Fodder Crops FOR PROFITABLE MILK PRODUCTION. A range of top quality Fodder crops, specially selected for feeding Dairy cows

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1 Fodder Crops FOR PROFITABLE MILK PRODUCTION A range of top quality Fodder crops, specially selected for feeding Dairy cows

2 Quality Fodder crops Introduction In today s tough environment the need to reduce feed costs and to deliver improved profits continues to be the main driver for many Dairy producers. Home grown fodder has always played an important role on many farms and with the introduction of some new improved varieties that can offer real benefits, there is no better time than now to consider extending your home grown fodder programme. This LG Fodder Crops guide includes a selection of the best new varieties that we feel offer dairy producers some real benefits. Many of these varieties have been bred in Scotland by the Scottish Crop Research Institute, and represent improved yields, and disease resistance. These are high-lighted in this booklet with their logo. Each variety featured also shows the benefits that each offer, a guide to the yield, feed value and costs which were kindly provided by the Kingshay Farming Trust. We also produce a very comprehensive agronomy guide on each crop. If you would like to receive a copy please visit our web site. Our products are available from your Local seed supplier; ask for them by name to ensure you get the best! Fodder Crops - the benefits Improved profitability! Reduced reliance on purchased feeds Full traceabilty Maximise Milk yields Flexible cropping options Excellent break crops Feed potential from July to March Low cost options compared to feeding concentrates or cereals High yields and economical to grow Look out for the varieties with the Scottish Crop Research Institute logo below They are specially bred in Scotland for UK conditions and offer improved yields and disease packages.

3 Fodder Beet Blaze Fodder beet can be sown from April to early May and has the potential to deliver very high yields of digestible fodder that are usually lifted and stored in October for use in Winter feeding programmes. Access to harvesting machinery is essential but some crops have been successfully grazed in situ for outwintering systems. Always choose a clean rooted variety like Blaze as dirty roots and soil contamination can taint milk. Washing beet is not always necessary but chopping the beet or using it in a mixer wagon will improve intakes. Why grow Fodder beet? Huge palatable yields Ideal replacement for cereals Great for mixed forage diets Suitable to help balance high starch Maize silage Improved milk yields Blaze Benefits High dry matter yields Clean Roots reduces scouring and milk taint Can be strip grazed if preferred Improved ease of harvesting Fully proven on UK dairy farms Average dry matter yields = tonnes per hectare Average fresh yields = tonnes per hectare Dry matter content = 15-17% Crude protein content = 12-13% Digestibility = 78D Metabolisable energy = MJ per kg DM Cost per tonne fresh weight = 14 Cost per tonne utilised dry matter = 100 Growing cost per hectare = 518

4 Kale Grampian NEW Sown in April or May Grampian can provide good late summer buffer feed at a time when some grass pastures are less productive. Grampian can also be sown up to early July to provide good quality grazing between October and early March. Kale can also be zero grazed or used fresh after milking. Mineral supplementation may be necessary if kale is fed at high levels, so only feed it at approx 30-35% of the dry matter intake. Why grow Kale? Flexible utilisation Period (summer or winter) High yields from minimal effort Economical to grow Excellent crude protein content Good entry back to grass leys Bred by Grampian Benefits High dry matter yields (more than 1.6 tonnes/ha better than Maris Kestrel)* Excellent D value quality for improved utilisation Winter hardy Some Club root resistance Bred in Scotland for UK conditions * SCRI/Limagrain trials 2007 Average dry matter yield = 8-10 tonnes per hectare Average fresh yield = tonnes per hectare Dry matter content = 14-16% Crude protein content = 16-17% Digestibilty = 68 D value Metabolisable energy = MJ per kg Dry Matter Cost per tonne fresh weight = 8 Cost per tonne utilised dry matter = 63 Growing cost per hectare = 471

5 Summer Turnip Tyfon Tyfon can be sown from mid May onwards, or after a first cut of silage. Early sown crops can be utilised in July and August to provide good quality grazing when some grass pastures are less productive. Allow 8-11 weeks from sowing to grazing. Strip grazing is essential to minimise waste. Move the fence daily, and allow milking cows 2 hours of access before moving them to grass. This provides a good buffer without tainting milk. Why grow Summer Turnips? Fast growing catch crop Easy to grow and manage Fresh summer fodder Excellent entry into winter cereals Tyfon Benefits Very Fast food production! Tyfon is very leafy and easily grazed Tyfon produces re-growth after grazing which can be utilised in the autumn UK proven on many dairy farms Average dry matter yields = 3-4 tonnes per hectare Average fresh yields = tonnes per hectare Dry matter content = 8-9% Crude protein content = 17-18% Digestibility = 68-70% Metabolisable energy = MJ per kg DM Cost per tonne fresh weight = 6 Cost per tonne utilised dry matter = 76 Growing cost per hectare = 388

6 Forage Rape Interval Interval can be grown economically with few inputs. It can be sown from April to early August providing grazing in late summer to the post Christmas period. Strip grazing is essential to minimise waste. Interval can be grown in conjunction with stubble turnips, to produce a balanced feed Why grow Forage Rape? Fast growing leafy catch crop Easy to grow Flexible utilisation periods Low inputs and economical to grow Excellent entry into winter cereals Bred by Interval Benefits Powdery Mildew resistance means higher intakes and palatability Fast food production, ready to graze in weeks after sowing Interval is a rape/kale cross which makes it more winter hardy Bred in Scotland for UK conditions Average dry matter yields = tonnes per hectare Average fresh yields = tonnes per hectare Dry matter content = 12-14% Crude protein content = 19-20% Digestibility = 65 D value Metabolisable energy = MJ per kg DM Cost per tonne fresh weight = 11 Cost per tonne utilised Dry Matter = 100 Growing cost per hectare = 383

7 Forage Rye Humbolt Humbolt can be sown in September and October to provide early turnout grazing from late February onwards. Do not delay spring grazing as the crop can quickly become stemmy. Dairy cows like the rye crop to be at a height of approximately cm. Ideally use an electric fence to avoid wastage. One hectare of Humbolt should provide 2 weeks grazing for 25 cows. Italian ryegrass can be added to extend the grazing season. Why grow Forage Rye? Early turnout (reducing overwintering costs) Zero grazing option or big bale silage Flexible sowing options after Maize or cereal harvest Fantastically flexible! Humbolt Benefits Specially bred for forage production (Humbolt is not a grain variety) Good early spring growth allows earlier turnout Excellent winter hardiness Proven on many UK dairy farms Average dry matter yields = 5-6 tonnes per hectare Average fresh yields = tonnes per hectare Dry matter content = 20-25% Crude protein content = 11-12% Metabolisable energy = 10 MJ per kg Dry matter Cost per tonne fresh weight = 12 Cost per tonne utilised Dry Matter = 76 Growing cost per hectare = 336