Way Over There

Getting the Rabbit Run set up and the cows using it to move pastures was just in time. The last week has been very enjoyable with the main herd grazing around the far, far field. The grass and brush needed a good tending as it was bringing in the roving elk herds and I would much rather feed my critters rather than them.

Having the herd this far away from the barns does mean that we have to drive up the county road and in two locked gates to be able to feed and count the herd at least once a day. I have been taking extra time while up there to re-cage a few cedar seedlings after each feeding. We only have about a fifty to sixty cedar trees planted around the fence line but nearly all of them have had their cages flung off and show serious nibbling.

By having my heavy leather gloves and hand knippers (garden clippers) on the Gator when I feed, it only takes five to ten minutes to re-cage and truss up a tree’s protection with blackberry, and blackcap briars. Getting three to four trees during a feeding time seems to be the only way I can begin to get these seedlings in a safer setting from harmful browsing.

The herd is nearly ready to reverse their passage and return to Rabbit Run where they can get back to grazing areas that are not as far from the barns and where they can keep an eye on the bull pen where the final three yearlings are hanging out. They have begun to linger around the fence where the gate is at the far end of the Rabbit Run in anticipation of moving to greener pastures.