I’ve mentioned before that I’m developing some of the land for pasture. I think pasture management is becoming the most interesting part of the homestead.
I’m using legumes such as mammoth clover and alfalfa to help develop sod and to fix nitrogen in the ground. Here’s a good reference about grass and legume grazing. Penn State pasture mgt.
Be sure to tailor your pasture to your animals. I’m grazing pigs. Pigs don’t tend to bloat like other ruminants, but your moves may vary.
I need to expand what I’m doing. I also need to prepare for grazing this spring. I expect to push 4 or 5 pigs through a paddock system.
I plan on going to 1″ impact sprinklers to water more area. I want to have 8 paddocks. 6 paddocks will be on a rotational schedule. 2 paddocks are for experimentation–I plan on letting the pigs take the land down to nothing and then sowing pasture seed afterward.
I’m planning on paddocks that are 110′ x 120′. That’s not very big. I’m hoping that it will be adequate for 4 or five pigs. Here’s a sample of a grazing schedule…
It’s all planned. Now all I have to do is install over 3,500 feet of fencing and gates as well as provide the infrastructure to get 1″ sprinklers to work. Besides everything else. Doh!
–JS
Where did you get your seed for the pasture grass?
I got the mammoth clover at a seed exchange. I’ve seen the red, yellow and white clover at a feed and seed store in Spokane. I’ve also seen pasture mixes that include fescue at a store called Big R. It’s a lot like D & B supply.