Winter Grazing

We got our first snow of the year a couple weeks ago. I took this picture a few days after the snow started to melt. We have been using the sheep to graze off some stockpiled forage in the pastures. The sheep prefer the grass quite frequently over the hay which is great because it also cuts down on feed costs as it doesn't have to go through all the processing and equipment costs that hay producing must go through. Winter Grazing can also be 

an effective tool to improve pastures as the stockpiled feed can be turned into nutrient rich fertilizer with very minimal damage to the grass stand, as long as grazing is done properly. If you want to learn more about Winter Grazing and Management-Intensive Grazing, check out some of Jim Gerrish's books on the subject, they are fantastic! We are working on eventually moving to grazing year round with hay fed only when snow levels get too deep for grazing; however, that takes time to establish enough pastures with the variety and quality grass needed to accomplish this. Meanwhile, the sheep will get to keep enjoying their wonderful, local, Organic Alfalfa Hay, grown by fantastic local farmers!