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Senior Project Help #236627

Asked April 13, 2015, 12:36 PM EDT

We have a few questions concerning our senior project in the Integrated Science and Technology program! 1. From what we've found, the population of Rockingham County is 77,391, but this does not specify if that number includes JMU students or not. Could you clarify this? 2. For the USDA Ag Census for 2012, do you know if "Forage-land used for all hay and haylage, grass silage, and greenchop" counts as pasture or cropland? http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Virginia/cp51165.pdf 3. Do you know of a common source for sheep feed in Rockingham County? - And if most people source their sheep feed from within Rockingham County or outside Rockingham County? 4. Do you know how many acres it takes to produce one bale of hay? Any estimates for these answers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Lindsey Kacsmar

Rockingham County Virginia

Expert Response

Hello Lindsey,


#1 Generally the census is a count of "permanent" residence so would not necessarily include college students.  


Question #2 would be cropland

#3 Most sheep are raised on grass or locally grown hay, any supplements could be sourced from within Rockingham county or surrounding areas, depends some on the type of crop year that we have.

#4 Hay production varies greatly by year and area depending on weather and soil types.  It also depends on what type of hay it is.  In VA hay production is usually somewhere between 2 and 5 tons per acre.  How many bales that is depends on what kind and size of bale.  There are 3 main kinds of bales, small square, big square, and round bales.  The sizes of each can also vary quite a bit.  In general a small square is 40-60 lbs, big square is 700-900lbs, and a round bale is 400-900lbs.

Hope this helps!

Jeremy L. Daubert Replied April 13, 2015, 9:36 PM EDT

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