Forage Options. A guide to homegrown feed production and utilisation. germinal.com. Germinal GB Camp Road, Witham St. Hughs, Lincoln, LN6 9QJ

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1 germinal.com Forage Options A guide to homegrown feed production and utilisation Germinal GB Camp Road, Witham St. Hughs, Lincoln, LN6 9QJ T: +44 (0) lincoln@germinal.com Germinal GB Portview Road, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9JH T: +44 (0) avon@germinal.com

2 Contents Grazing Forage Options Introduction 01 Contents Choose the right forage options and maximise their value Introduction 01 Puna II perennial chicory Profitable and sustainable livestock farming is ultimately reliant on farmers maintaining tight control of feeding costs and, for many, that will mean deriving as much as possible from homegrown resources. Whilst quality grass and clover leys grazed or conserved will form the basis of the majority of systems, more and more forage options are becoming available as complementary crops. These may fill traditional mid-season grazing gaps, extend the shoulders of the grazing season, provide additional conserved crop options or provide the basis for out-wintering of livestock. In Germinal s Forage Options booklet, we provide guidance on a range of forage brassicas suitable for livestock grazing, perennial chicory for use as a companion grazing species, and lucerne primarily as an alternative high protein silage crop. All of these forage options offer significant advantages to livestock farmers and have an important contribution to make to long term sustainability. Through explaining the main features and benefits of these different crops and outlining the management requirements, our aim is to provide the knowledge that ensures you select the best options and maximise their value to the benefit of your bottom line. Find out more Should you require any more information or to request a selection of free brochures and technical guides please visit our website: Ben Wixey National Agricultural Sales Manager, Germinal GB

3 Grazing Forage Options Perennial chicory for grazing 02 Grazing Forage Options Perennial chicory for grazing 03 The leading perennial chicory for UK farmers Puna II is the leading perennial chicory variety, selected through a long term breeding programme in New Zealand for its nutritive value, productivity, palatability and persistency. It is a broad-leaved perennial forage crop that can be grown in the UK as a pure stand or as a key part of mixed swards with clover, or grass and clover, for medium-long term rotational grazing (2-5 year persistency). Perennial chicory should not be confused with short-lived common chicory which is sometimes grown. PUNA II Perennial Chicory Selection strategy in breeding Puna II has included tolerance to the fungal disease Sclerotinia, which causes plant death, and an erect growth habit to improve compatability with ryegrass.

4 Perennial chicory for grazing 04 Grazing Forage Options Perennial chicory for grazing 05 Key benefits of Puna II Lasts 3 6 years Outstanding animal performance (e.g. lamb growth rates of g/day) Graze when crop height reaches mm (and when plants are resistant to uprooting) Rotationally graze for best results (ideally short, light spells in year one) Yields up to 15tDM/ha in a season; crude protein up to 25%; D-value Grazing strategy should aim to avoid flower heads developing (except once in the autumn as this can aid persistency) High mineral content, including zinc, potassium and copper Good tolerance to drought, acid soils and major pests Rapid regrowth after grazing Reduces the effect of internal parasites Provides high quality feed through the summer Does not cause bloat Avoid damage to the crown (e.g. hard grazing in wet conditions), as this will reduce productivity and persistency Limit milking cows to 25% of total dry matter intake to avoid risks of milk taint If chicory goes to head, either graze with cattle or top. Grazing is preferable because topping can allow water to penetrate the hollow stem and this can kill the plant Growth rates will drop if soil temperature falls below 10 C Successful establishment Control broad-leaved weeds before sowing Perennial chicory responds well to nitrogen (it does not fix N) Sow in spring (pure stand or with clover) or up to mid-august (mixed with Aber High Sugar Grass) Seed rate: Pure stand 6kg/ha Select well-drained soils Drill to a maximum depth of 10mm, or broadcast Proven in the UK Puna II has been bred for high yields of highly palatable dry matter, and is proven in terms of livestock growth rates as well as persistency in the sward. It is also known for its drought tolerance and mineral supply (both functions of a deep tap root) and for its potential to reduce worm burdens in grazing livestock. N, P and K fertiliser requirements similar to grass Use slug pellets to improve establishment UK research highlights Weaned Texel x Welsh Mule lambs on grazing leys containing Puna II perennial chicory outperformed control groups grazing a red clover / Italian ryegrass sward or a pure forage rape stand in studies at Aberystwyth University (2007) In a comparative grazing study at Newton Rigg College, Penrith, Cumbria, 53% of lambs grazing a sward containing Puna II perennial chicory reached the target 38-40kg liveweight whilst just 18% of the comparison group (perennial ryegrass and clover) had attained target weight ( ). In an SRUC study to evaluate alternative forage brassicas for lamb finishing, Puna II was found to reduce feacal egg counts in grazing lambs ( ).

