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LEGUMES GRAINS SEEDS BROADLEAF SQUASH FOLATES ROOT CROPS FRUIT TREES ANIMALS HERBS FLOWERS HONEY BEES/POLLEN MUSHROOMS Remaining Crops
These remaining crops are nutritious, but they have nutritional, processing, or flavor disadvantages. However, they are useful in that they provide a broad range of diversity for disease resistance and environmental adaptability.
**********************************************************Legumes:
Soak all legumes for 24 hours. See Safe Sprouting Technique Cook with low heat. Making tempeh will also reduce the anti-nutrients. Most legumes contain incomplete proteins and are best when consumed as a complement to grains. Some people are too sensitive to tolerate legumes, even after sprouting and fermenting.Great Northern, White, and Navy Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris):
(Point of origin: South America) Advantages: Large beans are efficient and easy to harvest and process. For the young and healthy, these specific beans are some of the best sources of calcium. Good source of calcium for the elderly if sproated for 3 days and then boiled. Good flavor. Disadvantages: High levels of anti-nutrients Sources: Vermont Bean Seed, Johnny'sSoybeans (Glycine max):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: drought resistant long storing, high protein (but out of balance) Disadvantages: high enzyme inhibitors and phytates. Tempeh may be the only form fit for human consumption. Protein profile is out of balance. Supplement with high tryptophan grain. Source: Seeds of Change, Territorial, Bountiful GardensPeanut (Arachis hypogaea):
(Point of origin: South America) Advantages: grows well in loose sandy soils has below ground protection from high wind, hail, etc. only requires moderate amounts of water High in resveratrol and biotin. Disadvantages: harbors toxic aflatoxin fungus requires cold storage only a few varieties will grow in cool weather climates can cause severe allergy symptoms not tolerant of wet soggy soil Varieties: These varieties can be grown in cool weather regions Carolina Black - 110 days Spanish, Valencia - 120 days Southern Exposure Iowa State Sources: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, BurpeeFava (Vicia faba var minor):
(Point of origin: Disputed) Advantages: Survives to 10 F. Disadvantages: Long growing season. Requires cool moist conditions. Varieties: Banner Bean, Broad Windsor Bean Sources: Territorial, Johnny'sChickpea (Cicer arietinum):
(Point of origin: Near East) NUTRITION: high protein low glycemic index Desi type is high in calcium Advantages: Requires slight drought conditions to set seed. Can regrow if frozen to the ground. Actually a vetch, so has different disease tendencies, and therefore good in crop rotation with other legumes. Disadvantages: Difficult to remove seed coat. Requires a long growing period. Requires warm dry weather to grow organically without fungicide. Variety: Myles (Desi type) Sources: Desi Chickpea SourcesCowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.):
(Point of origin: Africa ) Nutrition: High in protein if allowed to fully mature. Advantages: Very drought and heat resistant. Quickly grows taproot over 8 feet deep. Disadvantages: Very susceptible to disease in high rainfall areas. Information: Purdue **********************************************************Grains:
Most grains contain complete proteins which are slightly out of balance. They are even better when complemented with legumes. They are classified as dry, moderate, or wet weather grains. Some grains are slightly adaptable depending on variety.
