This week brought lots and lots of rain, pretty much every day. It was hot and humid, then hotter but drier, and then wet and more wet.
We had some lambs born, that I was able to video, on Wednesday.
I am now officially in summer grazing mode. I am going to leave a lot of forage behind and just gently graze the rest of the pasture to give the summer grass a chance to really establish itself. I increase the width of the rows for the cattle as well.
On Monday May 27th it was 80 F and 100% humidity. The dew point is 80 F so condensation plus humidity made it miserable.
I moved the sheep to a single wire, with another double-wire for the next row, in case they cross it.
I had left the sheep in the previous row for 4 days, which I shouldn’t do.
One of the sheep was very big and ready to give birth. (I’d catch that on Wednesday morning!)
Gami had a wound on his leg that I bandaged up. I took the bandage off a few days later and there was a scab that fell off. It’s all healed now, just bare skin.
The single wire worked for 2 days, then some of the sheep crossed, probably for more desirable forage.
The cows had some visitors, cattle egrets.
The temperature went up to the low 90s with 45% humidity, so it felt a lot nicer than the morning!
I talked with my friend who raises dogs and goats and he gave me some tips about raising livestock guardian dogs. Specifically, the dogs will chase the animals until they are about 2 years old. A commentator pointed out that every dog breeder has different ideas about how to raise livestock guardian dogs. I’ll have to find my own way.
The cows are quiet, which means they have no complaints!
On Tuesday May 28th, we had a big storm blow through as I dropped my daughter off at the airport. We got an inch of rain! The temperature did drop, though, so no complaints.
I also found cane bluestem (Bothriochloa barbinodis).
On Wednesday May 29th, I went out to the field extra early and happened to catch a sheep giving birth to twins!
I also moved the cows to a new row in the morning. We are out of ryegrass and fully in bermuda grass now that summer is in full swing.
That evening the sheep crossed the one wire. And I figured out that I am late breeding the sheep this year. I’ll probably give the sheep a month and then bring in the rams in July or August.
The new lambs and mama didn’t want to cross the wire so I had to coax them a little bit.
The cows left a lot of grass behind, and I’m ok with that. I’m not trying to clear out the spring grass to make room for the summer grass. I will just graze it lightly and give it a chance to get thick and strong. It turns out they were just targeting the bermuda grass.
I saw the golden dung flies last time I was here a month or so ago, but I didn’t see any this time, unfortunately.
Thursday May 30th
The lambs are doing just fine, but Yami is not happy with me for some reason.
With the cows I declared that summer has started, even though officially it won’t start until late June.
The lambs sure do grow up quick! Already they are not even 2 days old and jumping around.
Oh, and we got more rain, 3/4″.
I go over the history of bermuda grass in my pasture. Here it is not as strong but there is something else growing in its place.
Friday May 31st started with even more rain.
Everything is doing well!
The cows got extra land last night and cleaned it up nicely. It’s important for your farm to turn a profit, otherwise you’ll stop doing it when times get tough.
I found out as well that I won’t be getting my new sheep soon. The owner got his pasture flooded and wanted to make sure the sheep were all healthy before delivery.
I started grazing with 100′ wide rows rather than 75′ so that I can give them more land and keep them 3 days in a row.
On Saturday June 1st I made a video of Rammy and the rams.
When I went to move the sheep to a new row, I did the same experiment over again, this time with a lower wire.
I watched a video about “fill” and “flesh” on calves brought to market. They’re grazing less than I expected but it is OK.
I moved the cows late on Saturday.
On Sunday June 2nd I had to chase Snowball away from the sheep, but at least the wire is holding up.
36 is showing some hoof problems. It would be Tuesday that I finally caught her and fixed her hoof. She had a broken hoof wall that I trimmed off.
A commentator predicted young 20 would give birth in June, but I am not seeing it.
I wasn’t able to get back to the field that evening due to a monthly family reunion, but I gave the cows plenty of ground to cover so they should be OK.