Daffodils and Lambs - Early Spring Tour
About 25 people participated in our first farm tour field day on March 10, 2007. We had a great (though soggy) time! Our first farm visit was to the Lubbes' bulb farm in Satsop. We saw daffodils both in the field and in the packing process. The Lubbe family will sell approximately 2.5 million flowers this year, which is slightly down from previous years. In conversation with other bulb farmers on the northwest coast, they have learned that this problem appears to be common. A particular cause has not yet been diagnosed, although there are several theories.
Mr. Lubbe explained to us that the first year a daffodil is planted, the flower will not be at its best. At the second year, the flower will be improved, and after the flowers are harvested, the bulbs will be dug up and sorted as well. They are replanted each year afterwards. Most of the bulbs in the fields are about 30 years old!
In previous years, bulb sales and flower sales were about equal in terms of income. Now, the flowers are by far the major point of profit. That is one example of market changes that have affected bulb farmers. Another change is the wholesale process. Now many of the cut flowers go to large chains, which handle distribution among their own stores. This trend has reduced the amount of separate packaging necessary from the farm.
The Lubbes also grow Yellow Finn potatoes on their farm. These are on-farm sales, so the potatoes are not shipped to warehouses. Most of the buyers of the potatoes are long-term returning customers who appreciate the high quality of Yellow Finns, which Mr. Lubbe says are less "mealy" than some other varieties. There are few producers of this variety, so the family is able to sell all the potatoes they can produce. This year they are also considering growing peas, which were once a common crop in western Washington. Because of the rapid increase in the price of corn, feed for livestock is more expensive as well. Dried peas, and sometimes pea hay, can be used. Peas are also valuable because they naturally replace nitrogen in soil.
It was cold in that cooler!
We asked at least a hundred questions, which were patiently answered. Thank you to the Lubbe family for hosting us and for the gift of daffodils at the end of the tour!
Part two!
Our second stop was to the Petersons' farm in Lewis County, where they raise Suffolk and Southdown sheep. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson had a table set up with several objects for demonstration. They discussed feed, hoof care, scrapie, and lambing issues. This has not been a banner year for breeders - there has been a higher than normal mortality rate. As with the daffodil growers, there are several theories but no solid answers as of yet.
Then it was off to the barn. We saw a number of new lambs - singles and twins, Suffolk and Southdown. Mrs. Peterson said both the breeds are known as "down" breeds, raised for meat, with less emphasis on their wool, which can be used and spun but is a coarser type.
We met ewes and rams, and learned that you should only pet a ram under his chin, because patting them on the front of the face or top of the head triggers "butting" behavior. This isn't so important with a ewe because they don't have the same instincts.
Almost everyone got to bottle feed a lamb!
Thanks to the Petersons for hosting us and for answering all of our questions!
Next tour....
The next tour is tentatively scheduled for April 14th. Please call the Grays Harbor Extension Office (360-482-2934) to inquire about the Youth Entrepreneurs in Agriculture program, which conducts this farm tour series. Our funding is from Western SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), which is affiliated with the USDA. Thanks to them for helping us to bring this program to you!
