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Discussion on Planting new pasture... cover crop?
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Member:
Nightwin
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 29, 2003 - 9:24 pm:
At the advice of my local agricultural agent, I have planted winter wheat as a cover crop on my newly acquired farm in order to have some sort of grass growing this winter/spring for horses to graze on until next fall, when I move them to another ( by then) established pasture in order to establish an endophyte-free fescue pasture where the wheat was planted(again, at the advice of the ag agent.) I can't get a definitive answer re how safe a wheat pasture is, whether you have to worry about founder, and what the nutritive value of winter wheat is. The local "experts" tell me it is perfectly safe. I plan on continuing their diet of hay and pellets as needed, gradually weaning them from pellets if they maintain their weight. Thank you.
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Member:
Kari
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 29, 2003 - 10:50 pm:
If the wheat is all ready up and lush as it is here in NW Tn. it would be prudent to gradually introduce your horse to it. If you have just planted the wheat and it is only now starting to sprout then I doubt that your horse would have any problem adjusting to it. Several farms in my area plant wheat for a winter pasture and their horses appear fine and well nourished. Of course they applied fertilizer before or just after the planting. I have the same problem with Kentucky 30 fescue but removing the mares 45 to 60 days off the fescue prior to foaling has apparently solved the problem.
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 30, 2003 - 3:16 am:
It's common practice here (Ireland) to stubble-graze horses in the winter on the aftergrowth of harvested wheat crops where fields are not due to be ploughed until spring. It usually puts a good bit of weight on the horses as the wheat leaves appear to have more carbohydrate than ordinary grass. They love it!
All the best
Imogen
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