5 Perennial chicory for grazing 06 Grazing Forage Options Perennial chicory for grazing 07 Change in strategy cuts feeding costs Including Puna II perennial chicory in herbal leys is part of a strategy that is helping Cornish sheep farmer Phil Kent cut over 1/kg off his cost of production. Phil farms in partnership with his aunt and uncle, Mike and Clare Parnell at Treswarrow Park Farm, Port Isaac. Six years ago they decided to move away from pedigree polled Dorsets in favour of a Romney and Lleyn cross, which his more suited to making best use of forage. About 10% of land is reseeded every year, with some ground undergoing a full reseed and some direct drilled. New leys include a mix of intermediate and late heading diploids and tetraploids, including the Aber High Sugar Grass AberAvon and the white clover AberDai. A herbal mix of Tonic plantain, Puna II perennial chicory, yarrow, birdsfoot trefoil and AberDai and AberPearl white clover has also been used, predominately for lamb finishing. Ewes will graze the chicory leys prior to lambing. The leys are then left and put in the grazing rotation after the lambs are about four weeks old. Lambs will then go in again after weaning at 12 weeks old, Phil explains. Only around 100 orphan lambs receive concentrate, with all remaining lambs finished entirely on the chicory and plantain leys. Last season, these lambs averaged daily live weight gains of 0.33kg. Phil has used rotational grazing for four years and has seen marked improvements in grass growth as a result.

6 Grazing Forage Options 08 Grazing Forage Options Cost effective homegrown fodder Cost effective homegrown fodder to cut feeding costs and fill feeding gaps. Brassicas include a wide variety of fodder crops that offer dairy, beef and sheep farmers in the UK valuable alternative sources of home produced feed. From the leafy kales and forage rapes through to root crops including stubble turnips and swedes, brassicas are a versatile feeding solution to fill summer grazing gaps, extend autumn grazing, or support out-wintering systems. Feeding brassicas can cost just 20p per head per day Feed cost savings Economic solution to summer grazing deficiencies Reduce the need for winter conserved forage Limit reliance on bought-in concentrates Rotational benefits Forage Brassicas Pioneer crops for previously uncultivated areas Valuable break before pasture renewal Good break crop in arable and grazing rotations Overall enterprise profitability Extended grazing season Increase output per hectare Reduce labour, machinery and housing costs Health, welfare and environment Avoid housing-related health problems by out-wintering Reduce fuel required for silage and bought in feeds Limit the risk of forage shortages due to drought 09

7 10 Grazing Forage Options 11 Planning your brassica crops Matching the crop to your requirements Integrating brassicas into your system In order to make best use of brassica fodder crops within your existing system, follow this three-step guide to establish your basic approach: Regrowth Potential * Sowing to Grazing Period Step 1: When do you want to feed the crop? Nil Vollenda Avon 8 Weeks Appin Avon Brassica fodder crops can be grown to provide quality grazing from June right through to February or March. They can therefore be used to supplement summer grazing, extend autumn grazing, or support outwintering systems. Step 2: When does the land required become vacant? Summer/ Early Autumn Jun - Sep Stubble turnip Forage rape Hybrid brassica 10 Weeks Swift Redstart Brassica fodder crops should be seen as a valuable part of the farm s rotational policy, so it is best to plan your cropping and utilisation within this bigger picture. Versatile modern varieties and new fast-growing cropping options do, however, mean that most requirements can be accommodated. High Swift Appin Redstart 12 Weeks Vollenda Step 3: How much land do I need? First decide the number and type of stock you are planning to feed with the brassicas and for how long. Then determine the most appropriate crop based on your deliberations from steps 1 and 2. Calculate the area required using the guidelines provided in the section Feeding Brassicas on pages??? -???. When do you require your brassica crop? Planning fibre feeding in advance Livestock grazing brassicas must have access to straw or haylage, sufficient to provide at least 25% of the daily dry matter ration. In crops grown for late autumn grazing or out-wintering bales should ideally be placed in the field whilst ground conditions are still dry. This minimises the risks of soil compaction and run-off from tractor wheelings and reduces labour requirements during the feeding period. Essential run-back areas (loafing / grazing areas at the end of fields) will also make a contribution to the fibre component of the ration in the form of deferred grazing. Autumn/ Winter Oct - Feb Stubble turnip Hybrid brassica Kale Swede Fodder beet Regrowth Potential * Nil Bittern Vollenda Swede Moderate Maris Kestrel High Swift Appin Redstart Winter Tolerance Low Vollenda Good Swift Appin Redstart High Maris Kestrel Bittern Swede Fodder beet *Rate and extent of regrowth depends on weather conditions.

