SHEEP 347 



For this purpose the crops most commonly utilized are rape, rye, 

 corn, and vetches. 



This crop is one that has many advantages for summer feeding 

 breeding ewes. It grows rapidly, produces a large quantity of succu- 

 lent food, and is greatly relished by sheep. About two months is 

 required for the growth of a crop. It remains fresh in the field for 

 over a month under usual conditions after the first cutting has been 

 made. Sixty-two ewes, 26 ewe lambs, and 5 rams were fed from 300 

 to 350 pounds of rape daily throughout the drought of August and 

 September. From August 16 until September 17, 9.75 tons by ac- 

 tual weight were cut from 0.5 acre, or at the rate of 19.5 tons per 

 acre. In cutting rape at different heights, the best results were ob- 

 tained from cutting about 4 inches from the ground. Two cuttings 

 were made from the piece so treated, one August 29 and the other 

 November 6, and the yield was at the rate of 36 tons per acre. 



Rye pasture has been known to be in good condition after being 

 used six years for pasturing sheep. The rye was never allowed to 

 grow beyond the second joint of the stalk. If the sheep did not keep 

 it down, it was cut. It furnished unusually early pasturage for 

 sheep, and was at all times acceptable. Rye grows quickly, will 

 establish itself in poor soil, and is eagerly eaten by sheep if it is not 

 allowed to become rank. It may be used as a soiling crop at any 

 time, but with special advantage if sown in the corn at the last culti- 

 vation, so as to be ready in the spring before the pastures are in con- 

 dition to turn the sheep on them. 



These are not as indifferent to climatic conditions as the crops 

 previously mentioned, but where they can be grown they are invalu- 

 able for soiling sheep. They are very nutritious, and sheep thor- 

 oughly relish them. Mixed with one-third oats, with the object of 

 supplying supports for the vines, they can hardly be surpassed as a 

 soiling crop. In the drier sections, where the need of soiling crops 

 is greater, the vetches can not be made to produce the amount of 

 fodder that rape does. 



When the lambs have been taken away from the ewes, the lat- 

 ter should be put on scanty pastures or given the range of a field of 

 grain stubble, to dry up the milk as soon as possible. The ewes, if 

 they have done well by their lambs, will be in poor condition at this 

 time, but it is not advisable to give them full, feed. 



Fall Feeding of Breeding Ewes. It is a general impression 

 among shepherds that the condition of the ewes at the time of breed- 

 ing has a marked influence on the succeeding crop of lambs. If the 

 ewes are in vigorous condition and improving in flesh, the prospects 

 are thought to be favorable for the production of a large percentage 

 of lambs. It is equally accepted that the condition of the ewes in the 

 fall prior to going into winter quarters has an effect on the suscepti- 

 bility of the flock to such diseases as are more or less prevalent dur- 

 ing the winter season. It is certain that the ewes may be gotten into 

 vigorous condition much more cheaplv and easily in the early fall 

 than at any time later, and it is equally true that a vigorous condi- 

 tion is the best preventive of disease, 



