[Jacob-list] lovegrass

[Linda]

Thanks, Neal.
I'll have to check out some of those.
Right now, I just wish someone would eat the lovegrass. I can't see how 
it could listed as good forage. It's almost like sawgrass. My sheep eat 
blackberry vines and they won't eat this. I hate to have go and get rid 
of it, but I don't want it crowding out what they like to eat.

Linda

On 7/25/2012 8:03 AM, Neal Grose wrote:

> I found an article on attempting to control weeping lovegrass.

>

> Most of the time, palatability is a good guide to energy content of 

> forages. Our sheep won't graze common burmuda if they have an option, 

> but cows eat it well. Crabgrass is a favorite of sheep and cows here, 

> but be wary of over-fertilization, and it is difficult to make into 

> hay here because it NEVER is out of case. Matua brome grass is a good 

> option for cool season grazing in our area even though it mildews in 

> the spring. It is a heavy reseeding short -lived perennial.

>

> One native grass that seems to have a lot of potential for summer 

> grazing is Eastern Gammagrass. It is a broadleaved, bunch growing 

> (advantage in wildlife plantings), palatable and draught tolerant. 

> Growth pattern resembles Johnsongrass, but it dries for hay more 

> easily and doesn't seem to have the nitrate and prussic acid problems 

> of Johnsongrass. The down side of gammagrass is that it takes several 

> years to establish. Seed must be scarified or over-winter in the soil 

> in order to germinate. (Gammagrass seed cost a bucket-load, but the 

> seeding rate is low - you only need about 1 plant per 3 sq ft ! )

>

> Planting infected fescue and lovegrass might be a good idea if there 

> are areas that you don't want the sheep to overgraze?

>

> Neal

>

Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>


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