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How I Used Cattle Manure on My Fodder Field When I Couldn’t Afford Fertilizer

Farming does not always go according to plan.

​Sometimes you have everything you need, and sometimes you have to work with whatever is already available.

​Today was one of those days for me.

​For the past few days, I had been collecting the manure from our cattle in a separate place instead of leaving it scattered around the farm. Today, I took that collected manure to our fodder field and spread it over the areas where we had already harvested the grass.

​The reason was simple: I did not have the money to buy fertilizer for the field at the time.

​So instead of leaving the manure unused, I decided to make use of what I already had.

​Using What Was Already Available

​On a farm, many things are connected.

​We keep cattle, the cattle produce manure, and we also grow fodder for the animals. So when I had manure available and needed to take care of the field, using it there seemed like a practical choice.

​I had been keeping the manure separately for several days. Once I had harvested grass from some parts of the field, I decided to take the collected manure there and spread it over those areas.

​It was not something I planned as a special project. It was simply a practical decision based on the situation I was in.

​Why I Used Manure Instead of Buying Fertilizer

​The main reason was financial.

​At that time, I did not have enough money to buy fertilizer for the fodder field.

​Instead of waiting until I could afford it, I looked at what I already had available.

​The cattle manure had already been collected, so I decided to put it to use on the parts of the field where the fodder had already been harvested.

​For me, this is one of the realities of farm life. You cannot always buy everything you need. Sometimes you have to make the best use of the resources already available to you.

​From the Cattle Shed Back to the Field

​There is something interesting about the way things work on a farm.

​The cattle eat fodder from the field. After the fodder is used, the cattle produce manure. That manure can then be returned to the land.

​Today, I was simply moving one part of that cycle back to the field.

​I had been collecting the manure separately, and now I spread it over the harvested areas of the fodder field.

​It was ordinary farm work, but it was also a reminder that many resources around us can have another use instead of simply being thrown away.

​I Am Recording the Experience, Not Making a Big Claim

​I do not want to claim that using this manure will definitely produce a particular amount of fodder or increase the yield by a specific percentage.

​I am not writing this as a scientific experiment.

​I am simply recording what I actually did on my farm today and why I did it.

​I wanted to make use of something I already had instead of spending money that I did not have at the moment.

​What happens to the field afterward is something I will see with time.

​If I notice any meaningful difference in the coming weeks, I can share that experience as well.

​Another Ordinary Day on the Farm

​For someone looking from outside, spreading cattle manure across a field might seem like a very small thing.

​For me, it is simply part of everyday farm life.

​There are always small jobs to do:

  • ​Feeding the cattle
  • ​Cleaning the farm
  • ​Preparing fodder
  • ​Working in the field
  • ​Collecting manure
  • ​Taking care of whatever needs attention that day

​Not every day brings a major event.

​But sometimes an ordinary day contains a small decision worth remembering.

​Today, that decision was to take the manure I had collected over the past few days and return it to the fodder field.

​What I Learned From Today's Work

​The main thing I took from today's work is simple:

When resources are limited, you have to make good use of what you already have.


​I could not afford to buy fertilizer for the field at that time, but I did have cattle manure available.

​So I used it.

​I do not know yet what the final result will be, and I do not want to pretend that I already know.

​I will simply watch the field and see what happens next.

​That is also what MyLife.pk is about for me—not creating stories just to publish something, but documenting the things that actually happen in my life.

​Today, this was one of them.

My DIY Computer Setup & Web Designing Journey: Learning to Code and Build My Future


​Every journey begins with a single step, determination, and whatever resources you have at hand. Today, I want to share a personal side of my daily routine my learning space and my passion for web designing.

​Every night, I dedicate an hour to learning web development, and during the day, I put those lessons into practice by writing code and designing web pages.

My Resourceful Workstation

​When life hands you technical challenges, you adapt! My laptop's built-in display stopped working, but that didn't stop me from coding. Here is how I built my setup:

  • External Monitor: Connected a Dell LCD screen to keep my workspace clear and readable.
  • Closed Laptop Setup: With the laptop lid closed, I attached an external HP keyboard and mouse to work comfortably.
  • Audio & Accessories: Set up external speakers and my tripod stand for a clean and efficient study nook right on my desk/bed area.

