Just got my hands on some gorgeous alfalfa

[Mini Horses]

Agree and understand the many, many issues with haying, time, etc. I respect their decision and agree, actually. Just a shame when we have grass not being eaten and have to buy hay. LOL If places reversed, I wouldn't cut my fields either. I just can't spend for, or repair, such equipment. So, I rotate grazing, cut, mow, cuss. Then buy hay.

I've even considered a haystack....now, there's some work! In the end, I'm happy that I do have pasture for a lot of the year. Right now I'm researching what to plant to bring in more winter graze in some of the fields....help offset some hay.

 

[farmerjan]

Try a grazing rye grass that will withstand the cooler/cold weather. Also wheat is popular in the west for grazing. It is in the growth stage that it is palatable. Any of the cover crops that are planted to get some growth before freeze, and to start growing early in the cold spring temps will extend your growing season. And actually, alot of the growth can be stockpiled to provide winter grazing. The animals will graze it in the cold weather once they don't always have feed handed to them. Try looking up the Virginia forage and grasslands assoc. They usually have pasture walks/ seminars on managing pastures and how to get the most out of grass. Also, the magazine Stockman Grass Farmer , usually can find it at tractor supply, has alot of good info on that. VFGA has some pretty savy people that are associated with the extension service that you can get to come out for free to assess your grazing situation and offer suggestions. Alot of time it is better utilizing rotational grazing. We have modified some of our practices just from attending some of these seminars.

 

[misfitmorgan]

Rye Grass and Winter Wheat are very very popular cover crops and winter/early spring forage crops up here in michigan...should do great in VA. You could probly even grow oats during winter down there.

 

[Mini Horses]

Yes, wheat, oats, some rye can do some growth in winter. Issues for grain crops is that I have horses and if they eat those when soft grain stage it can cause founder in horses. This means cutting and not using fields before heading. Anyway, there are some grasses that will do some growth. Basically extend on each end of normal grazing season. I do/have also used some stockpile grazing. Next issue is that many of my horses are elders, thus the stemmy matter cannot be well masticated for swallowing (choke, when this occurs).

The goats do ok but, I have 20 minis. That said, some hay cannot be used for them if it is course...at elder ages, teeth worn down &/or missing in rear jaws. Some never get hay, as I use a complete feed all year. I have 5 who are 30-34 y/olds. The have a separate field and well cut grass, eating only short fresh leaf.

Winter rye helps, winter peas, vetch, some clovers help extend. Guess I want something that does as well in winter as kale & collards -- which goats love, horses not -- and so far, short success. There are some specially developed Bermuda that do well in winter, grow taller than most with less coarse stem, decent nutritional profile, reasonable tolerance to grazing impact and VERY expensive. Figure I have 9 mos to find something to incorporate.