Alaska feed & food prices set to soar

I'm pretty sure that most readers here, don't really live under rocks. And, they most certainly do not swallow the mainstream media news bites for everything. Nope, I am positive you all are very good at ferreting out your own news sources for reliable news and information. 

So it should come as no shock to you that the drought, coupled with market factors, is going to have a deep and lasting effect on local food prices. In addition to a very poor harvest in some areas, the effects may cause problems with the coming growing seasons too, based on what I am reading lately. Read at AgWeb and other farming websites to gain an idea of the scope of the problems. There is also an excellent map showing drought conditions here: 

http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-national-drought-conditions-map.php

So here is a tidbit that might have escaped your attention:  The EPA issued new emissions standards a while back.....this time, they apply to maritime traffic. To lessen these emissions, they are requiring that the cargo ships use a low sulpher fuel mix, in place of the more typical (and much cheaper) bunker fuel that is typically used. TOTE has reached an agreement that allows them to continue to use the normal fuel, based on their promise to overhaul the ships...they are planning on converting to LNG over the next four years. What do you suppose it costs for such a conversion? We, the end consumers, will end up paying for that compliance to the new EPA rules, it's a given.

Now, if you don't know the intracacies of shipping to Alaska, that's fine-but it helps to know a few things, so that when you hear about freight rates, surcharges, and so on, you'll have an idea what it means on the grocery and feed store shelves. First, the major shipping companies establish a rate for containers, usually twice a year. I believe that this rate may be governed by regulation, but I am not positive. In addition, there is usually an added fuel surcharge. This is applied in addition to the rate, and has been running about 32 percent for the past couple of years. That is, base ship rate, plus 32 percent. (A few years back it was over 35, btw) So if the container costs you $5000 to ship, you will pay an additional $1600, or, $6600 for that container. Most containers have a limit as to weight, but in general, if you can "make weight" you will end up with the cheapest per pound price. Bulky, lightweight items end up costing more, on a per pound basis, due to volume. (Also known as cube if you are shipping LTL, or "less than load")  Now, there is an additional charge being added: Another 32 percent. What their rationale is for adding this, I have no idea but I presume it ties into the increased fuel and expected conversion costs. 

So what does all this really mean?   Scarce or nonexistent harvest, coupled with very high freight basically means we're screwed. Royally and completely. Alaska gets over 90% of products through the port, via shipping containers. If you ask the folks working at the local WalMart, they are telling their customers to expect a price increase of as much as 40 percent on the very next shipment. This is due in small part to scarcity from the drought, but mostly due to freight charges. Just yesterday, a family member was told to expect as much as 140 percent increase in feed by spring. And no, that it not a typo. When the full effects of the drought are seen....it's going to be pretty ugly. Many head of cattle were culled, meaning a temporary drop in price as the market was glutted-this is still ongoing, by the way. Same thing for hogs, and chickens. Now would be a very good time to stuff the freezer if you can. Next year, there will be a reduced number of livestock available, because much of what was slaughtered were producing females-due to either not having pasture, or no hay available, or feed costs prohibitive if shipped into a drought area. 

Everything that contains corn (and it is hundreds of products), soybeans, wheat, etc, are going to skyrocket in price....If you are a careful shopper, you will have already noticed this. The packaging prices have been getting smaller so that people are not too freaked out by steadily increasing pricing. (This was due primarily to inflation of US dollars earlier this year) Now, watch the steep jump in shelf prices with every passing week, due to the drought. 

You should ask yourself: How can I manage the livestock I have when a bag of feed is $45 or $50? The answer is this: You will learn how to make your own rations, using locally produced grains which are still a bargain at around $8 to $12 for a 50 pound bag. You will experiment and fail, and experiment some more, ask questions of others already making their own, and eventually, you will find that balance between your pocketbook, and production.

The alternative is just too grim.

 

Success!

This has been many years coming, but finally my wonderful husband has his first moose. I can only laugh at the expression he wears, a mix of jubilation and shell shock, lol 

Yes, it is only a spike, but they do make for wonderful eating. The yield may not be great but the experience he had, and the amazing amount of knowledge he gained, will last much longer than the tender steaks and burger we are sure to enjoy this winter. 

I'd share the long story of how this born Alaskan ended up taking 50 years to bag his first moose, but that is a private story that best remain so. I just know that I have high regard for the man who gave him the opportunity, and who is freely teaching him the many things a person needs to know when hunting up here. 

