Hoop house

Here it is December and just 2 days before the first day of winter. It's been a fair weathered autumn so far. Not nearly as much snow as last year. Right now the outside temp is 37 with a low tonight of 32. Not bad at all. 

Late August I decided to give a fall garden a shot, since I failed miserably at the spring one. The weather in the first part of the season just didn't cooperate. Rain, rain and more rain until about the last week of July!! I kept joking that Pennsylvania isn't supposed to have a monsoon season! So late August I finished the tilling that and planted some cold weather veggies!

I had some old seeds laying around 

(carrots, broccoli, peas and spinach) that didn't grow 😔. But the cabbage, radishes and beets did great! 

Since this was my first fall garden I didn't expect the growing to be so slow. Like I said here it is December and the only veggies (out of what grew) we've been able to enjoy have been the radishes. 

I used pvc pipes, cheap fiberglass posts sold at Tractor Supply, hoop house clips and plastic sheeting. I highly recommend the hoop house clips! I had a terrible time keeping the plastic down with the slightest breeze. 

EZ White Snap Clamp 1/2 Inch X 4 Inches Wide For 1/2 PVC Pipe 10 per Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AIE89CY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_XhXDwb7JN2QF5

 I slipped post into the end of the pvc pipe, which makes the height adjustable. Mine are slide down the ground because I didn't buy a large enough sheet of plastic. Then later the plastic and clipped it into place! 

Another problem I encountered is that any grass/weeds that are left within the hoop house will thrive as well. I tried to keep up with them, but eventually kids activities with school prevented additional weeding. 

A little wilted. We did have temps in the teens one or two nights last week, but otherwise they're still hanging in there!! 

Happy hoop housing!! 

Great Giveaway!

Hey there! Just wanted to share a great giveaway with ya'll!

http://galtstrike.com/win-real-gold-with-galtstrike

Good luck!! 

Pericarditis*

Pericarditis is a condition where the pericardium, the sack surrounding the heart, adheres to the epicardium, the membrane on the outside of the heart. It can occur in different degrees. Small adhesion's can be trimmed and the heart is still acceptable for consumption as long as only a small portion is covering the epicardium. If the the adhesion's cover more than 1/2 of the surface then it is not recommended you keep it. Pericarditis can accompany pneumonia or other conditions of the lungs. Often the adhesion's will spread to the chest cavity and the lining of the chest cavity of the animal should be peeled.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76477659@N08/6860645408/?rb=1

Acute Fibrinous Pericarditis (above)

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/pericarditis.htm


http://medicinembbs.blogspot.com/2011/01/rheumatic-heart-disease.html


You're on the right path because you found yourself Way Out Here!


*This is meant as a guide not a definitive source. I am trying to bring awareness so you can further research the topic. I am not responsible for the decision and actions you take.

Cancer*

Yes, livestock can get cancer.

Unlike an abscess ( from my personal experience) a cancerous tumor will not feel as hard. When squeezing  it will have a tough outer layer, but when incised the inside is not filled with pus. The inside is solid and pliable.

Eye cancer is more common in Hereford cattle than the popular Angus. 

Cancer is Not something you want to consume! If you suspect cancer then you should contact a veterinarian or professional to confirm.

If you suspect eye cancer and there are no signs of it spreading to ANY lymph node. The head can be tossed and the body consumed.

You're on the right path because you found yourself Way Out Here!


*This is meant as a guide not a definitive source. I am trying to bring awareness so you can further research the topic. I am not responsible for the decision and actions you take.

Arthritis*

www.pig333.com

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. The joint will appear enlarged and deformed. When it is cut into the fluid will not be clear like in a normal joint; it will be reddish or yellowish or maybe even slightly orange. 

An arthritic joint should be removed. If the bones are going to be used for stock it would be best to use a saw to completely remove the inflicted joint. Arthritis can be accompanied by other diseases and conditions, so if you see multiple issues and abnormalities you should consider consulting a veterinarian. 

If in doubt throw it out! 

You're on the right path because you found yourself Way Out Here!

* This is meant as a guide to encourage further research. This is not a definitive source. I am not responsible for the decisions and actions you take. 

Abscess*

An abscess can be found in any location on the animal. In the skin, muscle, organ or lymph node. An abscess will be an abnormality. " One of these things don't look like the other" is a simple way to put it. It can feel like a hard lump and I suggest not cutting into it until you have cut and removed it from the tissue. Abscesses feel hard, but the capsule center is filled with puss. The puss can vary in consistency. It can be as runny as water or as thick as gravy. Either way you will want to remove it!

One abscess is nothing  to be too concerned with especially if it is located in the skin or just under the skin. It is possible for an abscess to form at the medicine injection site. You do need to be concerned if there are multiple abscesses. Closer examination will be needed.