8 12 Grazing Forage Options 13 Site selection Brassicas are being grown successfully in many situations in the UK. However, it is important to select the optimum site for brassica fodder crops in order to achieve best results in terms of enterprise performance and also to ensure that all cross compliance requirements are met. The ideal situation is therefore as follows: Fields where grass production is falling A minimum of 4 years since the last brassica crop to minimise disease risks Sandy free draining soils No threat to water courses Avoid steeply sloping sites Good airflow for rapid drying Suitable shelter for livestock Seed bed preparation Best results are achieved with thorough advanced preparation: Soil test 8 weeks prior to planned sowing date Retain topsoil strength and resilience to trampling. This can be done by drilling directly into glyphosate-treated sward Apply fertiliser and/or lime to achieve ph and P and K indices of 2 Organise fencing to exclude water courses but allow continuous access to drinking troughs Plan your utilisation to ensure downward grazing of slopes and move electric fencing frequently. Use back fencing to avoid poaching and protect regrowth Allow for run-back for gradual introduction and suitable lying space Consider using grassland buffers alongside vulnerable water courses Have a fall back plan in the event of extreme bad weather

9 14 Grazing Forage Options 15 Growing brassicas effectively Monitoring the crop growth Successful establishment Conventional cultivation or direct drilling Conventional cultivation to achieve a fine, firm and residual-free seedbed is the most common practice for establishing brassicas, but direct drilling is an option if conditions allow Typical establishment regime Brassica crops must be monitored closely for pests, diseases and weed ingress at all times, particularly during the critical establishment phase (first six weeks). Spray with glyphosate when pasture or weed cover is around 2,000kgDM/ha (8-10cm sward height) After 5-7 days graze hard or cut to remove as much vegetation as possible Apply fertiliser on the basis of earlier soil tests Prepare a fine, firm and residual free seedbed through cultivations If cultivating, broadcast seed, harrow and roll; or direct drill and roll Seed should be sown at approximately 1cm deep whatever the establishment method Timing and seed rates Brassicas should ideally be drilled when soil temperatures are around 10 C and rising, with optimum timing dependent upon crop type and variety Seed rates should typically be between 5 and 7.5kg/ha (2-3kg/acre) depending on crop type and variety. Marginally higher seed rates are recommended when broadcasting compared with direct drilling Fig 01. Typical challenges and optimum solutions in growing brassica crops: In all pest, disease and weed control situations, seek advice from a qualified agronomist on the most appropriate treatments and application rates. Typical Challenges Weeds Flea beetle Slugs Sawfly, Cabbage White Butterfly, Diamond Back Moth Clubroot Fungal diseases Foliar fungal diseases Dry rot (swedes) Optimum Solution Weeds should be controlled in the previous crop or through spraying prior to cultivation; pre-emergence herbicides may be an option Effectively controlled at seedling stage with a seed treatment Roll after drilling; apply slug pellets if problems occur post emergence Cost effective to use insecticidal sprays if detected at an early stage. Some varieties (e.g. Siskin) show resistance to sawfly Five year rotational policy; use more resistant varieties such as Siskin and Bittern In seedlings, a treatment controls the main fungal diseases Select resistant varieties Crop rotation Seed treatment An effective seed treatment is recommended in most cases to boost early establishment and combat pests and diseases in the critical first six weeks Fig 02. Fertiliser requirements: Crop Nitrogen kg/ha (units/acre) (80-96) Phosphate P kg/ha (units/acre) (60-80) Potash K 2 0 kg/ha (units/acre) (60-80) N Applied at Sowing (% of total) 50% N Applied Later (% of total) 50% at Weeks (80-96) 80 (65) 80 (65) 50% 50% at Weeks (40-64) 70 (55) 70 (55) 60% 40% at 6-8 Weeks (32-48) (24-32) (30-40) (24-32) 100% Further N may be applied for regrowth Always seek advice from a FACTS qualified adviser, using RB 209 as a guide (40-64) (32-48) (32-48) 100% Further N may be applied for regrowth

