As Spring Approaches

March is a time when we look ahead to a new growing season,when we make and review plans for the coming production year. The first consideration for those of us that depend entirely on the winter snow pack for irrigation, is a projection for stream flows. Drought2012 and the impact that it had on the last production year is still evident across the fields of alfalfa, fescue, and orchard grass. The areas that were fallowed last year will stay in fallow for another season at least. We are not looking forward to Drought2013, which will most likely impact us, and other operations to a greater extent than the previous year's drought.

It is difficult to make the decisions for livestock reductions, that dig deeply into our breeding stock. It has taken generations to develop them. Selection of the individual animals that will have to be sold, involves the analysis of production records, evaluation of physical condition, age, and overall conformation and condition. The carrying costs of the different age groups of livestock is another component that we consider. The youngest animals need enough quality feed to continue their growth and development so they will be ready to breed for the first time. Individual animals that are in the peek production years are the most efficient overall. The more senior group of animals require better feed, and a somewhat easier life to maintain body condition. The decisions affect the ability to respond to, and take advantage of, more promising seasons ahead.


The fields of forage are just breaking dormancy as the days warm up and the soil thaws from the grip of winter. Weeds (plants out of place) seem to start first and they survive adverse conditions better than most of our production species. The earliest green we see are always the weeds. Our control practice is grazing early with large bands of ewes, and lambs that eagerly munch off early forage. Even though we consider these plants weeds. Once the sheep have passed over a field we harrow with a scotch harrow to displace many of the remaining undesirable plant seedlings. Harrowing spreads the fertilizer that the sheep provide.

Soil sampling is done on the fields and a determination is made for the application of additional plant food. We want to keep the plants healthy and in condition to take advantage of early season water supply. We will attempt to get as much production as possible early in the season when water is likely to be the most plentiful. Having enough nutrients available to develop strong healthy roots that can survive the challenges of heat and lack of water later in the summer is also important.

It is going to be a lean and mean year, but we have been here before. Scary, oh heck yes! When your life depends on weather what can you expect? Sometimes I think we are crazy in this business of food production. We seem to yell out "All In" each spring season that is dealt us! It's just more fun some years.