The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-08-13

The new balanced forage crop
program of the Extension Service
and the Agricultural Experiment
Station at State College, which has
been introduced to county agents
in a series of district meetings,
calls for minimum of l IL acres
of permanent pastures for all work
stock and mature dairy animals.
and 2 acres of pasture of mature
beef animals. For sheep the
amount is one fourth acre per head.
In addition to the permanent pas
lures, one-half acre OF temporary
grazing crops per head is needed
for dairy and beef animals, and
the same amount for each SOW and
two litters of pigs. The acres in
temporary grazing can be double
cropped. Such management pro-
vides fall grazing when many pas
lures are short and spring grazing
to allow permanent pastures 10
make about 6 inches of growth be-
fore the animals are put on them.
Temporary grazing in summer
takes care of the permanent pas
ture during drought periods and
helps to prevent grazing of the
permanent pasture, which is one
Of the most serious problems of
present pasture management.
The new forage crop plan pro-
vides for a minimum of IL tons
of hay for each head Of workstock
and for each mature dairy or beef
animal. Acreage of permanent pas
ture and supplemental pasture for
young animals should also be pro-
vided, generally at the rate of one
half the amount for each mature
animal. Supplemental grazing crops
are also needed for chickens and
turkeys.
In working out forage crop plans
on individual farms, alfalfa is spec
flied as the chief hay crop on
many farms. Lespedeza, soybeans,
and meadow grasses can also be
counted on as good sources of hay
Average hay yields in North Caro-
lima are less than one ton per acre
while good alfalfa, properly
handled, may be counted on for
three tons of hay and more per
acre. The first cutting comes early
n the spring when feed supplies
are running short and before per-
manent pastures have been able to
make good growth. Since it makes
quick growth in comparatively cool
weather in early spring. alfalfa is
particularly valuable.
In most sections of North Caro-
lima alfalfa should be. seeded by
September l to fully establish 1t.
self before cold weather, Withstand
winter : killing, and be ready to
make a quick growth in early
spring, In the Mountains below e.
500 feet August seeding is pre-
ferred and for elevations above tins
figure, spring seeding in April. Full
information on land preparat on,
fertilization, and the seeding OF al
falfa may be found in War series
Bulletin No. 81 at the office OF the
county agent or it may be obtained
by writing the Agricultural Editor,
State College, Raleigh.
Most farmers in the past have
been accustomed to think of forage
production as a spring and summer
problem, except for the small
grains planted in the fall. The Elk.
tension Service specialists think
otherwise.
Permanent pastures. temporary
grazing crops for fall and winter,
and alfalfa all need to be seeded
about September l when the aver
age farmer is busy with picking
cotton and grading and marketing
tobacco. Work on forage crops at
this time will be of great value
] because the later these crops are
=