22 
PASTURING SHEEP ON ALFALFA. 
Income. 
8 lambs @ $2.80.$22.40 
56 pounds wool @ ioc. 5.60 
Total.$28.00 
Expenses. 
480 pounds grain.$ 3.20 
Difference.$24.80 
This difference of $24.80 represents the return from the 
land that will produce seven tons of alfalfa or about $3.50 
per ton for cutting and feeding about half the alfalfa and 
letting the sheep harvest the other half. 
Out of this return would need to be deducted the inter¬ 
est on the investment and any losses by bloat that may oc¬ 
cur. 
Whether or not any greater return for the alfalfa can 
be obtained in any other way, each farmer will need to 
answer for himself. It is believed that the items of income 
as given above are conservative estimates and that profits 
much larger than this would often be obtained. 
IS PASTURING ALFALFA SAFE. 
The answer must be given in the negative. But in view 
of the statements given by some of those who have had the 
most experience, the danger from bloat can be largely over¬ 
come and the loss reduced to at least not more than five 
per cent. 
On the basis of the estimates already given, a five per 
cent loss by bloat would reduce the returns for the alfalfa 
fifteen cents per ton. If there is any profit in pasturing 
alfalfa, a five per cent, loss on the ewes would not reduce 
the profit to any serious extent. 
There seem to be certain precautions that need to be 
observed in pasturing alfalfa to prevent bloat and they can 
be summarized as follows: 
1. Have the sheep in small bunches, or if in a large 
bunch divide into several lots in separate fields. 
