In a Drought, the Farm's Soil Comes First

We are feeding hay. Midsummer. This is not unusual on many farms. It is unusual for us. This marks the first time we have needed to feed hay to our cows outside of Winter. And it is due to the lack of rain coupled with the excessive heat this spring. 

As most of you know, we rotationally graze, only taking some of the grass from each paddock before we move to the next. We give each spot that has been grazed a break of 25-60 days, depending on its location on the farm and the growing season. The variability is part of how regenerative farming practices adapt specifically to each region and climate. 

A week ago, we were back around to re-graze a paddock that had been grazed almost 40 days before. Typically, the grass would be, thick, lush and no sign that it had been grazed a month ago. In other words, fully recovered. This time there had been almost no regrowth. The grass was about 10 inches tall. Which was how we left it. So, there is grass. Why don't we keep grazing it? 

If we would graze again, before the grass has had a chance to fully regrow its leaves and roots, the plant would be stunted even further. Making it even more susceptible to drought in the future. 

Grazing again would also uncover the soil, exposing the soil life to the punishing heat of the sun and drying power of the wind. Our goal as a farm is to protect the soil at all costs. The soil is the bank account for the future of our survival! 

We would love to keep grazing. The cows would like to keep grazing. But we have to pause and buy hay. The cows are not suffering. They are eating well on the good quality hay we bought them, but they would much prefer to be grazing green grass. The cows also grow better on green grass. 

We have not had to feed the sheep hay this season the sheep yet as they are on a bigger plot of ground with longer rotations and rest times. 

Hopefully this pause will be short, and we can get back at it. The grass is growing with the recent rains we have received. Just yesterday morning we had another beautiful storm with thunder and rain. 

In the meantime, we will wait. As our soil resiliency grows with attention given to regenerative and sustainable practices, our farm should become more drought tolerant. We have already come a long way. But we have a way to go!

Thanks for joining us on this journey of stewarding a rich and nourishing environment for generations!