The varieties selected should be the same as those suggested for the Cornell pasture mixture (page 32), and the substitution of New York wild birdsfoot trefoil for all or part of the yellow trefoil is recommended. Ladino white clover may replace wild white clover if the mixture is intended primarily for hay and aftermath grazing.
The use of alfalfa as supplementary pasture is justified on soils well adapted to this crop. The value of such fields for pasture purposes may be increased by seeding a mixture of alfalfa and timothy, orchard grass, or smooth brome grass. In grazing alfalfa, precautions must be taken against bloat in grazing animals. In order to maintain a good stand of alfalfa, close grazing must be prevented.
Sudan grass
A special pasture crop that is helpful during the hot summer months is Sudan grass. Sudan grass may be seeded with a grain drill, at the rate of 25 pounds to the acre, in late May or early June to provide grazing in July, August, and September. Precautions must be taken against cyanide poisoning. There appears to be little risk when all the plants are allowed to reach a height of above 2 feet before they are grazed.
FIGURE 38. SUDAN GRASS AS A SUPPLEMENTARY
PASTURE CROP
Sudan grass is used as a supplementary pasture crop and is of
special value in July and August
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