Which forage grass varieties are suitable for planting for sheep raising?

Mutton is favored for its delicious taste and rich nutrition, which has also driven the rapid development of the sheep raising industry. In farming areas, using barren hills and wasteland to grow forage grass and cutting it to feed sheep is a rural wealth-building project with low investment, quick results and good returns. Now let us take a look at what forage grass is good to plant for sheep raising!

Alfalfa

Alfalfa, abbreviated as purple alfalfa, lucerne, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is the earliest cultivated and largest-area forage grass in the world and is recognized as the king of forage grasses. In China it is also an excellent forage grass with the longest cultivation history and the widest distribution area. Alfalfa is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, and its protein has a relatively complete amino acid composition. Abroad and in northwest China it is mainly made into hay, with products including dried alfalfa hay, alfalfa pellets, alfalfa meal, alfalfa cubes, etc. The crude protein content of these grass products is around 18%-24%, and all kinds of livestock like to eat them. In the south, due to abundant rain and high air humidity, it is relatively difficult to sun-dry hay, and drying alfalfa with energy is very costly, so it is generally recommended to feed fresh alfalfa directly to various livestock. Under relatively good water and fertilizer conditions, alfalfa can generally be cut 3-5 times a year, with a fresh alfalfa yield of generally 5000-6000 kg per mu.

Italian ryegrass

Italian ryegrass, also known as biennial ryegrass, is rich in nutrients. Its stems and leaves contain 13.7% crude protein in the dry matter, and it has good quality and good palatability. It is suitable for feeding all kinds of livestock. Its products generally include silage and hay, but in the south it is suitable for fresh feeding. It has the characteristics of a long growth period, rapid growth, early cutting time and strong regrowth ability.

Chicory

Chicory is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, and one sowing can be used for 10-25 years. Its characteristics are: first, strong adaptability, suitable for planting throughout the south. Second, a long utilization cycle; in the south it can be cut from April to November every year. Third, relatively few diseases and pests; usually root rot occurs only in low-lying, waterlogged areas, and other diseases and pests rarely occur. Fourth, a wide range of uses; it can not only be used as feed but also processed into vegetables, etc. Chicory dry matter contains 17-21% crude protein, and the content of essential amino acids for animals is high and complete. Cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and geese all like to eat it, and it is most suitable for green feeding. In the south it can be cut 4-6 times a year, with an annual fresh grass yield of 8000-10000 kg per mu.

Hybrid sorghum-sudan grass

Hybrid sorghum-sudan grass is derived from crossing sorghum with sudan grass. It is an annual herbaceous plant. Because it is drought-tolerant, acid-tolerant and alkali-resistant, it is suitable for planting throughout the province. The hay contains 15.3% crude protein. Herbivorous livestock like to eat it, and it is also a high-quality feed for herbivorous fish. It is generally cut 6-7 times a year, with a fresh grass yield of 10000 kg per mu, an increase of more than 20% over sudan grass.