----- Original Message -----
From: "gene schriefer" <sheepfarm@charter.net>
. I've yet to lose any TF
> to winter kill but routinely lose orchardgrass, never lost smooth brome.
> I
> haven't seen any rust on the TF, but do on the orchard grass.
Just to give graze-l readers some perspective, Gene farms in southwestern
WI and will have a growing season approx. 2 weeks longer than I have to the
northeast of his place.
Bromegrass doesn't do well under intensive grazing. But in an
alfalfa-bromegrass combination for haying, it is hard to beat in annual
tons/A. Every farm is different. I've long heard that grazers in
southwest WI had difficulty overwintering perenial ryegrass, while I've kept
ryegrass stands on my farm 7 years before rennovation was needed. Granted,
I added jumbo white clover see to that ryegrass every other year, but no
added ryegrass seed. I'd be foolish to trade ryegrass for a lessor grass.
In Gene's case, TF works. (I'm wondering since WI had a cycle of limited
snowy winters for many years now. Given the cycle has now changed back to
significant snow covers, perhaps overwintering will return to favor
otherwise susceptable species??)
>
> Through fall and winter TF loses the least quality left in the field.
>
> If your going to try grazing through winter, TF is going to be part of the
> mix.
>
> Gene Schriefer
What do you estimate to be the annual tons/A produced on the TF acres is
compared to other species on nearby acres?
Dave G.