While gutting (eviscerating) your animal it is not uncommon to find abscesses in the intestines or liver. Hopefully it is intact when you find it, but sometimes during gutting it can be nicked and you are engulfed with the bitter, nasty smell of the abscess. If it was accidentally cut open just keep going and try to keep as much of the puss off the good meat as possible. The one good thing about nicking an abscess is that you now know for sure it is an abscess and don't have to worry about whether the mass was cancer. Yes, animals including livestock can get cancer, but that's another post.

A liver abscess reminds me more time then not, of a ball ( can be golf ball, baseball, softball or volley ball sized) It will normally have adhesions ( thin, reddish tissue)  spreading out from the abscess. The adhesions are almost stringy and stick to your hands easily. Abscesses in the liver can vary in size and number. I have seen 1 baseball sized and multiple golf ball sized one in livers. Either way I would not recommend eating the liver with an abscess of any kind even if it can be cut out. The whole liver should be thrown away.

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/abscess,liver/Interesting

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/nottinghamvets/11327466015

Often times an abscess will make gutting very difficult. It may have adhered it self to other organs, the diaphragm or the side of the carcass. Do you best to keep it intact to prevent contaminating the carcass. Once it is out with the guts you will want to investigate. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Where was the abscess? 
2. How many?
3. Is it in more than one cavity? ( the diaphragm separates the chest and abdominal cavities)
4. What do the kidneys look like? ( are they enlarged, an odd color, or look speckled?)
5. What does the spleen look like? ( is it enlarged, thick with blood, any abscesses?)

As soon as you located an abscess you need to be on the lookout for more! Just in case because after all this meat will feed your family!

Abscesses can form in the lungs and sometimes can be very nasty and difficult to remove without making a huge mess! After removing the lungs you should check the lymph nodes that run down the center of them. They are located in the fat along the trachea and a section of I believe its the superior vena cava ( but don't quote me just in case). When checking lymph nodes first you want to:

1. Locate them. They feel firmer than the fat
2. Feel them. Do they feel harder compared to others?
3. Cut them open. Do they contain puss also? If so, how many do?

If the lungs did contain an abscess you should  "peel" the chest cavity. The pleura may be thicker due to the abscess, but "peeling" the pleura should remove contamination of the abscess. Make sure you take steps to prevent any other contamination falling on to the "peeled" area.

http://quizlet.com/24159737/lower-respiratory-pathology-flash-cards/

http://www.vetnext.com/search.php?s=aandoening&id=73255560468%20138

So you have checked out your animal and you found abscesses in both cavities and the spleen in the size of a skateboard! This is not good! One cavity it can be trimmed and tossed ( your call), but both could be an indicator of blood poisoning or toxemia or sepsis. Eating this animal is NOT recommend! Most people say " well the meat looks normal/fine." but think about it! The blood travels everywhere in the body and if it is poisoned, so is the meat. Do you really want to risk your families health? Is it worth it, no its not! Yes, you are taking a hit in the wallet, but just think of the medical, hospital and possible funeral bills! Serve your family good, wholesome food! If in doubt THROW IT OUT!

For images google " abscesses in cattle post mortem"

 You're on the right path because you found yourself Way Out Here!

* This is meant as a guide to encourage further research. This is not a definitive source. I am not responsible for the decisions and actions you take. 

Jaundice*

 After slaughtering your animal you want to check key sections for signs of disease. While skinning take note of the color of the fat. Grass fed cattle with a nice layer of fat will have a slight yellow hue to it. Except Holsteins they tend to not have much fat and what they do have normally will be more whiteish. Corn fed cattle will have a slightly darker shade of yellow. Keep in mind that the fat should be yellowish, not the connective tissue, the bone, veins or arteries.... in other words if everything is yellow the animal is likely jaundice and you should not serve it to your family! Do not eat it!! You can check the roof of the mouth and the eyes also for yellowing.
Certain diary cows such as Jerseys and Guernseys will have a deeper, darker yellow fat which carries through the mesentery tissue and fat. This is normal and as long as the connective tissue, eyes and roof of mouth are not yellow no jaundice is present.
Some goats are similar to the Jerseys and Guernsey diary cows. Their fat can be a deeper yellow and throughout the intestines. Again as long as the yellow is not in the connective tissues, bones, eyes and the roof of the mouth it is not jaundice.
A very good way to compare yellowing is by checking the aorta on the heart. If you are unfamiliar with where that is on the heart it is what I consider the "looping" artery on the top. In most normal cases this is white, so if the fat on the heart is a strong yellow and the aorta is yellow in addition to the other locations the animal most likely was jaundice.
There can be different degrees of yellowing and different locations maybe a deeper yellow then others, so it up to your judgement. If in doubt don't feed it to you family!

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/laboratoryservices/regionalveterinarylaboratoryreports/rvlmonthlyreports2011/may2011rvlmonthlyreport/

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/laboratoryservices/regionalveterinarylaboratoryreports/rvlmonthlyreports2010/august2010rvlmonthlyreport/

You're on the right path because you found yourself Way Out Here!


*This is meant as a guide not a definitive source. I am trying to bring awareness so you can further research the topic. I am not responsible for the decision and actions you take.