Most farmers take very good care of their animals, being sure that they get whatever attention they need to stay in top form. As grass farmers, it is critical to take equally good care of our pastures. Soil tests are helpful in determining the nutritional condition of the pasture soil. We prefer to have soil tests done through our Extension Service or agricultural college. One must be very careful when interpreting the soil test and the advice that usually comes along with the test results.
Happy soil is far more important than having the ph or mineral readings right on the mark.
Soil with lots of organic material in it and a healthy earthworm population will overcome many ph and mineral deficiencies. Happy soil doesn t just happen over night, it takes years of constant upgrading to achieve this goal. We bucket load the manure and bedding pack out of the barnyard early every summer and into the manure spreader. We then spread it into a pile two - three feet high, from the back of the spreader, near the barnyard. This breaks up the pack and incorporates a lot of air into it.