Update: Pasture Reseeding

 

The field has been sprayed.  It has taken a long time for it to die, probably due to the cooler weather we have had.  But it is dying.  We used a combo spray of roundup and 2-4-d to kill everything.  It didn't take long to spray the 10.5 acres we are doing this year.  It took longer to find a day that wasn't windy so they could do it without killing our yard or the corn field next door.  By the time we had a day the corn field was no longer an issue.

 

 

The next step was that we had lime spread on the whole field.  The big truck came and spread a ton of lime on each acre.  Not a real pricey event, but one more step completed. 

 

After conflicting recommendations on when to plant the field, I talked extensively with pretty much whoever I could get to give me an opinion on this.  We have decided to wait until it gets cold to plant it.  Hopefully this will give it a good start to come up in the spring. 

 

We also have waited a little while to disk it due to it's slow dying process and still no rain, which makes it very hard ground to work.  This pasture hasn't been worked in at least 50 years!  Well, last weekend we had 2 inches of rain here and a few sprinkles today.  That should make the ground a little more workable as soon as it dries a bit.  I am looking forward to getting that part done.  The only things left will be the seeding and fertilizing in November!

 

I have learned a lot this year about seeding and the whole process and what is recommended.  The NRCS office is very helpful as long as I know to ask the questions.  We have already started the tree clearing on the next section which is much larger than this one.  Next spring we will have the fields ready to be sprayed as soon as this one is grazable.  When it is all completed they have told us that we will be able to take at least a cutting of hay off of it and have plenty to graze all year.  The hay would save us a ton in the winter and maybe have enough to sell some?

 

This all has been a ton of work, especially the daily cutting of hedge trees for my husband as I am no chainsaw user.  I have covered all the phone calls, setting up the guys to come do the various stages and research into each step of the process.  It will all be worth it in the end and we will have beautiful pastures that sustain our small operation!

 

Goat Research

With the rain off and on today and the slightly colder than I love weather I fed the animals and filled water tanks this morning as usual.  Much of the rest of my day has been about research.  I have been researching our new herd of goats in depth.  I believe that research is hugely important to any successful venture.  I have read everything from general care to vaccines to breeding to what body types do well in shows to everything else I could find. 

When we decided to start raising boer goats, I of course researched a few topics but the brunt of my learning has come after their purchase.  I do think it is important to learn everything you can about any animal species you want to raise in order for all to hopefully go well.  There is such a vast array of info on the internet that I am all too happy to take advantage of.  Thank you to all that post this info on their websites!  It also doesn't hurt to talk to your local vet for advice.  They can be a tremendous resource.

I have also been trying to find more goats to purchase, but am having some trouble with that.  I want more does, but everyone has bucks or wethers for sale.  I usually search craigslist for these inquiries.  There I get local results and can usually see a picture of any potential purchase. 

Well, back to a little research then some quality family time!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!