This is a close up picture of Big Bluestem in bloom. Who would have thought that native grass blooms like a flower. See the "turkey foot"? It's a distinguishing mark of Big Bluestem. We planted this grass in the spring of 2021. This picture was taken in the fall of 2022.
This is another closeup photo of Big Bluestem native warm season grass in late summer. This picture was taken while shaded from direct sunlight.
Next time you get a chance, get a good magnifying glass and look at Big Bluestem native grass up close.
This 3rd picture is Indian Grass, a common warm season, native grass.
Again, who looks closely at grass? Our Creator must have given it some serious thought.
Grass is amazing!
We took a family hike on Dunn Ranch Public Prairie Preserve in Northern Missouri in the summer of 2022. This is a clump of Eastern Gamma Grass. It's sometimes called the ice cream grass of grasses. It is sweet, similar to corn. The cattle love it, so we are careful not to let them eat it into the ground. We like to only graze it down to about 8 inches, them move on.
We have a few clumps of Eastern Gamma Grass on the ranch, that we planted in the spring and summer of 2021.
This is a South Poll Steer being fattened on native grass. We planted a mix of Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, Eastern Gamma Grass, Switch Grass, and Little Bluestem Grass. These are all warm season grasses.
Native grass is not the only thing that cattle, sheep, and goats enjoy.
This picture is a young native Compass plant from Dunn Ranch Prairie. We are hoping to also establish some of these native forbs and wildflowers on our ranch some day.
This is Lead Plant from Linden's Prairie near Stotts City, MO.
This is Rattlesnake Master, an impressive native prairie plant. Photo taken on the Linden's Prairie near Stotts City, MO on July 3, 2023.
Here is the herd, sheer enjoyment written all over them, eating giant ragweed, rye, etc. for their evening meal. They thrive on a diversity of forbs, wildflowers, and grasses alike.
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Thank you for the educational journaling
This article has been very educational to me.
Over a week ago we bought a heifer and a cow from Graybill Grass Ranch. The whole experience - from learning about the South Poll breed to bringing home our cows - has been a breeze! Wilbur and his family worked together to provide us with cattle that best fitted our needs. Even though there seem to be so many cattle in their herd, they can tell you each cow's history from memory. The Graybills use regenerative farming techniques which leads to the betterment of their cattle, the land and the environment. Super helpful, polite, honest people. We would definitely buy from them again.