The digestibility of young leafy pasture herbage is high in comparison I with other feeds, and the fibre present is almost as digestible as are the carbohydrates. The ample supply of minerals, vitamins, and carotin present contribute to make good pasture the most valuable feed for stock.
The composition of the herbage from poor pastures differs widely from that of good pastures. The protein content is frequently less than 4 per cent, while the content of phosphoric acid and lime may fall below 0.25 per cent. Stock grazing such pastures make poor growth and sometimes suffer from mineral-deficiency diseases.
A good cow in a good pasture may consume enough herbage to maintain herself in condition while producing from 30 to 50 pounds of milk a day. Because of the high protein content of good pasture herbage, it is advisable to feed high-yielding cows supplementary grain feed that is comparatively low in protein when they are on good pasture.
PASTURES FOR LIVESTOCK OTHER THAN DAIRY CATTLE
Beef Cattle
BEEF CATTLE require the same type of pasture as that needed by dairy cattle; therefore, similar methods of fertilization and grazing management should be followed. For cattle to be fattened on pasture without the aid of grain feed, the pastures must be of excellent quality.
FIGURE 40. A SHEEP PASTURE
Sheep do best on pastures with a dense sward of short leafy
herbage. The pasture shown consists of Kentucky bluegrass, wild
white clover, and wild birdsfoot trefoil. It is in Schenectady
County, and is the result of treatment with superphosphate and
good grazing management with the aid of both sheep and cattle
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