Ketchum – Page 14

September 22, 2016October 27, 2016

Autumn Pet Safety Tips

The last of the summer’s harvest is being gathered in, the kids have returned to their classrooms (oh joy!), and already the leaves in some places are starting to turn. That can mean only one thing: fall has arrived!

September 22 marks the autumnal equinox, when the hours of daylight and dark are equal. With this shift in seasons, we should also shift our thinking and habits regarding our beloved dogs and cats. Here are a few ideas, apropos for this time of year, to keep your pets safe and happy.

Continue reading “Autumn Pet Safety Tips”

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October 22, 2013

Ketchum Tags On Location

Parlay Studios in New York is one of our new customers. They are using Ketchum cattle neck tags for equipment identification.

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July 24, 2013July 24, 2013

July is National Blueberry Month

These tiny little berries are packed full of health benefits, and if you ask me, they are one of the best tasting fruits out there. They are so good in fact, that an entire month has been dedicated to them! There are so many recipes incorporating blueberries that you don’t have to look far to find one you will enjoy. However, research has shown that eating them raw provides the most nutritional benefit. We all know that blueberries are full of healthy antioxidants, but recently a study has shown that eating blueberries can actually help improve your memory. Blueberries have also been shown to improve cardiovascular health when consumed regularly, as well as helping to regulate blood sugar.

It would seem that the health benefits are endless when it comes to this sweet little fruit. Luckily for me, I live in an area where they readily grow. If you also live in an area that blueberries are common, check into your local farms and see if they offer a Pick-Your-Own type service. Many farms in my area of upstate New York will let you come out and pick your own sweet blues. However, this service is not limited to just blueberries; there are a variety of different fruits and veggies that you can go out and pick for yourself. The benefit of picking your own produce is that you can be as selective with the quality and quantity of each item you choose, and on top of that you get the rewarding experience of harvesting your own food. It gives us just a small taste of what our farmers are hard at work doing come harvest time! After spending an afternoon picking my own produce, I have a new level of respect for them.

Blueberries are ready for harvest from mid-July through late August, so you still have plenty of time to check your area for a blueberry farm. These delicious little berries also freeze well so they can be used later in the year for recipes. Let’s not forget our four-legged friends either. The health benefits of blueberries are not just limited to us humans! Our dogs can also benefit from the antioxidants found in blues, and just for them I have included a very simple, Martha Stewart recipe for homemade blueberry biscuits! I can assure you that my dogs will be getting some of these once I get my Pick-Your-Own blueberries from a local farm. I hope you and your wagging friends enjoy National Blueberry Month!

Homemade Blueberry Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups oat flour
2 1/2 cups quinoa flour
3/4 cup flax meal
1/2 cup frozen, organic, unsweetened blueberries
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients with 1 cup water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+!

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May 10, 2013October 22, 2013

Feral Swine

Feral swine herds have had explosive growth since the 1990’s, with an estimated population of 6 million pigs, according to the New York Times. What used to be a problem for southern states is spreading and there are now feral swine in 45 states. The estimated annual damage, in the United States, caused by feral swine is 1.5 billion dollars.

The Spread of Feral Swine Herds

Swine are very adaptable and with a near by source of water, can thrive almost any place. Capture and release practices are one of the major causes of the rapid geographical spread of feral hogs. Some people capture nuisance pigs and rather than killing them, transport them to a new location, while other groups may introduce wild hogs to an area for sport hunting.

Government Responses

Many states governments are taking aggressive action to decrease the harmful impact of feral swine on the environment. New York State, as well as many other states, has an open hunting season on wild hogs. North Carolina has a serious problem, with every county in the state reporting wild pig populations, along with an open hunting season, new regulations have been adopted. In North Carolina all domestic hogs being transported on public roadways must be identified with either an ear tag or a tattoo. The fine for transporting live, unidentified swine is $5,000.00 for each pig.

Tattoo Supplies

Ketchum has a variety of tattoo products available. We offer a hog slap tattooer that can hold 4, 5 or 6 large 3/4″ digits. The slap tattoo is an inexpensive way to mark the hogs before they are transported. Our Baby Pig Tattooer is another option and may be the easiest way to tattoo, while the piglets are small and more easily managed. Ketchum Hog Slap tattoo ink and paste are available in green and black. Please visit our website for more details.

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April 25, 2013April 25, 2013

Community Supported Agriculture

I just became a member of a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. I first heard the term CSA last Spring, my sister-in-law took me to her “Farm” on pick up day. I thought it was such a great idea and I’m so excited to be able to join a local farm.

CSA Agreements

In the winter and early spring a CSA farm will offer membership shares. The farmers are paid in advance and through the growing season the shareholders receive weekly baskets of produce. The members share the risks and rewards with the farmers.

The Benefits to the Farmers

One of the main benefits to the farmers is receiving working capital to purchase seeds and other supplies in the spring. With the knowledge of how many families they will be supplying produce to, they can plant their crops accordingly. There is less waste, as the farmers do not have to guess what will sell at the farmers market. The farmers are able to spend more time and resources on farming.

The Benefits to the Share Holders

Each week, during the growing season, the CSA members receive a basket of fresh, farm produce, many of the items are harvested the same day the baskets are picked up. The quantity and variety in the baskets will change each week depending on which vegetables are at their peak.

The Benefits to the Environment and Community

Since the farmers are able to sell their vegetables locally the transportation costs are greatly reduced, thus saving on fuel and emissions. The available land can be managed efficiently with the knowledge of the quantity of produce required. The farmers and the members get to meet and form friendships.

I think the CSA is a win, win, win opportunity. I can hardly wait to get my first basket of farm fresh veggies!

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