Monday 4/14
I think we’re done with hay. The grass is growing strong enough that the cows and sheep won’t eat it.
Tuesday 4/15
900′-1000′
Starting twice daily moves, 7 times in a row, 3.5 days in a row. The goal is to transition to leader-follower with the sheep in front. The cows need to speed up to catch up to the sheep.
I’m doing an experiment to see what happens if I only use a single wire for the crosswire.
Wednesday 4/16
As I predicted, the sheep did not leave the area as there was plenty of grass. As long as the sheep have plenty of forage, they’ll stay put.
I brought in the cows and I am now doing leader-follower with the sheep in front. The sheep get very excited when I go to open up a new area. They love fresh grass.
Thursday 4/17
I’m not happy about the leader-follower I’ve set up as the sheep went back to hang out with the cattle.
I remain committed to no vaccines, no anti-biotics on my ranch. Part of the reason is there is no guarantee that these drugs even work. The other part is that the side-effects are unknown and I believe at the heart of the issue we have with contemporary agriculture.
If it turns out that this isn’t working, I might reconsider, but all signs point to this working out well.
Friday 4/18
I harvested one of the wethers and I inspected some hooves while I had the sheep penned up. I saw no signs of hoof rot or scald in my flock. The only hoof issues are mechanical due to overgrown or damaged hooves.
It was hot today and so I had to dunk my head in trough water to cool off.
1000′-1100′
Saturday 4/20
The cattle were backgrazing, which I want to end this year.
Sheep are breaking out of the row, probably due to stress being with the cattle.
Sunday 4/21
This is what I am doing and why.
We roasted up the leg of lamb we harvested on Friday and things are going great. There is enough grass in my pasture that if I do not see any growth for 3 months they will be fine.