pete!

[@richardbouchard87]

PETE, LOVE THE DRONE VIEWS OF THE FARM !!!!!!!!

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

We apply a shot of E-cel to each calf as we get white muscle disease frequently here in Northern Ontario.

[@richardanderson2742]

We had the smoke for 3 days and my honey bees hated it. As to making "final" decisions, in agriculture as you well know, nothing stays the same for long. The biggest challenge we all face is what does the farm look like in 10 or 20 years. As we age, we have to keep one eye on the known future of less capability. My son shows no interest in our farm, so my long term hope is that our grand daughter might have inherited the farming gene.

[@firemanj35]

Wow, that air is really bad. Makes the video look yellow. Well, on my phone, it does. Pete forever changing and adapting. Thats the way of it. Have a great day and watch out for that dust

[@pattyellen1954]

Love watching ya'll 😊 Yeah was real daytime dark here 2 Maxatawny PA cleared some by Friday but Sunday now and it's smoking up again. Blowing in on the wind. Peace

[@danielbresca6753]

Ty Pete for sharing and your honesty. Big fan here!

[@suttonbogedain5874]

It's comforting to see someone as experienced as you going through this. Helps us as we deal with the trials and temptations of our lives.

[@simontheyers801]

Well said.. it's a lifestyle..no paid labour.. it's pay the bills and little money leftover for improvement..that's farming..

[@johndeereforlife]

Hey Pete When are you moving your chicken out and onto grass I love watching you guys moving them and as I am watching this in the thumb of MI I am getting rain so get ready for some water hopefully. Stay safe out there

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

We have to get to that. It seems like every day when the kids are not in school we have something more pressing to do. But we have to do it soon, because pullets need to move from the brooder house into the winter house where the hens are now.

[@Jeff_2362]

Have a great day Pete!! Hopefully the smoke clears soon!!

[@timothyrill3825]

Thank Hillary and Pete!😊