Forage Crop Handbook
The following pages have been put together as a guide to choosing the right forage, and from there, the right variety. We hope you find this guide useful and informative if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the seed office or your usual Bartholomews representative.
Seed Department Tel: 01243 755620 Email: seed@bartholomews.co.uk
Forage crops such as stubble turnips, forage rape or kale are ideal for feeding livestock as they are both flexible and offer good quality feed value. Grazed forage crops can be some of the cheapest forms of feed. With sowing time frames from May up until August, these crops offer a flexible solution that can fit in with most operations. Depending on the sowing time, these crops can be used as an outwintering option. These crops offer good quality feed, especially when forage-stock might be a bit low. You would need to aim for 85 - 90 % crop utilisation on these species. Choose a species and variety that fits in with your requirements. Choosing a species • How long do you want the first grazing to be? • Look at your feed deficit and when the feed will be required – either late summer grazing or outwintering • Bulk feed for a short period of time? Stubble Turnips are a great option and will be ready in 12-14 weeks. • Late maturing option? Forage Rape • High yielding single graze? Kale Variety choice Things to consider when looking at a different variety within the species: Yield – Fresh and DM, winter-hardiness, growing height and versatility.
Offering high protein and energy content, these crops are a great option for home grown forage.
STUBBLE TURNIPS Why Grow Stubble Turnips? Ò Fast growing catch crop Ò Autumn or winter fed Ò Used for finishing lambs or a summer buffer feed for dairy cows Ò Flexible sowing dates
Delilah
‘ High dry matter yields for finishing lambs’ Suitable for: Dairy, beef or sheep grazing Sow: Spring/early summer or after cereals Use: Summer through to winter depending on time of sowing Key points: y Ideal for finishing lambs y Produces huge white tankard shaped bulbs y Good resistance to mildew ‘Huge tankard roots that are highly digestible’ Suitable for: Dairy, beef or sheep grazing Sow: Spring/early summer or after cereals Use: Summer through to winter depending on time of sowing Key points: y Tetraploid variety – shown to be preferentially grazed y Very palatable to sheep and cattle y Huge purple tankard shaped bulbs
Samson
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Rondo
‘Good root anchorage for less wastage’ Suitable for: Dairy, beef or sheep grazing Sow: Spring/early summer or after cereals Use: Autumn/Winter Key points: y Green skinned with very leafy growth y Excellent disease resistance y Later use than other varieties ‘Bolting resistant’ Suitable for: Cattle and sheep grazing Sow: Early summer or after cereals Use: Autumn Key points: y A large leafed, highly digestible variety y Good early vigour and good disease resistance. y Retains its palatability throughout the season ‘New Hybrid Brassica with regrowth potential’ Suitable for: Dairy, Beef & Sheep Sow: Early Summer & after cereals Use: Summer & Autumn Key Points: y Very fast growth y Provides a palatable leafy feed y Regrowth potential
Vollenda
Skyfall
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Fast growing and economical to grow, stubble turnips are ideal for finishing lambs or being used as a buffer feed. A reliable crop, they can be used for either summer grazing, autumn use or out-wintering, ready to be utilised within 10-12 weeks of planting. They are also versatile by lowering the seed rate to increase bulb size, or vice versa.
Trial Results Average fresh yield = 40-50t/ha Average DM % = 8-9% Samson Relative fresh yield – 108% Relative DM yield – 103% Delilah Relative fresh yield – 101% Relative DM yield – 100% Rondo Relative fresh yield – 88% Relative DM yield – 93% Skyfall (Hybrid) Relative fresh yield – 68% Relative DM yield - 86%
Sowing rates Drill into stubble: 4-5 kg/ha Drill after grass: 5-6 kg/ha Broadcast: 6-7 kg/ha Sow: May–June / July–August
Feed Quality Crude protein – 17-18% Digestibility Value – 68-70% ME – 11 Mj/kg DM
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Kale Kale is a high yielding crop, with good crude protein content. This makes it ideal as a buffer feed over the summer or as an outwintering feed. The shorter type varieties tend to be more winter hardy than the tall marrow stem types. The taller, marrow stem varieties, such as Bombardier or Caledonian are more suited to cattle feeding, whereas the shorter types, Keeper for example, are ideal for sheep to graze.