****************************************MODERATE WEATHER GRAINS:
Corn (Zea mays):
(Point of origin: Americas) Advantages: Excellant chicken feed for carbohydrates and anti-oxidants. Easy to manually harvest, dry, and store. Disadvantage: low protein, high gluten. requires rock lime to unlock protein. Difficult for the elderly to digest. Nutrition: Yellow indicates lutein and zeaxanthin Orange indicates carotene These are the colors most acceptable in the market in egg yolk. Red is often missinterpreted as blood. Nixtamalization Information: Soak and grind before feeding. Cooking will make it even more digestable. C.S. Bell Co. - corn sheller Pleasant Hill - corn sheller Varieties: Under less than ideal conditions (cold and wet), there are some open pollinated varieties that perform even better than some hybrids. These are mostly dent type: Truckers Yellow 70-85 days, heat tolerant Wapsie Valley 85-100 days, cold wet tolerant, tolerates poor soil mostly yellow, orange, some maroon Reid’s Yellow Dent 90-110 days, heat drought tolerant Golden Glow 100 days, yellow Henry Moore 110 days, yellow Glenn Beasley Red 115 days, mostly red, with some orange, and yellow Cornell There is still much potential for improvement of open pollinated strains: Green Haven New open pollinated variety development. For years when there is high disease pressure, there are a few flinty varieties available which have the high disease resistance factors of the ancient flint corns and also have moderately higher yields. They also store much better. Siegers - American Way 115 days Seed For Security - Indian Flint 120 days St. Clare Seeds - Indian Flint 105-110 days Wade's Giant Flint - 90 days Early corn: Early Alberta at 42-75 days, flint, yellow and white Yukon Supreme - 53-55 days, yellow Nuetta -57 days, mostly yellow, some maroon Orchard Baby - 60-65 days, yellow Fisher's - 70 days, yellow Painted Mountain - 70 days, flint, yellow, orange, and the rest of the rainbow Ashworth - 75 days, yellow (Early Golden Cross) Bantam - 60-76 days, yellow Early Riser - 80 days, yellow, orange, flint and dent Abenaki Calais - 85 days, flint, orange, yellow and the rest of the rainbow Cold germination chart Orange varieties: Strubbes Orange - 97 days, orange, red, yellow Wallaces Mortgage Lifter - 130 days, orange, yellow, stalky Drought tolerant varieties: Hopi Blue Anasazi Growing some early, medium, and late using dent and flint varieties may provide some insurance during unpredictable weather and upredictable disease patterns. They should not cross as long as they bloom at different times. ****************************************WET WEATHER GRAINS:
Triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.):
(Point of origin: hybrid) Advantages: Cold and wet tolerant. Good as chicken feed. Disadvantage: Flavor depends on variety. Requires variety best for each region. Information: Purdue WikipediaFlax (Linum usitatissimum):
(Point of origin: Eurasia) Nutrition: Very high in ALA oil. Ok for humans, but difficult to digest. Best fed to animals since they are more efficient at converting ALA to EPA and DHA. Feed only small amounts as it imparts a bad flavor when used in large amounts. Properties: Cool weather crop. Only harvest when fully mature or it will still contain cyanide. At maturity, cyanide moves into the roots. Planting: Broadcast thick and harrow or rake. Plant in early spring before weeds can sprout. Thick shallow roots will choke out weeds. Source: Bountiful Gardens, TerritorialSpelt (Triticum aestivum var. spelta):
(Point of origin: Europe) Advantages: Cold and wet tolerant. Good as chicken feed. Disadvantage: Difficult to process. Information: Purdue WikipediaHulless oats (Avena sativa):
(Point of origin: Europe) Preparation: Soak overnight before cooking Advantages: grows well in cool climates tolerates heavy rainfall more than other grains hulless so fairly easy to thresh Self pollinated. If harvested at milky stage it is a nerve and sexual stimulant. Disadvantage: very small grain only use a small amount as chicken feed since it has some anti-nutrients Source: Johnny's, Seedway, Welter Kaltenburg, Great Harvest Organics, Albert Lea Seed House, Bountiful Gardens ********* Also see rice ****************************************DRY WEATHER GRAINS:
Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum):
