Growing Forage for the goats

that's*satyrical

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I've got rye & clover down that I put down early winter it's doing pretty well but it needs some spots seeded over so I was going to do a spring planting of something else.
 

Jenski

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If you have not already read this website, you might check out FiasCo Farm - - Molly has a "recipe" for the seed they planted for their goats:

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/feeding.htm#pasture

*
20# fescue* * or rye grass - - EDITED to add important note about fescue below
*
15# orchardgrass
*
25# bluegrass
*
10# red clover
*
10# ladino clover
*
10# lespedeza (Korean)
*
10# alfalfa
*
other additions could be: Rye Grass, Lucerne, Chicory, Yarrow, Burnet, Sheep's Parsley, White Clover, assorted herbs

EDITED * *I have read that fescue can be poisonous to goats (due to endophytic fungus in the grass, which produces several types of alkaloids that are toxic to animals) but we have never seen any problems in our goats when fed fescue in moderation. Our goats graze "fresh" fescue and also eat fescue hay. If you do not want to use fescue, substitute rye grass.
 

babsbag

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Jenski said:
If you have not already read this website, you might check out FiasCo Farm - - Molly has a "recipe" for the seed they planted for their goats:

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/feeding.htm#pasture

*
20# fescue*
*
15# orchardgrass
*
25# bluegrass
*
10# red clover
*
10# ladino clover
*
10# lespedeza (Korean)
*
10# alfalfa
*
other additions could be: Rye Grass, Lucerne, Chicory, Yarrow, Burnet, Sheep's Parsley, White Clover, assorted herbs
I don't know much about pasture grasses for goats, but I do know that too much Tall Fescue can be toxic. There are different kinds of Fescue, not sure if all of them are toxic, but the Tall Fescue can be so be careful.
 

Oakroot

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It is not the fescue it is a mold that can grow on it just like with clover. Interplanting with legumes greatly reduces the risk.
 

Jenski

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Yah sorry, there is a note about that on the FiasCo website - - I neglected to include it when I copied it...

Here is Molly's note about fescue:

*I have read that fescue can be poisonous to goats (due to endophytic fungus in the grass, which produces several types of alkaloids that are toxic to animals) but we have never seen any problems in our goats when fed fescue in moderation. Our goats graze "fresh" fescue and also eat fescue hay. If you do not want to use fescue, substitute rye grass.


I personally would not use the fescue in my mix.
 

babsbag

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Oakroot said:
It is not the fescue it is a mold that can grow on it just like with clover. Interplanting with legumes greatly reduces the risk.
It is a fungus, not really a mold, and it is in the seeds and can't be seen.

Here is the information I had read about it.

http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/fescue.html

Tall Fescue, whether it is growing in the pasture or baled into hay, contains an alkaloid toxin that is trapped between the cells in the seeds of the plant. This endophytic (inside the plant) fungus is not detectable visually. Fungicides are not effective against it, and if Tall Fescue is baled into hay, the toxin remains active and dangerous. Endophyte-infected Tall Fescue hay will remain toxic for two years or more. If fertilized, the plant can accumulate nitrates, making nitrate poisoning an additional danger.

Most of the research into health problems caused by animals eating Tall Fescue, especially those that are pregnancy-related, has been done on horses, cattle, and sheep. However, goat producers are learning first-hand of Tall Fescue's negative effects on pregnant goats. Recent years' prolonged arid conditions nationwide have highlighted the drought resistance of Tall Fescue, as it has continued growing in pastures where other plant species have died.

Goat producers are learning that pregnancy-related problems in goats eating Tall Fescue are remarkably similar to those of other species. Problems include:

1) Does passing their kidding due dates by as much as ten days or even more.

2) Does with little or no milk. Some does never develop an udder.

3) Contractions so weak that the doe requires human assistance in delivering her kids.

4) Placentas so thick that the kids cannot get out unless the producer tears it open.

5) Unusually thick umbilical cords that are tough to break.

6) No cervical dilation at all in some does.

7) Kids are too large . . . probably because of prolonged gestation. . .. also requiring producer intervention to deliver them alive.

Goats eating Tall Fescue often have weight gains reduced by more than 50%. Rough coats are typical. Poor blood circulation causes a condition called dry gangrene in which parts of the hooves and tail rot and fall off. Body temperatures tend to be slightly higher than normal, resulting in animals spending much time standing around in the shade when they should be out foraging.
 

Fluffygal

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:ep YIKES! that is aweful stuff to cause those issues.
 
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