Farm animals

I’m no expert in beef farming, or dairy farming for that matter. I’m almost embarrassed to say I visited dairy farms in China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and camel dairies in United Arab Emirates before I toured my first American dairy farm (compliments of Van Beek Dairy with my then second grader). It’s funny really – when one farms, non-farmers kind of expect us to know all about ALL farming. When I was on a radio interview once the year I was Farm Mom, the host kept asking me about chickens. I didn’t know the answers and he couldn’t figure out why I didn’t know! I said we farmed grass seed, not chickens, and he just shook his head. So while I don’t know a lot about how beef is raised, I sure am thankful for those ranchers and farmers who do.

Ever heard of Kobe Beef? You probably have, and you probably know it’s also very expensive in America. Kobe is a “brand” of Wagyu beef from the Kobe area of Japan. Wagyu cattle is the breed of beef cow – like Angus or Hereford.

I was able to visit a 3rd generation beef farmer, which was exciting because I’m a 3rd generation grass seed farmer. His grandpa started the farm, his dad didn’t want it, so now he is the 34-year-old CEO of the 1000-head Wagyu beef operation.

You might be asking why we are selling them grass straw from Oregon. The short answer is Japan is an island with a large population where there isn’t a lot of land for pasture for their animals. What isn’t cities in Japan, is mainly mountains. In fact, the farm that I visited was on multiple levels – basically built on the side of a mountain, because the flat ground is needed for rice fields or houses. Because the cattle can’t graze on pasture land, they have to import their feed. Because Oregon’s grass seed farmers can’t burn their fields anymore, many choose to have the straw baled. So, basically we are able to export an un-needed product out of Oregon to Japan where it is needed. And, one of my dad’s favorite lines: We turn Japanese Yen into American Dollars. Boom!

They also use their domestic rice straw, pictured below, as a fiber source in their diets. It’s so interesting to see different ways farmers bale their feed. The “bale type” is totally based on what it’s being used for, the transportation needed to get to its final location, and the equipment that is available. As you can see here with this bale, it’s loosely baled, which means it came from a local farm with a cost-effective piece of equipment. The weight packed into the bale doesn’t really matter if it’s close by and you don’t have to worry about transportation cost, and warehousing space doesn’t need to be maximized. A lot to think about when talking about food and how it’s produced.

Japanese rice straw in small, round bales

And if anyone is interested, here is a rice straw field that is ready for harvest. They are waiting for the field to dry out so they can harvest the crop. Sounds like Oregon this summer!

Japanese rice field

Farming around the world is pretty amazing. And while there will always be similarities among the way different farmers in different countries farm, we all make decisions based on the resources or constraints we deal with. So basically, whether I’m in America or in Japan, whether it’s Angus or Wagyu… BEEF, its what’s for dinner.

Over the past few months there has been many Facebook posts and articles about Goat Yoga. Yes, Goat Yoga. Those from Oregon have probably heard of it as it’s a “thing” now here. And those outside Oregon probably already think we’re crazy… and seriously I’m right there with you with some of the things this state comes up with. But then this weekend Goat Yoga is front page on our local Albany Democrat Herald! At first I laughed. Then I started thinking “this is a bit ridiculous.” And THEN someone told me there was over a 1500 person wait list and was charging $30 per class – $50 with wine! So I posted this:

Lots of comments to this post – most people were just laughing along with me. Why are we laughing? Probably the same reason someone doesn’t understand why I don’t go camping during harvest, or why in the world do I have more pairs of cowboy boots than I do heels, or that I learned to drive tractor way before driving a car. In the most simplest explanation – those of us that grew up with or around farm animals, the idea that one would merge animals and yoga is simply funny.

Then my friend and fellow grass seed farmer in the Willamette Valley, Lisa Goracke, calls me and says this and it struck me: “Shelly, I think we are missing the point. We have an urban/rural divide and this is an opportunity for us to showcase what we already know and love. People are willing to pay to experience what we experience every day.”

And she’s totally right.

We have a few incredible programs in Oregon that are trying to bridge that rural/urban gap – all of them our farm is personally involved in:
Oregon AgLink
Oregon Women for Agriculture
Oregon Ag in the Classroom Foundation
Each one of these works hard to educate others about farming and agriculture and how much it means to our state in terms of economic vitality and jobs. We bring middle schoolers, high schoolers, legislators, basically anyone who wants to, out to our farm and show them around. We love it! We literally love being part of educating others about Ag.

Back to Goat Yoga… Here’s the deal, and I missed it at first – I love my goats, my chickens, the bunnies, and our beef steer. Soon joining our funny farm is a dairy heifer and my 14 year old is beyond excited. Why wouldn’t an urbanite, or someone who hasn’t experienced farm life, jump at the chance to hang out with cute goats?

As much as I’d like to jump on this money-making opportunity, I simply don’t have the time. And truly I probably would have a lot of fun with it! You won’t see me offering Goat Yoga classes in our barn, but you WILL see me smile when someone brings up Goat Yoga and quote my yogi friend Melinda: “Hey whatever floats your downward dog.”

Gotta love friends that speak truth.

Try talking me into Goat Yoga in the comments – maybe you will! And don’t think I won’t take up an opportunity for a fundraiser – anything to bridge that urban/rural gap and get more people involved in farming, agriculture and Oregon’s incredible rural community.

Here’s a bunch of goat pictures for your viewing pleasure! And come on out, you can help scoop poop and clean pens, we’ll call it “cardio”. But really, it’s great to see anyone interested in ag, and no one ever said Yoga is bad for you. Win-win. Cheers to that!