Pastures

These sheep are grazing on established grass pasture.  This pasture needed improved with a higher protein legume forage, red clover. Frost seeding is one way to improve an established pasture with out harming it.  Frost seeding, in central Illinois, is done in Feb/March by simply scattering seed on the late winter snow.  As the snow melts and the ground freezes and thaws, the seeds work their way into the soil for spring germination.  Orchard grass and red clover have a high success rate of germination using this method of sowing.  Frost seeding established pastures like this improves the animal's nutrition.    This picture was taken a few years ago.  Since 2009 these lambs, now ewes, have been upgraded to a little better forage.