Elk Ravine Farm

08/26/2026

08/23/2026

Donald does a great job of answering questions and pointing out facts as he goes about shearing Carrot.

The biggest thing I learned from this experience is that animal health and comfort are paramount in everything that Donald does.

And there's nothing more that I support than Animal Hubandry and giving our animals their best life possible! No matter what you are raising it for!

When you surround yourself with like-minded people and work toward your goals of educating others about these benefits, everyone is a Winner in the Big Picture!

Live, Learn and Apply it going forward!

All the Best,

Jim

08/20/2026

This is definitely the way filming has always gone!

Like Rodney Dangerfield always said, "I GET NO RESPECT"!

And as you can see, I don't now and I definitely didn't get any respect back then when this was shot, almost 3 years ago.

How things have changed on the farm since we filmed this, but there's one thing that never will: my dedication to give my animals the best quality of life that I can provide, and to educate and provide my guests with the most unique experience ever when introducing them to all of our animals on the farm.

We look forward to introducing them to you!

Elkravinefarm.com

Have a Wonderful day everyone!

Jim

08/19/2026

Learning from a true Craftsman!

When you want to be educated in anything that interests you, Go to a true Craftsman!

Donald is definitely that, and a great educator as well!

Look at how he is making Carrot the sheep as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Like I always say, whenever you have a question or a dilemma, there's always someone that has the correct answer to your question. You just need to find that individual!

For all things sheep--- the name is Donald Kading

Watch, Learn and Enjoy!

08/12/2026

Doesn't he look like the poster child for spoiled "PIGS" LOL

STANLEY was actually a MANATEE in a previous life!

He sure does love soaking in their pool on a daily basis when the weather is hot.

Pigs can't sweat, so they do whatever they can to cool off in hot temperatures. Therefore, we provide them the perfect cooling area and we are able to keep everything very sanitary so that they are kept in a clean, healthy environment.

Animal stewardship isn't something that is applied to certain animals and not others, it's for each and everyone of them. And I try my best to keep altering and improving their living conditions so they have the best lives possible.

As we all must remember, we have every opportunity in the world to alter and change our lives, while animals have zero possibilities. They are completely dependent on those who control their destiny!

By enhancing their quality of life, you are magnifying yours by having them in your life!

Take care of every living thing, and benefit from the experience!

Jim

08/12/2026

Dinner time, Lily style!

You can see by how slowly she is moving that she is stuffed from drinking so much milk and that she can't wait for the weather to cool down some.

The weather has been beautiful, but even warm temperatures can make the highland cattle sweaty and uncomfortable.

They prefer to hangout in the woods along a small stream or in the barn with the fans blowing on them.

As true stewards of our animals, we need to take their well-being into consideration even more than normal when there are extreme weather conditions or just unpleasant daily conditions.

By us enhancing their lives, they magnify their enhancement of ours!

Enjoy the connection of your special times with your animals!

Jim

08/07/2026

I'll start out by saying that I have a lot of experience raising bottle baby calves, especially bull calves, and I am well versed in how they can react.

Hence the reason why I castrate all of my bottle-raised bull calves and all bull calves that are going to be pets or interacting with people.

I have learned from personal experience that a sweet, loving, bottle-raised bull calf can turn into a dangerous opponent when testosterone enters the body. It changes everything.

That all being said, when I read the sale ad about Hunter, I was totally aware of what he is capable of being like.

So when I first saw him he was very lethargic and very undernourished. He was very slow to react and just sort of ambled along. And they mentioned at one point that he was halter trained, but lacked respect for personal space, which is exactly what happens with an uncastrated bull.

When he first walked out of the trailer into his enclosure for his quarantine period, he just went to eating the green grass and lacked any ignition in his eyes.

So, I started graining him as well to help build up body condition, and in a short period of time, we could see a transformation in his body and immediately in his eyes.

Fast forward 3 weeks...his condition has tremendously improved, he's definitely got a lot going on inside his eyes now. And I definitely don't trust him any more than I would any other bull. Actually, I trust him even less. My Scottish Highland Bulls that are raised by their mothers are much calmer and easier to deal with.

So Always Remember that animals don't rationalize like people do, and you have to know what they are capable of before you interact with them. It will end tragically if you are unaware or do not respect what they are. That being said, I fi d that I understand animals a lot better than I do people because animals don't have agendas and ulterior motives...they are much more honest and predictable!

Stay safe everyone and enjoy your animals,

Jim