Post by romal on Jun 20, 2007 7:39:04 GMT -5
I am preparing for my first Jersey - barn under construction, fencing, etc. in about 6 years. I have two pieces of land (about an acre each & connected to each other by a 20ft strip) on either side of my house (by the sea). I have absolutely no idea how to prepare these pieces for the cow and, even though I have a few years, I thought it might take a while to get it right.
Our climate here is quite like the Maine coastal area only with more fog in the springtime. Winters are a bit more temperate than Maine though, and our summers a bit cooler. There is ALWAYS a nice breeze from the ocean.
Plot A was used to pasture a dairy cow about 50 years ago, but was used for hay as recently as 20 years ago - not cut since. It has no water source and I recognize timothy, fescue, & clover (small amount) on it.
Plot B pastured a dairy cow last about 50 years ago, and a horse about 25 years ago. It has its own natural spring right in the middle which never goes dry & has been tested as pure. It also has a stream on one side running through it to the sea. Recent road construction has blocked the natural drainage of this piece and has tainted (& somewhat clogged) the stream. I plan to dig out the stream and run a drainage line through the centre & other side of this piece - I've been told this will address its current boggy state. I also plan to fence out the stream so it will be inaccessible to the cow. I recognize mostly timothy on this piece.
I would really appreciate any advice you can give on this...I want to do it as best as I can.
Our climate here is quite like the Maine coastal area only with more fog in the springtime. Winters are a bit more temperate than Maine though, and our summers a bit cooler. There is ALWAYS a nice breeze from the ocean.
Plot A was used to pasture a dairy cow about 50 years ago, but was used for hay as recently as 20 years ago - not cut since. It has no water source and I recognize timothy, fescue, & clover (small amount) on it.
Plot B pastured a dairy cow last about 50 years ago, and a horse about 25 years ago. It has its own natural spring right in the middle which never goes dry & has been tested as pure. It also has a stream on one side running through it to the sea. Recent road construction has blocked the natural drainage of this piece and has tainted (& somewhat clogged) the stream. I plan to dig out the stream and run a drainage line through the centre & other side of this piece - I've been told this will address its current boggy state. I also plan to fence out the stream so it will be inaccessible to the cow. I recognize mostly timothy on this piece.
I would really appreciate any advice you can give on this...I want to do it as best as I can.