Ewes - forage palatability

[cowboysupper]

I've taken on a field this year which I put ewes and lambs into last Saturday. I've the field sectioned into 4 to create what I hoped would be a nice rotation. The field has peaty soil and hasn't really been grazed properly the last couple of years.

As per the pictures the ewes are being very selective with their grazing. I'm going to take a forage sample and send it off for analysis, but has anyone any ideas as to why the ewes are being so selective? I've not grazed peaty land before.

 

[unlacedgecko]

What's the stocking rate?

 

[cowboysupper]

What's the stocking rate?

Very low this past week, only 2 the acre but I had planned to go to 6/acre this weekend.

 

[clod hopper]

The sward is pretty rough stuff, (I don't blame them to be honest) if they don't have lambs graze harder. If with lambs graze harder after weaning. That's what I do, I take on rough area's all the time from horse people and small holders who have lost interest/find it to much bother to look after. Good luck!

 

[cowboysupper]

The sward is pretty rough stuff, (I don't blame them to be honest) if they don't have lambs graze harder. If with lambs graze harder after weaning. That's what I do, I take on rough area's all the time from horse people and small holders who have lost interest/find it to much bother to look after. Good luck!

Yeh in fairness its not that keen on the eye and my ewes have come from the land of milk and honey before going onto that. I had planned to feed them well with nuts on the first rotation, hoped they'd graze it down hard and then get some fertilizer on to freshen it up.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Yeh in fairness its not that keen on the eye and my ewes have come from the land of milk and honey before going onto that. I had planned to feed them well with nuts on the first rotation, hoped they'd graze it down hard and then get some fertilizer on to freshen it up.

Theyre not gonna graze it hard if youre supplementing them.

 

[cowboysupper]

Theyre not gonna graze it hard if youre supplementing them.

I see your point, but equally I was trying to balance the poorer forage so that the lambs don't go backwards.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I see your point, but equally I was trying to balance the poorer forage so that the lambs don't go backwards.

You're using the wrong stock class on this award then.

Suckler cows or dry ewes be best.

 

[Longlowdog]

I'd go on with lime before I ever spent money on fert' on a peat soil. The lime will sweeten the pasture and probably give the grass as big a lift as fert will. The muck from fed sheep will be contributing fertility if it is not locked up by a low PH.

 

[cowboysupper]

You're using the wrong stock class on this award then.

Suckler cows or dry ewes be best.

Neither do I have unfortunately.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Neither do I have unfortunately.

Next best thing would be to top it.

 

[clod hopper]

As others have said lime first and go from there (check pH first). I don't know if you have other land and this field is part of your rotation or this is your only field.
Me, I'd keep grazing it like you are till you wean/dry your ewes. It will be ideal for drying the ewes and keeping them trim also building fertility up for the autumn then throw some seed under there feet in August/September job s a good un'!!? Keep it simple let the sheep work for you

 

[deleted user 837354]

Stuff in the third photo does not loo like ryegrass from what I can see.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Jam the ewes in a corner until you see them p!ss, whip a litmus strip out and pH test their urine.
I'm picking that they will have low (in the 5's) urine pH in which case you will NOT get acceptable performance pushing them to eat lower.
(Urine should be 6.8 - 7)

2 ton of lime to the acre will help that out a whole lot, peat soil loves lime (calcium lime preferably).

What it appears from your pictures is that soil pH has slipped to the point that the more acid tolerant species are doing well enough, as others have said adding acid-based fertiliser would represent a waste of money - chances are there are already thousands of pounds worth of nutrients per acre but are simply unavailable due to low pH.

Low SR won't be helping much but you do need good livestock performance before you can push that angle

 

[Agrivator]

I've taken on a field this year which I put ewes and lambs into last Saturday. I've the field sectioned into 4 to create what I hoped would be a nice rotation. The field has peaty soil and hasn't really been grazed properly the last couple of years.

As per the pictures the ewes are being very selective with their grazing. I'm going to take a forage sample and send it off for analysis, but has anyone any ideas as to why the ewes are being so selective? I've not grazed peaty land before.

Just continue as you are, even though nuts will be expensive. Don't spoil the ship for a hapeth of tar.

Beware copper deficiency on peaty soils which are limed. Is there a history of copper and/or cobalt deficiency in your area? In such areas, there is often marked response to feeding bought-in concentrates.