​Kevin Brown, BCCD, Ag Team Leader
So, it is that time of year again.  Time to let the animals out to pasture.  No more feeding them stored forages that you had to make.  No more catering to their every whim.  Now, they can be let out and go take care of themselves.  Well, at least for a short period of time.  We like to say that we are “pasturing” our animals, but are we really?  Yes, there are some that are, and do a really good job of it.  However, opening the gate and letting them roam free on the same pasture for the next 6-7 months is not pasturing.  That is an exercise lot.  Yea, there may be some grass growing there originally, but unless you have an expansive pasture, that goes away fast.  And even if you have a big enough lot that you don’t have to feed them any stored forages, you really aren’t doing the best thing for any of the resources you have.  I will try to give you some information on some of the things going on with this style of “pasturing” that you may not know.  It could make you a lot more money.

By: Kevin Brown, BCCD
In case you missed last week’s meeting, I will give a quick overview of some of the information that was gone over at the meeting.  First off, ANYONE that owns a farm animal needs to have a Manure Management Plan.  Period.  One chicken, one cow, one horse, etc.  Now before you go getting all jacked up, it is easy as pie to do.  We all know of an operation somewhere that only has a few animals and they are having a huge impact on the stream.  (That’s PC for what’s really going on).  This is why it applies to anyone having a farm animal.  Now, if you want to write the plan yourself, go to www.paonestop.psu.edu  and you have the ability to write your own plan.  You do not need to send it in anywhere.  No one needs to verify it.  You just keep it, and keep records on where your manure goes.  If you have any questions, contact me and I will help you work through it.  For an operation with only a few animals, it won’t take long at all.   And, if DEP or the Conservation District stops for any reason, it will be the first thing they ask for.  It is law.