United Kingdom
March 16, 2017
Brassica fodder crops provide a good source of protein and are also excellent break crops in grassland reseeding programmes
The extensive Germinal exhibit will include currently available varieties and mixtures through to the latest breeding advances. There will be a strong emphasis on how to make livestock production more profitable and sustainable by growing and feeding high protein species such as white and red clovers, brassicas, perennial chicory and lucerne.
“Opportunities to increase homegrown protein production exist on a large majority of livestock farms,” says Germinal National Agricultural Sales Manager Ben Wixey. “There are many crops that can exceed 20% crude protein, so the headline advantage is to cut feeding costs by reducing reliance on expensive bought–in sources such as soya, but there are far wider benefits too.
“Legumes such as clovers and lucerne will fix nitrogen, contributing as much as 150kgN/ha to the soil, reducing the requirement for artificial nitrogen fertiliser. Then there are the break–cropping advantages offered by brassicas, and the soil conditioning effects from species with deep–rooting characteristics, such as red clover and perennial chicory.”
In addition to the protein crop focus, Germinal will launch the latest Aber® High Sugar Grass varieties to be included on the independent Recommended Grass and Clover List at Grassland and Muck 2017. There will also be opportunities to meet the plant breeders from IBERS Aberystwyth University and receive advice from Germinal’s forage experts on selection, growing and utilisation of a full range of forage crops.
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Species
