Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Shaded Buckwheat Pasture










We tried out a buckwheat pasture, and the hogs loved it. Not only was the buckwheat good eating but also a cool surface on which our hogs got to rest.

The black walnut trees provide ample shade during the summer months.

We quickly realized that buckwheat alone isn't suitable for pig pastures as its delicate stand can't withstand stresses from the activity of our hogs. We'll try again with heartier grasses so the stand can last for weeks rather than just a few days, but after seeing how much the hogs like buckwheat, we'll look to blend it into the mix.