Sheep visit dormant alfalfa hay fields

This time of year it is common to see sheep grazing in dormant alfalfa hay fields. The practice benefits both the alfalfa farmers and the sheep ranchers. According to University of California Cooperative Extension advisers, lambing season typically takes place in the fall and winter, and the flocks benefit from having access to high-quality feed at a time when forage is typically scarce. In turn, the sheep eat away weeds that can creep into fields as the alfalfa is dormant, ensuring a better quality of hay in the future.