When to start to graze leafy spurge?
Sheep should begin grazing leafy spurge as soon as it reaches a height of three to four inches. (Kott 2006). Turning sheep out when the plant is three to four in. allows the sheep to prevent the majority of the leafy spurge plants from going to seed. If leafy spurge is the dominant choice, they will develop a preference to it. Use caution if animals graze leafy spurge that has mature seeds An average of 38 leafy spurge seeds per fleece was recovered from sheep grazing leafy spurge. The research estimated that 41 to 144 leafy spurge seeds were excreted daily per animal with viability of seeds in the feces averaging five per cent, whereas viability of seeds collected from seed stalks was 42 per cent. The next year ewes excreted two to 41 leafy spurge seeds daily with viability of seeds averaging 24 per cent, whereas viability of seeds collected from seed stalks was 68 per cent. The conclusion was that sheep can pick up leafy spurge seed in their fleece, and will consume and pass viable s