(Point of origin: fertile crescent) Preparation: Soak overnight before cooking Advantages: greater chance of a crop before summer heat and drought set in. Moderate to high protein, yield is higher than oats. Self pollinated. Disadvantges: Be sure to grow the proper type for your environment. high gluten Nutrition: Great as chicken feed. Wheatgrass has very little nutrition. It isn't the wheatgrass that has unusual properties, it's the Tilletia caries that grows on the wheat grass that has phytohormones. Source: Johnny's, Seedway, Welter Kaltenburg, Great Harvest Organics, Albert Lea Seed House, Bountiful Gardens WHEAT TYPESHemp (Cannabis sativa):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: Complete high protein, easy to grow High bio-mass producer even on low fertility. Low water requirement. A staple grain in ancient China: HISTORY OF HEMP No gluten. moderate Omega-3 and high omega-6. Disadvantage: In the U.S., legalized in many states, but not federally approved. Some of the countries where it is grown commercially: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Great Britain, France, Russia, Spain, etc.Millet (several genus species):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: Very drought tolerant. Will tolerate waterlogged soils for a time. Good as chicken feed. Disadvantage: Uneven ripening. Small grain. Information: Australia University of VermontAmaranth (Amaranthus sp.):
(Point of origin: Central / South America ) Advantages: Very drought tolerant. Good as chicken feed if cooked. Disadvantage: Should be cooked to remove as many of the anti-nutrients as possible for chicken feed. Not ideal for humans since cooking will not remove oxalates. Information: Purdue WikipediaTeff (Eragrostis tef):
(Point of origin: Africa) Advantages: Very drought tolerant. Will tolerate waterlogged soils for a time. Disadvantage: Very small seed. Information: Wikipedia ******** Grains not included because they are high in anti-nutrients which cannot be removed with heat: Rye, Barley, Sorghum, Quinoa Sorghum is better used as a disease break and mycorrhizal fungus encouragement. Then feed the small amounts to poultry. **********************************************************Seeds:
Chia (Salvia hispanica):
ORIGIN: Southwest America NUTRITION: seed is very rich in Omega 3 ADVANTAGES: excellent for laying hens to increase levels in their eggs DISADVANTAGE: Only grows well in dry regions with long growing periods INFORMATION: USDA Plant Guide Univ. of Kentucky **********************************************************Broadleaf:
*******Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: grows well under cool moist conditions gluten free contains rutin complete high protein excellent poultry feed great cover / catch crop quick maturing Disadvantages: requires cool conditions during blooming high in enzyme inhibitors easily lodges in high wind low yield Sources: Bountiful Gardens ***********************************************Squash:
Squash family (Cucurbitaceae): (point of origin: the Americas) nutrition: converts to sugar quickly so do not eat too much. good source of B6. insect control: grow up on a wire fence to control the squash bug keep away from night lights to avoid moths seed saving: species will not cross, but varieties within species will cross. Grow only one variety of each species if you save your own seed. properties: deer resistant winter squash: Kabocha Gold Nugget (C. maxima): Properties: AAS winner. Sweet potato substitute. Sources: Territorial Tatume (Cucurbita pepo): Properties: Immune to vine borer. Alternate names: Calabacita, Calabash Other moschata squashes immune to SVB Cheese squashes, Seminole Pumpkin, Tromboncino Rampicante, Ball squash oikostreecrops.com - developing SVB immunity The Vegetable Garden Horticultural Science North Carolina State ARS UC Davis Scielo - history of Cucurbita B & T World Seeds ***********************************************Folates:
Liliaceae family: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): (point of origin: Europe) nutrition: high in folate, B6 contains rutin high in purines. the more red, the greater the possibility of lycopene. preparation: eat raw properties: deer resistant varieties: Jersey Knight - especially good hybrid for cold regions Purple Passion - purple color Jacques Ma - red color propagation: by root division sources: Thompson and Morgan, Territorial ******* Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioca): (Point of origin: Europe) Nutrition: Very nutritious. Consumed by humans and animals for centuries in Europe. Preparation: wilting or cooking slightly will neutralize the formic acid Propagation: Cannot be dry stored. Best planted in pasture fields for occasional use. Perennial. Propagated by seed, cuttings, or root division. Sources: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Bountiful Gardens Richters ******* Dandelion (Taraxacum sp.): (Point of origin: Europe, Asia) Nutrition: Very nutritious. Moderate amount of oxalate so do not eat too much. Not appropriate for dry storage. Propagation: Biennial. Invasive. Best planted in pasture fields for occasional use. Propagated by seed or root division. ****************************************************Root Crops:
Sugar beet (Chenopodiaceae Beta vulgaris 'saccherifera'):
(point of origin: Europe) nutrition: trimethylglycene in root. leaves are high in oxalates, so only eat the root. culture: wind pollinate up to 5 miles source: USDA Sugar Beet program ********Parsnip (Apiaceae Pastinaca sativa):
