Cows outside enjoying the weather and eating lunch…

Topher and the farm apprentices have been feeding the cows inside at night, but outside during the day.  The cows are able to graze a little bit, but are also eating hay (in the form of baleage) out in the pasture.  This is a great way to encourage the cows to be outside, add organic matter to the soil, and ad fertility in the form of cow manure.  

I try to spend a little bit of time each day – even if it is only a few minutes – outside with them in the pasture looking at the view, watching the cows, and enjoying the crisp air.  Here you can see the cows eating the hay that has been rolled out on top of the grass.  There is a wire that runs over the top of the rolled bale to prevent the cows from walking on it and pooping on it.  If the line wasn’t there, the cows would likely soil a large percentage of their feed, but this system helps to preserve this precious resource.