10 16 Grazing Forage Options 17 Feeding brassicas Calculating dry matter yield Measuring dry matter yield of your crop and calculating daily grazing requirements Calculating Daily Feed Allocation For accurate feed planning it is essential to measure the DM yield of your crop. This is easily achieved using: A 1m square frame Example based on a 270kg weanling requiring 8kg/DM/day Your livestock and fodder crop requirements A seed bag A pair of garden shears Some scales A number of samples should be taken from each field, picking representative sampling points. 1 Livestock Total Intake (Estimate total daily intake on the basis of a dry matter requirement of 3% of liveweight) 2 Brassica % of Diet (How much of the diet will be grazed brassica?) 8kg DM/day 70% 1. Place the frame in your forage crop 2. Use the shears to cut each plant within the frame (about 10cm from the ground) and put the harvested crop in the bag 3 Brassica Daily Requirement (Box 1 x Box 2) 5.6kg DM 3. Hook the bag onto the scales and record the crop weight per metre squared 4 Number of Livestock To calculate DM yield per hectare multiply the fresh weight per m 2 by 10,000, then multiply by the expected crop DM percentage. 5 Daily Requirement from Brassica (Box 3 x Box 4) 140kg DM 6 Estimated Crop DM yield/m 2 * 0.8kg/DMm 2 7 Total Daily Grazing Area Required (Box 5/Box 6) 175m 2 of Brassica 8 Length of Feed Face Fence to be Moved (Box 5/Box 6) 1.5m/day *Based on crop yields of 10t DM/ha, (1kg/m2) x 80% utilisation Grazing management is important to optimise the potential of these crops. Strip grazing small areas will provide the most efficient utilisation. Grazing larger areas will increase trampling and waste of available forage. 3 4

11 18 Grazing Forage Options 19 Brassicas boost farm productivity Out-wintering contract reared dairy heifers on brassicas fits with Marc Jones long-term plan to improve grass production, reduce input costs and increase profits at Trefnant Hall Farm, Powys. By using Maris Kestrel kale as a break crop before grassland re-seeding he has been able to rejuvenate swards, extend grazing and further drive down costs. Doing so is helping to improve profitability across both sheep and heifer rearing enterprises. I first gained experience with out-wintering by keeping sheep on swedes, which provided experience before embarking on the contract heifer rearing enterprise, explains Mark. I originally didn t think our farm would be suited to out-wintering cattle because our ground is quite steep and heavy in areas, but after seeing it done in a high rainfall area in North Wales, I felt we could do it here. Marc typically takes on around 300 dairy heifers a year to contract year from 8-9 months of age until they are ready to calve at 24 months old. Heifers go straight onto kale and big baled silage with a grass run-back when they arrive in November, explains Mr Jones. We introduce them onto the kale gradually over 10 days at the start as they take a while to get used to it. The aim is for stock to get 50% of their diet from kale and 50% from big bale silage. Feeding in such a way keeps costs down, with kale costing about 5-6p/kg DM and big bales 11-12p/kg DM, compared to up to 30p/kg DM for concentrate. For the smaller heifers we aim for dry matter intakes of 6kg/day, increasing to 7-8kg a day by the end of the winter, he says. Feed is carefully budgeted to ensure correct allocation of kale and silage. A selection of bales are analysed and weighed and kale requirements are assessed according to field size. A specific area of kale will be strip grazed on a daily basis with the required number of silage bales distributed in the crop prior to winter to ensure intake requirements are met. Correct rationing is crucial to ensure heifers reach target weight for service at about 14 months. This helps meet contract requirements for stock to calve at 24 months.