(point of origin: Eurasia) NUTRITION: medicinal harvest before frosts before it turns to sugar DISADVANTAGE: Converts to sugar quickly, so do not eat too much at one time. ADVANTAGES: Flavor is a cross between carrot and vanilla. If harvested before frost converts the carbohydrates to sugars, this crop can be parboiled, dryed, and used as a source of simple carbohydrate during times of adverse weather. PROPAGATION: very insect and disease resistant SOURCE: Territorial, Bountiful Gardens ********Salsify (Asteraceae tragopogon porrifolius):
(point of origin: Mediterranean) nutrition: converts to sugar quickly so don't eat much propagation: very insect and disease resistant source: Johnny's ********Rutabaga (Brassica napus napobrassica group):
(Point of origin: hybrid from Europe) nutrition: B6 converts to sugar quickly so don't eat much. preparation: does not store well propagation: will cross with turnips source: Territorial, Bountiful Gardens ********Potato (Solanum tuberosum):
(Point of origin: South America) Disadvantages: High alkaloid content. Nightshade family so very disease prone. Difficult for the elderly to digest. Cook before feeding to chickens. Advantages: Northern Europe adopted potatoes because it prefers cool wet climates. Central Europe adopted potatoes once it realized that it was easy for an enemy to destroy a field of wheat but not a field of potatoes. It will survive heavy hail, fire, late freeze, high wind, etc. Good as chicken feed if cooked. Easy to manually harvest. Storage: U.C. Davis University of Alaska Root Cellar Four Season Harvest Squidoo Disease Resistant Varieties: Elba, Rio Grande, Yukon Gem, Premier Russet, Snowden North Carolina State Wisconsin State Canada Penn State Potato Association US Seed Potatoes ********Radish ( Raphanus sativus ):
(Point of origin: hybrid from Europe) nutrition: high in calcium a little too spicy to eat much red varieties are high in lycopene ****************************************************Fruit:
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: the more red, the greater the possibility of lycopene Occassional pit kernals can be healthy. Most drought tolerant on apricot rootstock. Disadvantages: Tends to bloom too early Properties: will not continue to ripen after harvest Varieties: Moongold and Sungold - zone 4 needs pollinator Prunus armeniaca x Prunus mandshurica hybrid Harcot - zone 4 Prunus armeniaca Manchurian - zone 3 varieties: Scout, Mandan, Manchu Prunus mandshurica or siberica Idaho University of Nebraska University of Minnesota University of Minnesota - hybrids Garden Guides - hybrids Canada North Dakota - Manchurian North Dakota - trees Montana TRAINING: Fan Training Apricot Fan Training Apricot and rootstock ROOTSTOCK: Apricot rootstock **************Peach (Prunus persica):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: the more red, the greater the possibility of lycopene. Peaches are self-fruitful Disease Resistant Zone 5 Varieties: Harken Harson Venture Harrow Beauty LINKS: Canada Oregon Nebraska Cornell North Carolina TRAINING: Fan Training Peach ROOTSTOCK: Peach rootstock Peach Rootstock alternatives ******** Black currant (Ribes nigrum): (Point of origin: Europe and Asia) Nutrition: 1 cup contains 80 mg omega-3 120 mg omega-6 Seed oil is high in preprocessed omega 3,6,9 Black Consort - Properties: white pine rust immune, trim to single cane Sources: St. Lawrence INFORMATION: Omega 3 **********Fig (Ficus carica):
(Point of origin: western Asia) Nutrition: will not ripen further after picking, so wait until the stem itself darkens. high in quick releasing sugar, so don't eat much. the tree has latex so some people cannot tolerate the fruit. Properties: prefers a warm dry environment. cool weather varieties are available. Varieties: choose a variety which will ripen in your region. Brown Turkey: bears on new wood , has a small eye , ripens in cool weather Hardy Chicago: bears on new wood , has a small eye , ripens in cool weather Sources: Miller, Raintree, One Green World ********Plum (Prunus sp.):
(Point of origin: Fertile Cresent) Nutrition: Very rich in anti-oxidants Properties: Slightly acidic Tastes best after touched by frost Very cold hardy Varieties: President Plum - Prunus domestica, late bloom very disease resistant, needs pollinator slightly more drought tolerant Connecticut Ag Ext Station - plum diseases Royal Horticultural Society University of Connecticut President Plum - vulnerable to canker if sun scalded Growing Prunes Merryweather Damson - Prunus insititia self fertile, late bloom better for jam than drying not drought tolerant Guide to Damsons Damsons Wiki USDA Plant Profile Plum Booklet POLLINATION: Dave's Garden Orange Pippin Orange Pippin - pollination checker Grafted plums onto Prunus americana can be slightly more moisture tolerant: Such as Mount Royal (Prunus domestica). St. Lawrence Nurseries - grafted plums There are many other plum varieties (Prunus domestica), that are very anti-oxidant rich, but most only grow well in extremely dry desert environments, with a moderate temperature. Exceptions are AU Roadside and AU Rosa. Disease Resistant Plums TRAINING: Fan Training Plum Fan Training Plum and rootstock ********Blackberry (Rubus nigrobaccus):
(Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: 1 cup contains 135 mg omega-3 268 mg omega-6 Omega 3 Properties: one of the most disease and insect resistant fruits conifers (cone bearers) harbor disease mulch to protect from freezing grows well around water Management: IPM Center Varieties: Triple Crown: Very sweet but prone to sunburn. Good for fresh eating Erect, thornless Zone 5, good disease resistance Doyle - zone 5 , mainly good for jelly , thornless, trailing (needs trellis) , very disease resistant Obsidian - zone 7-9 , excellant flavor , thorny, trailing (needs trellis) , very disease resistant USDA - Obsidian blackberry Marion - zone 7-9 , excellant flavor , thorny, trailing (needs trellis) , good disease resistance Disease and other characteristics ratings: Oregan State - blackberry rating University of Arkansas - blackberry rating University of Arkansas - blackberry rating University of Arkansas - Navaho Sources: Millers Weeksberry Backyard Berry Plants ********Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis):
(Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: astoundingly nutritious, seedy Disadvantages: Even the most resistant varieties are still very disease prone Cultivation: Well drained soil, never water from overhead To overcome disease, grow in semi-wild setting as desribed below: The Contrary Farmer Varieties: JEWEL - good overall disease resistance, good yield MUNGER - good fungal resistance, poor cold hardiness Wild - potential for superior flavor *************Honey berry (Lonicera edulis var. Kamtschatica):
Source: One Green World ********Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium chinense):
Nutrition: rich in zeaxanthin Source: Horizon Herbs, One Green World Properties: Invasive excellant for chickens ********American Persimmon ((Diospyros virginian):
(Point of origin: American ) Nutrition: rich in zeaxanthin Properties: American persimmons are dioecious; each tree produces either male or female flowers and requires a mate, or pollinator, nearby. Hexaploids’ grow in cold climate areas further north where teraploids could not survive. Some wild American cultivers can be grown in zone 3. Drought and moisture tolerant. Very disease resistant. Varieties: Early Golden - zone 5, large early fruit. Szukis - zone 5, large early fruit. Meader - hardy to 30 degrees below zero F. ************Aronia or Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa):
Nutrition: Rich in anti-oxidants Properties: astringent , improves once processed. Some varieties are blue. Very disease resistant. Source: Sandusky Valley Plant Nursery, St. Lawrence Nursery, Millers, Raintree ******* Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): (Point of origin: Europe ) Advantages: Medicinal. Fruit leather, jams, jelly. Disadvantages: Potentially toxic to chickens and turkeys due to cyanide. Accumulates excessive nitrates. Info: Sacred Earth - Elderberry Elderberry - cooking required USDA Purdue University Elderberry Jelly Elderberry Poisoning Colorado State - Nitrate accumulation New Mexico State - Nitrate accumulation ******* Pawpaw (Asimina triloba): (Point of origin: eastern North America ) Advantages: Tropical fruit taste. Very disease resistant. Disadvantages: Cannot be dried or stored except as fruit leather. Info: Pawpaw *****************************************************TREES:
Siberian Pea Shrub (Caragana arborescens):
Properties: A member of the legume family, nitrogen-fixing extremely hardy The "peas" are reportedly 36% protein Use for animal or chicken feed. Must be cooked before feeding to animals. Can become invasive if not harvested thoroughly. Source: St. Lawrence LEGUME TREES - PURDUE UNIVERSITY LITTLE KNOWN LEGUMES ****************************************************Animals:
********************************************** Fish: nutrition: moderate levels of purines properties: can be farm raised easily in freshwater. all of these fish will have some level of omega-3 oils, maybe more depending on their diet. Advantages: Feed conversion ratio slightly over 1:1 Disadvantages: High labor inputs Difficult to control disease Moderately high purine levels Varieties: North American Native Species and their dietary sources: bluegill - algae, zooplankton, insects, plants, invertebrates, small fish reproduces freely very ammonia tolerant Excellent flavor. channel catfish - bottom feeder of detritus will not easily reproduce but can be managed very ammonia tolerant Excellent flavor. Asian Species and their dietary sources: grass carp - feed on soft aquatic plants. can