From the Pastures: A time to be happy

It’s raining as I write this, but I’m not complaining. We’ve had over 3 inches this month and we needed it. It’s too early for me to worry about planting and we got 20 acres of oats and pasture mix drilled last month — so I say, “Let it rain.” The rye is growing well and the sheep will soon get at it, but will have to walk a lot since it’s very sparse on the bean stubble that was broadcast without incorporating like I do most years. The cornstalk ground that was disced once before broadcasting, then harrowed, looks 10 times better. The wheat is looking good, as well, although the litter is still waiting for the applicator to get here.

These times are the happy times for those of us in the ruminant animal business. Cattle, sheep and goat prices are at record or near record levels and fundamentally should remain that way for some time to come. We have folks calling or stopping in like never before wanting to buy ewes, lambs or calves. Even though I always say everything is for sale, I’m reluctant to let go of young animals that have the cheap spring grazing season ahead of them so there are no cheap prices.

We’ve sold a few fat cattle lately that bring a smile to my face, as well as a bulge to the billfold, and it’s tempting to get some more bucket calves to keep in the game, but the Jersey dairy we get them from is recognizing they were selling them too cheap and are understandably starting to make up for that. We’ve dried up Ella so any new calves become my chore since Ruth thinks her greenhouse work is enough for the next few weeks. Ella has raised eight calves this lactation so she’s earned a rest.

Nathaniel and I have been doing some fencing and have more to do and so does the Illinois Department of Transportation. A few nights ago another Interstate 80 semi took the wrong exit into my field and dumped a lot of ground beef patties all over the road bank and the field. We call it “Hamburger Hill” now. We were able to salvage several intact boxes for the guard dogs, but I didn’t bother to pick up the hundreds of patties strewn everywhere. I imagine the towing guys could have gotten some fresher ones since it happened during the night and before morning they were done and gone.

That makes three semis and a car in less than two years and most took paths that had been used by other unfortunate travelers. The IDOT fence fixers keep patching over other patches. I think they need to put rumble strips out there.

Spring is the time for new growth, whether crops or livestock. It s a blessing to be able to witness and participate in this season of farming. I hope all of you can appreciate it as much as I do, even after all these years. It never gets old even though I do. Happy trails!