IN THE LATE 1940’s, the USA suffered one of its worst droughts in recorded history. Cattle ranchers struggled to feed their herds and as desperation set in, they harvested what forage was left and available. This consisted of one particular plant, which, under normal growing conditions, tasted bitter and would be avoided and eaten around, by the cattle.
In desperation, farmers soon discovered that by cropping the plant and allowing it to wilt, the foliage became much more palatable to the cattle.