control aquatic plant growth. very ammonia and low oxygen tolerant. Will only spawn in moving water. Excellent flavor. Coastal Species: cod - moderate in purines , high in omega-3 , high in vitamin D salmon - moderately high in purines , high in omega-3. , high in vitamin D Efficient recycling integrated farming systems can be used to create a complete cycle of nutrients. Earth Policy Institute Freshwater Fisheries and Aquaculture in China Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture ******************************************************** Turkey: nutrition: moderately high levels of purines selenium Advantage: Up to 80% grass diet Omnivorous winter hardy animal FCR of slightly over 2:1 Disadvantges: Heritage turkeys are not easily marketed. Do not mix with other poultry due to disease. Tend to range far from home. Heritage Breeds: Nature's Harmony Farm Porter Turkeys Cackle Hatchery ******************************************************** HOG: Advantage: Large farms in warm climates can justify having a few for their utility. Can be used to eat fallen fruit if the orchard is large enough. This will interrupt insect pest cycles. Allow to grub for curculio in fall. They can utilize crop residues after harvest, dig up weeds after harvest, clear land for cultivation, speed decomposition of manure, and interrupt parasite cycles in other animals. Hogs are often raised with cattle since they share few diseases. If consumed on farm, recycle everything on the farm, such as slaughter remains. FCR around 2:1. Disadvantage: Coprophagic animals can be parasite carriers. Dig up pastures. Best kept in small numbers only sufficient for their function. May require winter protection so utility of hogs must be large enough to warrant the expense. One good strategy is to purchase one or two young hogs in summer when food and utility is high. Slaughter them by winter. FEED SPRING: forage FEED SUMMER: forage, okra seed, flax, squash seed, fallen fruit FEED FALL: forage, acorns, orchard insects, Jerusalem artichoke, chicory root, and other roots, corn tree legumes, nuts Jerusalem artichoke FEED WINTER: tree legumes, acorns, nuts BREEDS: Oklahoma State Heritage Breeds Breeds Cold Stress LESS ROOTING: Some heritage breeds are more docile and substantial forage eaters. Breeds that have reduced digging tendencies: Gloucestershire Old Spot - bred to eat fallen fruit, cold hearty Large Black Hog - bred as forage hog, cold hearty KUNEKUNE - bred to grow largely on grass MORE ACTIVE: Tamworth Hog - supreme scavenger of row crop residue American Guinea Hog - bred to forage, heat tolerant Minzhu - small, cold hearty ********************************************************* Sheep: Nutrition: moderate purine levels nutrient rich red meat Advantage: very docile grass and forage eater in small numbers, good for controlling weeds, eating stubble, on farm consumption, etc. for commercial use, best in cold climates too cold for other animals Disadvantges: FCR of 8:1 A little too greasy. Need a guard dog or llama. General Information: Sheep 101 Sheep - Oklahoma State Sheep - Encarta Hair sheep for mutton: Katahdins - parasite resistant. Damara sheep - parasite and disease resistant. Mutton Wool Breeds: Southdown - good mutton North Country Cheviot - hardy, tasty mutton Scottish Blackface - hardy, tasty mutton, parasite resistant Commercial Breeds: Suffolk - large lambs Dorset - prolific lambing Hampshire - efficient *************************************************** Llama (Lama glama): Origin: North America / South America Advantages: Good tasting meat. Good tolerance of cold weather. Good as guard animals. Disadvantages: Not tolerant of wet weather. Spitting and aggressive sometimes. Not effective as guards while breeding. Health: Basically same diseases as goats and sheep. Ideal in cold dry regions. Feed: Grass. Guards: USDA Hub Pages Breeds: Oklahoma State *************************************************** Donkey (Equus africanus asinus): Origin: Africa Advantages: Incredibly efficient conversion of grass. Efficient even on poor quality grass. If properly fed and treated well, makes good tasting meat. Extremely tolerant of heat and drought. Some breeds are tolerant of cold such as the Poitou. Good as guard animals. Effective as guards while breeding. Disadvantages: Thousands of years of cultural, political, and religious taboos to overcome. So efficient on grass that rich pasture is not healthy for them. May require a muzzle during late spring to slow down grazing. Not tolerant of wet weather. Health: Very disease resistant to infectious diseases. Genetic resistance is useful as a part of an organic animal pasture rotation in warm dry regions. As donkeys are replaced by machines, it is a mistake to allow these genetics to disappear. Only shares a few rare diseases and parasites with other cattle, such as the hairworm. Hoof trimming Preventing laminitis: In late spring, when