FEEDS FOR SHEEP 573 



able. In a trial at the Colorado Station 80 Maynard found that when 

 beet pulp was added to a ration of corn and alfalfa hay, the gains of 

 the lambs were slightly increased, and one ton of beet pulp replaced 

 222 Ibs. of shelled corn plus 208 Ibs. of alfalfa hay in putting on gains. 



In a trial at the Utah Station 81 Linfield found that lambs fed only 

 3.7 Ibs. wet beet pulp and 1.6 Ibs. alfalfa hay per head daily, without 

 any concentrates, made an average daily gain of only 0.21 Ib. Another 

 lot fed 0.5 Ib. wheat screenings and bran in addition to wet beet pulp 

 and alfalfa hay gained 0.33 Ib. per head daily. Each 100 Ibs. of grain 

 fed effected a saving of 495 Ibs. of wet beet pulp and 240 Ibs. of alfalfa 

 hay. In another trial feeding 0.4 Ib. grain per head daily with pulp and 

 hay produced practically as rapid and decidedly cheaper gains than 

 feeding 0.9 Ib. grain. 



Wet beet pulp is especially suitable for fattening aged ewes with poor 

 teeth. In feeding the watery pulp, it is important that the yards be 

 kept dry by proper drainage and the use of bedding. 



872. Pastures. Owners of farm flocks rely mainly on permanent 

 pastures for furnishing pasturage from spring to autumn. In fact many 

 sheep raisers place far too much confidence in such pastures, and fail 

 to appreciate their limitations. In the humid regions care is always 

 necessary to prevent infestation with stomach worms when permanent 

 pastures are used. Moreover, the flock will often run short of feed in 

 time of midsummer drought, unless temporary pastures are provided in 

 the manner discussed later. As sheep relish weeds and browse eagerly 

 on sprouts and brush refused by other stock, small farm flocks can glean 

 much feed from such sources and at the same time help in cleaning up 

 the farm, especially lanes and fence corners. The wise flockmaster 

 will always fully utilize all such feed, including stubble and stalk fields 

 and the aftermath on meadows, in this manner reducing the cost of 

 feed. Sheep prefer reasonably short grass to rank growths, and will 

 eat weeds much better while they are young. 



Of the permanent pastures, bluegrass is the most common in the upper 

 Mississippi valley and eastward. (311) Timothy furnishes good early 

 pasture, but is not very palatable after heading out. (312) Farther 

 south red top is prominent, and in the southern states Bermuda grass. 

 (314, 320) In the West the native grasses, especially the grama species, 

 furnish much of the grazing on the ranges, tho on mountain ranges in 

 Idaho, Beattie of the Washington Station 82 found the food mostly herbs, 

 and the leaves and twigs of shrubs. 



The clovers furnish valuable pasture, but great care is necessary to 

 prevent bloat when sheep are grazed on them. (348) 



Caution should always be used in putting sheep onto clover or rape 

 pasture, as both often cause bloat, which may prove fatal. When be- 

 ginning to pasture these forages, the sheep should be allowed to graze 

 but a short time the first day, and the period gradually increased till 



""Colo. Bui. 266. *Utah Bui. 78. "Wash. Bui. 113. 