Thank you, Owen, for providing the opportunity and for teaching him the ropes. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to us both. And I must extend my appreciation to Trudy as well, for her warm and generous hospitality.  Thank you both for everything. I owe you ;)

More on pollitics

Okay, so I watched some of the speeches of the RNC. 

My first impression is that Marco Rubio is going to go far. He lit up the audience and delivered an impassioned speech eloquently. And so did Paul Ryan, of course. Mitt Romney himself? Not so much. Rather tepid, and he could use a better speech writer, plus some polish on delivery. Hint: He needs a drama coach, lol

Then last night I watched some of the DNC.  Talk about uninspiring and a snoozefest. The crowds barely warmed up to the key note speaker, and didn't do much better for the First Lady. However, I was struck by a few things: They are all about glitz and glamour as we know from the 2008 campaign. But the imagery is telling: Obama was portrayed as the New Messiah. Ahem. And then this morning I learned of two significant changes to the Democratic Party Platform.  The major one is a re-writing of their stance on Israel. It even made the morning news shows in some places-stark change. And the other is removing all reference to God.

At first I thought...well, that's to be expected. And then I remembered the words of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, and so on.....and I wondered how they could so easily abandon one of the basic tenets of this country. The answer is plain and it took no great amount of pondering or fact checking or searching on line for answers:  The Democratic Party has handed itself to the president, on a silver platter. Because he remains intent on "fundamentally changing America". Just like he promised he would, he intends to continue to deliver that to generations to come. And the Democratic Party will do anything, cede anything, to remain in power. To have a hand in shaping the coming age to suit Barack Obama's visions of his father. Cough cough. 

At this point, I don't see the US escaping a collapse. So the question should be: Should we just let the current occupant take all the blame and let him get re-elected? Or should we throw two good men into the fray who will lose anyway, and be blamed for failing? Because there is no way to overcome the deficit. There is no way to recover, none, except jobs and massive, effective and deep spending cuts. 

Think about this: 

My 13 year old son, is now in debt to the tune of $272,000, roughly. And so is every person in a working household in the country. 

I don't think there is any fixing that, do you?

Edit:  For a serious creep out factor, please take a few minutes to watch this video:

http://michellemalkin.com/2012/09/05/dont-it-feel-good-government/

2012 Presidential Race......2

So, the Alaska Republican Party has shown itself to be a down and dirty, partisan group-which, of course, it always was. Of that, they have a leading example on the national level, if reports from the RNC in Tampa are to be believed. More mistreatment of Ron Paul supporters, and TEA party members, and really, the GOP should also be ashamed. What a way to sow discontent and fracture an already tense scene. I have read a lot of incendiary commentary about this, attributing it to Mitt Romney, which of course is not the case. If there is malfeasance in the party, then it rests with the party movers and shakers, not the presumptive nominee.  Too bad they are so lofty in their righteousness that they cannot understand the peril they place the party itself in: There are many many people just like me, who are disgusted. If there was a viable alternate party, I'd be in it, at this point. I'm sick of principles being bartered away for "bipartisanship" on bills, motions, and other Congressional acts. If they had the nerve to adhere to a set of simple platform points we could all agree on, instead of a umpteen page "position paper", they'd garner a lot of new energy....and support.  At this point, all I can hope for is that no implosion takes place, and Mitt Romney delivers a speech that hits it out of the ballpark-like Paul Ryan did.

Now, let's take a look at the Obama campaign. And really, did he ever quit campaigning? (Rhetorical snicker from yours truly, I hope you enjoy ;))  Since he cannot run on his dismal record, he is allowing his campaign to take division, racism, hate speech, outright lies, and negative spin where none exists, to a new low. I am saddened to see this occurring, because for as much as I dislike the man, these actions demean the Presidency-and the process. So shame on the Democratic national party too. No need to trot out the lengthy list of smear and attack ads, I'm sure you have all seen them ad nauseum.

But if there is one single culprit that can be positively identified, for the misinformation, the hyping of talking points, and the outright reek of pander, it is the "media".

Why have we come to the point where the media, answering to no one but their stockholders and editors, steers the course of the country? Why have we let this happen? Why do we allow the debate to be shaped by sycophants behind a microphone? This is a very valid point and has been addressed much more eloquently by the likes of Judge Andrew Napolitano, Mark Levin, and so on. 

