There are three upper pasture areas at Sassafras Farm, but only two of these pastures are realistically usable, I’ve concluded after my further explorations. One of the areas is on the other side of a deep ravine with a massive rock wall. Obviously, it’s not connected by gate to the other pastures (which would be impossible), and it’s not currently fenced at all. It’s a mess, and of no particular use at the moment, even for potential haying. Sometime when I have nothing else to do, I’ll ponder what can be done with it, but for now it has left my radar picture. (The only way to even get animals to it–or to get PEOPLE to it–is by the road.)
The other two viable upper pastures are connected by gate to gate to gate all the way back to the barn.
They are beautiful pastures, albeit in a slightly neglected state at the moment. They can be recovered for use without too much effort.
There is a mix of fencing in these fields, mostly woven wire, along with horse tape in some areas, and evidence of past electric fencing. These two fields total somewhere in the neighborhood of at least 25 acres.
I’ve walked the first pasture fenceline completely. Most of it is sound, but the woven wire fencing is down in multiple locations where either a deer went through it or a tree fell on it. Repairing the woven wire fencing isn’t necessary, however, as these are intended for cow fields. I’ll be running electric around the first pasture as soon as possible in the spring and getting the cows up there.
I’m not quite sure how much pasture my relatively tiny herd of cows will require (and I’ve never had this much available to me before), so this will be a learning year in many ways.
Since I’m not milking BP this year, I have some time to figure on my milking situation with cows in pasture on the hill all summer. It won’t be an issue this year. One idea is to set up a summer milking parlor in a small covered shed in or near the upper pasture, or in the park field below it and directly adjacent. There is also another pasture area I’ll be talking about in the next pasture tour post that would make taking her to the barn to milk convenient. In the winters, I’ll be keeping BP in the rear barn yard, so it’s not an issue for all year. One way or another, I’ll figure something out when the time comes. I’m glad I have lots of time to prepare, make plans, and try out ideas. In general, from my past experience with milking, I’ve found summer milking to be the easiest in terms of setup. It’s dry, so a summer milk station near a pasture can work. In early spring, late fall, and winter, a milking station in a reliably dry area is necessary, so my barn parlor is crucial. I’ll learn more this year as I deal with the cows here and ponder my requirements.
I haven’t walked the entire fenceline in the second upper pasture due to time and weather, but I suspect it’s in a similar condition as the first upper pasture. I’ll run electric in the second field to prepare for rotating the cows there. I may also be able to use this pasture for hay. I’m just not sure yet. The second upper pasture is where I found the two lonely apple trees.
There’s also an old deer stand there.
Maybe the apple trees were planted to attract the deer, and so they built the deer stand here!
Hmmm. I still think those apple trees are in an odd place. Sure is gonna be tough on Morgan hiking out there to pick apples and haul the buckets home.
Morgan? Morgan?
Okay, never mind.
Back to the upper pastures–I’m in love with them. Amazed by them. Can’t wait to see the cows on them. This kind of pasture is unimaginable to me in my farming experience, and I’m overwhelmed with appreciation that they are at my disposal. I’m going to make good use of them!
Coming up on the pasture tour–the disconnected, odd, and almost excessive extra pastures. I’ll explain in the next post!
bonita says:
My spatial skills are not sharp, so perhaps you’ve already explained the answer to this question. If so, sorry. Cows are really creature of habit–I’ve seen cows come, from far afield, and on their own, to the barn at milking time. Is there a way the milking cows can get from their pasture to the barn, or a field adjacent to the barn, on their own or do closed gates form necessary barriers? That way milking could take place int he barn!.
On January 6, 2012 at 2:41 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
For BP to get to the barn from the upper pastures, she’d have to go through the park field, where sheep might be grazing, and the goat yard, where the goats will be. I could lead her through there, opening and closing the gates, but that would be a hassle, especially getting her through the goat yard with the goats trying to go through the gate with her. There’s a gate to the upper pasture that opens directly into the yard behind the studio and I could take her from there and walk her to the barn without going through the other fields, but it would be kinda far to walk her–and walk her back after. I would probably rather set up a small summer milking shelter near the studio and just take her out there. I’d have access to electricity for the milking machine from the studio. There’s also another field I haven’t talked about yet that’s closer to the barn, so there are several options. I won’t have to worry about it this year, so I’ll have time to think on it more.
On January 6, 2012 at 5:48 am
native daughter says:
The land is amazing. So beautiful. :fairy:
On January 6, 2012 at 5:55 am
Busy Solitude Farm says:
Is there a water source up there, or will you have to schlepp? It’s a beautiful landscape and I’m sure BP and Glory Bee will be very happy up there!
