[Jacob-list] Niger as a Hay Crop for Sheep

[Neal and Louise Grose]

I would be very careful about using non-native plants in this manner. They often have potential to be highly invasive, especially those with small seeds. Simply cutting before flowering may not be enough protection since they may re-emerge or resprout and still flower. Then there is always the rain delayed crop that flowers and goes to seed during long wet spells. Happens to the best of us that are making an effort to produce top quality hay.

I have fed quite a few small ravenous birds niger seed, by the way. 

Neal Grose
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Purrfleece Farms 
  To: jacob-list 
  Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 10:16 AM
  Subject: [Jacob-list] Niger as a Hay Crop for Sheep


  A friend of mine is looking at the possibility of growing niger (used in bird seed mixes) as a hay-type crop for his sheep.  He would plan on cutting and baling it before it flowers.

  Questions-Does anyone have any experience with Niger?

  All commercial seed available in the US has been heat treated to reduce germination.  Any one know of a seed source for viable seed?



  Richard Boosey
  Purrfleece Farms
  Mount Vernon AR
  Jacob and Shetland Sheep and Crosses
  pfarms at alltel.net


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