Springtime

      Spring in our neck of the woods of central Maine has been cool and dry. Forage has been slow to grow, due to the lack of moisture and warmth. But the early Spring weather was just warm enough to melt off all the snow fairly quickly and thaw the ground without any early big rains. When early big rains happen we have to wait for the ground to dry out or the animals would make the area a mud pit since the ground is still frozen and can't absorb the water. Well even though that wasn't an issue, as it usually is most Springs, still we couldn't let the cattle out to graze until the plants had some growth on them. If you graze too soon it damages the plants and sets them way back for the rest of the growing season and it is an ineffecient way to manage pasture.  One of the most satisfying times of the year on the ranch is letting the cattle out to graze for the first time. We have an area of 'sacrficial pasture' in their wintering paddock where they can graze hard the clover and early growth species but it doesn't last long and they still must eat hay during this transition time, just before the growing season is in full swing.
    One of  four calves we're expecting this year was born at the end of April: A bull calf, born to a first calf heifer. Both of them did well with a little together time, apart from the rest of the herd, in order to get bonded and well-acquanited without any distraction or confusion. They are both doing very well. Mom has plenty of milk and her calf is proof. He's getting big and we couldn't catch him now if we tried. We hope he'll have some buddy calves soon to race around the pasture with. 
     The hive survived the winter and as soon as they could they were out gathering pollen and nectar. This is very good for plant health. They recently swarmed due to the vigor of the colony. We managed to capture the swarm and hope they will do well. The garden is going in slowly but surely, as weather and time permits. We are still enjoying potatoes, onions and garlic from last year's harvest. Hopefully this year's harvest, proves to be just as abundant as last. 
        We currently have lean ground beef available for your summer burger-grilling needs. Call or message us to fill your freezer up with our 100% grassfed beef.

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First time to pasture this growing season.

Healthy 4 day old bull calf.