Freeze, Thaw, Seed: Timing Pasture Renovation in an Unpredictable Winter

Feb 16, 2026

By Shelby Gruss

This winter’s erratic weather, swinging from –30°F wind chills to unseasonably warm temperatures in the 50s, has left many wanting spring and ready to get back in the fields. Even though the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter, temperatures have been trending upward. Over the next week, highs are expected to stay above freezing during the day and drop below freezing at night. These natural freeze–thaw cycles signal the slow transition into spring.

These conditions open an opportunity to thicken forage stands through frost seeding. Frost seeding involves broadcasting or overseeding legumes into a thinning pasture or small grain stand.

Source : iastate.edu

Video: How Data Predicts Swine Outbreaks - Swaminathan Jayaraman

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Swaminathan Jayaraman, Research Assistant and PhD Candidate at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, explains how integrated data systems can improve disease surveillance in swine production. He discusses combining diagnostics, animal movement data, production records, and spatial analytics to identify risks earlier and support proactive decision-making for PRRS, PED, and swine influenza. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Disease surveillance remains largely reactive because outbreaks are often confirmed only after transmission has already occurred across multiple connected production sites."

Meet the guest: Swaminathan Jayaraman / swamjay is a Graduate Research Assistant at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. With academic training in management information systems and engineering, he focuses on integrating diagnostic, production, and movement data to improve disease surveillance and decision support in swine production systems. Listen to Swaminathan Jayaraman on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.