A different hay question

[Clearwater]

The fields on my property (30 ac) have been in the CRP program for the past 20 years. The cover is primarily a mixture of waist high grasses - most of which is not very thick. In some areas small volunteer trees have grown up as well. The land comes out of CRP after 2010. Before going into CRP the fields were used for alfalfa, corn and beans. The land is fairly hilly which is the reason the county wanted it in CRP rather than production (erosion potential)

About the time the land comes out of CRP I would like to build a place on the property and start a small scale sustainable farm. I believe that I will fence part of the fields to graze a few sheep. I would like to cut and bale the remainder to provide winter feed for the sheep. I have a good friend in the area that will provide the equipment and help me to begin with.

I have been told that after the nesting season I can start prepping the land. I thought I might use a brush mower to remove the small trees this year and then ??? next year.

How do I determine if these grasses will be sufficient to support sheep? Can I mow the grasses and then over-seed with something better for the sheep? Or do I need to plow the grasses totally up before I plant something else. I'm not totally opposed to chemical solutions but since the land has been chemical free for 20 years why start now.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Riverdale]

Originally Posted by Clearwater

The fields on my property (30 ac) have been in the CRP program for the past 20 years. The cover is primarily a mixture of waist high grasses - most of which is not very thick. In some areas small volunteer trees have grown up as well. The land comes out of CRP after 2010. Before going into CRP the fields were used for alfalfa, corn and beans. The land is fairly hilly which is the reason the county wanted it in CRP rather than production (erosion potential)

About the time the land comes out of CRP I would like to build a place on the property and start a small scale sustainable farm. I believe that I will fence part of the fields to graze a few sheep. I would like to cut and bale the remainder to provide winter feed for the sheep. I have a good friend in the area that will provide the equipment and help me to begin with.

I have been told that after the nesting season I can start prepping the land. I thought I might use a brush mower to remove the small trees this year and then ??? next year.

How do I determine if these grasses will be sufficient to support sheep? Can I mow the grasses and then over-seed with something better for the sheep? Or do I need to plow the grasses totally up before I plant something else. I'm not totally opposed to chemical solutions but since the land has been chemical free for 20 years why start now.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

The best thing to do is to start at the office where th CRP was signed up at. They will have all the info you need re CRP.

As for the 'supportability' of the grasses for sheep. Can't even make an educated guess unless we know what you have.

Personally, I would go to the local Soil Conservation service office (or local SWCD office, often one and the same) and discuss what you want to do. It won't cost you anything (you pay their salaries via taxes), and it is a lot more precise than asking people who live a couple states away for info

btw, I used to work for the SCS and Charlevoix County (Michigan) SWCD

[uncle Will in In.]

Good advice above. Alfalfa was once grown there, and would likely make very good erosion pron soil cover. Tilling the hills as little as possible will be to your own benifit. I'm sure they will recomend a soil test. Legumes, especialy alfalfa require a very high PH rating. Visit them now. Good to start mowing as soon as possible. Good luck. <>UNK

[rambler]

Most likely the sheep will be real happy with the grass.

I will assume you will start out small, few sheep on a larger area. As they graze down the current grass, the following year you can overseed a legume or different grass, and the year after that you can add more sheep per acre. You would of course have 2 or 3 pastures at least so you can rotate, graze one down, overseed it & keep the sheep away from it for a couple of months.

As you learn what works, you can improve things.

Plowing up 20 year old sod to plant pasture probably is not a productive thing to do. Seems a step backwards.

--->Paul