Why I Am Learning Web Designing

​Learning to code is more than just a hobby for me. My goals are clear:

  1. Gaining New Experiences: Challenging myself every day to build beautiful, responsive web templates from scratch.
  2. Creating Useful Applications: Building websites and tools that solve real problems.
  3. Financial Independence: Transforming these skills into a reliable source of income by offering web development services to clients.
  4. Helping Others: Using my knowledge to create platforms and resources that support people and give back to the community.

Today’s Practice Session

​Today, I’m working on coding a clean, aesthetic web layout using HTML and CSS in Visual Studio Code. Every line of code brings me one step closer to mastering this craft.

"It’s not about having the best setup; it’s about making the best use of what you have."

Daily Farm Life: Harvesting Fresh Fodder and Feeding My Cattle Twice a Day


​Every day on the farm brings its own rhythm, satisfaction, and humble hard work. Among all my daily agricultural chores, caring for my livestock remains the most essential and rewarding part of my routine.

​To ensure my cattle stay healthy, strong, and active, I make sure to provide them with fresh green fodder every single day.

​My Daily Routine: Morning and Evening

​Twice a day, once in the early morning and again in the evening, I head out to the fields to harvest fresh grass. Once harvested, I bring the grass to our farm area where I use a fodder cutter machine to chop it finely.

​Machine-chopping the grass makes it much easier for the cattle to chew and digest properly, ensuring zero waste and optimal nutritional intake for the animals.

​Feeding Time at the Manger

​As soon as the freshly chopped fodder is placed into the wooden mangers (khurli), the animals gather eagerly. Seeing them enjoy their fresh feed after a hard session of cutting and chopping brings a sense of deep peacefulness and fulfillment.

​Here are a few shots captured straight from today's feeding session:

  • Side View: Capturing the animals standing comfortably at the manger, enjoying their fresh meal.
  • Rear View: A wider angle showing the peaceful atmosphere around the feeding area.
  • Close-Up View: A top-down look into the manger filled with freshly machine-chopped green grass as the animals feed.

​The Beauty of Life on the Farm

​Consistency is key when keeping livestock. Feeding them fresh, nutrient-rich green grass twice a day keeps them content and healthy. Farm life requires continuous physical dedication, but moments like these make every effort completely worthwhile.

​Traditional Fodder Cutting for Livestock: Daily Farm Life & Routine


​Managing livestock on my farm requires daily dedication and hard work. One of the primary and most important tasks every single day is preparing fresh green fodder for the animals. Cut grass and fresh crops provide essential nutrients to cattle, sheep, and goats, keeping them healthy and productive.

​Currently, I am working on cutting fresh green grass using our traditional manual fodder cutter (chaff cutter machine) to prepare a fresh meal for the livestock.

How We Prepare Fresh Fodder for the Livestock

​Preparing quality feed for livestock is a simple yet careful process:

  • Harvesting Fresh Grass: First, fresh green crops and grass are cut directly from the fields.
  • Feeding the Machine: The fresh grass is gathered into small bundles and fed evenly into the machine’s trough.
  • Manual Chopping: Turning the heavy iron wheel rotates the blades, slicing the green grass into soft, small pieces that are easy for animals to chew and digest.
  • Feeding the Animals: Once finely chopped, the fodder is collected and served fresh to the livestock in their feeding troughs.

Why Manual Fodder Cutting is Still the Best Choice

​While modern electric machines exist, using a traditional manual fodder cutter offers several key advantages:

  • Zero Electricity Needed: It works reliably without relying on power or fuel, making it ideal for rural life.
  • Prevents Feed Waste: Chopping grass into fine pieces ensures animals eat everything without wasting thick stems.
  • Better Health & Digestion: Freshly cut and chopped green grass is easier on livestock digestion and improves milk production.

Daily Farm Routine

​Feeding the animals fresh fodder every day is not just work, it is an authentic part of sustainable village life. Taking care of farm animals directly ensures high-quality feed and keeps the traditional farming culture alive.

