From the Barns: Change is coming

April has brought a few showers, but the March winds have stayed with us. It has been hard to find the right day for the crew to cut the rest of our dead ash trees. High wind or rain showers are not the conditions we are looking for. Next week’s forecast seems to provide some better conditions. We certainly don’t want to complain as we see some of the flooding and wind scenes from south of us.

The conditions may have provided us with the right combinations for frost seeding success. I have spoken with others who are thinking they may have a nice stand. I favor frost seeding every year because failure is sometimes possible. Using common seed and a lower rate is not too expensive and helps avoid a lack of success from a seeding just every other year.

The demonstration two acres of drone cereal rye seeding suddenly seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was done in early September and remained a considered failure due to dry conditions and no snow cover. Rye is certainly an amazing plant and has retained that ability to germinate under sometimes impossible conditions. We seeded the bank of the pond expansion work and that seed has germinated and should help prevent erosion in case of a heavy downpour, as if that will ever happen here again — no, I should not say that; it will happen sometime!

Grass will be ready for turnout soon. It is hard to hold out, but so important to give grass a fair start. Cows are ready and are very jealous of calves who slip under the electric and find fresh grass outside the sacrifice paddock.

I may be ready soon to make a major announcement about a change in our grazing operation here at River Oak. Details have not been worked out quite yet, but decisions have been made. It will be exciting, yet demanding and certainly empower something I have spoken about on numerous occasions. I have the privilege of working with a young man who thinks a lot like me and isn’t afraid to be different. Planning is well along for this change and I just hope the national political scene doesn’t throw us a mean curveball.

Speaking of national events, we hope to sustain through turbulent times by keeping our head down, not overreacting, keeping political discussions out of personal relationships and staying open-minded to all viewpoints. Enjoy spring springing and stay safe and sane.