Is it ok to let our sheep graze perennial pasture planted 3 months ago?

Ok, we planted for the first time ever, a perennial pasture 3 months ago. I think the Ag agent told us no sheep on the new pasture for an entire year...but now I cannot remember for sure...

Here's the problem: the grass is now nearly 12-16 inches high and we need it mowed or trimmed I believe.

Yes, I can run a mower over it...but, when I reach down and try to pull some of the forage from the ground, it does not come up, so I was figuring to simply let the sheep graze it down to 3 inches...and let them apply their natural fertilizer at the same time.

What are your thoughts on this?

I wouldn't think the damage would be from the grazing, but from the hooves. You may want to test them on it a day or two to see the damage done, and make a judgment call on it, if it gets to showing too much hoof damage. Then ya might have to do like @Mike CHS and mow the grass to feed to the sheep.

I honestly would not graze it for a year, I think you were right the first time. I would let it grow up tall and mow once in the fall, then consider grazing it lightly next year. First year perennial pastures are delicate, expensive things!

I would definitely not graze it. I wouldn't even go over it with a mower. I'd just let it grow, seed out, drop seed, and allow it to lay down biomass for the next year. You really, really need those roots to grow and branch out a bit before setting them back again with either grazing or mowing.

When you graze or mow, you not only nock the above-ground plant matter back but also the roots. When you graze or mow too early, you compromise those roots that those new plants are trying to establish. So in order to have a long-lasting perennial pasture stand, it's really important to let it rest and reach maturity to the fullest and die back before going in and grazing the regrowth.

It's all in the roots, and those roots are so very, very important.

It's not just about hoof traffic, though a stand can be damaged by too much hoof action too. Too much trampling can certainly damage a stand that is quite fragile and delicate now.

Actually, sheep hooves do less damage to a new pasture than cow hooves. But sheep can do more damage if they're allowed to graze too far down.

But as I said, it's those roots you gotta pay attention to; the things beneath your feet that you don't see every day. They're really important; probably more than even the green matter that is available for livestock to eat.

WildRoseBeef,

Well, thank you for your good advice...dang, it sure is tempting to put some sheep out there. It is nearly 5 months now and the rose clover is beginning to flower and lots of the pasture is over 24 inches...but we sure need a strong root system. I have not applied any fertilizer even though the AG dept. recommended it. I was hoping the sheep droppings for last year would do the job still...

Anyway, here's some pics!

wow Soar, that looks really nice. I'm sure your bees are loving that clover as well.

Latestarter said:

wow Soar, that looks really nice. I'm sure your bees are loving that clover as well.

Click to expand...

Latestarter,

No, the clover has barely begun the bloom. Within a week or two, the clover flow should be very strong.

Wanna know what flow is strong at our property right now? Our fava beans!!!

I think there is much more nearby that is in bloom...wanna know why I think it is so? Several of our hives are bring in 3-5 lbs of honey per day. Not sure where they are getting it, but the supers on top of the hives are becoming very, very difficult to pick up...we have NEVER experienced this type of flow ever...

Yeah!

You go guy! Let those little bees make honey while the making is good! Get those supers off and replaced with new ones for them to fill! You'll be swimming in honey this year

Thanks Latestarter!

Somehow stumbled upon a super hive...bees are larger, stronger, more powerful, bring in more honey, build up comb faster, lay more eggs, and expand faster than anything we have ever had. They are a little more aggressive and have no stopping sense.

One thing I do not like...their venom is much stronger than our other bees. I was stung today and within 10 seconds, my shoulder felt as if I had been punched by Mike Tyson...ouch! I was crying, "Mommy" at the top of my lungs!

Now that is a nice looking frame of bees! Sorry you got stung. Hope it's not the africanized bees reaching out to your area.