sugars are highest, feed equines on warm weather grasses. Warm weather grasses are low in sugars. In mid fall, move to cool season grasses with low sugars, such as Smooth bromegrass, tall wheatgrass, and meadow fescue. A grazing muzzle may be useful in late spring and mid fall. Be cautious with pastures after nights when it gets close to freezing; sugar is released as anti-freeze. Sugars are stored at the base of grasses, so never allow animals to feed too low. Cut hay early in the morning when sugar is low. Feed a little hay all day instead of large amounts all at once. University of Minnesota Safer Grass Rocky Mountain Research Safer Grass - weeds Feed: Grass. Guards: Donkeys as guards in Texas USDA Hub Pages Alberta Canada Breeds: Oklahoma State ******************************************************** Beef cattle (Grass eaters): Nutrition: moderate purine levels nutrient rich red meat Muscle has only moderate amounts of EPA / DHA. Advantage: grass eater High in B vitamins. High market demand. Brains and eyes are an extremely rich source of DHA. A big animal is ideal for large open spaces because it requires little attention and can move long distances. Disadvantages: FCR of 7:1 at best. If animals are too large, it may also reduce fertility. Beef cattle are high risk because of the expensive investment and attractiveness to thieves. A big inefficient animal is not ideal on small farms. Information: Usually, the smaller they are, the more efficient they are. Smaller animals have an FCR approaching 5:1. The push for bigger cattle is driven by the desire for more profits at the slaughterhouse. Larger animals produce more meat per slaughter time than small animals. It is the opposite of what is more profitable for the farmer. Smaller animals are more efficient and produce more meat per input. Hobby Farms - Miniature Cows Big Picture Agriculture - Miniature Cows Avoiding Inbreeding Depression: Oklahoma State - Inbreeding Depression University of Wisconsin - Computerized mating Virginia Polytechnic Institute Inbreeding Depression BioMed Central Animal Science If you are new to working with cattle, start with some of these more docile breeds. Beginner breeds(very docile): Galloway Galloway Breeders Very Docile, polled, medium small sized, cold climate, finish on grass. South Devon Very Docile, polled, medium sized, very efficient FCR, finish on grass, young at puberty. Highland Bairnsley Highland Sires Autumn Mist Farm Highland Sires Lea White Farms Highland Sires Northwest Highland Cattle Association - foot trimming Bairnsley - foot trimming Highland Cattle USA - health Hobby Farms - Highland Cattle Very docile. Ideal in harsh cold climates and rough terrain. Can be used as an ox. ************** The cattle below are more about commercial ranching. They are more demanding and less docile. Moderately Docile Breeds: Murray Grey Murray Grey Docile, polled, medium sized, finish on grass. (North or Red or Ruby Red) Devon Devon Docile, horned or polled, medium sized, finish on grass with very good marbling, can be used as oxen. Hereford Docile, horned or polled, finish on grass, hardy, can be used as oxen, miniature and full sized. Independent Breeds: Angus Independent, polled, finish on grass, high quality marbling, miniature and full sized, fertile. Beefalo Independent. Efficient grass eaters. Links: Thousand Hills Cattle Co. Stockman Grass Farmer Bakewell Reproductive Center Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Bovine Bazaar Pharo Cattle ********************************************** Insects: Advantages: excellent for poultry and fish even for cat and dog food insects which are likely to be more tolerable because they have no exoskeleton are ant eggs, worms, caterpiler, grubs, larvae, etc. Disadvantages: Requires high protein grain or seed. These grains and seeds are usually more beneficial fed to humans or chickens. Requires warm temperature; too energy expensive for cold climates. some insects may trigger allergies, especially the hard shell insects. purine levels are unknown. COMMENTARY: Feed high omega-3 non-food crops like flax, buckwheat greens, or purslane, etc. to insects. Then feed the insects to laying chickens and fish. This might produce even higher levels of DHA. High protein and mineral crops like soy, sesame, quinoa, lambsquarters, amaranth, okra, etc. might also be converted without cooking or processing by feeding them to insects. These crops cannot be fed in large quantities directly to chickens or fish due to flavor and digestability problems. Or convert animal viscera to larvae and feed to chickens. Mississippi State - insect diet for fish DHA levels in insects Insects as Chicken Feed Ohio State University Avian Aqua Miser The Modern Homestead ***************************************************** Animal products not included: Dairy - not a normal food after weaning except in extreme environmental conditions. Labor intensive. Magnesium is low compared to calcium. Even those few people with genetically enhanced enzyme levels will start to lose those enzymes as they age. WIKI - Genetic Dairy Intolerance US Library - Genetic Dairy Intolerance Food Reactions - Genetic Dairy Intolerance Chicken - grain is better used to keep layers producing eggs. Retired layers can be sold as broilers. Ostrich - will only breed in warm climates. ********************************************** Final conclusion: Meat will be high in purines. Drink plenty of unchlorinated water. GoutCure.com ****************************************************Herbs:
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum):
