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COWS-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 16
Lush green pastures, i.e. those that are irrigated, naturally fertile and moist can support more animals per acre than bunch grasses found in dry climates.
Native bunch grasses in dry climates are very nutritious but it takes more land to feed the cattle because of their slow growth grasses – why – because there is more space between the plants and plant health is endangered if the same plants are grazed repeatedly during the growing season.
A mix of grass and legumes is desirable – legumes are clover and alfalfa – because they provide more protein and add nitrogen to the soil. Pastures mainly comprised of grasses need supplemental nitrogen to be highly productive, this can be attained by spreading animal manure in the spring or using a commercial fertilizer.
Hay if properly grown, cut at the right time - which is when the plants still have high nutrient content before it matures and dries and produces seed-heads – properly cured, and well stored to prevent weather damage can be an excellent feed as it supplies all the necessary nutrients. Legume hay has more protein than grass hay. Good grass hay cut while green and growing can have a higher protein content than legume hay cut late.
HAY – DIGESTIBLE PROTEIN % Digestible Protein
Alfalfa (before blooming) 16.0
Red clover (before blooming) 9.2
Timothy (before blooming) 6.0
Timothy (mature) 2.4
Kentucky bluegrass 4.7
Mixed legume and grass 7.2
Grass hay can be lower is phosphorus and is always lower in calcium than alfalfa.
Native bunch grasses in dry climates are very nutritious but it takes more land to feed the cattle because of their slow growth grasses – why – because there is more space between the plants and plant health is endangered if the same plants are grazed repeatedly during the growing season.
A mix of grass and legumes is desirable – legumes are clover and alfalfa – because they provide more protein and add nitrogen to the soil. Pastures mainly comprised of grasses need supplemental nitrogen to be highly productive, this can be attained by spreading animal manure in the spring or using a commercial fertilizer.
Hay if properly grown, cut at the right time - which is when the plants still have high nutrient content before it matures and dries and produces seed-heads – properly cured, and well stored to prevent weather damage can be an excellent feed as it supplies all the necessary nutrients. Legume hay has more protein than grass hay. Good grass hay cut while green and growing can have a higher protein content than legume hay cut late.
HAY – DIGESTIBLE PROTEIN % Digestible Protein
Alfalfa (before blooming) 16.0
Red clover (before blooming) 9.2
Timothy (before blooming) 6.0
Timothy (mature) 2.4
Kentucky bluegrass 4.7
Mixed legume and grass 7.2
Grass hay can be lower is phosphorus and is always lower in calcium than alfalfa.