|
Here’s Hope for Your Pastures
As
most of you are well aware, much of Alabama has experienced several years
of drought and a late freeze in April 2007 which severely impacted pasture
conditions. Anyone who raises livestock or horses is likely to have
sincere concerns about forage availability for 2008. Some made a valiant
effort to plant grass seed in fall of ’07, only to have the drought
continue and the grass seed to lie fallow or be eaten by birds and etc.
However, there is still hope to re-establish pastures this spring with
some traditional and alternative forages.
Prior
to pursuing your options regarding what to plant, I need to make a serious
recommendation, soil testing. Given the cost of fertilizer (particularly
nitrogen), seed, labor and equipment, a little bit of effort and money for
the cost of soil testing is equal in value to all the fertilizer that can
be applied and still not know the need for nutrient supplementation. To
conduct this test, visit your local Extension Office or Quality Co-op and
ask for a soil testing kit.
Follow
the instructions, submit your sample and wait for the results.
Now
is the time to make this effort so you know what should be applied to
properly condition your soils. This is essential prior to making any
effort to re-establish your pastures with expectations to provide adequate
forages for your livestock and horses this summer.
Below
is a table with some suggestions on warm-season forages and legumes that
should be suitable for livestock in general, particularly goats. The
information was taken from two Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES)
publications, both prepared by Don Ball and Robert Burdett, Extension
agronomists. For more options and details you can obtain a copy of ANR-149
Alabama Planting Guide For Forage Grasses and ANR-150 Alabama Planting
Guide For Forage Legumes. These guides are available at your local County
Extension Office or on the ACES website.
To
learn about cost of the various seeds you will need to inquire with your
local sources for seed.
The
forages listed in the table are merely suggestions, your choices may vary.
My
personal favorites would be either variety of Lespedeza and the crabgrass.
The Lespedezas are high in tannins, hearty and drought resistant.
Crabgrass is also hearty and drought resistant.
Opinions
vary on how well this blend works. Remember, this grass should be sown in
the fall!
Whatever
you choose I hope this information serves you and your animals well.
Remember, goats prefer variety in their diets. And, remember the
importance of a soil test! Contact your local Extension Office for further
assistance.
Robert
Spencer is a contributing writer from Florence, Alabama. |
