what to plant in pasture?

[lorihadams]

I am getting 4 nigerian dwarf does in May and we are getting property with access to 6 acres of pasture, no trees, just open pasture land. I am in central Va, what should I plant in the pasture for the goats? We have a few head of black angus cattle that can come in afterwards and graze and we also have chickens and ducks that can be let in the pasture if needed to clean up. I am planning on planting a patch of sunflowers and beets for them for the greens as well as the seeds and roots.

What kind of grass/hay/forage should I plant in the pasture? Thanks!

 

[dkluzier]

we just bought and planted some forage from TSC for deer since goats are ruminants. It has brassica, clover and I believe rye.

 

[lorihadams]

do you think I could mix in some alfalfa with it??? I hadn't thought about a deer mix. We have some small pines trying to take hold in the pasture and I know they'll eat those but I have been thinking of planting some sort of rotational grazing thing with different things in different paddocks......just thinking of possibilites.

 

[dkluzier]

Alfalfa is a good choice also. We just got started and are also going to fence off different areas and seed this year for grazing rotation. The boys are going to get a small section of wooded hill to browse with loads of briars and bushes to clear.

 

[dkluzier]

The best pasture for goats con- sists of alfalfa-bromegrass or a mixture of clover and timothy.

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/dairyknowledge/goat/FEEDING.html