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SEKSPA Field Trips
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SEKSPA's recent FIELD TRIPS included visiting a
Martin Co. Reclaimed Surface Mine &
Whitley Co. Kudzo Grazing Project
The Southeast Kentucky Sheep Producers Association (SEKSPA), Kentucky State University, and the Appalachian Renewal Project conducted a tour of this 6,500-acre reclaimed surface mine in Martin County on December 12th.
14 SEKSPA members discussed the potential for large-scale, open-range, sheep grazing operations in the coal fields of eastern Kentucky. The landowner of the reclaimed mine complex that we visited on December 12th is open to the prospect of partnering with SEKSPA members.
The mountains of eastern Kentucky have hosted relatively large-scale coal mines for over a century, and surface mining has contributed a substantial portion of production for well over half of this period. The federal and state laws require mine operations to return the disturbed land to a productive state and the most common post-mining land use is hay and pastureland.
A recent GIS analysis detected approximately 735,000 acres of surface mine associated grassland habitat in Central Appalachia. If only half of this acreage was suitable hay and pasture land for sheep and goats, the productivity potential of Central Appalachia could rival the number one sheep and goat producing state in the nation (Texas).
Sheep and goats thrive on the forages commonly growing on reclaimed surface mines. The forages most preferred by cattle are not widely distributed on reclaimed surface mines. This is particularly true on older surface mines where forage species that may have been more palatable to cattle (such as tall fescue and clovers) have transitioned to hardier plants better able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions (such as Serecia lespedeza, blackberry, and autumn olive). While cattle largely avoid these forages, sheep and goats specifically target these plants. Serecia, known as the 'Poor Man's Alfalfa', has been shown to have deworming qualities.
On December 14, members of SEKSPA and representatives of Morehead State University, Whitley County Extension Office, Kentucky State University, and Flying Rooster Farm toured this 23-acre Kudzu patch in Whitley Co. below.
Known as "the vine that ate the South," Kudzu has completely covered this 23-acre farm in Whitley Co Kentucky. Although Kudzu hay typically has a 22-23% crude protein content and over 60% total digestible nutrient value, it is difficult to bale due to its vining growth, its slowness in shedding water and the typical terrain that it grows on. Thus, Kudzu only serves well as a grazing crop on a temporary basis.
Sheep and goats will be used in a 5-year grazing project to eradicate this creeping, climbing, perennial vine. It is anticipated that the project will require a stocking rate of 9+ goats and sheep per acre. Four equally sized paddocks of about 6.5 acres on the site will be created to contain about 60 sheep and goats while they graze from the first flush of the leaves in the spring until shortly after the first frost in the fall.
Members of the tour group discussed the invasive and aggressive nature of Kudzu and the ecological damage that it causes. The US Forest Service estimates that it spreads at the rate of 2,500 acres per year. During our tour it was observed climbing over and smothering 60+ foot high trees.
Dr. Ken Andries, Chair of the Agricultural Science Department at Morehead State University, described recent research where small ruminants were successfully used in the control of invasive plants. Dr. Andries was joined by Dr. Flint Harrelson and Whitley Co Extension Agent Stacy White in the discussion of strategies for managing sheep and goats on areas that are infested with Kudzu.
Kathy Brown, Greg Rubino and Patrick Angel look for the crowns, nodes, rhizomes and stolons (runners) of the Kudzu plant. We learned that you do not have to dig up the roots, which are large and very deep, to eradicate the plant. The key is overgrazing the leaves, shoots, crowns and runners which eventually depletes all the carbohydrates and energy stored in the root system.
EKSPA conducts field trips, farm visits, clinics and workshops for our members throughout the 54-counties of eastern and southeastern Kentucky. After our tour of the Kudzu patch, we gathered at G&E Burgers Restaurant in Williamsburg for lunch and a robust discussion of business opportunities for SEKSPA members who using sheep and goats to control invasive plant species like Kudzu.
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