FEEDING FACTS
B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R
Winter Grazing Winter grazing should be an integral part of livestock production in the Southeast, especially in years that have normal or above-normal fall rains. This year has had abundant fall rains all across the state and if you had your perennial winter forages fertilized or your winter annuals planted in a timely manner, a good nutrient-rich food source should be ready to graze very soon. Most of the winter grasses will run in the high teens on protein and in the mid-60s where TDN is concerned. Keep in mind that those numbers will vary a good bit depending on maturity of the plant, soil fertility and the species that you are grazing.
We have several options: fescue in the Northern half of the state; ryegrass, wheat, oats and small grain rye for anywhere in the state. Some start faster and some stay with you later into the following spring. There is no one perfect answer for every farm, but each of them will add a great deal of value to your grazing plan. One thing that is consistent across those options is that all of those will do a great deal for your animal and its ability to meet its nutritional needs. If you have young nutritious forages, what is the best way to utilize them? Generally speaking, these lush forages are high in moisture and fairly low in
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