Pasture Management and Requirements For Dorper/Kat Crosses

[Rvrfshr]

I have a small herd of Dorp/Kat's (4 ewes, 4-5mo. old lambs) that I am raising using feed, hay and a couple of acres of pasture (mostly bermuda grass). Worming comes in the form of a monthly dose of garlic barrier, molasses, vinegar & vit. E.

My herd is healthy and I want to keep them that way, but wish to utilize and maximize the use of pasturage as much as possible to cut feed and hay costs.

Found a little information on the following site, but it is not specific enough for me to determine how to best maintain the limited amount of pasture available.
http://msucares.com/crops/forages/newsletters/08/7.pdf

The nutritional needs are spelled out adequately but specifically I need to know if I can fertilize/lime during hot summer conditions with little rainfall and a generous dewfall during the nights.My animals are brought in at night and free fed decent quality bermuda grass hay.

Any advice will be helpful.

Thanks,

 

[kfacres]

I have a small herd of Dorp/Kat's (4 ewes, 4-5mo. old lambs) that I am raising using feed, hay and a couple of acres of pasture (mostly bermuda grass). Worming comes in the form of a monthly dose of garlic barrier, molasses, vinegar & vit. E.

My herd is healthy and I want to keep them that way, but wish to utilize and maximize the use of pasturage as much as possible to cut feed and hay costs.

Found a little information on the following site, but it is not specific enough for me to determine how to best maintain the limited amount of pasture available.
http://msucares.com/crops/forages/newsletters/08/7.pdf

The nutritional needs are spelled out adequately but specifically I need to know if I can fertilize/lime during hot summer conditions with little rainfall and a generous dewfall during the nights.My animals are brought in at night and free fed decent quality bermuda grass hay.

Any advice will be helpful.

Thanks,

If you have plenty of pasture- and intend to rotational graze-- you should have no reason to feed hay. I see no reason not to graze year round-- unless you have snow-- which usually does not happen tons in areas of burmuda grass growing.

Typically, fert are applied early in the spring. First you need to do a soil test- and determine if your pasture needs anything. Your local FS will be able to assist. There is some positive research that shows a quick N rate during the end of summer- can assist with cool season grass growing during the fall.

 

[Rvrfshr]

Thanks,

There is some positive research that shows a quick N rate during the end of summer- can assist with cool season grass growing during the fall.

I am assuming that "a quick N rate" means an application of nitrogen? It's my understanding that N helps root systems absorb and hold moisture. Correct me if I am mistaken, please.

We are experiencing a very hot and dry summer so far and the grass isn't as lush as in prior years at this time of year, which is the reason for my concern. Also, would liming assist with absorption of organic by-products produced by the sheep?

Will do the soil tests and determine what the qualities of the soil are.

Thanks for your response.

 

[kfacres]

Thanks,

There is some positive research that shows a quick N rate during the end of summer- can assist with cool season grass growing during the fall.

I am assuming that "a quick N rate" means an application of nitrogen? It's my understanding that N helps root systems absorb and hold moisture. Correct me if I am mistaken, please.

We are experiencing a very hot and dry summer so far and the grass isn't as lush as in prior years at this time of year, which is the reason for my concern. Also, would liming assist with absorption of organic by-products produced by the sheep?

Will do the soil tests and determine what the qualities of the soil are.

Thanks for your response.

I need more time to type out a response than what I have... but if the summer drought is something that really concerns you, year after year-- then I think you should start researching planting warm season grasses...

email me kfacres@hotmail.com.. I'd like to help you out-- and will do so when I'm not so busy like right now...

thus this quick response.

 

[Rvrfshr]

quote]
I need more time to type out a response than what I have... but if the summer drought is something that really concerns you, year after year-- then I think you should start researching planting warm season grasses...

email me kfacres@hotmail.com.. I'd like to help you out-- and will do so when I'm not so busy like right now...quote]


PM'ed