Rolling Along at the Wilson's
- North Jersey RC&D
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Charlie Wilson of Wilson Family Farms recently worked with North Jersey RC&D to host a Conservation Coffee Hour to exchange ideas about bale grazing. Spring grass growth hadn’t yet arrived in Blairstown, NJ and Charlie’s British White Park cattle stood out against the early April backdrop as area livestock farmers gathered to learn how Charlie has been using bale grazing to rejuvenate some of his worn-out pastures. For the past five months, Charlie’s been using his Ferguson bale unroller to spread dry and wet bales of hay across an entire field. While waiting for the cool-season grasses to start growing, Charlie was using the practice of bale grazing both to feed his cattle and to feed the soil of this particular field. The even distribution of cow manure and uneaten, trampled hay have been adding valuable nutrients and organic matter to this marginal field. Additionally, some of the desirable seeds in his hay bales can help overseed his pasture. Over time Charlie and his “work crew” of cattle are transforming the infertile field, purchased five years ago, from thorny multiflora rose into a verdant, productive pasture.
Soon, the cattle will begin their pasture rotation, allowing the grasses here time to mobilize those nutrients into their own lush growth. We can’t wait to see the cattle later this year, when Charlie moves them back onto this once-neglected field, where they’ll enjoy the fruits of their wintertime labor.
Check out the bale unrolling in action on our Youtube HERE!
Explore all the great products Wilson Family Farms has to offer on their website!
Keep an eye out for upcoming Conservation Coffee Hours and grazing events with North Jersey RC&D. On May 13th, we’ll be showcasing annual cover crop grazing with a grill & gather to follow. Learn more and register. Sign up for the North Jersey RC&D newsletter or follow us on Facebook to stay up to date.
Comments