|
South Central Iowa | It's spelled Kochia. It is in the same family as Russian Thistle.
When I was in Colorado, we had a number of pastures that at certain times of the year Kochia was about the only forage available. The cows readily ate it, along with the tender tips of Russian Thistle.
We tried controlling both by mechanical means as the land owners were against any chemical use. We had limited success. The best results at control was by using high density grazing with goats. This needs to be timed before it goes to seed and it needs multiple years of re=treatment.
We had the Kochia tested for feed analysis. It actually wasn't bad feed considering there wasn't too much of anything else.
You do need to be aware that it can have high levels of nitrates which can be harmful for pregnant ruminants. Levels at 701-1400 mg/kg NO3-N are considered safe.
Your cows look to be in good shape.
bart.
Edited by Prairie Wind Farms 7/28/2015 20:11
| |
|
Kochia pastures
