[Jacob-list] hay

[Linda Bjarkman]

We don't see much alfalfa hay around here, but we used to cut alfalfa hay in 
Michigan.  Here, in Georgia, we did use some alfalfa/orchard grass hay that a 
neighbor had brought in from Kentucky.  I believe the alfalfa was third cutting.  
Not one leaf was left behind!

We are in the "fescue belt" here. After raising sheep for 8 years, we were told 
about how bad fescue hay was - poor hoof and horn development, hard placentas, etc.  
We went and bought just great Russell Bermuda hay - tested at UGA at 17%.  The sheep 
had to be starved to eat it. It was the worst horns we've ever seen on the lambs - 
we had used an unknown ram.  I kinda have to say that genetics played more of a part 
than the fescue.

Our sheep really seem to prefer a weedy hay.  We do feed grain besides, but they 
will fight over hay that is weedy and stemmy and wander off from second cutting 
bermuda.  

I've got abit over an acre planted with an orchard grass/ladino mix and it will be 
interesting to see if the sheep like it - if I ever finish the fence!

Linda







On Thu, 24 Jul 2003 10:49:18 -0400, stonecroft235 at juno.com wrote:
>A question to everyone - do you experience more waste when feeding alfalfa
>than when feeding orchard grass?  And by alfalfa, I mean unchopped, regular
>alfalfa.......or do your sheep waste either way.  Those of you who feed only
>orchard grass hay(plain w/o alfalfa), how do you supplement for extra protein?
>Alfalfa is more palatable to sheep, right?..........so do you have a problem
>getting them to eat only orchard grass hay?  (Yes, I know if they are hungry
>they will eat it, but do you see it as a problem?)
>
>Thanks
>
>Sue Martin Stonecroft Lititz/PA
>
>
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