ANR-155 Choosing Forages For Maximum Grazing Availability
ANR-155, Reprinted Feb 1997.
Donald Ball, Extension Agronomist, Professor, Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University
Choosing Forages For Maximum Grazing Availability
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A sound grazing program includes combinations of adapted forage
crops which will provide good grazing over the longest possible
period of time. Many forage crops are adapted to Alabama conditions.
Because each crop has its own distinctive pattern of forage growth,
choosing the right combination of crops for a given situation
isn't always easy. The diagrams in this publication can help you
make the right choice for your particular operation.
The diagrams for various crops are grouped into northern, central,
and southern regions of Alabama, and also grouped as either perennials
or annuals and grass or legume crops. Each diagram shows when
a particular crop normally makes growth available for grazing.
By looking up and down the page, you can see at a glance which
crops make the best early, middle, or late season growth, and
you can pick out the ones which would best complement each other
in your forage program.
The height of the growth symbols is not to exact scale, but
will give you an idea of the relative amounts of forage produced
by the different crops. Several of the crops listed grow well
in combination. Often, growing mixtures of forage crops is the
best and most economical way to meet the nutritive requirements
of cattle for the maximum length of time.
The diagrams give only the normal or average situation. In
a given year, actual forage availability will depend on moisture
availability, planting time, grazing pressure, and other factors.
Also, in some cases accumulated forage can be grazed during times
when temperature or other factors slow down plant growth.
NOTE: Each crop listed is adapted to be grown within the area
specified, but a crop may be adapted only under certain conditions
or on certain soils. Matching a forage species to the conditions
to which it is adapted is very important. For more information
on the crops listed, call your county Extension office.
For more information, call your
county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under
your county's name to find the number.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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