SWITCH GRASS

Shammy Davis · Postby **Shammy Davis** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:01 pm

Don't know whether I spelled it right, but a hay dealer in my area is making it available. Has anyone had any experience with it? What is it? Is it a mixture? I know its not a common hay in the mid-Atlantic. Thanks for any info.

ragsdaj1 · Postby **ragsdaj1** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:57 am

Shammy

Perdue University lists switchgrass as a recommended forage grass. Other than that this is the only other info they had on it.

"Switchgrass Adapted statewide. Able to grow on wetter sites than big bluestem or switchgrass. In general, earlier to mature than big bluestem and indiangrass. "

JonR

Shammy Davis · Postby **Shammy Davis** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:14 am

ragsdaj1: Thanks for the information. Actually the hay provider is growing it on river bottom land. Further, I was watching CNN and in a piece on alternate forms of energy, the topic of burning switch grass as fuel came out. Apparently, it is very high in cellulose. Thanks again. I'm going to try it. I've got a couple mares and a gelding that I'm struggling to put weight on. The hay dealer says that switch grass will do the trick. I'll keep you posted on the results. :wink:

cewright · Postby **cewright** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:40 am

Shammy

Here is a link to a reference that warns about feeding Switch Grass to horse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchgrass

Shammy Davis · Postby **Shammy Davis** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:51 am

cewright: Thanks for the heads up. I'll check to make sure the bales are a mix. I get some of my hay from this dealer and he has a good product. He deals with a great many horse farms in the area, so I hope his crop is a mix. Otherwise, back to the good orchard grass and bit more grain for these gals. :wink: