The rest of the cows are outside!

The cows loved frolicking through the spring grass in their new pen today.

Since we had a beautiful, sunny day today, we decided to move the rest of the cow herd out of the barn and into the pasture (having already moved the calves outside yesterday).  It's always so much fun to watch the herd leave the barn in the spring - they kick up their heels, roll in the grass and dirt, and run from end to end of their pen.  For being such big animals, they're surprisingly spry!

Running in the pasture

The entire herd was separated into three parts during the winter.  The calves were in the loafing shed, and the rest of the herd was split into the two loafing sides of the new barn: one side consisted of younger heifers and steers, and the other side held a bull and pregnant cows.  Since the herd has been separated for several months, they're in the process of re-ordering their hierarchy - i.e., butting heads and chasing each other.  Once they are reunited with the calves in a few weeks, they'll adjust their hierarchy again.

Enjoying the fresh grass on the west side of the new barn

Because the grass is still quite short, the herd will only stay in this pen until tomorrow.  We practice Managed Intensive Rotational Grazing with our cows: the herd stays in one portion of pasture at a time and is systematically moved to a new section of pasture almost every day.  This method allows grass to recover, increases soil fertility, and mirrors the natural herd migration that exists for large ruminants in the wild (think of bison).  We also use rotational grazing for the sheep and pigs, though they don't need to be moved as often as the cows do.

Freedom!

Soon the cows will be losing their shaggy winter coats.  They're so excited to be out in the green grass - it really feels like spring!

Piglets are here!

Nine wiggly, healthy piglets were born at Jubilee Farm today.

We were so excited to find that Arabia, our sow, gave birth to nine adorable piglets this morning!  Arabia has been very attentive to her little ones, who are busily scampering about and exploring their new home.  

Arabia laying down to nurse her piglets.

Although the piglets mostly resemble their Hereford momma with their red backs and white bellies, they have some adorable little black spots that they inherited from their father, George, who is a 700 lb. Berkshire boar.  The folks down the road at Nature's Last Stand let us borrow George for a bit; both Arabia and George are so sweet and fun to be around.  George is back at his home now, so Arabia and her piglets have their pen all to themselves.

George, the boar with a heart of gold.

Another lamb (a ram this time) was born on Monday, so photos of him will be up soon; we're also expecting ducklings to hatch in mid-April.  This spring is definitely an eventful one so far!

Snow & seeding

We were surprised to wake up this morning to see snow falling (and sticking to the ground) - I definitely had to stop for a moment and think about what month we were in!  Most of the snow melted away when the sun came out in the late morning.  The ducks didn't seem to mind the weird weather too much (and Micah loved tromping around in the slush & snow, of course).

Mornings like this provide good opportunities to get some seeding done.  Farmers David & Kelsey worked on seeding bok choy and spinach:

Sometimes we use a vacuum seeder to help the process along - it uses suction to arrange the seeds for planting in a 72-cell tray, and it's especially helpful with small seeds.

Farmers Wendy & Kelsey with the vacuum seeder

After the trays have spent some time in our warm room in the barn, they'll move into the propagation house.  Lots of little seedlings are growing in there, and some have already been transplanted into larger trays - it's so exciting to see all of the bounty that the summer will bring!

Rosemary

Newborn lambs

Here's a short video from this morning of the newborn lambs.  My sister-in-law Alina and her two kiddos were able to come greet the lambs today as well, so they have had quite a warm reception so far! :)

Twin lambs on the first day of Spring!

Early this morning, Maya gave birth to an absolutely adorable set of twin lambs - what a perfect way to usher in the Spring season!  

These baby girls are so sweet and have beautiful jet-black wool (their papa is chocolate brown).  Although it was quite rainy out when they arrived, their little family is now tucked safely away underneath the big brown shed to weather out the windstorms and rainstorms.  Both lambs have been nursing and toddling around a bit, and Maya is a very attentive mother.  We're so thrilled by these new additions!

Happy Spring, everyone! :)