Yesterday was a good day for us. The weather cooperated, and the burn began as planned. Temperature levels, humidity, wind speed, and constant wind direction don’t line up as often as we would hope. So far, we couldn’t have asked for better burn conditions. Better still, the forecast is for a similar day today. I awoke early this morning, invigorated and excited to check in with Lindsey. We rode out together to check on his crew and ensure everyone was ready.
I was excited to head out this morning and walk through the newly-burned fields. It’s always interesting to see the land in this charred state. Even though the fire engulfed the pre-planned areas, some shrubs and trees remain unscathed. It’s called a “patchy” burn which creates a diverse “mosaic” on the landscape. Still, much of…
Yesterday was very wet and cloudy. I enjoyed hiking along the fence line in the rain, but my spirits were lifted this morning as I watched the sunrise and listened to the birds excited chatter. We needed to move the cattle again today as there is only so much grazing available in each field. We…
I didn’t sleep well last night. Two years ago, while performing a controlled burn, we had the wind pick up in the evening, and our fire threatened to get away from us. I will never forget it. Though we contained the blaze, the memory is a reminder, a warning, of how quickly a controlled burn…
We were under a frost advisory last night. Every step I took this morning made a satisfying crunch underfoot. As I returned from my morning hike, I stopped to talk with my farm manager, Harold. He explained the rifle shot I had heard earlier this morning. Harold had shot two coyotes that have been sneaking…
I am excited about the burn that Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will do on Coal Creek next week. We carried out these burns ourselves for years, but having the pros involved reduces the stress factor. I hid a key for the fire crews to access the farm when they arrived. Dr. Dwayne Estes recently discovered…
Before this most recent storm, I was enjoying the false Spring. Now what was supposed to be a small amount of rain has arrived as snow flurries, and the wind although calmer, is still a constant as we work. The cold weather slows all of the tres and plant’s growth. We continue to look for…