Origin: East Mediterranean Properties: Biennial. Curly leaved variety most commonly used for medicinal reasons. Curly leaved parsley requires longer maturity to develope chemical strength. Flat or single leaf is stronger when young. Growing: Freeze and thaw seeds repeatedly to stratify seed coat. Soak seed 24 hours for sprouting. Start from seed in pots in spring for transplant. Plain-leaved varieties survive freezing better than the curly leaved varieties. Can transplant again in winter while dormant. Will bloom early next year. Medicinal Properties: Contains compounds which are either chemopreventive or prevent the spread of cancer cells: apigenin, myristicin, luteolin, chrysoeroil, falcorinol, terpines More oils in fresh form Do not eat too much because also very high in oxalates which binds calcium. ( rosemary, thyme, basal, oregano, and mint also contain terpines) Sources: Seeds of Change Burpee Stokes Bountiful Gardens Information: Super Food ParsleyWild celery or smallage or cutting celery ( Apium graveolens L. var. secalinum ):
Origin: Mediterranean Properties: Contains Phthalide which relaxes blood vessels and reduces stress hormones Contains acetylenics which restricts cancer growth Contains phonolic acids which blocks prostaglandins Celeriac is a relative of wild celery and contains some of the same compounds (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum). Source: Fedco - Par-Cel cutting celery Fedco - Afina cutting celery Heritage Harvest Seed - smallage celery Pennard Plants - secalinum Richters - secalinum Adaptive Seeds Co. Seedaholic - leaf celery Seeds of Change - stalk semi - wild celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce ) Bountiful Gardens - stalk semi-wild celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce ) Sustainable Seed Co. - stalk semi-wild celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce ) Information: Laurie Constantino - leaf celery MyFolia - Apium graveolen var. secalinum Innvista On The Green Farms Zip Code Zoo - celery varietiesPeppermint (Mentha × piperita):
Origin: Central and Southern Europe Properties: Aromatherapy that is very soothing and calming. Source: Richters ****************************************************Flowers:
Calendula (Calendula officinalis):
ORIGIN: Mediterranean NUTRITION: rich in lutein ADVANTAGES: excellent for laying hens to increase levels in their eggsNasturtium (Tropaeolum majus):
ORIGIN: Peru NUTRITION: rich in lutein ADVANTAGES: excellent for laying hens to increase levels in their eggs ****************************************************Honey Bees and Pollen:
ADVANTAGES: Improves pollination rates on the farm. Honey is a very effective way to encourage cattle to eat old dry hay. Bees can be used to collect pollen. DISADVANTAGES: Anything other than rare very small amounts is not healthy. Extreme promotor of tooth decay. LINKS: Bee Landing Back Yard Hive Petite Top Bar Hive Honey for Cattle Pacific Crest Apiaries Build Pollen TrapPOLLINATION LINKS:
Bee culture Oklahoma StateScots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.):
ORIGIN: Scotland, Europe NUTRITION: pollen is rich in androstenedione INFORMATION: Will grow Cantharellus cibarius, Boletus edulis and Cantharellus lutescens mushrooms INFO: Scots Pine Pests Ohio - Scots Pine Pests USDA - Mongolian Scots Pine Woodland Essence - Scots Pine Scots Pine genetics ****************************************************Wild Mushrooms:
ADVANTAGES: Will grow under low/no light conditions. Rich source of copper, selenium, zinc, and iron. Excrete acids that can break down toxic compunds. Trees and shrubs grow better with more types of fungus. DISADVANTAGES: Growing mushrooms is not easy. It makes more sense to harvest them wild. Or plant required trees for mycorrhizal relationships. Extreme allergies are common. Requires in depth knowledge to keep from poisoning yourself. PROCESS: Many fungus grow best in mixed woods. They seem to need the advantages of several different types of trees and shrubs. Yet another argument for bio-diversity. Inoculate trees and shrubs just before planting. LINKS: Edible Wild Mushrooms Nutrition Data American Mushrooms Permies.com Truffles and Mushrooms NOFA - mushroom links Back to Garden for Nutrition Index