30 Nov June 2023 Newsletter

Posted at 18:18h in Newsletter by

Paardekraal Produce June 2023

Since my May newsletter we had a 230mm of rain.  On one weekend we measured 190mm of rain.  It started on the Friday morning and ended on the Monday night.  It just rained and rained and rained and rained.  We were lucky we suffered no damage but, the area above the mountain send a deluge of water down the rivers.  In fact, so much so the river crossing on the main gravel road going to town, became impassable. For 10 days we could not go into Graaff Reinet except via a very bad 4×4 route through the veld (which is 7km long but took 40min to drive just that stretch).  It was a nightmare.  In the end heavy machinery was used to clear the crossing of sand and stone enabling the quicker drainage of water.  When we could finally cross, only high clearance bakkies could get through as the water measured 700mm deep.  Some of our neighbours suffered huge stock loss such as 300 ostriches that died and on another farm 40 pregnant cattle perished.

This winter has been cold with severe frosts taking place.  Every night some of the vegetables get covered under frost cloths to try to keep them going such as the chillies.  The garden has still produced tomatoes and aubergines, but these have definitely come to an end.  Geoff has now planted the winter vegetables such as broccoli, turnips, cabbages (which is largely for the chickens which devour them).

Speaking of chickens, I have slowly been reducing their numbers, but you would hardly say.  We slaughtered 20 ducks this last week which I have turned into duck pie.  This was challenging as some days we had no electricity due to power lines that were blown down in the strong winds we had. Egg production has increased despite it being winter.

The load shedding really has had a major impact on the economy and has impede the ability of selling livestock.  Prices are rock bottom currently.  So, if there is any budding farmer out there now is the time to buy livestock. Having said that I sold most of the flock of sheep as with the winter grazing on Onbedacht we ran out of food for them.  Grazing in the veld is not an option due to the predators that we have in the mountains.

At the end of May I had a stand at the annual Stoep Tasting weekend in Graaff Reinet.  For those that have never experienced it is a worthwhile event.  The only trouble is that accommodation is scarce.  All the establishments are sold out a year in advance.  Be that as it may, I had a successful weekend, selling out on all my produce including cheese.  The Tomme de Chevre was a huge hit and I can’t wait to make again.

The goats have started to kid.  The first doe lost her new born, always a sad affair.  But the 2 other does have produced beautiful healthy twin kids each.

The pigs are growing out nicely, but gee the boars give hassle. The little sows came onto heat and that monster boar broke through the fences to get to them.  That weekend we were tearing our hair out to trying to keep him out as well as the young boars.  Eventually we moved him and his sow to the stone walled cattle kraal so that he simply could not escape.  I had no idea the hassle he and his sons would give.  Then the young kids came into season and were chasing after the ram, jumping fences, and just giving just as much trouble.  One doe cut herself badly on the inside of her back leg from jumping the fence and need to get stitches from the vet.

I also have some coffee from a local roastery in Graaff Reinet called Marias.  It is ground coffee is in 250g bags and the blend is Camdeboo.

Goat milk soap is also available which is good for nourishing the body and exfoliating at the same time.

Rowan made me some beautiful cheese boards from wild olive trees in the Camdeboo.  Each piece is unique and has its own beauty. Because the stumps are not wide the boards could not be made in a large chopping board format as one piece of wood is used per board therefore the boards are not lamented or glued together.

For this month I have the following on offer:

  • Free ranging farm Chicken eggs.
  • Creamy carrot soup made from the organic vegetables from the garden (vegetarian)
  • Duck Pie
  • Marias Camdeboo Blend ground coffee 250g
  • Goat Milk soap
  • Wild olive wooden cheese boards

 

All produce is made from free-ranging animals.  We do not administer growth hormones or antibiotics on a routine basis.
Whilst every effort has been made to remove bones from the dishes, care should still be taken when consuming.
Dishes do not contain pork.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Paarderkraal Produce June 2023 Price List

  • Chicken eggs (per 12 eggs) R50.00
  • Creamy carrot soup (600ml) R50.00
  • Duck Pie (600g) with homemade butter puff pastry R180.00
  • Marias Camdeboo Blend ground coffee R110.00
  • Goat milk soap R80.00
  • Wild olive wooden cheese boards R450


Please note:

  • All meals are frozen.
  • The dishes contain no pork and do not include rice.
  • Whilst every effort has been made to remove bones, care should be taken when consuming.
  • The bredie & pies are frozen.
  • Portion sizes are minimum: large 600gram of meat.

 

Thank you for your support!