Planting forages in warm areas; what is good for the South?

[mominoz]

Well, yes , they do eat what is in my pastures, especially what is tender and green. I am searching for 'best' forages that can be grown in Southern U.S.A. I have a variety of pastures and weeds....used to be a cow and horses on my land. I have "planted" fescue, clovers, bluegrass, rye, timothy, etc. basically "pasture seed".... but it may or may not be good for geese.
In my searches, I find Universities have info for grasses further north.or they are trying to find what wild geese don't like to plant on landing strips....
I can't find much... I have planted grapes... and am looking for what is viable and best for breeders... I have some warm season grass that is trying to take over through rhyzomes , may be St.Augustine or carpet grass, hard to identify... and it is dormat for 6 months. I also have bermuda. I overseed with annual rye and clovers, hoping to mix what I can for geese (and horses)... but can't find "official" or "research" on this....trying to figure what to grow that isn't poisiounous over time.( some of the grasses fix nitrates at high levels.... of course I feed wheat, corn,oats,and found a alphalfa/oat horse pellet that seems to work well....(and use Purina for the babies)...
I guess I am trying to find Optimum forages for this climate (ie. North Georgia), and we are a "border" area for warm or cool season grasses"...plus we have high humidity (60-90% is not unusual)....I try to have both warm and cool season grasses.... and I can't irrigate except maybe a half acre or so ,dependant on the rainfall...which can be up in the 30-40" a year...

 

[kimberly35042]

I think Bahia is one of the finest pasture forages, and it is hardy. Are you thinking of tilling up/removing the existing grass?

Either way, overseeding with clover, rye, oats, wheat, etc. provides a wonderful fall-spring forage while the other is dormants.

I'm in Central Alabama Zone 7b.

 

[mominoz]

I may add Bahia to mix.... I try to keep tender and green, most info. seems to be how to get geese to eat your weeds, not what is best to actually raise and breed them on., I was thinking of getting rid of this warm season, grass that seems to be taking over the main yard I let them graze in... it's tough stuff, and low growing , they will eat it when it's green, but I know D.Holderread says they can't exist on dry rough forage....and to back that up, one year I almost starved some, thinking they had plenty of grass...obviously NOT! the right kind... and no point in 'wasting the land' with junk grass... only help from the gov. run arms are for cattle, sheep and horse...

 

[Iain Utah]

This may sound crazy, but have you considered dandelions? While it is normally a weed that most people wish they could eradicate, it is excellent foraging food for geese (and horses).

 

[servpolice]

In dutch dandelion, is paardebloem which means horseflower (just a random fact)

 

[mominoz]

Actually, I did plant dandelion, and white clover.... I read "pasture paradise" for my horses.... and I have a donkey with hoof issues (laminitis, which he got before I had him) and sugars are an issue in alot of the grasses developed for cows and horses are getting hoof issues from too much sugars in the grasses and feeds....etc. sigh. Someone suggested the mixes for deer, but the red and purple clovers are not for horses. Clovers aren't good for the donkey.... so I try not to plant where he is.

 

[Iain Utah]

It is very cool that you planted dandelions. They are a hot commodity among my horses and geese at my place. There are other super nutritious weeds like stinging nettle that my horses are drawn to. Perhaps you can get an assorted of herbs aka weeds?

By the way, ever heard of the book "Keeping a Horse the Natural Way", by Jo Bird? It's a great read and I think you would enjoy it.