Summer Forage Crop Options

WHY PLANT A SUMMER FORAGE CROP?

To provide quality feed to cover a predicted feed deficit.
To extend the period stock have access to green feed.
As part of a paddock renovation program.
To assist in finishing stock out of season.
To fill the feed gap between pasture, dry off and grazing crop stubbles.
As part of rotation to allow stock to better utilise dry pasture reserves.
To maximise potential of late season rainfall.

WHICH OPTION SHOULD YOU USE?

There are many forage crop options, with one to suit most requirements and environmental conditions. From dryland to irrigation, light to heavy soils, moderate to high fertility. Forage crop options have a range of maturity times, and end use suitability, from single grazing through to multiple hay / silage cut options. When deciding which option you should use in your situation, consider the following:

What is your required end use, grazing or Fodder conservation?
What is required level and quality of Dry Matter to be produced – finishing animals or weight gain for young stock, how many?
What is the availability of water during the crop’s growing season – good outlook or irrigation?
What will be type and stage of production of stock utilising the forage produced - cattle or sheep, dry stock or actively growing??
If grazed, will it be set stocked or strip grazed, once or multiple times – crop that regrows or turnips for one off graze?
When will feed be required, early, mid or late spring, or summer / autumn?
Soil type and fertility status – what inputs will be provided?
What will be insect and plant pest burden, and what is ability to control them?

Planting timing and typical harvest timings:

Chicory Options:
This option is best suited where a perennial option is required or may suit your production system. For example, where chicory is to be planted in spring, grazed over the summer and then over sown the following autumn.…
C4 (Sorghum / millet) Options
These options are best suited for late planting onto ground with adequate soil moisture –heavy soil or late country. For the Mount Gambier region sorghum is a generally grown under irrigation. These options need to have soil temperature…

Forage Brassica Blend options:
Blends containing Brassicas only These blends are formulated based on Brassica species only, using cultivars that have performed well in this area and are compatible when mixed. Targeted for use where brassicas have previously formed part of summer…
Complete forage Blends options
Blends containing Brassicas & forage / fibre source “in crop” Blends are formulated to give a “solid” forage crop with a mix of species and cultivars that compliment themselves as grazing options. Blends are based on Brassicas but…