posted on
February 15, 2020
Recently I got an email asking about our 100% grass fed to finish beef and lamb.
They wanted to know how we could say that since grazing through Missouri winters was "impossible."
They were also concerned that we would feed them grain in the winter and still call them grass fed (sadly there are some farms that do this - We Do Not
As part of our regenerative grazing plan we are continually moving the cows, sheep, chickens...... onto fresh pasture. Some people imagine this would be quite the roundup to be constantly moving all of those animals. While it does take time, the animals also learn very very quickly that when we call it means fresh pasture is just ahead and they sure get excited about that. Often just a few calls and the cattle or sheep will just follow us into the fresh sward of pasture. One of my favorite parts of moving the cattle is just how excited they get. They are massive creatures and yet they jump and throw their heads around in excitement just like their young calves haha.
One thing I love to do on the farm on sunny afternoons (when the chores are done and there is time to reflect a little) is to just go out and sit in the field with the animals. Listening to their unique sounds and quirky ways combined with the fresh air, gentle breeze and soft sunshine is some excellent relaxation at the end of a long day. I had the opportunity to do this with the hens the other day and I thought I would record it and share it with you. I think I will do a bit of a series on the different "sounds of the farm" and beginning with the hens. "Cluck, cluck" doesn't quite do justice to the sounds they make out on pasture. What do you think?
