The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1917-04-21
CUT-OYER LANDS AS
LIVESTOCK RANCHES
May Be Greatly Improved BY Planting
Bermuda and Other Pasture
Grasses.

Inquiries received Dy the Live STOCK
Extension Service. l.. s. u. indicate
that there is growing tendency
among the owners and prospective
purchasers of cut-over lands In Louis
lana to use them for establishing
cattle and sheep ranches. Among the
questions asked by inquirers are the
number Of acres required per head
of animals kept with and without win
ter feeding; the estimated value OF
land for grazing purposes; methods
of improving them for pasturage; the
best crops to grow for winter grazing.
silage and grain; the best class and
breeds of cattle to use; and a few
asked about the construction >of
fences, sheds, barns and silos.
The observations made by the spe-
cialist of this service seem to indi-
cate that cut-over pine lands do not
provide sufficient forage in winter to
prevent cattle from becoming badly
emaciated and showing high rate Of
mortality; and inquirers have been
advised that while only few acres
will be required for each animal dur
ing the summer, even an unlimited
range in winter would not suffice to
keep the cattle In a condition to pro-
duce a profit. They were advised to
undertake the improvement Of the
pastures by planting Bermuda on the
cleared land or in open strips in the
fenced area which could be cleared
up easily, and sow lespedeza, white
and bur clover on the Bermuda sod.
Lespedeza, paspalum, and rescue
grass seed may be sown on the ma
tive grass sod on the better portions
of the land, especially along the
branch bottoms and other places
where there is an abudance Of moist
ure throughout the year. and will
spread over the other lands by graz
ing after they have produced seed. As
the lands improve, the white and bur
clovers will spread in the same way.
Further improvements in the use OF
such land for ranching purposes
could be made by clearing from 10
to 20 per cent and planting 1t in corn
with cowpeas and velvet beans, scr
ghum and soy beans for siiage. lespe-
deza, cowpeas and crab grass for hay
and harvesting part Of the velvet
beans to be ground on feed mill 20
supply bean meal feed, which is good
homegrown substitute for cotton seed
meal Corn and velvet beans make
fine winter feed for cattle, sheep and
hogs il pastured after frost. Oats and
vetch sown in October will furnish
grazing during the winter and spring.
Although it is not necessary to keep
cattle in full flesh over the winter II
they are to be grazed the following
spring and summer, they should not
be allowed to get so thin as to impair
their health and vigor before spring
grazing is available.
The carrying capacity Of cut-over
pine lands can be so improved by
these methods that much less than 10
acres will be required per head Of
cattle kept The value of the land for
live STOCK production can be Inquired
on the value Of the animals produced
on given area II ten acres will
produce scrub yearling that will sell
for $500 and the cost Of operations,
interest on investment, taxes, etc
amount to $1,000 per head. the net in
come will be Soc per acre, or 10 per
cent on a value of SIS. 90 per acre. If.
with improved cattle and methods, a
good grade yearling that will sell for
$4,000 can be produced on 5 acres at
a total cost Of $500. figured as above.
the net income will. be $500 per acre
or 10 per cent on valuation of
| $4,000. G.. E. Nesom.
Live Stock Extension Service Louis
lana State University.