The Essential Guide to Forage Crops
The Essential Guide to Forage Crops
Although grass has to be the first priority to feeding livestock efficiently, forage crops can play an important role especially when grass growth dips in the summer months. Forage crops allow growers to extend the grazing seasons in both spring and autumn which can enhance profitability.
Conserved fodder crops, such as Lucerne and fodder beet also offer growers the ability to store and feed crops throughout the winter months, providing a fantastic opportunity to reduce costs.
The Value of Mixed Forage Diets
Home grown feeds can help produce an excellent part of a mixed forage diet. Understanding the feed requirements of your animals will ensure maximum returns.
Mixed forage diets will help increase intakes and ensure optimum rumen stability, improved feed utilisation and animal performance.
Many forages are now better understood leading to improved intake predictions, and accurate assessments for both energy and protein requirements.
The opportunity for UK farmers is to exploit the use of home grown forages and reduce their cost of production.
Features and Benefits
- Improved profitability
- Reduced reliance on purchased feed
- Full traceability
- Flexible cropping options
- An excellent break crop and entry back to grass
- Extend the grazing season
- Outwintering options
- Low inputs
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Simon Broddle
Forage Product ManagerSimon is an expert in all things forage related! He has many years’ experience formulating the renowned Circle Ley Mixtures as well as advising farmers on their integrated farm forage solution.