Grazing Acres Farm

Part of any good grazing management plan is knowing how to monitor livestock performance. Below are 3 very simple things we can do as farmers to monitor our livestock. As we adjust the grazing program with these tips the livestock will start showing great benefits. Fresh Water Fresh water is one of the easiest things to supply our livestock with. It's absolutely a major contributor to livestock health. If your livestock are not getting clean water daily it will effect their overall performance. I am a firm believer than we as the farmer should be able to drink what we are giving our animals. If you would not drink it, don't force your animals to do so. Go out in your pasture with your herd, watch them as they drink. Do they smell the water before drinking? Do they lick at the water? Or do they just simple drink it down without hesitation? If they are drinking without hesitation they are telling you the water is good. But if you noticed them doing any of the other things ment

To grow seed sprouts for my chickens I use ice cream buckets. I use 2 buckets per batch. The first bucket (inside bucket) I have drilled several 1/8” holes through the bottom to act as a strainer. Then I place the strainer bucket inside the 2 nd bucket (which has no holes). The bottom bucket helps prevent big water messes if you do this work inside the house. Next I cover the bottom of the inner bucket (strainer bucket) with about ¾” of seeds (I use oats). Afterwards I fill the buckets with water until seeds are covered with the water. Let them soak for a couple hours. Then remove the inner bucket and let water drain from seeds. Don’t be afraid to shake the straining bucket to help excess water to drain.  Also dump the water from the bottom bucket. Then place buckets back together. Now place the bucket in a warm area.  Sun is not needed until seeds germinate. After 24 hours separate straining bucket from bottom bucket