From the Pastures: Utilizing the best hay

Brrr, it’s cold outside. My sheep need good hay in their bellies to keep them warm during this time. That’s why I tested my hay and found out it averages only 8.75% crude protein. They need 10%- to 12%-protein hay. They are in early gestation right now, so for a short time I can get by feeding this hay, but I need to supplement the hay to get the total ration up to 10% to 12% protein.

So, I had to design and build a temporary feeding area out in their winter lots. I figured it should have taken a certain amount of time, but it took twice the amount of time. Anybody else ever had that happen to them? At least I got it done before this coming week of 15 degree and lower weather hits.

The granddaughters show ewes lambed during the previous cold spell and I have two nice ewe lambs on the ground now. But my ewes are waiting until it’s a lot warmer — like June 1.

I’ve been unrolling hay for all the groups of sheep and everyone is doing fine. My winter lots are getting a nice covering of “mulch and fertilizer” on them. Like I said, my hay does not have enough protein in it, so it’s important for the sheep to pick and choose the best of the hay to eat and use the poor hay for bedding.

When they get up they “direct deposit” the manure and urine onto the bedding to fertilize this coming spring’s grass. No labor or gasoline required from me. The mulch also covers the soil and protects it from wind, sun and raindrops, when they come.

I just returned from the Southern Iowa Grazing Conference in Bloomfield, Iowa. Trevor Toland spoke there to a packed room of Amish and English farmers. His talk was “Economics of Grazing: Does it Pay to Graze?” It was very informative with good questions asked afterward.

Also speaking was Joel Salatin, the self-described “Lunatic Farmer” from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Joel was the headline speaker and spoke on three different topics throughout the day, but what I remembered the most was that when you give employees, your children or your wife a job to do, understand that it will not necessarily be done just like you would have done it, but it will get done. So, compliment them, which will give them encouragement to do a better job the next time. Smile — spring is coming!