Pastures for Florida


 The desirability of utilizing permanent pastures depends upon
establishment and maintenance costs and upon subsequent re-
turns. Because of the varied climate, soil and pasture plants
it is impossible to give data which apply to all situations. Ap-
preciating the need for more information to evaluate improved
permanent pastures, the following preliminary results are given:
 Improved pasture grasses are generally much higher in min-
eral and protein content than the native wiregrass (Table 1).
Improved pasture grasses and legumes are 3 to 8 times higher
in phosphorus and 2 to 8 times higher in calcium than the sea-
sonal average of native grass (primarily wiregrass). The pro-
tein content of improved pasture plants is 2 to 7 times higher
than that in native grass. These 2 minerals and protein are
very important for normal animal development. The magnesium
and potassium content of improved pasture herbage is also
higher than that of native grasses. The winter clovers and
lespedezas are higher in proteins and minerals than the per-
manent pasture grasses.

 FIG. 3.-GRASS-CLOVER MIXTURES EXCELLENT.
Legumes are higher in minerals than grasses. A combination of clovers
 and carpet or other grass furnishes excellent grazing.