[Jacob-list] lovegrass

[Neal Grose]

I found an article on attempting to control weeping lovegrass.

Most of the time, palatability is a good guide to energy content of forages. 
Our sheep won't graze common burmuda if they have an option, but cows eat it 
well. Crabgrass is a favorite of sheep and cows here, but be wary of 
over-fertilization, and it is difficult to make into hay here because it 
NEVER is out of case. Matua brome grass is a good option for cool season 
grazing in our area even though it mildews in the spring. It is a heavy 
reseeding short -lived perennial.

One native grass that seems to have a lot of potential for summer grazing is 
Eastern Gammagrass. It is a broadleaved, bunch growing (advantage in 
wildlife plantings), palatable and draught tolerant. Growth pattern 
resembles Johnsongrass, but it dries for hay more easily and doesn't seem to 
have the nitrate and prussic acid problems of Johnsongrass. The down side of 
gammagrass is that it takes several years to establish. Seed must be 
scarified or over-winter in the soil in order to germinate. (Gammagrass seed 
cost a bucket-load, but the seeding rate is low - you only need about 1 
plant per 3 sq ft ! )

Planting infected fescue and lovegrass might be a good idea if there are 
areas that you don't want the sheep to overgraze?

Neal

-----Original Message----- 
From: Linda
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 9:12 PM
To: jacob-list
Subject: [Jacob-list] lovegrass

Has anyone ever tried weeping lovegrass for pasture? I read up and
decided it might work on a steep area we have. It does grow well, but
the sheep won't eat it. If I lock the donkey in the barn and cut it for
her she will eat it. I was hoping that she would develop a taste for it,
but no luck. Once she has other options, she won't touch it. Sheep won't
eat more than one bite even if locked up with no other option.My dog
will eat it. I bought the seed at a farm store and it is supposed to for
forage.
Sheep do love the drought resistant Bermudas that I've planted on the
same slope.
Linda

-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>
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