While we have a decent handle on managing pastures in rapid vegetative growth stage (a.k.a. spring and early summer), we are still working on striking the right balance for summer dormancy. There are a number of challenges we face. Our pastures are heavy in cool season growers, light on warm season. It being the inland Pacific North-West, the good Lord’s spigot turns off sooner or later in June (no meaningful rain ‘till September. Our pastures are heavy clay: when wet, they’re really wet; when dry, they’re really dry. The previous owner’s pasture management left something to be desired: there’s a lot of nutrient cycling and weed pressure we need to surmount before things significantly improve. All that is to say, the question of when and how to put our paddocks ‘to-bed’ on the summer is a bit fraught.
Still figuring it out. Here’s a look at some of the pastures during ‘final’ turnout…
after ‘final’ grazing…
After the ‘final’ graze, we usually trim the pasture down, sizing and laying down the remaining residue in an effort to armor the
Here’s to hoping that less desirable weeds maintain a minimal presence ‘till more desirable species give us their autumn flush. We’ve tried intensive poultry grazing to cycle out our foxtail hare barley and ventenata…with minimal results. We’re trying again this year with the addition of a secret weapon:
More on that later!
Castricum Ranch 