Alternative Forages Study Notes

Alternative Forages

  • Overview of Alternative Forages:
    • Importance of using alternative forages to extend grazing seasons.
    • Careful management of benefits and limitations is essential.

Plants as Forage Alternatives

  • Plants Suitable for Foraging:
    • Examples of Alternative Forages:
    • Kale, turnips, chicory, peas, rape, and crop residues.
    • Benefits:
    • Can reduce feeding costs.
    • Extend the grazing season beyond typical grass and legume pastures.
    • Limitations:
    • Requires careful management for effective utilization.

Miscellaneous Forages

  • Utilizing Miscellaneous Forages:
    • Benefits:
    • Supplement livestock feed.
    • Complement grazing options beyond traditional forages.
  • Cereal Grasses:
    • Advantages:
    • Versatile options include early grazing, grain production, and residue use.
    • Potential for overseeding into legumes for enhanced forage value.

Brassicas and Root Crops

  • Brassicas as Forage Options:
    • Examples:
    • Turnips, swedes, colza, and kale thrive in moist, cool climates.
    • Can be used during winter grazing.
    • Turnips:
    • Maturity in 80-90 days; high-protein leaves.
    • Challenges include pests and weather conditions; newer varieties may improve leaf-to-root ratios.
    • Swedes:
    • Larger edible roots than turnips; 150-180 days for growth.
    • Suitable for fall or early winter grazing.
  • Colza and Kale:
    • Maturity in 8-10 weeks, can be mixed with cereals like oats or ryegrass.

Other Complementary Forages

  • Additional Crop Options:
    • Sunflowers, fodder radish, lupines, and sainfoin complement existing grass, medic, and clover options to extend the grazing season.
  • Chicory:
    • A perennial plant thriving in well-drained, fertile soils offers nutritious summer forage.

Crop Residues in Livestock Systems

  • Role of Crop Residues:
    • Using crop residues can effectively extend the grazing period.
    • Requires improvement in digestibility for better nourishment of livestock.
  • Grain Stalks:
    • Can be grazed after harvest but require quality improvements since they typically offer low nutrition and high fiber content.
  • Improving Residues:
    • Interseeding can enhance the quality of grain crop residues, making them more viable for livestock.
  • Conclusion:
    • Alternative forages and crop residues provide cost-effective feed options but necessitate proper planning for optimal use.