Monday, June 1, 2009

Rotational Grazing Fields





On the right, in the first picture above, shows a field that the sheep left a few days ago … it is in its process of recovery and will not be touched for a good week or more. The paddock at the left in the same picture, is a portion of the paddock that is shown in picture 2. It has nicely recovered - after having sat for about 2 weeks or so.

Picture 2 shows another view of the paddock (as mentioned above), that the sheep left several weeks ago. It has nicely recovered. Just below the recovered paddock (at back of picture), is another paddock that they have not been on yet. I need to either weedwack it or bring the tractor in to cut off several inches of the top of the grass.

The 3rd picture is of a newly clipped paddock. This is the first time the sheep have been on this paddock for this year. I just finished brush-hogging it BUT ONLY DOWN A COUPLE OF INCHES. It still stands about 3-4” tall. If this section was left not brush-hogged, they would waste a great deal of it, as it would be too tall for them to come down on top of the grass. Cutting the top of the grass also helps prevent the grass from scratching their eyes … which can cause additional problems.

This last picture is of an “electric” fence that I set up to get the sheep from one paddock to a new one, and NOT go on the old paddock shown to the left. It is merely a ‘lane’ -- and not electrified either! I have tied plastic bag strips so that they can see it (or use surveyor’s tape). Once they are use to seeing --AND FEELING-- electric fence - unless spooked, they will not go near it.

"Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house." Proverbs 24:27

Blessings! Diane



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