From the Pastures: Support the youth

I finally received measurable rain the second week of July. The pastures really needed it. My annual pasture, which is about 50% red clover, has held up really well. I trampled at least one-third of it, ate one-third and left standing less than a third of it. The recovery on it has been good without the rain and even better since it started to rain. The permanent pastures also have recovered nicely since I left a higher residual.

The body condition on the sheep is about a 3 on a scale of 5 and the lambs are growing nicely. I’ll be weaning the lambs in about three weeks and the larger lambs right now weigh 45 to 50 pounds. Not bad considering they are about 45 days old. So, if anyone is interested in some lamb meat, contact me because they will be finding a new home between September and December.

The fairs have started and my granddaughters have been busy walking, setting up, washing and trimming their four market lambs and one yearling ewe. I really enjoy watching them do all the work because I taught their mom and now she’s teaching her daughters. It’s the circle of life — the teacher and the student are constantly changing. Life is good. Go attend your local county fair and support the youth because in a few years they will be in your spot.