Summer Grazing Insights

If there’s one thing we’ve had in abundance this summer, it’s rain. The pastures are lush, the grass is shoulder-high in places, and everything is green as can be—but what we need is a dry stretch long enough to get our first cutting of hay down. Every time we think we’ve got a window, the forecast shifts.

Tom is officially bored and a little antsy. Summer chores are piling up, and he’s itching to fire up the equipment. But the fields are soggy, the tractors are parked, and we’re at the mercy of the radar. He’s been checking the weather like it’s his second job.

This month, we’ve had the vet out to place embryos, Tom has AI’d, and now MINO Knock ‘Em Dead is out with the cows on the original 40 acres, which we’d rested all spring. The clover came back strong, and the herd wasted no time diving in—grazing belly-deep and looking content. Honestly, it’s a beautiful thing to see them out there like that.

With pasture rotations, we’re trying to:

• Encourage regrowth while we can
• Keep the herd off the lowest, muddiest spots
• Stretch our forage so we’re not rushing into the hay pile later

We’ve had to adjust mineral tubs a few times—some spots are still holding water, and we’re trying not to rut up the lower ground anymore than the cow already have. There are also persistent patches of thistle, but that’s a battle for another day.

The replacement heifers are separate from the main herd and growing fast. They’re a mix of Jukebox, Knock ‘Em Dead, and new genetics—and each is standing out in all the right ways: thick, smooth, and already acting like they own the place. See a sneak peek in Our Dams.

🐝 Side Notes from the Farm:

• The bees are happy—clover blooms are everywhere, and they’re working overtime. Fingers crossed we’ll get honey this fall!
• The garden is soggy but trying. The tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are finally starting to set. We’re looking forward to homegrown veggies and pickles!
• Mineral program tweaks and health checks are on deck—just as soon as it dries up enough to move around without losing a boot.

We’d love to hear from you—are you ahead of us on hay this year? Or are you, like Tom, watching the forecast and pacing the porch?