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The Rural Voice, 1986-08, Page 48ALSO SEE OUR COIV�VbN TE LINE FA ATE OF OWIN. ; INNATE NIPPLES & ACCESSORIES IIIIII Ideal for Replacerrhlgllg'1 or New Barn Installati�t Proven in the Netherlartr ow Widely Used c s Canada llllllllllllllllllllllllllllilll11 'MOORING Van Moors& Insulation w 23 North of Mitchell 30-9376 46 THE RURAL VOICE ADVICE PASTURE INVENTORY TIME AGAIN The quick lush growth of spring pastures has given way to the slower "mature" growth of the summer. Since we are into that slower growth period, now is a good time to take inventory of your pasture fields with regard to what it is providing to the cattle you have on pasture. The results you gather from this inventory could give you an idea of the pro- fitability of your pastures. Probably the most obvious item to look for in your pasture field at this time of year is weeds. Large bull thistles are most obvious, now, along with other prominent species (many perennial weeds are usually prevalent). Take a little time and see what is actually hap- pening around those weeds. You will probably notice that not only are the weeds crowding out the pasture species, but the cattle will avoid eating the pasture in the im- mediate area of those weeds. (Cat- tle just don't like the prickly thistles in their face when they are eating, so they avoid that area). The best remedy for weeds in your pasture fields seems to be clipping the weeds off with a mower and fertilizing your fields to encourage the pasture species there to crowd out the weeds. Another thing we should be ex- amining in our pasture fields is the stage of growth in the pasture plants. In the early spring all growth of the pastures is vegetative. These lush, green, quickly growing pastures are eagerly sought by the cattle. A$ time progresses, these plants head out or turn to the reproductive growth. This is a much slower growth period. The cattle will avoid eating the seed heads and will seek out the fresh green pasture at ground level. Only as a last resort will the cattle eat the "manure" part of the pasture plant. By this time the nutrient value of the pasture plants is minimal at best. In other words, cattle may be up to their belly in pasture, but it many not be much good. How can you improve upon this? You must try to get the pasture plant into a vegetative state again. You can do this by waiting until September when the cooler weather and more abundant rains i y C2 We have all the requirements for elevating, drying and storing your CORN, WHEAT, BARLEY & SOYBEANS We are also agents for Canola Seed • Fast, efficient unloading • Two unloading pits • Wagon dumpers • New pit for Soybeans • Open 24 hours • Trucking available ALLBORO ELEVATORS LTD. Londesboro 519.523.4470 ALSO SEE OUR COIV�VbN TE LINE FA ATE OF OWIN. ; INNATE NIPPLES & ACCESSORIES IIIIII Ideal for Replacerrhlgllg'1 or New Barn Installati�t Proven in the Netherlartr ow Widely Used c s Canada llllllllllllllllllllllllllllilll11 'MOORING Van Moors& Insulation w 23 North of Mitchell 30-9376 46 THE RURAL VOICE ADVICE PASTURE INVENTORY TIME AGAIN The quick lush growth of spring pastures has given way to the slower "mature" growth of the summer. Since we are into that slower growth period, now is a good time to take inventory of your pasture fields with regard to what it is providing to the cattle you have on pasture. The results you gather from this inventory could give you an idea of the pro- fitability of your pastures. Probably the most obvious item to look for in your pasture field at this time of year is weeds. Large bull thistles are most obvious, now, along with other prominent species (many perennial weeds are usually prevalent). Take a little time and see what is actually hap- pening around those weeds. You will probably notice that not only are the weeds crowding out the pasture species, but the cattle will avoid eating the pasture in the im- mediate area of those weeds. (Cat- tle just don't like the prickly thistles in their face when they are eating, so they avoid that area). The best remedy for weeds in your pasture fields seems to be clipping the weeds off with a mower and fertilizing your fields to encourage the pasture species there to crowd out the weeds. Another thing we should be ex- amining in our pasture fields is the stage of growth in the pasture plants. In the early spring all growth of the pastures is vegetative. These lush, green, quickly growing pastures are eagerly sought by the cattle. A$ time progresses, these plants head out or turn to the reproductive growth. This is a much slower growth period. The cattle will avoid eating the seed heads and will seek out the fresh green pasture at ground level. Only as a last resort will the cattle eat the "manure" part of the pasture plant. By this time the nutrient value of the pasture plants is minimal at best. In other words, cattle may be up to their belly in pasture, but it many not be much good. How can you improve upon this? You must try to get the pasture plant into a vegetative state again. You can do this by waiting until September when the cooler weather and more abundant rains