Tag: pasture

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The sweet sound of sheep grazing…

corriedale sheep persephone

I have to share one of my favorite sounds in the world.  The lovely noise a happy sheep makes grazing on lush, green pasture.  I hope the sound quality is good enough on these short clips so you can hear.  I suggest watching the first time then pressing play again and closing your eyes.  I hope it brings you the same feeling of peace and calm it brings me.  There is something so palpable about listening and observing someone who is joyful.  And these beauties certainly are.

Check out the different styles of grazing that these two sheep have.  The first video features Rabbit, a white Karakul wether.  The second is of Persephone, aka Percy, a chocolate Corriedale ewe.

 

To view, click on the links below:

 

rabbitgrazing

 

percygrazing

 

corriedale sheep persephone

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Some Much Needed Rain

russianriverThank goodness we got another storm that brought some more rain.  I measured and this week the farm got 8+” from the storms that came through.  At the end of last month I had started to get a little worried since our dry spell seemed to stretch on and on.  We were having very warm temps for the winter as well.  It definitely felt more like spring.  The grass in my pasture had stopped growing and that is not what the sheep want to see!

As much as I hate keeping the sheep in the barn during a heavy storm it is very dry, warm and cozy in there.  I put down fresh straw and everyone just hunkers down.  And although nor the sheep or I enjoy slogging through the mud the days after a rain we all do love the life the water gives to the plants.  Including the moisture received by the hay and alfalfa fields of the central valley which will feed the flock next year.  I am hoping that we will get enough precipitation this winter to drastically lower the hay prices this year.  I won’t hold my breath but I’ll keep my fingers crossed 🙂

 

 

 

 

The Russian River really flows after a big rain and it feels so good to watch it grow to a muddy, healthy size!

 

 

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At last- out to fresh pastures!

sheep in left field

 

Joy!  The sheep are able to do what they are born to do – graze!  They fields have dried out enough that I have moved them into three of the four fields, moving rotationally so it’s easier on the land.

They are so happy and contented this time of year.  The grass is cool and lush, the weather is in the 70s, they can come and go as they please.  It is absolute bliss.

When they are stuck in the barnyard and they see me before the evening feeding they will all sing a chorus of “we are bored and hungry, please feed us now”.  These days though there is this wonderful quiet due to happy sheep with full bellies.  Pretty heavenly.  Their feeling of peace is thankfully contagious.

Wish this could last forever but hot, dry days will be here before we know it.  Better enjoy each moment of this season while it’s here…

Dandelion and friends

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Grass really is Greener…

Finally the grass is growing to the point where I can let the sheep out to graze soon.  Not soon enough for them though!  Everyday now they are baaing to let me know they are ready to dive in to this years bounty.  It must be torturous for them to stare through the fence at the pasture all day long while not able to get to it!

I hold them in till the ground has firmed up.  If they go out when it’s muddy their hooves will tear up the ground and hurt the land and the vegetation.  Good things come to those who wait I keep telling them- but their demanding baas are drowning me out. 🙂

Green grass and sheep

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We need rain…

sheep pasture

I rely heavily on the pastures I have to feed the sheep in the Spring and Summer.  Unfortunately this year we have not had much rain yet and it is making me a little nervous.

The little rain we did have started some of my grass seed growing but since we’ve had virtually no precipitation since then it has actually started to turn yellow and brown.  I’m just hoping for some measurable rain very soon so that all of it doesn’t die before it got a chance to be even an inch tall!

The other concern of mine comes with what this potential drought means for the hay crops this year.  If we don’t get enough rain it could have a serious impact on hay yields and prices come Spring.

I’m just trying not to worry since we often do get lots of rain in February, March and April.  Plus there is not a lot I can do about it one way or another.  This situation is clearly not under my control!

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Summer, like Spring, came early this year

sheep pasture

April brought 90+ degree weather here which usually doesn’t arrive until June.  That heat and the lack of spring showers dried out the pastures early this year.  The sheep were very dissapointed as was I to see the green grass go.  Even worse this dry hot weather has increased the fire season in California which is always nerve-wracking.

sheep pasture
You can see the vast difference between one pasture to the next.

Usually after the pastures are grazed we get more rain to help the grass grow a second, third, and fourth round so the sheep can continue to dine again and again.  This year the hay will have to be fed out early.