Daily Farm Life: Cleaning Livestock Yard with Traditional Dandali

Starting the day on a farm comes with dedicated hard work and responsibilities. Every morning, long before the rest of the world wakes up, the most essential task begins: cleaning the cattle yard. Maintaining a clean environment for our livestock is not just about keeping the farm organized; it is vital for the health, hygiene, and overall productivity of the animals.

​The Essential Tool: Traditional Dandali

​When it comes to scraping and cleaning the ground, modern machinery often cannot match the efficiency of a classic tool the Dandali (a traditional heavy-duty rake).

  • Scraping Waste: The sturdy teeth of the Dandali easily loosen dried manure and debris from the soil.
  • Leveling the Ground: It helps keep the yard surface flat and smooth for the cattle to walk comfortably.
  • Efficiency: It allows quick clearing of large areas without damaging the ground.

​Step-by-Step Daily Routine

  1. Clearing Dung & Debris: The primary task is removing fresh manure and leftover feed from around the feeding troughs (Khurli).
  2. Drying the Ground: Scraping off the wet top layer allows fresh air and morning sunlight to dry out the soil, preventing bad odors.
  3. Preparing Fresh Feed: Once the area is spotless and dry, fresh green fodder is served to the cattle.

​Why Daily Cleaning Matters

  • Disease Prevention: Accumulated manure becomes a breeding ground for flies and harmful bacteria, leading to infections like foot rot and skin issues.
  • Better Milk Yield: Comfortable, stress-free cows living in a hygienic space produce better quality and higher quantities of milk.
  • Fly Control: Regular cleaning significantly reduces fly and insect infestation in the shed.

​Conclusion

​Farm life demands consistency and passion. Cleaning the livestock area every morning using our traditional Dandali ensures our animals stay healthy, active, and well-cared for. It’s hard work, but seeing healthy cattle makes every effort completely worth it!

How to Harvest Jantar Stalks for Winter Fuel: Easy Step-by-Step Guide


Welcome to mylife.pk! Today, we’re talking about one of the most useful and versatile crops in rural farming Jantar (Sesbania).

​While many people know Jantar as a green manure crop that enriches the soil, it also serves another super important purpose in our daily village life: providing reliable, dry firewood for the cold winter months!

​In this post, I will share why harvesting Jantar stalks right from the roots is so beneficial and how we dry and prepare them to keep our home kitchen running smoothly.

​Why Use Jantar Stalks as Winter Fuel?

​In rural households, having a solid supply of dry firewood for cooking and heating is essential. While buying timber or logs from commercial woodyards (tall) is always an option, market firewood can be quite expensive over time.

​Growing and harvesting Jantar on our own land gives us a practical, cost-effective, and natural alternative:

  1. Zero Extra Cost: We use our own farm yield instead of spending money at the timber market.
  2. Fast Drying Time: Jantar stalks dry out much faster in the sun compared to thick tree branches.
  3. Clean Burning Wood: Once fully dried, the stalks burn brightly and produce steady heat for cooking.

​Step-by-Step: How We Harvest Jantar Stalks

​To get the most out of your Jantar crop for firewood, the harvesting technique matters. Here is how we do it step by step:

​Step 1: Cutting from the Roots

​Instead of trimming just the tops, we cut the Jantar plants directly at the base or root level using a traditional sickle. Cutting from the bottom ensures we get the full length and thickness of the stalk, giving us sturdy wood sticks.

​Step 2: Bundling and Sun-Drying

​Once cut, we spread the long green stalks across the open field under direct sunlight. Leaving them exposed to the warm sun for a few days draws out all the moisture rapidly.

​Step 3: Storing for Winter Use

​After the stalks turn completely dry and lightweight, we tie them into neat bundles and store them in a dry shed. These dried Jantar sticks are now ready to be used in our kitchen stove all through the winter season!

​Final Thoughts

​Harvesting Jantar stalks from the root is a smart, traditional farming practice that saves money and ensures our family stays comfortable during the winter months. It’s all about making the best use of what nature and our hard work provide!

​Have you ever used Jantar stalks or crop wood for cooking fuel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

​Thank you for visiting mylife.pk stay tuned for more authentic stories and tips from rural life!