rips…

…and other disturbances…

elsewhere…

It has of course not gone unnoticed that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games have started. Beyond that we're not paying much attention since we're not particularly interested in sport-events, but expect to be made aware of what the participating athletes make out of the games, through the many TV channels, web sites and news papers that cover such an event. We will probably be kept updated with regard to other issues that are surrounding these games too.

update [25.aug]: games over (I think). Less than half an hour of glimpses from the 2008 games must qualify as an unconditional success on my part. I may do even better in 2012.

We have also noticed that the latest WTO negotiations resulted in absolutely nothing. The world needs improved trade agreements, so this failure is not something we welcome. Looking at the issues it failed on it is however better with a complete failure this time around, than having to live with a set of agreements that mainly favor a few rich countries and mostly ignore the needs of the poor in a world that feels the growing effects of climate-change and extremely poor ecological and economical management all around.

meanwhile back at the farm…

Tiny creatures, like the calf in the picture, are growing fast, so soon it is time to say goodbye to some of them as they leave our farm for other pastures.

update [14.aug]: two young bulls have left now, in addition to two cows.
Two more bulls will leave later this year.

Preparations for the winter and spring season are already being made, as farms like ours always have to plan and prepare well ahead. According to plan we'll have 3 2 calves to take care of and bring in line with farm-routines over the winter, in addition to 7 cows and 3 heifers.

That should keep us busy enough, but not too busy to find time and energy for other activities both on and off the farm.

update [14.aug]: a four month old jersey-calf suddenly became sick, and died within an hour. An accute problem with its internal organs – the stomach-region, and sadly there's no cure.
This explains the change of number of calves we'll raise on the farm over the winter, and we hope the ones left will do alright.

We do hope our connection to the rest of the world – via internet – vill be upgraded this fall, as what we've got now actually cost us more in lost time and frustration than what farm-work ever has. The problem is that there's nothing we can do about it, and that is really frustrating.

To put it in perspective: it isn't fun to have to wait more than 22 minutes to finish upload of a 32KB image…

…even if such a long wait of course is the exception rather than the norm. The situation were nearly that bad for several weeks this summer though, so it certainly wasn't an isolated case.

No matter how we look at it, our generally slow and easily overloaded internet connection is definitely no good for business, and it ain't good for much else either.

sincerely 

Hageland 08.aug.2008
last rev: 25.aug.2008