Winter Hay Distribution & Manure Spreading

What happens here

To further enhance soil health during the winter months when grass growth is limited, hay bales are unrolled directly onto the pastures. This technique, called 'winter hay feeding,' involves spreading hay across the land, especially over bare spots. This practice provides a 'mat' to cover the soil, which is crucial as bare soil can be damaged by direct sunlight and lacks microbial life. The hay is allowed to rot over the winter, and its decomposition builds humus, which in turn creates healthy, living soil. To aid in the even distribution and breakdown of manure from the cattle, a tractor pulling a drag harrow is used to spread out manure pats across the pasture. This strategy replaces the need for purchased chemical fertilizers and also acts as a seed bank, as hay bales often contain grass seeds that can germinate and improve future pasture quality.

Goal: Cover bare soil, build organic matter, and distribute nutrients through winter hay feeding and manure spreading.