58 MISC. PUBLICATION 194, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICTTLTUIIE 



Certain features of the Hohenheim system may be adopted in this 

 country, especially where land values are high and the summers 

 favorable for the growth of grass. 



USE OF PERMANENT PASTURES IN WINTER 



Winter pastures have an important place in getting stock through 

 the winter cheaply and in thrifty condition. In view of the economy 

 of pasturage, compared with most other feeds, considerable effort is 

 justified in maldng winter pasturage available. Usually it is better 

 that pasture intended for mnter use be ungrazed during the previous 

 summer. This insures a thick mat of grass which will protect the 

 soil from early freezing and prolong the growth of the grass in the 

 fall. Then when the soil is finally frozen, it wdll not thaw so readily 

 nor be damaged by trampling every time it thaws a little during the 

 winter. The summer growth of grass is more satisfactory for wdnter 

 use than the lush growth of September and October, which is severely 

 damaged by freezing. 



Such grazing furnishes the winter maintenance ration. Hay, 

 straw, or stover should be fed on the more closely grazed spots in the 

 pasture when snow covers the grass. However, if the snow is not too 

 deep or crusted and there is plenty of grass, horses and sheep wdll paw 

 through the snow and get ample feed for maintenance. This practice 

 has given particularly good results in the southern Appalachian region 

 where snow cover interferes with grazing on the average for only 2 

 or 3 weeks. 



It is not advisable, however, to leave a pasture more than 2 years 

 at a time for winter use, because freedom from grazing in the summer 

 reduces the thickness of the sod and favors the growth of certain weeds 

 and brush. 



When cattle are fattened on grass, it is necessary to have an abun- 

 dance of grass throughout the season. Consequently, a considerable 

 quantity of grass usually is left when the cattle are sold. This may 

 be utilized by the newly purchased stockers. The consensus of 

 opinion is that this winter grazing does no harm although many prefer 

 to keep the stock off the pastures for a few weeks when the grass is 

 beginning to grow in the spring. Feeding hay or corn fodder on the 

 poorest spots of a pasture is a very effective means of improving the 

 stand of grass. 



Winter grazing is much more important in the dry and windy 

 western coimtry than in the East, because the vegetation in the former 

 region is more sparse, maldng hay relatively more expensive. In a 

 dry climate the lighter rainfall does not leach so much of the nutrients 

 from forage left standing. Also the snowfall is lighter and less likely 

 to be left on the level on account of the openness of the country and 

 the greater wind velocity and dryness of the snow. In some regions, 

 such as in Colorado, it has been found economical to combine grazing 

 and hay feeding by cutting the grass and bunching it with a rake. 

 Cattle will clean up such bunches or cocks of hay containing 75 to 100 

 pounds Avith very little waste. This method is especially well adapted 

 to handling the last cutting on meadows that produce two or more 

 cuttings. 