12 Grazing Forage Options 20 Grazing Forage Options 21 An under-used forage asset Interest amongst UK livestock farmers in lucerne as a forage crop has increased significantly in recent years. The crop s potential to provide an economic source of homegrown protein whilst reducing reliance on bought-in fertiliser by up to 300kgN/ha are good reasons for farmers willingness to revisit lucerne or grow it for the first time. For the Modern Farming Era As a nitrogen-fixing legume, lucerne is commonly compared with white and red clover, and its similarities with the latter extend also to its ability to thrive in dry conditions, due to its deep tap root. is most commonly grown as a stand-alone crop, primarily for cutting but with limited grazing potential. Whether cut or grazed, the forage is highly digestible and typically rich in minerals due to its deep rooting nature. With the correct management, crops should persist for 4 6 years, producing tonnesdm/ha at 18-24% crude protein. Variety choice, as with any cropping option, is critical. For the UK grower, winter hardiness and disease resistance are key characteristics, and recent breeding progress is now increasing the viability of lucerne as a mainstream forage crop. is highly suited to organic systems. Fig 03. Key characteristics of lucerne: Sources: Legume Silages for Animal Production, R.J. Wilkins; Legumes for Milk and Meat, R. Shedrick, G. Newman and D.J. Roberts * PPO (Polyphenol oxidase) is an enzyme that enables animals to utilise protein more efficiently. Characteristic Red Clover White Clover/Grass Soil type All types All types Well drained Ideal ph Establishment rate Fast Medium Medium Inoculation needed No No Yes Drought tolerance High Medium Very high Persistence Low Very high Medium Regrowth rate High High High Yield Tonnes DM/ha 4-10 Tonnes DM/ha Tonnes DM/ha Siage quality ME MJ/kg/DM CP16-22% ph4-4.5 ME MJ/kg/DM CP16-20% ph ME MJ/kg/DM CP18-24% ph Other features High PPO* Low PPO Low PPO

13 22 Grazing Forage Options 23 Preparation Sowing and establishment Site selection and preparation Modern varieties of lucerne selected for their suitability to a northern European climate can be grown successfully on a wide range of fertile free-draining sites and soil types. will not thrive in waterlogged soils, so the general advice is to avoid heavier land and cold wet soils. should be sown when soils are warm (around 7 C) into a fine and firm seedbed to a depth of 0.5 1cm. Seed can be drilled (10cm rows) or broadcast and fields must be rolled well before and after sowing to ensure good soil-to-seed contact and optimum soil moisture retention. For optimum performance and to minimise the threat of pests and diseases, a period of five years should be allowed in the rotation between lucerne crops. offers the advantage of leaving significant residual nitrogen for following crops. Spring sowing (from late April) tends to be more common with lucerne as this ensures strong plants going into the first winter. However, lucerne can be sown successfully up to the middle of August in the southern half of England. Seed bed preparation is slow to establish so it is very important to ensure the correct balance of soil nutrients are in place and that any soil compaction and perennial weed issues are remedied in advance. Inoculation seed should always be inoculated with a culture of live Rhizobia meliloti bacteria to ensure successful root nodulation and efficient nitrogen-fixing. It is now possible to purchase seed pre-inoculated. See page?? for further details. Soil nutrient testing should be carried out to assess requirements to achieve a ph in the range and soil indices of at least 2 for both phosphate and potash. The trace elements magnesium, sulphur, molybdenum and boron are particularly important in the establishment phase. Calcium is essential for nodulation and nitrogen fixation; it is unlikely to be deficient if recommended ph levels are maintained. Sowing with a nurse crop Nurse crops are sometimes used to assist in the establishment of lucerne, helping to out-compete weeds. can be undersown with a spring cereal (sown at 50% rate) and cut as arable or wholecrop silage, or is sometimes grown with companion grasses including perennial ryegrass, or timothy, cocksfoot and meadow fescue. Do not use quick growing species such as Italian and hybrid ryegrasses as they outcompete lucerne seedlings. Fig 04. Annual P and K requirements for 3-cut system (kg/ha): Soil P or K Index P K Source: IBERS Aberystwyth University These guidelines are for red clover but are applicable to lucerne. Some of the P and K can be supplied in manures/slurry. Eg 40m3/ha dairy cow slurry may supply up to 48kg/ha P and 140kg/ha K Seed rates Fig 05. Comparison of lucerne seed rates: Cropping system Seed rates Notes Pure lucerne stand in mixture with perennial ryegrass in mixture with timothy/ cocksfoot/fescue undersown with cereal nurse crop at 20-25kg/ha at 15-20kg/ha Perennial at 10kg/ha at 15-20kg/ha Grass seed at 8kg/ha at 20-25kg/ha Cereal seed at half rate (125kg/ha) Maximum protein crop. Target plant population of plants/m2 Grasses provide improved ground cover without over-competing Grasses provide improved ground cover without over-competing Cereals act as a nurse crop without over-competing

