Jimbo Shepherd

I stop mowing mid August and let the grass grow high.  Its called "Winter Stockpile" and thats all they eat all winter.  I keep some hay as a back up plan just in case there is a lot of snow and they can't get to the stockpile.  In the last 2-years we've had mild hardly any snow winters and I haven't used any hay yet. I would never lamb in Feb as the risk of freezing dead lambs would be high.  I introduce a ram the first week of December for 6 weeks (2 female cycles) that means that lambing will occur in May after the spring flush of amazing grass has come in and the moms feed on that spring grass for weeks prior to giving birth. I think this is the best way to limit lambing problems.

R West wrote:Do you leave standing forage in certain fields for the winter as well? When do you end up using your hay the most? (Time of year, circumstances--say, January during a freeze, or cold February weather during lambing, etc...)

For those wanting to trench in some water pipe and set up water points around their property. This is how I set mine up and I'm real happy with it. Also a demonstration of my mobile watering system for my flock of sheep which get moved to a new piece of ground every other day. The pipes are set below frost depth for my state which is 18inches to prevent freezing.  The mobile tub is only used during above freezing.  For winter I use a 25 gal tub and break ice in the morning and re-fill morning and night.

Here is the equipment list I used:

I have 8 of these water points on 10 acres of pasture so anywhere I move the sheep and dogs there is water right there (also great for watering in new trees).

The water points have these Plasson Quick couplers attached to a water pipe buried 18-24 inches (Virginia frost depth is 18 inches) so the water pipe wont freeze and bust open.

Not sponsored this is what I bought and where I got it: The water pipe I used is POLYETHYLENE HDPE 1-1/4 IN. - ROLL PIPE (500 FT.) $545 webpage

I used 1500 ft of water pipe on 10 acres.

You only need 1 or maybe 2 as a back up for the Job Float Valve - $57 - https://powerflexfence.com/products/jobe-valve-34

You need 1 each of these for each water point:
Plasson Quick-Coupler Valves - $15 - webpage
Plasson Riser for quick coupler - $5 - webpage

You attach the quick coupler to this PHILMAC FEMALE TEE, 3/4" which is connected to your water pipe. $23 https://powerflexfence.com/products/female-tee-34

Using a water hydrant for each water point would be anywhere from $100-$250 depending on the hydrant so those Plasson quick couplers are a huge savings.

Brand new the BCS tractor and all implements I got would be over $30K.  I got everything used for less than what just the baler alone costs.  New Baler alone costs around $10k.

Gray Henon wrote:Nice rig and some fine looking hay.  Mind if I ask how much you have invested in it?

I got the earth tools sulkie from the Earth Tools website.  
Earth tools

Sandor Sebestyen wrote:Hello, Where did you bought  BCS Mowing Sulky (trailer seat )for sickle bar mover. Thanks

Jimbo Shepherd wrote:I have a small scale 10-acre sheep farm and this is how I make hay as a backup food supply for the sheep.  

What is hay?  Hay is essentially just dried grass that farmers can store up and feed animals in winter or during a drought when no grass is growing.  

First you cut the grass using a special sickle bar mower that works with a scissor action, cutting off plant material at the base. Since it does not shred the cut material into small pieces, but leaves it whole, it can be easily raked and baled for hay.  Once cut, the grass must dry out for a couple days. After drying, it needs to be raked into a windrow to make it easy for the baler to pick it up.  


Theres a video of the mini hay baler in operation here: https://sheepdogfarm.com/f/making-our-own-hay

I have a small scale 10-acre sheep farm and this is how I make hay as a backup food supply for the sheep.  

What is hay?  Hay is essentially just dried grass that farmers can store up and feed animals in winter or during a drought when no grass is growing.  

First you cut the grass using a special sickle bar mower that works with a scissor action, cutting off plant material at the base. Since it does not shred the cut material into small pieces, but leaves it whole, it can be easily raked and baled for hay.  Once cut, the grass must dry out for a couple days. After drying, it needs to be raked into a windrow to make it easy for the baler to pick it up.  


Theres a video of the mini hay baler in operation here: https://sheepdogfarm.com/f/making-our-own-hay

Made this handheld weeder out of a landscape staple and backyard stick... hammered out to flatten and took a chainsaw file to sharpen it. Looks pretty medieval but great for close up weeding! Got a long handled version (broom stick) that works great too.

Cameron Granger wrote:This is all the more amazing given the fact that you are so close to DC with all of those rule followers, code enforcers, and complaining neighbors! Or did you not have to deal with that? If so I’d like to hear about it. We’ve been avoiding playing with our front yard because of such problems, maybe we’ve been far too timid- looks like I better just line the place with sunchokes and get to it.

Hi Cameron, This is all in my sideyard and none of this is in my front yard so Its kinda concealed (by the sunchokes, fruit trees, berry bushes) from the street.  I've left my front yard very suburban looking and people passing by would never know. I do have a HOA but they haven't bothered me yet.  I think for the front yard, some small, slow changes could be accomplished with some dwarf fruit trees.

If it were up to me, I would cover the entire front lawn with woodchips and plant it all out.   I think my neighbors and HOA would totally loose their minds if I did that!  Also, my backyard is a full up permaculture crazy fest with a hugelkultur, composting, huge aquaponics setup, and Quail tractor!  Check it out at Tomahawk Permaculture
 Jimbo

Really awesome setup!

I'm counting 9 solar panels and an 8 battery pack.

How long does it take to charge up the 8 battery pack on a day of full sun?

How long can you run that electric saw mill on the 8 battery pack?

I'm wondering how many of those 8 battery packs one would need for sustained electric saw milling over the course of a week.  I really like those lucas saw mills and they have an electric option that can cut up to 20 inch beams.

Thank you!

Check out Curtis Stone commenting on the ridiculous local govt assault on this permaculture farm.