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Accidental Working Dogs Who Actually Work

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Introducing OUR Working Dogs … Oreo and Finley

Blue Heeler/Shepherds as Working Dogs 
How Oreo and Finley Find Their Forever Home

Everyone knows that a farm needs working dogs, right? Well, we had really never been exposed to what a working dog can do. We were just looking for companionship. We were in for a real surprise and in a good way.

Our neighbor farmer had some pups that he needed to find homes for. He had been driving around all day with the last two available puppies.  I just wanted a male but he asked if we would let them both spend the night. He said we could return the female in the morning. Yeah … right! They whimpered and we held them. They whined so we let them sleep in our bed. Needless to say by morning we could not return either dog. We were hooked.

We started to train them like you would any puppy and that’s when we noticed just how smart these working dogs were. They weren’t any smarter in the traditional way dogs are. What amazed us was their instincts and their deductive reasoning. They would do working-dog things instinctually in spite of our training. They are fiercely loyal, stubborn, and quirky. The love that they have for their humans is genuine and they are definitely looking for their humans’ approval much of the time.

Working the Pigs

Most of this we discovered totally by accident. One day the feeder pigs got out and pigs are well, pig-headed and sometimes it seems like an uphill battle to get them to go where you want them to. We were getting frustrated and ended up bickering with each other. We were yelling at the dogs to get back and move out of the way. That’s when they said to the dumb humans you move out of the way and we’ll show you how it’s done. They rounded up every last pig by nipping gently at their hocks and Finley put every last one in the pen.

We had the pigs escape on a regular basis and until that moment it was a sinking feeling when they got out. From then on we just called the dogs and they went to work.

Working the Cattle

At that time we had two milk cows and two beef calves. They were out on a five-acre pasture and separated from the milking parlor by a pretty good distance of open land. Finley and Oreo would round them up by nipping at their hooves and getting out of the way of kicking. All by instinct. We used simple commands and hand gestures that we never knew were right. They listened and reacted. What was great to watch though was the instincts and reactions of the animals they were herding. Those animals knew just what to do when being moved by the working dogs. There was no harm to the dogs and no harm to the livestock.

Yep…Working the Chickens

One of the problems with free-range chickens is that they are everywhere. They are fun to watch but annoying as heck. We had a large metal garage building that we used as a milking parlor and farm store. It is also where we stored grain and supplements. When we moved there it had no doors. Needless to say, the chickens loved it. It kept them out of the elements and they found all kinds of insects and critters inside to chow on.

We needed them gone. They were messy and noisy and laid everywhere but where they should be laying. We called in the dogs. They moved every bird out of that building. Finley nudged them toward the door and Oreo stood guard at the overhead door and wouldn’t let them back in. All 250 of them. It was a wonderful day that ended with putting doors on the building.

In conclusion, I wouldn’t trade either of them for anything. This is the best farm decision we ever made and we are so glad we kept them both. Working dogs. They continue to be our farm’s greatest asset.

Come see the working dogs Oreo and Finley in action at one of our farm tours http://twisteddixiefarm.com/farm-tours-booking-information/



Why Raise Non-GMO Meat? The Answers You Need

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Why we raise soy-free meat at Twisted Dixie? Good question. Let me count the reasons:

Raising soy-free meat is a VERY Good Thing … but it is NOT the Norm

Soy-free meat is our primary focus.Feeding our animals a soy-free diet is treating our animals humanely and with respect and is why every animal on our land is fed a non-soy diet. Livestock who eat soy-based feed does not absorb micro-nutrients such as iron, manganese, copper, selenium and zinc well. It also prohibits the absorption of macro-minerals that include calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.These minerals are essential to an animal’s health and well-being. As a result, under-absorption of these minerals may result in low fertility. Birthing problems including malformation, blood disorders, auto-immune diseases, bone development issues and organ atrophy and sometimes failure. Therefore, without supplemental minerals, the animals fed a diet high in soy would be more likely to die, be unable to reproduce or deliver healthy babies.

You’re Eating What Your Food Eats

Processing of soy protein for animal feed results in the formation of toxins and carcinogen and forms MSG, a powerful neurotoxin. In test animals, soy containing trypsin inhibitors caused stunted growth. Furthermore, soy-based feeds contain high levels of aluminum which is toxic to the nervous system and the kidneys. There is proof that soy in animal feed is transferred to the meat. Consequently, that makes a soy=free diet for food-producing animals a better alternative.

Farmers are convinced by superior marketing that animals cannot be fed soy-free feed and maintain animal health and optimum growth. Actually, when good substitutes like flax meal and camelina meal can be found, animal health far surpasses animals fed soy. Weight gains and feed conversion rates are similar. Thus, ending the argument against soy-free.

If you would like to do some additional reading about soy in animal feed and its’ effects Weston A. Price Foundation is a good resource. They have directories of food sources and local farmers who do not use soy. You can start with this article The Soyling of America.

Around 90% of Soy Produced in the US is a GMO…Follow the Money

This genetic modification was created to provide resistance to Monsanto’s toxic herbicide Roundup. In order to provide you with less expensive soy under the guise of “Feeding the World” the resulting catastrophe is that your soy is loaded with this toxic pesticide. Consequently, our food supply is now contaminated, possibly forever.

However, although GMO soy, corn, canola and sugar beets have been banned in many other countries, there is simply too many $$$ to be made here in the US to ban them.

The Trouble With Glyphosate and Soy

The dramatic increase in devastating birth defects, as well as cancer, is blamed on Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup. Sterility and miscarriages are also increasing. A web search will turn up thousands of studies showing the dangers of GMO foods and the dangers of glyphosate.

