[Jacob-list] Grass vs. Grain

[Jim Spahr]

I have been wondering about hay vs. grain in feeding lambs for the freezer.  It is a common belief among our Midwest farmers that if you do not feed your animals some grain, the meat will be tough.  I am getting ready to find out if that is true of our lambs.  We have 3 crossbred (ram lambs) to take in tomorrow.  They were on grass until Sept., then a good quality alfalfa hay.  For 2 wks. they have been eating hay and whole corn.  We grow the corn here on our farm and it is economical for us to feed it.  The lambs need to get used to eating it, but once they do they like it.  I do not know if only 2 wks. of graining is long enough to make a difference.  
Our ewes are still on pasture, finding enough grass to keep satisfied.  In the winter we feed them alfalfa hay also.  I do not know if they eat more of it, but they waste less than they did when we fed a lower quality hay.  They also get some whole corn to eat in the winter.  

                                                              Mary Spahr
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