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.