If you are clueless as to what I am talking about, please check into the many YouTube videos posted about:  Soledad O'Brien, Chris Matthews, Bill Kristol, virtually anyone at CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, and ABC.  I could list many others, but really, you should do your own homework on this one. They are all nothing but yapping lapdogs, desperate to appease the Anointed One in the Oval Office. Really, did you all think we are too stupid to notice?  Do you think we are all sheep who will swallow your pablum without a thought as to it's supposed veracity? And just when did talking heads become "reporters" or "journalists" anyway? When I was in school, you were taught to report based on facts, not opinions. Not spin, not hype. Not self serving aggrandizement, not to curry favor, not to please the subject. When was the last time you read or heard an actual factual story in the main stream media?  I'll wait while you think about it...and do get back to me on it, because you'll need to do some digging............

...and yep, more to come ;)

The 2012 Presidential Race

Might as well jump back into the commentary fray by addressing one of, if not *the* biggest topic of the year.....right?  Progressives and liberals, feel free to click on out, you won't like the contents. For the voluntarianist, the Constitutionalist, the libertarian, and the Republican-read at your own risk ;)

First let me preface this by saying that my political views are a process of evolution. That said, I have voted (in my younger years) strictly the party ticket.....Republican all the way, baby, with not much thought given as to why I was voting the way I did. 

Around 30 years ago, roughly, I began paying attention to local politics, and became aware of how decisions made in Washington effected the company I worked for in a big way. That's not to say I had some sort of epiphany, or a moment of enlightenment, or anything of that nature. It was more an accretion of new ideas that were discussed and they, well, basically stuck. I have not missed a primary nor a regular election since I was old enough to vote, and I'm proud of that. I feel strongly that it is your duty as a citizen, to express your opinion via the ballot box, every single time. 

Being in a small area, and working where I do, I have met a number of local politicians over the years. Some good, some bad, some incompetent, and some just outright nuts. But even a newb like me could see, that what happened down south, made its way onto the Anchorage and state books, with the Valley not far behind in every case. Eventually I figured out that in order to know what was coming, I had to look to Washington. During the Bush campaign, I began following the "media" and national politics more closely. And after 9-11, and the succeeding events, I found myself firmly hooked on the swamp on the Potomac, period.

I watched in outraged dismay as the current Imperialist in Chief was swept into office, without vetting. And I listened with deep unrest as our freedoms were stripped away, one act at a time. I mean, who could even imagine we'd have Czars and a ruler who decreed by executive fiat, at night on a weekend?  I surely didn't. This is most assuredly not the American way I learned about in school....which, by the way, is not even taught any longer.

I'm a fairly logical person, and often describe myself as a "practical realist". I read, and listened, and learned about how the state GOP treated the changing of the guard, and how they treated Ron Paul supporters locally. For shame, Alaska Republican Party, for shame. Instead of welcoming these activists into your fold, you have served to alienate them. For this, you might even hand over the Presidency to our Imposter in Chief. How foolish can you get, and what, exactly, did you fear? Well, whatever the motivating factor, Randy Reudrich should be ashamed of his actions, and so should everyone who supports him. Where will the next generation of Republicans come from, if not the passionate activist?  

.......more to come ;)

Odds and ends galore

One the "little of this, a little of that" side of living, here's a partial recap-in no particular order:

The vegetable starting thing went pretty well, over all. I produced 247 flats. Yes, even I am astounded I managed to do that on my own. The original plan was to attend a local market on a weekend, and to that end I started quite a lot of tomatoes and peppers. As it turned out, no market was held and I was left with a bajillion (okay, not really a bajillion, but it sure seemed like it!) extra peppers and tomatoes to find homes for. I eventually placed them all, with the last being stuffed into my nieces' car on the sly ;)  

Weather was not especially cooperative and I got into my greenhouse pretty late, according to my schedule. Everything I start has to be timed correctly to be of a certain size by a certain date....and it was very cold for several weeks longer than normal this spring. But, despite the setbacks, I was able to provide what was needed.  Like normal, I had a few busts, and a few "oh my gosh, would you look at that!" items, and on the whole, I am satisfied with the results. We also invested in a new ballast and bulb for the main light, and having the newer bulb made a huge difference in growth. I also invested into a different type of organic fertilizer, and was pleased with the results there too. 

