United Kingdom
December 22, 2024
Broadening the range of forages can build more resilience into dairy businesses. So it could be worth widening the forage net in 2025. Limagrain’s forage crop manager John Spence looks at the forage options for dairy producers to consider.
There’s plenty of choice – and plenty of benefits to be had – when it comes to selecting forages for dairy cattle.
More forage production by ‘filling the gaps’ between reseeds, and reducing fields left fallow for any length of time will boost milk from home grown crops. And there are many options that promote productivity and soil health, and in doing so meet Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) criteria.
“King of the forages is grass,” says Mr Spence. “Growing other forage species within the grass rotation will support the longer term productivity of these grass crops by breaking the grass pest and disease cycles.”
After a wet cold spring in 2024, which disrupted reseeding on some units, conditions have been more favourable for autumn reseeds. “But there will be more to do in spring 2025 to get back on track,” he adds. “In these cases, tempting as it may be to follow grass with a reseed immediately, a highly nutritious brassica could be a better option.”
Bounce back brassicas
Brassicas slot into the grass rotation on dairy units very successfully, either for summer feed, or in autumn and winter.
He highlights the ‘summer’ brassica Skyfall that has two or three re-growths in a season. “Skyfall is unique as it is sown from May and grazed five six weeks later, then closed up for about six weeks to allow it to ‘bounce back’ before grazing again. In many cases this cycle can be repeated a third time. And, thanks to its fast growth and re-growth, there’s still time for an autumn reseed.”
Fodder Beet
Fodder beet is also well worth considering as a break crop and is popular on dairy units because of its high feed energy value. This fodder crop has the highest dry matter and energy yielding crop per hectare available among commonly grown forages in the UK.
The average metabolisable energy content for fodder beet varieties trialled annually by Limagrain is consistently 12.5 to 13 MJ/kgDM.
Sown in spring, possibly after a first cut or early spring grazing, fodder beet can be grazed in situ by youngstock or dry cows or lifted and chopped for use in a TMR. It can be stored in a clamp or in the ground and feed through the winter – it offers a lot of flexibility.
“Once farmers introduce this forage, they rarely move away from it, particularly where it’s chopped and added to a TMR,” says Mr Spence. “It’s appetising and brings an energy boost to diets, but the consistency of the crop adds to its attractiveness.
“We’ve got more than 25 years of trial data comparing long standing UK fodder beet varieties, such as Robbos, and five years of data on more recent varieties, such as Fosyma. Results all show that dry matter and energy yields are consistent, regardless of growing conditions,” he adds.
Even in the challenging conditions of the past few years with long dry periods and, at times, very wet conditions, yields and feed value have not wavered much. These two varieties have both yielded more than 18 tonnes per hectare of dry matter consistently. Fosyma consistently heads the ranking with an average dry matter yield 12% above the control variety.
Forage rape and stubble turnips
Returning to brassicas, those looking for a forage crop to sow later in the season, possibly after multiple silage cuts or grazing rotations, can consider forage rape and stubble turnip. Sown anytime from May to September, the two crops can be sown separately or together.
“The high protein forage rape and high energy stubble turnip are ready for grazing 12 to 14 weeks after sowing. So, if it’s sown in late May, the crop is grazed in late summer as grass growth slows up. If it’s sown later, these hardy crops can be grazed through to January if conditions are suitable, which will reduce winter feed costs.”
Both forage rape and stubble turnips should be introduced to cattle gradually with a run back onto grassland. Choice of variety will influence feed value with newer varieties, such as Unicorn forage rape, being selected for improved digestibility while maintaining protein levels of 15%.
The new stubble turnip Hector brings extra energy with an ME of at least 12MJ/kg of dry matter.
“These forage crops might be less fashionable, but trials using these modern varieties show off their value in the forage rotation on dairy units,” says Mr Spence.
Herbal Leys
Herbal leys feature strongly in many forage plans for dairy and livestock units. There has been a huge surge in popularity and are now becoming mainstream. “But I’d recommend making careful choices.”
While a basic herbal ley might qualify for the SFI payments, there’s a wide range in performance between these and better quality mixtures. “If you choose cheap and cheerful, you’ll pay for it. There’s a lot to be gained from a well formulated mixture suited to the farm, conditions and feeding system.”
A herbal ley mixture qualifying for the payment must contain one grass species, two legumes and two herbs. This is the minimum requirement. Further guidance set out by Defra to encourage growing a high-quality herbal ley recommends five grass seed varieties, three legumes and five herbs.
“I’d encourage livestock farmers to go for a high quality herbal ley. Not only does it qualify for the payments, but it will also out-perform the basic mixes when it comes to animal performance,” says Mr Spence, adding that Limagrain has set this higher benchmark as its minimum for its herbal seed mixtures.
“We’ve designed herbal ley mixtures that are robust and productive and offer high feed value. We’ve achieved this by using species with proven performance on farm and in UK trials to ensure the full benefits of the herbal ley are achieved.”
For example, plantain and chicory herbs are screened at Limagrain’s innovation site, with the best varieties selected based on their yield and complementary growth pattern. These species are also deep rooting to provide drought tolerance and have anthelmintic properties.
“Proven species of legumes are also used, and we’ve selected varieties that can achieve production goals as well as meet environmental targets. These mixtures do far more than simply meet the payment criteria.”
CONSIDER THE PURPOSE BEFORE CHOOSING
He also encourages farmers to consider the purpose of the herbal ley before choosing a mixture. “If it’s for cutting it should include hybrid and earlier heading ryegrasses, but not include chicory because this loses its persistency under conservation management.
“But for a grazing mixture, chicory works well alongside plantain, white clover and other species that tolerate more regular defoliation, along with later heading grasses.”
Mr Spence adds that herbal leys aren’t for all dairy farmers. “There are clear benefits to herbal leys but their productivity can sometimes struggle to match that of a well-managed perennial ryegrass and white clover ley, particularly in intensive systems,” he adds.
Those growing high production grass swards that are missing white clover can opt to over-sow it, to meet the SFI criteria for legumes on improved grassland (CNUM2). This will bring nitrogen fixing benefits, improve protein content and add to the ley’s production in drier months. Using a pelleted clover, that is heavier, will significantly improve establishment rates.
With more unpredictable weather patterns, planning forage rotations may seem more complex. “But careful and thoughtful planning on the choice of forages and opting for proven varieties will add resilience and boost production from home grown crops,” he adds.
“The aim is to keep a good supply of high quality home-grown forages and reduce the vulnerability caused by the season and situation.”
For everything you need to know about home grown forage options, download the LG Essential Guide to Forage Crops
Category
Forage & Grass
Author
John Spence
Forage Crops Product Manager
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