The case for high protein home-grown forage is getting stronger as the market becomes more fragile, and costs continue to rise. UK farmers are looking at innovative ways to grow high protein fodder crops domestically to save money, improve milk quality and reduce environmental impact.
Maximising the value of home-grown forage is key, according to Cope Seeds’ grass and small seeds specialist Duncan Hendry.
“Farmers are all striving to achieve the best quality forage to support their milk from forage ratios,” he said. “This means that they have to constantly improve their grass leys, either by reseeding or by overseeding existing leys.
“Alternatives are maize or wholecrop cereals for energy supply. However, with rapidly rising costs of protein we must look to increasing home grown proteins rather than relying on bought in protein whether as compound feeds or as straights. To this end we are seeing positive results from alternatives like arable silage mixtures.”
Mr Hendry said arable silage can produce excellent yields from a short growing period of approximately 13 to 16 weeks, with the silage combining high intake potential that can be used as part of a mixed forage diet; the pea content of these mixtures can also help increase the protein content.
“They can be under sown with a new grass ley to further maximise land use,” he added. “The resulting crop can be baled or clamped and should produce about 12t to 15t freshweight/acre with a typical analysis.
“Grass leys are being employed for increasing protein levels in forage and red clover is generally used for cutting leys and white in grazing leys.”
Mr Hendry also said lucerne was also being used more readily.
“It has the potential to yield 10t/ha to 15t/ha of dry matter; it has a five-year persistence; it’s highly digestible; it’s rich in trace elements; and is an excellent source of fibre. It will fix nitrogen too,” he added.
“Lupins are another high-protein option that can be combined and crimped.”
