Flushing Ewes on Chemically Cured Hill Pastures

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the use of chemically cured pasture as a flushing feed for ewes in western Oregon. In 1976 paraquat (0.28 kg/ha) was used to chemically cure hill pasture forage when perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were in early anthesis. Crossbred ewes grazed the pastures from 17 days after the start of mating. Forage available during the breeding season had a higher protein content (P<.50) on paraquat-treated than on untreated pasture. Paraquat treatment had no effect, however on forage dry matter digestibility (P<.05). Chemical curing greatly reduced herbage yield, probably due to increased shattering and decomposition losses. Summer rainfall may have intensified the latter problem. Using chemically cured forage as flushing feed did not improve ewe live weight gains or lambing performance over untreated forage. Therefore, flushing ewes on chemically cured pasture appears to have little potential in areas, such as western Oregon, where summer rainfall is likely to occur.