Forage Crops
20Pages

Forage Crops 2016 Forage Crops – Trial Results 2018 This pocket guide has been published to help you plan a cost forage This guide has been published to help you plan a cost effectiveeffective programme. By selecting the correct correct species and varieties, forage programme. By selecting the species and varieties, livestock farmers can look forward toforward confidentlyhome grown feed home livestock farmers can look maximising their to maximising their production and enhancing their profitability. grown feed production and enhancing their profitability. The trial results in this booklet...

Below you can find the key forage crop species and compare yields, growing costs and feed quality. *Growing costs provided by Kingshay Farming Trust ▲ 3 cuts per year

Trials Data VARIETY Relative Dry Matter Yield % Relative Fresh Yield % Skin Colour Mean Bolter Count Data source: Limagrain UK Trials 1998 - 2017 Note: not all varieties trialled every year, not all scores taken every year 2 RT = Rhizomania tolerant t One year trial data only

Typical Costs and Value Average dry matter yield Average fresh yields Dry matter Crude protein Digestibility value Metabolisable energy Total Cost Cost pnr tooon frneh weight £16 Cost pnr tonnn utilised dry matter £115 Relative valun £/tonnn DM £144 Cost pnr litre of milk 6.4p Cost pnr kilo of live weight gain 34.3p The figures above relate to roots only. Leaves may also be fed after wilting and will contribute a further 3-4 tonnes of dry matter per hectare. Data Source: Kingshay Forage Costings Report 2010 Data Source: DEFRA Fertiliser Manual (RB209)

Kale Variety Relative Relative Dry Leaf:Stem Dry Fresh Matter Ratio Matter Yield % Content High score Yield % % = leafy Plant Digestibility Winter Height % Hardiness Data Source: Limagrain UK & James Hutton Institute Trials 1991-2013 (c) Control Winter hardiness scored: January 2011 * No data available CR = Club root tolerant Note: Not all varieties trialled every year, not all scores taken every year 4

Typical Costs and Value Average dry matter yield Average fresh yields Dry matter Crude protein Digestibility value Metabolisable energy Total Cost Cost per tonne fresh weight £7 Cost per tonne utilised dry matter £67 Relative value £/tonne DM £133 Cost per litre of milk 2.8p Cost per kilo of live weight gain 18.8p Data Source: Kingshay Forage Costings Report 2010 Data Source: DEFRA Fertiliser Manual (RB209)

Trials Data Variety Type Relative Dry Matter Yield % Relative Fresh Yield % Relative Root Dry Matter Yield % Relative Leaf Dry Matter Yield % Data source: Limagrain UK trials 1993 - 2017 * No data available (c) = Control Tet = Tetraploid Disease scores taken: December 2017 Note: Not all varieties trialled every year, not all scores taken every year

Typical Costs and Value Average dry matter yield Average fresh yields Dry matter Crude protein Digestibility value Metabolisable energy Total Cost Cost per tonne fresh weight £0 Cost per tonne utilised dry matter £66 Relative value £/tonne DM £140 Cost per litre of milk 2.7p Cost per kilo of live weight gain 17.9p Data Source: Kingshay Forage Costings Report 2010 When grown as a catch crop after cereals, apply no more than 75 kg N/ha at Index 0 or 1. Further reductions may be made if the soil is moist and has been cultivated. For stubble turnips sown after mid August,...

Relative Dry Matter Yield % Relative Fresh Yield % Data source : Limagrain UK trials 1993 - 2017 Note: not all varieties trialled every year, not all scores taken every year 8 Winter hardiness scored: January 2011

Typical Costs and Value Average dry matter yield Average fresh yields Dry matter Crude protein Digestibility value Metabolisable energy Total Cost Cost per tonne fresh weight £12 Cost per tonne utilised dry matter £107 Relative value £/tonne DM £141 Cost per litre of milk 4.5p Cost per kilo of live weight gain 29.7p Data Source: Kingshay Forage Costings Report 2010 When grown as a catch crop after cereals, apply no more than 75 kg N/ha at Index 0 or 1. Further reductions may be made if the soil is moist and has been cultivated. Data Source: DEFRA Fertiliser Manual (RB209)

Swede Trials Data Variety Relative Dry Matter Yield % Relative Fresh Yield % Mildew Resistance 9 = Best Root Shape 9 = Best Neck Length High Score = Longer Neck Data source: Limagrain & James Hutton Institute Trials 1990-2010 Note: Not all varieties trialled every year, not all scores taken every year

Typical Costs and Value Average dry matter yield Average fresh yields Dry matter Crude protein Digestibility value Metabolisable energy Total Cost Cost per tonne fresh weight £5 Cost per tonne utilised dry matter £62 Relative value £/tonne DM £109 Cost per litre of milk 3.6p Cost per kilo of live weight gain 23.5p Data Source: Kingshay Forage Costings Report 2010 Data Source: DEFRA Fertiliser Manual (RB209)

Forage Peas Silage Trials Data Variety Relative Dry Matter Yield % Relative Fresh Yield % Crude Protein Content % Leaf Type Flower Colour Semi Leafless Semi Leafless Semi Leafless Semi Leafless Semi Leafless Semi Leafless Protein Plus Arable Silage Mixtures Data source: Limagrain UK Trials 2016 12

Typical Costs and Value Average dry matter yield = Average fresh yields = Crude protein = Digestibility value = Metabolisable energy = Total Cost Cost psr tnees fresh weight £20 Cost psr tnees utilised dry matter £152 Relative value £/toeee kM £124 Cost psr litre nf milk 2.5p Cost psr kilo of live weight gaie 33.11p Data Source: Kingshay Forage Costings Report 2010 Data Source: DEFRA Fertiliser Manual (RB209)

Feeding Guidelines Strip Grazing Many of the forages that appear in this booklet are grazed and utilised in the field • Using an electric fence will help reduce wastage in the field (grazed in situ). To get the best from your crops, a few simple steps can make all • Long narrow strips are best to allow full animal access the difference in maximising animal performance and profitability. • Introduce the animals to the crop slowly The following are some of the key management tools you may consider: • Move the electric fence daily if possible • Recommended inclusion rates should be between 35...