Trial Results Average fresh yield = 60-70t/ha Average DM content = 14-16% Caledonian Relative fresh yield – 122% DM Content – 13.8% Keeper Relative fresh yield – 92% DM Content – 15.7% Bombardier Relative fresh yield – 121% DM Content – 13.5%
Sowing rates: Precision Drilled – 2 kg/ha Direct Drilled – 4-5 kg/ha Broadcast – 8 kg/ha Sow – April – Early July
Feed Quality Crude protein – 16-17% Digestibility Value – 70-75% ME – 10-11 Mj/kg DM
KALE
Why Grow Kale? Ò Flexible utilization period Ò High yields Ò Excellent crude protein content Ò Buffer feed for dairy cows during dry summers
‘Marrow stem type with club root tolerance’ Suitable for: Cattle grazing Sow: Spring Use: Autumn & Winter Key points: y Highest yielding variety in trials y Club root tolerance y Taller than other varieties ‘Winter hardy variety’ Suitable for: Cattle and sheep grazing Sow: Spring Use: Autumn & Winter Key points: y Intermediate height y Marrow stem with plenty of leaf y Highly palatable y High resistance to disease.
Caledonian
Proteor
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Keeper
‘New marrows stem variety from 2019’ Suitable for: Cattle and sheep grazing Sow: Spring Use: Autumn & Winter Key points: y Delivers high dry matter yields and high-quality feed y Club root tolerant y Improves palatability of the stem ‘Leafy type for sheep production’ Suitable for: Cattle and sheep grazing Sow: Spring or early summer Use: Autumn & winter Key points: y Winter hardy y Good resistance to lodging y Very leafy and a shorter variety
Bombardier
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Forage Rape Offering the highest crude protein levels, forage rape is a great all-rounder for sheep, beef, or dairy. The crop is fast growing and can be ready within 12-14 weeks, and being a leafy type crop, there isn’t the requirement to wait for the crops to ‘bulb up’. Higher in protein than stubble turnips, although the leafy growth may not hold the stock as long. However, this can be useful for growing on wetter land where the crop needs to be utilised quickly. This can be broken down into true forage rapes or the rape/kale hybrids. Hybrid brassicas, with the ‘bounce back’ regrowth potential can be drilled up until the end of June for multiple grazing. To achieve good regrowth, there needs to be correct management and fencing. For a single graze, they can go up until mid-August. Forage Rape is more winter hardy than turnips, and can fill the requirement for an autumn sown crop to be utilised after Christmas.
Unicorn
‘Producing quality feed in a short period of time’ Suitable for: Dairy, Beef & Sheep Sow: Spring, Early Summer & After Cereals Use: Autumn & Winter Key Points:
y ‘Bounce back’ potential y Good disease resistance y High protein leaves
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Why Grow Forage Rape? Ò Fast growing Ò Leafy catch crop Ò Longer lasting than stubble turnips Ò Flexible sowing period Ò Hi protein content
‘Marrow stem type with club root tolerance’ Suitable for: Cattle grazing Sow: Spring Use: Autumn & Winter Key points: y Highest yielding variety in trials y Club root tolerance y Taller than other varieties ‘A reliable variety with consistent UK performance’ Suitable for: Cattle and sheep grazing Sow: Spring/Early summer or after cereals Use: Autumn & Winter Key points: y Ideal for finishing lambs y Highly palatable and digestible y Excellent powdery mildew resistance to reduce wastage.
Interval
Hobson
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Rampart
‘Bred for feeding quality and grazing flexibility’ Suitable for: Cattle and sheep grazing Sow: Spring/Early summer or after cereals Use: Autumn & Winter Key points: y High yield potential y Winter hardiness y Ready to feed 12-14 weeks after sowing ‘Offers flexible cost-effective solutions to year-round forage supply’ Suitable for: cattle and sheep grazing Sow: May to August Use: July to following March Key points: y Winter hardiness y Regrowth potential y High energy and protein source
Redstart
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Trial results Average Fresh Yield =24-35t/ha Average DM Content = 12-13% Interval Relative fresh yield – 125% DM Content – 12.2% Hobson Relative fresh yield – 102% DM Content – 13.7% Rampart Relative fresh yield – 106% DM Content – 12.7% Redstart DM Yield (t/ha) – 7 DM Content – 13% Unicorn Relative fresh yield – 116% DM Content – 12.4%
Sowing rates: Drill into stubble – 6kg/ha Drill after grass – 7kg/ha Broadcast – 8kg/ha Sow: May – Late August
Feed Quality Crude protein – 19-20% Digestibility Value – 65% ME – 10-11 Mj/kg DM
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Swede A high energy winter feed, swedes have a flexible sowing period, which is extended compared to fodder beet. They are usually grazed rather than lifted and make an excellent feed for sheep. Variety choice is important when looking at DM levels – choose a variety with low DM, to plant early and crop early. Varieties with high DM – plant late, and crop late. Trial results
Sowing rates: Precision Drilled: 350 – 850g /ha. Direct Drilled: 3kg /ha Broadcast: 5 kg/ha Sow: April - June
