 2005 Paddock Rotation Report
Keeping track of grass growth and paddock rotation is one of my primary tasks. We thought it would be interesting to publish our own "grass-report" and paddock rotation schedule. We hope to also publish photos as time allows.11-26-05 Sat: I built a new paddock today and moved the sheep to it. The paddock is about 7 acres. The existing Paddock was not over-grazed at all but the sheep where creating some tracks on it so I wanted to move them quickly as to prevent the tracks from becoming deeper. They are really liking the clover on this pasture. Lynn (dairy owner) will be happy to have some of the clover under control to allow his Ryegrass to excel in the spring. 11-13-05 Sun: There has been a lot happening this weekend. I sold several bred-ewes scheduled to lamb in January. I also moved my entire flock, except for last year's ram and a couple ram-lambs over to Camas, WA for winter grazing. My friend, who owns the dairy, and I have struck a deal to allow me to winter graze his hay-fields. The fields are 40-50 acres of perennial Ryegrass. There is a high percentage of clover in these pastures as well. The lambs and ewes should do well on it. I also put my Scottish Black-face ram-lamb in with my ewe-lambs. I didn't intent to breed my ewe-lambs this year but we really need to increase our production quickly. The Scotty ram will provide smaller but VERY vigorous lambs. 10-31-05 Mon: I sorted the ewe-lambs out of the ewes and put in my new ram. He is 50% North Country Cheviot and 50% White Dorper. He has a little shorter leg but weighs in about 350lb. He is a big boy. I got him from Derek Fisher of Idaho. From everything I am told about this ram, he really has the ability to stamp his lambs. I will run him with the ewes for 3 weeks and then put my ram from last year in as a clean-up ram for two weeks. I think the ewes were as happy to see him as he was to see them. They followed him around the pasture for the day or two. 10-21-05 Fri: The heifers have gone home and the Hockinson Pasture feels empty without them. The owner was very happy with their condition. We ended up feeding only two bails of bailage before they left. Just in time too, it has been raining like mad here and the pasture is filling up with water by the gate. The heifers would have had to swim out if we waiting another couple weeks. 10-15-05 Sat: I moved six bails of bailage over to the Hockinson Pasture. I fed one 800lb bail out to the custom grazing heifers. They seemed to appreciate it. I want to ensure they stay in great shape for their owner. He would like them to maintain a nice fat cover through the winter and we are happy to accommodate. We also want to make sure the heifers feel like they are getting enough feed so they don't pressure the fences. However, the grass is coming on strong in the fall-lush, feeding is just our way of maintaining their heavier weights. 10-13-05 Thurs: I moved about 75 ewes off the Hockinson pasture and onto the the winter Battleground Pasture. The Battleground pasture has some great re-growth with the warmer days (65-70degrees) and the nice rains we have been getting. I intend to move them back to Hockinson after the fall-lush has had enough time to grow in.  10-08-05 Sat. Moved the finishing lambs to the east strip in the Washougal Sheep pasture. The ploy fence needs to be pulled out and the grass mowed back. This will be a chore for fall. The lambs are doing a fine job or keeping up with the canary grass. We are suppose to get a couple days of sun coming up. It has been cloudy and raining for over two weeks now. It is true what they say, be careful what you whish for. I guess that is a grazers life, too much rain or not enough.
I took several photos at the Hockinson pasture and posted them HERE. This is one thing I haven't been keeping up with. I need to keep a photo journal of the pasture along with records. A picture is worth a thousand words. I am trying to get the brush under control in the Hockinson pasture. This has been a real test for my little tractor. 9-30-05 Fri. It finally started to rain and boy did it. We are getting 2 inches of rain over the next two-three days. This should really help the pastures come back for fall. I just hope we don't go from draught directly into winter rains. 09-27-05 Thurs. I built a new paddock for the sheep sized at about 10 acres. I am grazing about 75 ewes in Hockinson on the south pasture. I moved the market lambs to the Washougal Pasture since it is starting to come back strong and I don't want to get behind the canary grass on this pasture. I moved the cattle back to the North Pasture in Hockinson. The grass is burned but there is a lot of grass in this pasture since it was stock-piled this spring and summer. I am hoping to get some rain soon. 09-11-05 Sun. The sheep are now happily grazing on the Hockinson Pasture. I also moved the cattle back to the south pasture. The grass has done well considering we haven't had any rain in two months. It looks like the summer draught will be over in the next 2-3 weeks. I am looking forward to the fall lush. 09-05-05 Sun. I setup a three-strand poly wire fence on the south-side today. We have only been grazing two horses on this side and it is time to bring the sheep in. I fenced 13 acres. That should last about a month or so, that is unless it rains soon. Hasn't rained in about two months. Looking forward to the fall lush. The lambs are grazing Ryegrass stubble at Lynn's place. They are really looking great. 08-07-05 Sun. 2pm, I don't have my cross fence setup in this North Pasture yet. That is a project for this week. I think I will have enough fence to do just four paddocks on this pasture. Maybe more as I take down the fence on the south side. As soon as my tractor comes in, I will mow the south side getting it ready for the fall lush. I did lead the heifers around that pasture so they could find the fences and water points. Re-filled the water tank in the Hockinson Sheep pasture. They sure are drinking down the water. Been rotating the lambs in the Washougal Pasture. I also wormed them again on Sat. morning. I castrated another ram-lamb since he isn't turning out that great. Still have two left and I think that will be down to one in the next couple days. I started by leaving five lambs as ram-lambs to watch them develop. I believe I will end up with just one, a 1/2 North Country and 1/2 Katahdin ram-lamb. He is from a set of triplets and is growing really well. 08-06-05 Sat. 7pm, Cut the bull out and loaded him. He went on the trailer with no problem. I think he is done with his job on these heifers. Took us a little while to get the heifers to cross the bridge. The old cow went without any problem. The owner of the heifers commented that they may be a little on the fat side. I said, MIG is great isn't it. I still have plenty of feed on the south pasture but don't want to push it too much. I also want to get the fence line grazed down a bit on the North Pasture so I can continue my sheep fencing project. Heifers are belly deep in green grass again. 08-06-05 Sat. 4pm, Moved cattle down to holding pen, there is a lot of grass in the pen so they are grazing that. Will move them across the stream to the North Paddock tonight. 08-04-05 Thurs. 6pm, Moved cattle to paddock 2. Grass is hanging in there but really slowing down. Will move cattle to North Pasture soon. 08-03-05 Wed. 6pm, Moved cattle back to Paddock 1. 08-02-05: 1:30pm, Moved cattle to Paddock 7. Had to re-fill the 325gal water tank for the sheep pasture. It took them less then four days to empty it. I expect the Jersey calves are drinking most of it. I will setup a permanent pump when my order from the suppler comes in. 08-01-05: 2pm, Moved cattle to Paddock 5 (is now Paddock 4 and 5 combined). We almost had a little rain but it was only a sprinkle and didn't amount to much. The bull is really hanging out by himself. I think the heifers are all serviced including the old lead cow. He didn't want to come out of the shade for the daily paddock shift. I have noticed his reluctance to stay with the girls the past few days. Want to read more? Click HERE for the Archive. | 
