The Old Ram-Australia
Herd Master
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2011
- Messages
- 980
- Reaction score
- 2,082
- Points
- 303
G'day and thanks for dropping by..........
From what I have read in posts there seems to be a lot of sheep masquerading as lawn mowers,Its my view that this is "not " a great environment in which to raise/breed sheep.If you want "neat lawns"buy a "ride-on mower".....................
All types of livestock need "diversity" in there pasture to be healthy and you will never achieve this if plants are not allowed to seed(because it makes the lawn look untidy).Most farmers (yes,even small ones) en-devour to allow one paddock a year to run to 'head' and restore the seed bank and to replenish 'organic matter ' which is the foundation of your soil.
If you take the time to examine a 'wild meadow' in summer you will most likely find some 'new' green growth underneath the dry matter left after 'spring flush'.this 'rough 'surface does two things,It stops the 'hot dry winds' of "summer "scorching the new soft growth and it also helps maintain the "water cycle"into the hotter months.This cycle traps the cooler,moist air of the evening and it forms 'droplets' which through 'gravity' travels down to the surface of the soil, there-by giving some chance for the 'warm season grasses to get away.This cycle can be really evident under trees and in even our summer(with temps up to 100f)it is not unusual to find the surface still damp approaching midday.
The 'economics' of sheep lawn mowers must also be questioned IE:The animal cost ,feed costs ,vet costs ,mineral supplement cost and so on.............It may be 'cheaper' to pay someone to mow it for you,it will certainly be better for the animals overall health and well being.
As always I look forward to "any" comments for or against the topic ................................T.O.R.............................
From what I have read in posts there seems to be a lot of sheep masquerading as lawn mowers,Its my view that this is "not " a great environment in which to raise/breed sheep.If you want "neat lawns"buy a "ride-on mower".....................
All types of livestock need "diversity" in there pasture to be healthy and you will never achieve this if plants are not allowed to seed(because it makes the lawn look untidy).Most farmers (yes,even small ones) en-devour to allow one paddock a year to run to 'head' and restore the seed bank and to replenish 'organic matter ' which is the foundation of your soil.
If you take the time to examine a 'wild meadow' in summer you will most likely find some 'new' green growth underneath the dry matter left after 'spring flush'.this 'rough 'surface does two things,It stops the 'hot dry winds' of "summer "scorching the new soft growth and it also helps maintain the "water cycle"into the hotter months.This cycle traps the cooler,moist air of the evening and it forms 'droplets' which through 'gravity' travels down to the surface of the soil, there-by giving some chance for the 'warm season grasses to get away.This cycle can be really evident under trees and in even our summer(with temps up to 100f)it is not unusual to find the surface still damp approaching midday.
The 'economics' of sheep lawn mowers must also be questioned IE:The animal cost ,feed costs ,vet costs ,mineral supplement cost and so on.............It may be 'cheaper' to pay someone to mow it for you,it will certainly be better for the animals overall health and well being.
As always I look forward to "any" comments for or against the topic ................................T.O.R.............................