This spring, the chicken yard was blessed with six new chicks-replacement layers for the older hens. The rooster went to "freezer camp", and now it's pretty quiet up there. Also early this summer, I lost both my turkey hens. One, I am positive, went to go set on a clutch, and the other...all we found were feathers at her nest out in the woods. The two boys remain, and they still stay within a couple feet of each other. I did find three replacement poults, and luckily one of those is a hen too. So, I am in a quandary-I know I should butcher the two boys, but my heart just isn't in it. Just a few weeks ago, I ordered in a quantity of meat birds and they're up at the barn, proving every day why they are known as "super poopers"  Egads, they are awful. I am thinking that in about week or so, I will be able to remove their feed 12 hours a day and maybe that will cut down on the volume a little bit. We've rigged up a pen for them, which we will be expanding this week, to make sure they get to walking as much as possible. 

The two dogs enjoyed spending the summer home with my son, and I have enjoyed having peace and quiet here at work, lol  We have a family member staying with us right now, so the dogs are being entertained and spoiled, and soon enough it will be back to bringing them to work every day. The two house cats are thrilled it's summer, and we've even seen Belle out on the grass!  You have to know that this cat does not do "outside", she bolts across the ground like her feet are on fire if you carry her out, lol  She's a great hunter when she wants to be, but grass, and dirt, and stuff is just not her thing. Which is to sleep in the laundry basket between meals, near as I can tell. 

The old man is doing pretty well.  We've been turning him loose to graze when we're able to keep an eye on him, and he is slowly working his way through the abundant grasses around the property. Last week he figured out he could just walk in the barn and was caught red handed (er, muzzle down) in a grain can. Needless to say, the barn entrance is now paneled off so he can't wander in and make a mess, checking all the cans for goodies. He was just like a little child caught with a hand in the cookie jar too, horse owners know exactly the expression I mean, lol  Sometime the end of the coming month I'll be getting my winter supply of alfie hay in, and I need to stock up on straw too, before the snow flies.

Speaking of stocking up, I have been doing what I can to get poultry feed in, before the major price hikes arrive here in Alaska. I've been reading online, what's been happening with the price of that, and have taken the warnings about the drought to heart. It's not a very convenient time of year to be doing this, but every extra bag I put away will help get us through the price increases, I hope. Yet another reason to butcher the two adult turkeys, right?

And in the same theme, this spring I ordered in mangel wurzel seeds. Yeah, I know, you're thinking-um, wut?  The mangel wurzel (or Mangel beet) is a common crop in some European countries, and is still grown in some areas of the US as well. They are not a sugar beet, nor a "red beet you eat" but are known as a "fodder beet". The variety I chose is suitable for humans, and most small livestock-not just the roots, but the top greens are edible too. Naturally, the reasons I looked into alternate fodder was, of course, our food security here. With that in mind, I shared seeds, with the hopes that others would try growing them also. For myself, I started them maybe two weeks too late, and got them planted sometime the first week of June-again, too late but who knew? I didn't. As it is, they are doing best in the best soils of course. I pulled one up  on the weekend and measured it. Fully ten inches long, the bulbous root (pictured with this entry today) weighs in at just over three pounds. Mangels are reputed to grow as large as 20 pounds, in optimum growing conditions. And they are also supposed to store well in the "pile" method, not needing specific humidity or temperature like seed potatoes. 

I'm back.............!

I've been thinking about taking up blogging again, the first time after reading the "watch words list" published on line. You know, the one that lists all the words that trigger automatic data collection by various US agencies?  I read the list and realized I had typed out just about every single word on that list, over the past five years on line. Ayep, I am a marked blogger already. But you knew that, right?

I thought about it a lot, as the current administration accomplished one destructive act after another. Pretty lengthy list over the past year, isn't it?

I thought about it as I watched our state officials fumble through resource development, and crashing fisheries, and as the feds tied up even more lands forever.

I thought about it as discussions ensued on Facebook, where discourse is disjointed, easily misconstrued, and fleeting indeed.

I thought about it as I worked my way through a very challenging growing season, and other events that touched myself, and my family. 

So.......back into the fray I go, one entry at a time. I hope that this time around, people will feel free to comment here. I do not censor any comment, do not block anyone from posting their opinions, and I do welcome all discussions-even opposing views.