Forage Crops
Although grass is undoubtedly the most efficient and economical way to feed livestock, forage crops do have a key role to play.
Growing forage crops on your own land can bring many benefits. There are many options such as grazed crops like stubble turnips and forage rape or high yielding harvestable crops such as fodder beet. Whichever option you choose will enable you to reduce feeding costs, extend the grazing season and provide an excellent break crop and entry back to grass re-seed.
Whether you’re a lamb, beef or dairy producer, planning a forage crop programme is important, and identifying your feed demand requirements by month will help you decide which crop species is most suitable for your farming enterprise.
| Crop | Sowing Date | Time to Mature | Utilisable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fodder Beet | April to May | 24 – 28 weeks | October to November |
| Stubble Turnip | May to August | 12 – 14 weeks | August to February |
| Rape/Kale Hybrid | July to August | 12 – 14 weeks | September to January |
| Forage Rape | May to August | 10 – 12 weeks | September to December |
| Kale | May to June | 16 – 20 weeks | September to March |
| Swedes | May | 20 weeks | September to February |
| Main Crop Turnips | May to June | 12 – 15 weeks | September to February |
Bespoke Seed Mixtures
Our team have been producing specially blended seed mixes for our customers for over 50 years. We can tailor your mix to suit the soil, understanding its history, how you use it and to help plan for the future.