 Soy in Our Food Supply…Not for Human Consumption…Read the Labels

Soybeans originated in China and have been consumed by humans for thousands of years. However, it is “fermented” soy. Examples of health-promoting fermented soy foods include Miso and Tempeh. The fermentation process breaks down harmful elements in the soy. Providing health-promoting natural probiotics. WARNING: Tofu is NOT a fermented soy product and should not be consumed. RAW soy is not fit for human or animal consumption. It can be considered toxic.

Soy is not a complete protein, lacking some important amino acids. Soy foods can cause deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D.

The Link Between Estrogen and Soy

Phytoestrogens occur naturally in many foods, including eggs, cheese, and soy. The levels of phytoestrogens in soy are significantly higher than any other food. Chickens who free range have much lower levels of phytoestrogens than chickens who are caged up and fed a soy-based feed.

The phytoestrogens in soy cause many health issues. Some of the most devastating harm occurs in the 2nd and 3rd generations. Soy increases levels of estrogen (possibly simulating the growth of related tumors) and decreases levels of testosterone. It has been related to premature sexual development in females and delayed development in males. Animal studies show that soy foods cause infertility in just a couple of generations.

Your Allergy Problem May Be Hidden Soy

Because soy is a Top 8 food allergen the FDA requires it to be listed clearly as an ingredient in processed foods. However, at this time the FDA does not require meat, raised on soy feeds, to be disclosed. Furthermore, people highly allergic to soy may also have allergic reactions to eggs, dairy, fish, chicken, and meat from soy-fed animals.

GMO soy has been linked to an increase in allergies. Disturbingly, the only published human feeding study on GM foods ever conducted confirmed the gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of our gut bacteria. And remember…it is everywhere. Ask your local farmers if their meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are fed a soy-free diet.

Environmentally Unsafe….the Most Offensive Agricultural Crop in the World

Around 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been cut down, mostly to grow GMO soy. It was created so that the plant itself could not be damaged by toxic pesticides and herbicides. These toxins leach into the soil and water and impact the vegetation and animal life in the area. In days past, soy was grown as a “green manure crop” only and then tilled into the ground for soil fertility. Today, GMO soy is grown primarily for human and animal food. It is destroying the soil structure. In addition, production of GMO soy has created “superweeds”. These weeds become resistant to aggressive chemicals like Monsanto’s “Round-Up”.

Soy Can’t Be So Bad, Why is it Used

Everybody knows the answer to this question! – IT’S CHEAP! – Soy isn’t a nutritionally better food for livestock. It’s just cheap. It’s a by-product of the vegetable oil industry. It would be garbage if it weren’t for the fact that they’re turning it into animal feed. Factory-raised farm animals are literally eating off the dollar menu.

But, Whoaaaaaa!! Put the Brakes On!!!- There Is a Hidden Cost – Soy is Only “Artificially” Cheap

Soy producers in the United States are one of the main recipients of government crop subsidies. It doesn’t matter if a farmer does not sell all of his soybeans. Tthe government pays him anyway. About 70% of the true cost of growing soy is paid for by the government. Paid for with American tax dollars. You and I pay for the unhealthy effects of soy.

Organic or Non-GMO Soy Milk is NOT a Solution…

Unless it is fermented, soy (organic or not) contains a number of other problematic components that can wreak havoc on your health.

A common source of soy is soy milk consuming it as an alternative to milk. Soy milk is a significant contributor to thyroid dysfunction or hypothyroidism in women in the US.

There is evidence that soy may disturb endocrine function, cause infertility, and promote breast cancer. Drinking two glasses of soy milk daily for just one month provides enough of these compounds to alter your menstrual cycle. Although the FDA regulates estrogen-containing products, no warnings exist on soy.

Your Health … What’s at Stake

Soy prevents the absorption of certain minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.This is particularly problematic for vegetarians. Eating meat reduces the mineral-blocking effects.The soybean has one of the highest phytate levels of any grain or legume.The phytates in soy are also highly resistant to normal phytate-reducing techniques such as long, slow cooking. Actually, only a long period of fermentation will greatly reduce the phytate content of soybeans.

Soy contains natural toxins. They are known as “anti-nutrients”. Some of these factors interfere with the enzymes you need to digest protein. While a few anti-nutrients would not likely cause a problem, the amount of soy that many Americans are now eating is extremely high.

Soy has a clot-promoting substance that causes your red blood cells to clump together. These clumped cells are unable to properly absorb and distribute oxygen to your tissues.

Soy Formula – The Most Dangerous Soy Product of All…

Sadly, soy formula (organic or not) is FAR worse than conventional formula, in large part due to its excessive levels of phytoestrogens. The estrogens in soy can irreversibly harm your baby’s sexual development and reproductive health. Infants fed soy formula receive a level of estrogen equivalent to five birth control pills every day. They also have up to 20,000 times the amount of estrogen in circulation as those fed conventional formulas! In addition, soy formula has up to 80 times higher manganese than is found in human breast milk, which can lead to brain damage in infants, and altered behaviors in adolescence.

Educate Yourself about the Health Effects of Soy…

A primary motivation of the soy industry is money as opposed to health benefits. You can see through the high-priced marketing hype and misleading health claims. This information is just the tip of the iceberg. You should continue to review the evidence against soy. Consequently, when armed with information, you will have the power to take control of yours and your family’s food choices.

This is a great article on how you can eliminate soy from your diet.  Check this out.

Whenever you eat eggs, poultry, dairy products, meat or farm-raised fish you are eating…
SECOND-HAND SOY FROM LIVESTOCK FEED!
It may not look like soy, taste like soy or be labeled as soy, but remember…
YOU ARE WHAT YOUR FOOD EATS!

Here are the products at Twisted Dixie Farm. All choices are soy-free. Our Products.

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