Do I know it all? No. Have I tried it all? No. Do I know what ideas work and what ideas don’t? Sometimes. The aforementioned is just one of the reasons that Don and I are members of the Green Hills Farm Project located right here in Missouri. The knowledgeable … Continue reading
Category Archives: Pasture
Bark, shovel and a wheelbarrow
We wean our calves over-the-fence from their moms. It reduces what little stress they have but can increase mucked up ground around the stock waterer – which is what happened this year during some extra wet weather. The waterer is a common place where and momma cows and their calves … Continue reading
Eight Inches of Rain in April
Over eight inches of rain have fallen on our mid-Missouri pasture. Some of these inches came in one big event – 4.54 inches to be exact. Our soil is soaking it up, and we are grateful considering last year’s drought conditions. Looking from our hilltop to the neighbor’s overstocked, grazed … Continue reading
Conservation
As part of an ongoing conservation effort, invasive, woody species are cut and stacked in wash areas. Not only does the brush slow erosion caused by water and heavy leaf litter, it also creates a wind break and shelter for some wildlife.
Mowing and Stocking Rate
Don is mowing along fence rows and tree lines this summer. Our stocking rate is too low for proper trampling. Sure, we won’t run out of grass, however with our infrastructure, it’s difficult to crowd the cattle to graze and trample near these areas. As a result, sprouts and briars … Continue reading
Looking good again
The pastures are looking good again after two years of drought conditions. I think it paid off for us not to over graze but instead, supplement with hay.
Grass to spare.
The spring equinox has come and gone and the cattle still have grass before them. This will be the first season that we have grazed through the winter with grass to spare. A long-time goal has been achieved and the amount of grass to spare may very well be an … Continue reading
Don’t burn off pasture land.
My thought today is to follow up on a post from nine months ago. Last February, our pasture and winter supply of hay was burned up by a careless act. I made my best attempt to turn the other cheek and pledged to watch for something good to come from … Continue reading
Idle land… a waste
I see it along gravel roads and interstates alike. Idle land becoming overgrown with cedar trees and goldenrod. Most certainly someone owns the land and it looks like a waste of good resources to me. I’m sure you can guess where I’m going with this entry. If asked, my advice … Continue reading
Baling the yard
Most folks mow their lawns to make attractive landscaping for their home. Don, however, mowed ours with the intent of raking and baling the grass. Our yard area is roughly two acres and looks really nice when mowed to an even height, however about five years ago when gas prices … Continue reading