The Sidney herald., 1957-11-07
TrGCeIjng ~itl Il.
Agent
BY Dean Davidson, County
Extension Agent and Harley
w. Roath. County Agent
at-Largo

Doeu OoVk0DOuy COu0&y
Extension Agent, and Harley
w. Roath, County Agent
at-Largo
IRRIGATED PASTURES
Some of the results of recent
pasture feeding tests in the Gala
tin Valley, list definite advan-
tages in using irrigated pastures.
A recent bulletin entitled,
"Fattening Cattle on Irrigated
PASTURE, Is now available. Gen
eral statements made in this
publication include the following
ideas. The results Of grazing ex-
periments conducted from 1850
through 1854 indicate that year.
ling cattle grazed on irrigated pas
ture can be settled grain. They
can reach a slaughter grade of
good to choice. Steers and heifers
settled grain on irrigated pas
lures have returned a profit of
from $25 to $73.84 each year over
and above the feed and grazing
cost. The results of one test in
which steers were fattened on
dry lot and compared with steers
fattened on irrigated pasture indi-
cate that it is cheaper to fatten
cattle on irrigated pasture than
in dry lot.
Home grown yearling cattle can
be fattened on home grown
grain and grass. Green pasture
grazing also eliminates the need
for purchase of protein supple
ments.
Pasture management is of great
Importance. Rotation grazing is
recommended where cattle are
settled on pasture. Proper bal
ance of grasses and legumes is
important. Turning to the field Of
sheep production, we know now
that irrigated pastures furnish
profitable feed for sheep If prop
erly managed. Proper management
of irrigated pastures requires ro-
tation so that the sheep are moved
from one pasture to another every
ten days during the grazing sea-
son. Three pastures, each OF which
carries the sheep ten days to
two weeks, is considered the best
method.
Careful methods must be fol-
lowed in the control Of internal
parasites. However, these prob
lem can be solved.
Irrigated or sub-irrigated land
when seeded to a good mixture
of legumes and grasses furnish
the best and generally the cheap
est feed for dairy cattle. Well
managed pastures will have a
carrying capacity of III to 2h
dairy COWS per acre during the
normal growing season. The sue
cess from the standpoint of pro-
duction in the dairy business de-
ponds largely upon the available
ty of a large quantity of good
quality forage.
Swine and poultry are also
good users of irrigated pastures.
Sometimes livestock which utll-
iizes irrigated pasture during the
months is available to
utilize crop refuse, dry forages,
beet tops, and pulp during the
fall and winter months.
Pastures are a means OF con-
serving soil and soil products.
Seeding, fertilization, irrigation,
and rotation are all very impor-
tant on this crop. The proper
combination of these factors will
result in a very productive piece
of land in your crop rotation sys-
tenn. This system could increase
annual profits on the irrigated
farms.
Many irrigated pastures have
been left in service too many
years. Many pasture mixtures
not designed for use in
this area Many have not been fer
tilted or irrigated enough. Irrl-
gated pastures must be treated as a
productive crop. The oper-
ator who does this and is in a po-
sition to utilize the product eff
GENTLY, usually comes out ahead.
Information on the various
phases of the irrigated pasture
are available in the ex-
tension office. Soil tests and fer
.ilizer recommendations, prior to
pasture paintings may also be
upon request.
4 &
SAFFLOWER SIGN UP
Remember the safflower meet
.ng on Friday, November 8, at
700 D. m. Meeting will be at the
NYA hall.
DR.. Claassen will be here to
explain the contract. He will also
De here from 9 to IL a. m. on
Saturday at the NYA hall.
CATTLE AND HOG SUPPLIES
Market supplies of feed cattle
his fall are about as large as in
he fall of 1856, says the United
States Department of Agriculture.
Prices in early October averaged