On January 6, 2012 at 7:10 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
oops, I should have mentioned, there is creek access in the upper pastures.
On January 6, 2012 at 7:13 am
SarahGrace says:
What beautiful land! You have so many options and I hope you enjoy figuring it all out this year.
On January 6, 2012 at 8:08 am
LauraP says:
While I don’t have a good perspective on the linear distances from furthest fenced pasture to the barn at your place, perhaps it’ll be helpful to know that here it’s not an issue at all for my milker to travel from the far back corner a half mile away, through two pastures to get to the barn for milking . . . twice daily when the season and grass availability dictates. She and her little herd of beef cows and calves generally are waiting at the barn door at the proper time, and everybody gets a tasty snack. The same’s true for the quarter mile trip from the far corner of the front pasture to the gate nearest the barn on that side, and I just have to let her through the gate and follow her up the driveway, across the yard, to the milking stand in the barn. She bothers nothing, she’s so intent on what’s in the feedbox, and the return trip’s just as easy because I give her a little treat when she’s back where she belongs.
On January 6, 2012 at 8:12 am
STracer says:
You do have some great opportunities with that property. I wouldn’t mind finding something similar in our area. Doesn’t need a house, but close enough for some steers and goats for the summer grazing. You might want to get into that. Buy steers in the spring, they graze for free all summer and fall, then when they run out of stuff to eat sell them. That keeps you from needing to deal with so much hay and having to feed them in the winter.
Hey I just had an idea. You might lease out the fields to Skip or someone who could use the extra pasture. THEY could fix and maintain the fence. My husband and his brother do that with one of our neighbor’s. No money involved just maintain the fence and keep the property used and not overgrown. There shouldn’t be any problem with running your few cows in with them either.
If those fields are to be baled I am sure they will need lime and fertilizer either organically or commercially. That tall brown grass is what we call Broom Sage, it shows poor quality in the ground. It will eventually disappear if the ground nutrients are increased. Otherwise you will see more bad stuff start growing in there too.
I wish you were closer so we could work out an arrangement! 🙂
On January 6, 2012 at 8:15 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Yes, I’m planning to have the soil tested, and I’m sure it at least needs some lime. The fields have been neglected for a long time.
On January 6, 2012 at 8:18 am
Anita says:
Might not be so tough on Morgan to fetch those apples if she had a horse to ride out there. Maybe fit it with some pack baskets?
On January 6, 2012 at 8:41 am
kdubbs says:
I.
have.
pasture envy.
Sure, as some pp’s said, they look like they need some TLC, but still, they’re wonderful!
On January 6, 2012 at 8:47 am
Andrea.tat says:
I’m loving the last photo. All of it looks so beautiful!
On January 6, 2012 at 9:03 am
joykenn says:
Wow! what a great area to dream on this winter! I’m intrigued by that odd parcel on the other side of the ravine but, of course, have no idea how big it is or what it is like. (All the better to dream over, of course!) From a farming point of view it might not be useful but it does offer some possibilities if you can access it by road. And for longer term dreams!
Maybe distant cabin to rent (if utilities are possible)? Or an outdoor studio for classes of some kind used during the warmer weather? Is it pretty–photography classes maybe? Is it suitable for fruit trees or nut trees–something that doesn’t need daily care? Any wild plants or could you transplant some so you could teach classes about foraging and using wild/found items for crafts, food, etc. My mind is spinning with my imaginings of a ravine and rock wall and land.
On January 6, 2012 at 9:29 am
Sue, a Florida Farm Girl says:
Suzanne, your new farm is truly beautiful. As for that hard to reach spot across the ravine, remember that the creatures and critters and birds need someplace to live, too. Just enjoy its beauty and let it be the place you can go and sit a spell to rejuvenate your soul when the day to day stuff has gotten a bit overwhelming. A refuge, that’s what I’m trying to say.
On January 6, 2012 at 10:42 am
Flowerpower says:
To access all this and those apple trees you need a golf cart or one of those expensive little John Deere 4 wheel beasties. You could haul anything with those. Talk about plenty of space there…you certainly have it. Its a pretty place too…and look at all the discoveries yet to be made! :happyflower:
On January 6, 2012 at 10:53 am
shirley T says:
Thanks for keeping all of us entertained. It is so much fun to explore your land with you. Would love to see what is at the bottom of that ravine. Don’t go there alone though. Can you use a cell phone any where there?
On January 6, 2012 at 10:54 am
whaledancer says:
Forgive my farming ignorance, but will you have to seed the pastures to get good grass for grazing?
On January 6, 2012 at 12:07 pm
lavenderblue says:
Is that the “Rather Liking” gate?
On January 7, 2012 at 12:12 am