LECTURE LVIII. 



FORAGE CROPS FOR SHEEP. 



The question of forage crops for sheep is one of the most 

 important to the sheep raiser in the central west, because 

 of the internal parasites which make life a burden to the 

 flock master. 



The different crops used for forage purposes may be classed 

 as early or spring crops, mid-summer forage plants, and fall 

 forage. 



Winter wheat and rye, where they can be grown, are two 

 of the most valuable early feeds. They may be pastured 

 when grown for the grain, but it is best to have a small plot 

 expressly for pasture purposes. Red clover and alfalfa both 

 furnish valuable early pasture, usually (in Iowa) becoming 

 available in the early part of May, and they are also good in 

 summer or in fall if mowed or kept grazed down. It is best 

 to have a limited area of these for the sheep to run on and 

 to graze this down before allowing more range to feed on. 

 In this way waste is reduced to a minimum a very import- 

 ant matter when the pastures are yet undeveloped. This 

 can be arranged by providing hurdles, which will be dis- 

 cussed later. 



Of the spring sown crops which become available by the 

 last of June or the first of July, rape and sorghum are two 

 of the most valuable. Both do best on fairly rich soil, which 

 should be well prepared. Sorghum can best be sown broad- 

 cast, from 80 to 100 pounds per acre, according to the nature 

 of the soil; rape should be sown broadcast at from 3 to 4 

 pounds per acre. The heavier sowing gives a larger yield, 

 but it is scarcely so valuable from a food standpoint as the 

 lighter seeding. If sown in drills 24 inches apart, from 

 1 to l l / 2 pounds per acre is sufficient. Both rape and sorghum 

 ir ay be sown at any time from May 1 until August. July 

 sowing, however, is better for rape than sorghum. Rape or 

 sorghum sown in May will do to turn on by the last of June 

 or first of July. If sown about the middle of June in a 



