The grasses that grow wild here include some very tall oats. It can get to 5-6' tall by late summer.
the alfalfa I plan to plant is this: http://www.hearneseed.com/product-info.php?Alfalfa__Ameristand_403T__domancy_4_-pid164.html I was intrigued by the fact it is bred for high traffic, so I thought "what if they can graze on it, under controlled conditions?", which was why I asked for input. Thanks to everyone for your input. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:31:34 -0700 (PDT) > From: Carla Amonson <chicki...@yahoo.com> > To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info > Subject: [Blackbelly] graizng legumes > Message-ID: <363830.92951...@web32508.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Other keys to grazing legumes: > Bloat is the key issue, so turning them out later in the day (when the dew is > off the plants), planting a grass with the alfalfa and the anti-bloat > supplement are all good options. You can also only graze them a couple of > hours a day, and make sure they go out with a full belly so that they are not > gorging themselves. They will build up a resistance as they become more > accustomed. Some people also say that this is a good "weeding out > process"-if you lose the ones that are more susceptible to bloat then you are > keeping the animals that are more suited. I am not 100% agreeable on this, > but I suppose that is how I manage parasite resistance, if they are supposed > to have this characteristic are we helping the breed by worming them, or > hindering a desirable trait? > Barbs do not need a high protein diet, they survive great on grass > hay-perhaps there are other non-bloat legumes that may be a better option for > you are well? I am not familiar with the plant species that grow best in > Northern California. I was there 3 weeks ago and know that I saw a slew of > alfalfa there, but do not know the species of grass that was in the hay > fields. But I do know that here there is the option of cicer milkvetch, > sainfoin, and birdsfoot trefoil. All are great mixed with grass and are > grazable as well as used for hay. > Carla > > > __________________________________________________________________ > Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark your > favourite sites. Download it now > http://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com. > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > This daily digest is from the Blackbelly mailing list. > Visit this list's home page at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info/ > > > End of Blackbelly Digest, Vol 5, Issue 141 > ****************************************** > _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
