20 March 2025 is the first day of spring. Just as I plan for winter (colder temperatures and shorter days) as we transition from summer to fall (at the autumnal equinox), I plan for summer (warmer temperatures and longer days) at we transition from winter to spring (at the vernal equinox). I have three main things I think about: pasture rotation; shearing; and new projects/priorities for the farm/shop.
Pasture rotation is a grazing system that divides pastures into smaller paddocks and moves livestock regularly. I do not come up with a specific schedule for pasture rotation, as when you rotate is influenced by many variables - to include the number of animals on the pasture, weather conditions and fecundity of the pasture; rather, I develop a general plan and then adjust according. The main advantages of pasture rotation are increased forage production, improved soil health, and enhanced animal health and productivity. More specifically, pasture rotation:
allows pastures to recover and regrow and prevents overgrazing
supports enhanced pasture resilience by promoting stronger, more drought-resistant grasses
helps control weeds by allowing desired forage species to thrive and outcompete weeds
encourages reduced erosion as healthy pastures with good ground cover are more resistant to erosion
enhances biodiversity by promoting a wider variety of plant species and wildlife habitat
improves animal health by providing access to fresh, high-quality forage
Additionally, pasture rotation is the main method of reducing parasite issues. The parasite I am most concerned with is the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). The barber pole worm likes warm moist conditions, can multiple rapidly, and can lead to the death of a goat or sheep. The best method to control the sheep/goats from ingesting the worm is to graze them on pastures in which the height of the grass is at least four inches. Since practicing rigorous pasture rotation of the sheep and goats, I have been able to eliminate nearly all issues related to the barber pole worm.
Not directly tied to pasture rotation, but part of pasture management, is determining when to cut a pasture. The grass grows so rapidly in the spring that at some point most of the grass types will form a seed head and become “stalky” not leafy. While the goats will eat this kind of foliage, the sheep generally will not. I then cut the grass (with my tractor) and once a stalk is cut as it grows back it will not form a seed head and instead will be leafy - which the sheep and goats enjoy eating more and additionally it is more nutritious for them. Most fields I only cut one time, but depending on the weather, occasionally I will cut a field a second time.
Overall pasture health has significantly improved since our arrival on the farm (in 2012). When we arrived there were significant areas on the pastures that were mostly composed of ragweed or thistles. These have nearly been eliminated. Additionally, the foliage on the pastures now grow faster. Besides rotational grazing, there are a few other reasons for the improved pasture health: the sheep and goats naturally fertilize the soil with their pellets; the cloven hoofs of the sheep and goats help aerate the soil; I have selectively reseeded some (small) areas with plants desirable for sheep and goats; and, as needed, I will weed (by hand) - e,.g. I dig up the occasional neetle I still find. (BTW, no pesticides are used on the farm.)
Shearing is timed so the sheep and goats enter the hotter summer months with very little fleece on their body, thus helping them to stay cooler. The sheep are sheared (by a professional) in April; this year they will be sheared on 7 April. The goats are sheared twice a year - in May and in November. I shear the goats myself. (Most of the professional shearers do not care to shear the Angora Goats as their skin is wrinkly in places and they cannot be sheared as fast as a sheep.) Since I am shearing the goats, I spread it out over a number of days and can shear them when their fiber is at the optimum length.
I also take the occasion of the equinox to think through upcoming projects I want to do. I am constantly cleaning fleeces, spinning, knitting/crocheting and using the felt loom; these projects are the other things I am looking to undertake. And so, in no particular order, here is what is on my current project to-do list:
Sort through the roving and display by type. Now the roving is mostly sorted by color. Occasionally someone wants a particular type of roving, e.g. Merino. So I plan to collect together the different fiber types and within that type display by color.
Rearrange the batts more specifically by color and also make some more batts.
Dying. I have recently received from the mill a set of yarn made from (my) wool and ramie and my wool/mohair and linen. I plan to dye some of the skeins. I have not dyed plant fibers before and so this will be a new adventure.
Starting one or more new projects on the loom. I have one last wrap/scarf on a loom to finish and then will commence a few new projects.
I received some small looms from an estate sale (10-12 inches wide by 16-20 inches long). They look to be in decent shape but I need to carefully inspect them and ensure they are fully working and then will put them in the shop.
Spring planting and mulching. I use my own wool/mohair to mulch (this is the wool/mohair from the legs and belly or the wool /mohair with too much vegetable matter to want to process) around my trees. (This wool/mohair is also available for sale as mulch.) This year I will also be planting large areas of catmint (also called nepeta); this is a fast growing plant and the bees and butterflies absolutely love it.
So lots to do! I will have to think through what the priorities are here. And other things may come up that need attention, so I have no specific timeframe for these projects - although I have determined I will soon start dying the yarns with ramie and linen.
Catmint (nepeta) in front of the shop (August 2024)