14 24 Grazing Forage Options 25 Crop management Pests and diseases Key points in lucerne persistency: Monitor pests and diseases and take prompt action to control Fertilise to replace nutrient off take (Page 145) Allow plants to flower once a year; this ensures storage of nutrients in the tap root to improve winter hardiness and boost spring growth Allow a minimum of 4-5 weeks between cuts Cut when 10% of flowers are showing (early bud stage) Aim for an optimum cutting height of 7cm and never cut below 5cm Avoid late cuts, particularly in wet years and when early autumn frosts are a threat Manage to avoid soil capping and do not allow grazing livestock to poach and damage to the crown Do not drive over the crop in wet conditions With good establishment and subsequent management, lucerne should persist for 4 6 years. Slurry should not be applied to lucerne in the seeding year as young plants are very vulnerable to mechanical damage. Spring sown lucerne should produce a light cut by mid-august whilst crops sown in the summer will produce their first cut by the following June. Nitrogen is not required once rhizobial fixation has been established. Fig 06. Common pests and diseases of lucerne: Always consult a BASIS qualified advisor on matters relating to the use of agrochemicals to control weeds, pests or diseases. The choice of agrochemicals to control pests and diseases in lucerne is limited and unless tramlines are used opportunities to enter the actively growing crop will be limited. The use of a cover or nurse crop can increase the incidence of attack from Slugs, Sitona Weevil Pupae, and Leatherjackets, particularly when growing conditions are unfavourable and the crop is smothered. Pest / Disease Slugs Sitona Weevil Larvae and Leatherjackets Eelworm Aphids Eelworm Comments Can be a problem at establishment. Monitor and use slug pellets if necessary Can cause damage to shoots in early establishment phase. Consult an agronomist regarding spray control options Infestations of the soil can cause persistency problems. More common on heavier soils. Choose resistant varieties where a threat is possible. Cut infested fields last A potential problem in established crops. Consult an agronomist if the problem is suspected. Leaves wilt on warm days and become blotchy with yellow or brown markings; they eventually die leaving bare green stems. Choose resistant varieties as there are no current chemical control options Weed control Several herbicides are approved for use on lucerne, including propyzamide and carbetamide. They should be applied to an established crop during the winter dormancy period and are effective on grass and some broad leaved weeds, with some residual control into the spring. There are also some Extension of Authorisation of Use for Fusilade Max for example, a contact herbicide for grass weeds.

15 26 Grazing Forage Options 27 Cutting, grazing and feeding lucerne Fig 07. cutting regimes: Cropping System Age of Crop Optimum Cutting Dates Pure lucerne or lucerne/grass mixtures Spring sown, year of sowing Summer sown, year of sowing One cut in mid-august No cutting Ensiling best practice can be clamped or baled, but bales tend to be favoured for quality of the forage and greater flexibility when feeding Aim for a target dry matter of 30-40% for clamp silage and 50% for bales Summer sown, following year Cut first in the spring after the crop is in bud, and then follow regime as below Chop to 3-4cm and roll well in the clamp For bales, wilt to 40-60% dry matter and ensure at least four layers of plastic to minimise the risk of stems piercing the wrap Second year onwards Cut at first flower bud stage (April mid-may) and follow with up to four cuts in a season (4-5 week intervals). Final cut not later than mid- September. Allow the crop to flower at least once, to ensure nutrients are stored in the tap root Grazing best practice Always use an additive as lucerne is low in sugars Grazing can reduce persistency so great care must be taken not to damage the crown Stock must be controlled by an electric fence not only to limit access but to prevent back-grazing of regrowth Undersown to Spring Cereal Year of Sowing Following Year Cut when cereal grains are milky Cut first in the spring after the crop is in bud, and then follow regime as above It is a good idea to rotationally graze lambs before ewes so that young animals select the more nutritious growth Graze lucerne rotationally with 5-6 week intervals Graze priority stock classes first, to maximise their uptake of the leaves (where most of the feed value is contained) Cutting best practice Ideally use a drum mower and avoid aggressive conditioning and prevent excessive loss of leaf material (70% of protein and 90% of minerals/ vitamins are in the leaf) Cut to a minimum stubble height of 7cm to avoid damage to the crown (growing point) and create good air flow under the swath to aid drying Cut in the morning just as the dew leaves the crop to maximise drying time Turn the crop where it lies but do not spread it Only graze lightly in the autumn (after the crop has stopped growing) to minimise damage Manage carefully to minimise the risk of bloat: - Feed roughage (e.g. hay) before turning onto lucerne - Avoid turning animals onto lucerne when hungry - Take extra care when crops are particularly lush (spring or autumn)and or wet with dew - Alternate lucerne grazing with grass grazing - Use anti-bloat drenches or rumen bullets if necessary

