IRRIGATED PASTURES 
This booklet is presented as a digest of successful practices 
and of current research on this popular, economical and 
rapidly expanding method of feeding livestock on irrigated 
lands in California. It is realized that a brief brochure cannot 
cover all differences in soils, available water supplies and 
climatic conditions. Successful local experience is the best 
guide in pasture establishment and management. 
SALIENT ADVANTAGES of permanent pasture: 
Provides highest quality of feed. Nothing quite takes 
the place of natural green pasturage. 
Reduces cost of feeding, livestock harvest it themselves. 
High per acre production with low cost. 
Provides green feed through the long, dry summer. 
Improves soil fertility and therefore fits into: 
A long-time crop rotation for soil improvement. 
SELECTION OF SPECIES: Occasionally one grass or 
legume is seeded alone, but it is usually more desirable to use 
a mixture of grasses and legumes to provide a better balanced 
feed, to promote animal health and production and to reduce 
bloat hazard. 
In planting such a mixture, consideration should be given 
to the natural and seasonal growth habits of each species so 
as to attain the ultimate objective of permanence, high carry- 
ing capacity and the longest possible season of growth and 
pasturage. 
Species of both grasses and legumes should be selected 
with respect to their adaptability to existing soil and climate, 
irrigation facilities; and to the kind of stock to be pastured. 
A RECENT SURVEY of 43 counties shows that the fol- 
lowing species and amounts of seed per acre occur with the 
greatest frequency as a result of about 25 years of tests and 
practical experience: Ladino clover 3, Birdsfoot Trefoil 2, 
Common Ryegrass 2, Perennial Ryegrass 2, Orchard Grass 3, 
Tall Fescue 3; a total of six species and 15 pounds per acre 
of seed. This might be considered as a standard mixture for 
average soil and irrigation conditions. To these are sometimes 
added one or more of such others as Alfalfa, Bur Clover and 
Dallis Grass. SPECIAL CONDITIONS, such as sandy or 
alkali soils, infrequent irrigation intervals or high elevations 
require special mixtures more suitable for them. Here local 
experience or expert advice should be sought. 
FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP: Seed 25 to 40 per cent 
legumes. This percentage has been found to best meet 
the requirements of animal nutrition and grazing 
preferences with a minimum of bloat hazard. 
FOR HOGS: Seed only legumes. 
