The low humidity levels the last week or so took the edge off the extreme high temperatures. The pigs have come through the heat without damage and the cattle only needed to be run under the trees one day. The soil life suffered. Bare soil heats up toward 150 degrees F at the surface and the soil microbes begin to die. These microbes serve as a pathway between the soil fertility and the plants, especially in an organic system. We can see the need to develop systems for growing our organic crops with the soil covered right from the start. The pastures fare better in this way.
We cut and baled the first crop of hay last week, and also began the tillage and cultivation of the corn. The oats look nice. We will keep you posted on what happens with that field as we get into the summer. We hope for rain.
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