16 28 Grazing Forage Options 29 Variety selection Yields and feed quality Fig 08. Yields and feed quality: is a palatable protein-rich forage, high in fibre, and an ideal supplement in mixed rations. It is good complementary forage to high energy feedstuffs such as maize. Feed Criteria Fresh yield Dry Matter Yield Dry Matter Crude Protein Value tonnes/ha/yr tonnes/ha/yr 30-40% 18-24% Comments Yields will persist for 4 6 years with the correct management 50% if ensiled in big bales Good complement for energy-rich rations Modern varieties of lucerne are now ranked with winter dormancy ratings. Winter dormancy ratings range from 1 (very dormant in winter) to 12 (virtually no winter dormancy), and the optimum for UK conditions is 4 to 5. breeders have been active in recent years in improving the performance potential of varieties, with yield and protein production increasing alongside greater resistance to common problems such as stem nematode. D-Value ME Vitamins 70% 9-11 MJ/kgDM A, B, C and E Rich in vitamins and minerals due to deep tap root Timbale pre-inoculated seed and precidose coated Timbale is the best example currently of a variety offering the greater cold-tolerance suited to UK conditions (4.4 winter dormancy rating) as well as high resistance ratings to stem nematode and Verticillium wilt. Timbale is derived from a genetic pool producing exceptional yields of high protein dry matter. The breeding programme from which it emerged has been focused on resistance to pests as well as all round agronomic performance. Fig 09. Relative performance of modern lucerne varieties: Yield (Tonnes DM/ha) Protein Content % 95 Timbale Diane Europe 95

17 Grazing Forage Options 30 Seed coating and inoculation A system of coating individual seeds in multiple permeable layers called Precidose is now available on Timbale from Germinal. This creates seed uniformity and allows more accurate drilling whilst providing nutrients for early plant growth. Timbale is also pre-inoculated with Rhizobia meliloti bacteria to ensure successful root nodulation and quick onset of nitrogen fixing. The system offers a practical solution to UK lucerne growers, with seed being supplied in packs suitable for a standard drilling area (two packs per hectare) as opposed to farmers calculating seed rates from thousand grain weights and possibly inoculating seed themselves. In trials, comparing Timbale as untreated seed with Timbale in Precidose form, the system has been shown to increase plant establishment by 14% and increase lucerne dry matter yield by 6% at first cut. Control Precidose Grazing Forage Options 31

18 32 Grazing Forage Options 33 delivers milk solids bonus has been an important part of the dairy ration at Rix Farm, Bolham in Devon for the past decade. Initially grown for its protein, it is now seen by the Frankpitt family as being as important as a rumen conditioner for the 320 cow Holstein herd that yields 10,500 litres a cow a year at 4.1% butterfat and 3.3% protein. Without lucerne in the ration we d need to feed chopped straw, which is lower in energy and protein, so we d have to feed more of it, explains James Frankpitt. also has a good intake factor. is grown across 40 acres with the silage typically delivering 19-22% crude protein, MJ/kg ME and 38-40% dry matter with a D-value of It is fed in a TMR alongside maize and grass silage as complementary forages Having moved onto a cheese contract about two years ago, James says balancing milk yields and constituents is always a challenge, but lucerne definitely helps to keep butterfats above 4%. If you keep rumen health and condition right, the fats tend to follow, says James, who farms with his parents, Michael and Alison. Over the many years the Frankpitts have grown lucerne, they have learnt how to get the very best from the crop. Above all, they place selecting the right fields and good establishment as the top priorities. We aim for a soil ph of around 7 and tend to use fields that are slightly sloping and free draining, he adds. doesn t want to lie wet or you will get a problem with grass coming through and it will kill off the plants. When following grass or maize, the field will be sprayed off prior to drilling to ensure the lucerne goes into a clean seed bed. After spraying, slurry will be applied, ground will be ploughed, sub-soiled if required, power harrowed, rolled, drilled and rolled again. Rolling is an important step to ensure good soil-to-seed contact. No slurry will be applied until the spring. The Frankpitts choose to grow lucerne varieties Timbale and Galaxie from Germinal and - with the required time and effort applied to establishment - they expect crops to last 4-5 years.