Average Fresh Yield =70-90t/ha Average DM Content = 10-13% Gowrie Relative fresh yield – 119 DM content – 11% Lomond Relative fresh yield – 109 DM content – 11.3% Invitation Relative fresh yield – 94 DM content – 12.6
Feed Quality Crude protein – 19-20% Digestibility Value – 65% ME – 10-11 Mj/kg DM
FORAGE CROP MIXTURES Winter Feed
Contains:
y Bittern Kale y Swift Hybrid brassica Suitable for: outwintering cattle and sheep Sow: May to Mid-July Key Points: h Winter hardy h Produces palatable fodder h Yield potential of over 12t DM/ha
Late Sown Winter Feed
Contains:
y Swift Hybrid brassica y Redstart Hybrid brassica y Appin Turnip y Maris Kestrel Kale Suitable for: outwintering cattle and sheep Sow: Mid-June to late August Key Points: h Fast growing fodder for late sowing
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Summer Multi Graze
Contains:
Contains: y Swift Hybrid brassica y Appin Turnip y Maris Kestrel Kale Suitable for: late lamb finishing, flushing ewes or late season grazing Sow: Mid-June to early August Key Points: h Winter hardiness from the Swift h Rapid establishment h Quality feed value y Appin Turnip y Swift Hybrid brassica y Stego rape y Maris Kestrel kale Suitable for: early lamb finishing or supplementary summer grazing for cattle Sow: April to Mid-June Key Points: h Increased forage choice for higher DM intake
Autumn Multi Graze
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FODDER BEET
Why Grow Fodder Beet? Ò Huge palatable yields with high energy Ò Ideal replacement for cereals Ò Can be grazed or clamped and stored over winter
Robbos
A clean yellow root with high dry matter yields. Ideal for dairy and beef production and can be grazed in situ, as well as lifted.
Blaze
A variety with medium dry matter, suited for both sheep and cattle, that can be fed whole or chopped. A bright red root that is easily lifted and is clean.
Brick
Has the potential to produce high DM yields, can be fed to dairy cattle, beef or sheep. A true fodder beet, with a smooth skin finish perfect for lifting and clamping.
Tadorne
Suitable for AD plants, this variety can be lifted and clamped. Providing a high dry matter white root, it can be stored for longer periods of time.
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Blizzard
A very palatable feed, with high DM, best fed to cattle. Ideal for harvesting with sugar beet machinery
Feldherr
Produces huge fresh yields, ideal for young livestock. 50% of growth out of the ground making it suitable for grazing in situ or lifting.
Enermax
A dual-purpose variety with smooth clean roots, making it ideal for forage or biogas production. High dry matter content and good disease resistance.
Magnum
A consistent and reliable white root variety, with good resistance to rust. High yields and dry matter content of 19-20%.
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Trial Results Average fresh yield = 80-100t/ha Average DM content = 15-24% Robbos Relative fresh yield – 103%
Magnum Relative fresh yield – 100% DM Content – 20.6% Root in ground – 65.1% Enermax Relative fresh yield – 99% DM Content – 21.1% Root in ground – 67.3%
DM Content – 19.8% Root in ground – 60% Brick Relative fresh yield – 96% DM Content – 24.1% Root in ground – 76.3% Blaze Relative fresh yield – 105% DM Content – 18.7% Root in ground – 57.1% Blizzard Relative fresh yield – 93% DM Content – 22.2% Root in ground – 72.3% Tadorne Relative fresh yield – 103% DM Content – 22.7% Root in ground – 74% Feldherr Relative fresh yield – 115% DM Content – 15.8% Root in ground – 49.6%
Sowing rates: Precision Drilled – 100,000 seeds / ha. Sow – Late March – Late April
Feed Quality Crude protein – 12-13% Digestibility Value – 78% ME – 13 Mj/kg DM
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Other options Westerwolds •
Can be sown up until September. Offers late autumn and early spring grazing. Once cut or grazed, regrowth will happen.
• •
• Can be left in the ground for a year for repeated grazing or cutting. Grazing/cereal Rye • A traditional winter forage that can be sown as late as October. • One of the earliest species to grow in the spring, providing a great early bite. • Will need a cereal sowing rate due to the large seed size and to give robust cover. You can also find other crop options in our range of guides and booklets in paper copy or on our website. For your copy, call 01243 755620 Visit: www.bartholomews.co.uk/seed/booklets
Forage crop nutrition Correct nutrition is needed when growing a good quality forage crop. This will require soil analysis to ascertain the nutrients already present in your soil. Upon analysis of your soil, a soil index will be given which can be used in conjunction with the table below to provide a nutrient requirement to be supplied to your crop. For further information on soil sampling please contact the fertiliser desk on 01243 755630
Points to note: Forage rape and Stubble Turnips (a) apply no more than 75 kg N/ha at Index 0 or 1. Further reductions may be made if the soil is moist and has been cultivated.
Notes
Notes
Seed Department Tel: 01243 755620 Email: seed@bartholomews.co.uk
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