THE LAND
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N bar A Ranch is a 123 acre property of pasture, forest and wetland located in the gently rolling hills of Central Maine Pasture is divided into paddocks for rotational grazing, to allow for rest and regrowth as well as pest management. Efforts are taken to increase desirable plant species while decreasing weeds/undesirable species without the use of herbicides, tilling or synthetic chemical fertilizers. Strategic grazing, over seeding, drag harrowing and mowing are some of the practices used to increase pasture quality and therefore nutrition to the herd. Certified organic hay is fed rotationally through the paddocks, allowing input benefits of manure and waste hay. N bar A worked with a forester to develop a forest management plan to ensure they manage their young forest responsibly. Much of the forest on the property was historically pasture. Stone walls run throughout, delineating areas of grazing land from years past. When timber harvesting occurs, it is done so to release overcrowding and competition of trees allowing for the growth of higher quality trees while simultaneously allowing more sun to reach the forest floor. This strategy paired with grazing the under story of the trees brings agricultural use and forest health together for the management of a healthy forest. Some of the practices performed to make the property a desirable habitat for wildlife include: Limited access to wetland areas, leaving dead standing trees, stacking brush piles when harvesting timber for the use of wildlife, abstaining from tree felling during critical periods and not clearing certain species and growth stages of trees. |
