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Title: Pasture forages for small ruminants

Author
item Cassida, Kimberly
item Turner, Kenneth

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2011
Publication Date: 2/1/2011
Citation: Cassida, K.A., Turner, K.E. 2011. Pasture forages for small ruminants. Powerpoint Presentation. Northeast Pasture Consortium Annual Meeting, State College, PA, Feburary 1, 2011.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Small ruminant producers in Appalachia have many questions about forage management. Forage management decisions need to be keyed to the specific needs of the small ruminant t species to be grazed. Sheep and goats are different from each other and both are very different from cattle. Important considerations include: cost effectiveness, the need for excellent nutritive value in small ruminant pastures and the importance of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) control. Bioactive forages contain compounds that have health benefits for animals in addition to their nutritive value. Bioactive forage crops of interest for small ruminants include red clover, sericea lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, brassicas, and chicory.