The Land

FORAGE PROGRAM GOALS: Optimum Efficiency. To gain the most output with the least input. Efficient low cost production is our goal and is easily accomplished with EE's balanced pasture program. EE Ranches encompasses 2500 acres of highly improved land. Over 2000 acres are utilized for pasture and the balance being hardwood timber. The pasture land is a perfect balance of native hill pasture and improved bottoms. The native hill pasture is comprised of Bermuda grass, bahia grass and minimal amount of fescue. The improved bottoms are comprised of hybrid Bermuda grass for hay production. An extensive grass improvement project has been underway for the last 3-4 years. Sections of pasture are being replaced with fungus friendly fescue. The fungus friendly fescues are adding a beneficial efficiency factor. While being more costly to establish, we are using them to replace more expensive annual rye grass. SUMMER PASTURES: With Fall Calving the policy of choice @ EE, the forage concerns for summer revolve around maintaining the herd of 300 dry cows. This is accomplished on the natural pasture. WINTER PASTURES: Winter grazing originally consisted of 200 acres of rye grass. This has gradually been replaced by establishing the permanent grass fields of fungus friendly fescue (50% completed). During the 2003-2004 winter period, no supplemental feed was needed for the cow herd.