Irrigation of a Ladino Clover‐Bromegrass Sheep Pasture in Michigan¹

Abstract

SynopsisLadino clover‐bromegrass sheep pastures irrigated with 4½ inches of water annually during a 4‐year period under a humid climate gave 23% more forage and 22% more lamb gain than nonirrigated postures. Forage production was increased an average of 0.16 ton per inch of applied water. Irrigation helped maintain clover in the pasture. Based on a replacement value of $25.00 per ton of dried forage and an annual irrigation cost of $4.03 per acre‐inch of water, irrigation resulted in a net loss of $13 per acre.

Irrigation of an Alfalfa‐Ladino Clover‐Bromegrass Dairy Pasture in Michigan1

“…The increases in forage and milk production of 16.7 and 17 .9%, respectively, in this study are fairly similar to the 23.3 and 21.7% increases in forage production and sheep gain, respectively, obtained in a previous experiment ( 4). Increases in forage production reported in the two experiments fall near the middle of the range of percentage increases reported by all investigators cited in ( 4) except one ( 3).…”

“…Results from this experiment verify the previous experi~. ment ( 4) and show that ( 1) percentage increases of antimal! products or forage production were similar and in the vicinity of 20% in Michigan; (2) increased animal production 5:.10 AGRONOMY JOURNAL on irrigated pasture was due to greater carrying capacity rather than superior animal performance; and ( 3) an inch of applied water increased forage production from 0.16 to 0.20 ton.…”

“…The cost of irrigation and the method of computing the economics of irrigation have been discussed ( 4). In both experiments, the percentage increases in forage production were very similar to increases in animal products (sheep gain or milk).…”