What kinds of grasses and plants do sheep eat while grazing?

Sheep are selective grazers that prefer short, fine grass or legume vegetation when it is available. While they favor these shorter plants, they are versatile foragers capable of consuming high, coarse, or brushy plants as well.12

In various agricultural settings, sheep are sometimes utilized to clear fence rows of weeds, brush, and other undesirable forage. When grazing on native range, they may consume a wide variety of plants, though they must be managed carefully to avoid overgrazing, as they graze plants closer to the root than cattle do.32

During winter months or when pasture is limited, their diet is often supplemented with harvested roughage, such as well-cured legume hay or mixed hay containing a high percentage of legumes. They also readily consume corn (maize) silage, which is favored for its energy content and cost-effectiveness.1