Publication Date
1993
Description
Improved grazing methods were tested to increase lamb outputs per ha from Appalachian hill farms. Components of a grazing system were cool-season grass [tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Grasslands Matua prairie grass (Brom us willdenowii Kunth)J or grasslegume [Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)•red clover (Trifolium pralense L.)] pastures in spring and early autumn, warm-season grass [switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)] in summer, and brassicas in late autumn and early winter. Matua was highly productive in cool weather but was subject to fungal infection and grazing ewes had low Mg status in spring. Rotationally grazed switchgrass maintained high numbers of ewes and lambs for 3 months in summer; in 1991, many lambs were photosensitized. Brassica grazing trials showed high carrying capacity and good average daily gain in fattening lambs and breeding ewes from October to December despite some metabolic problems. The integrated system produces high forage yields over a 9-month period and supports markedly increased numbers of sheep.
Citation
Reid, R L.; Puoli, J R.; Jung, G A.; and Belesky, D P., "Improved Grazing Systems for Lamb Production on Appalachian Hill Farms" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 26.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session37/26
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Improved Grazing Systems for Lamb Production on Appalachian Hill Farms
Improved grazing methods were tested to increase lamb outputs per ha from Appalachian hill farms. Components of a grazing system were cool-season grass [tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Grasslands Matua prairie grass (Brom us willdenowii Kunth)J or grasslegume [Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)•red clover (Trifolium pralense L.)] pastures in spring and early autumn, warm-season grass [switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)] in summer, and brassicas in late autumn and early winter. Matua was highly productive in cool weather but was subject to fungal infection and grazing ewes had low Mg status in spring. Rotationally grazed switchgrass maintained high numbers of ewes and lambs for 3 months in summer; in 1991, many lambs were photosensitized. Brassica grazing trials showed high carrying capacity and good average daily gain in fattening lambs and breeding ewes from October to December despite some metabolic problems. The integrated system produces high forage yields over a 9-month period and supports markedly increased numbers of sheep.
