Main Crops
Crops which fit into this particular category require a longer period in the ground than catch crops. However the upside is that main crops invariably deliver much bigger potential yields. A well grown crop of fodder beet, for example, can yield up to 90 tonnes/ha (around 15 tonnes/ha of DM yield).
There are 4 main options and we highlight 3 of them here (the 4th option – Forage Maize is covered in more depth elsewhere within this website).
Fodder Beet
Fodder beet offers a higher yield potential than any other ‘arable’ fodder crop. The roots have an excellent feed quality and they are very palatable to ruminant stock. The tops can be utilised if required to boost the total fodder output even further. The crop tends to be lifted and the roots stored but some farmers have strip grazed the crop very successfully with dairy cows and even pigs.
Key Varieties: Robbos (previously Maestro); Blaze; Ribondo.
Kale
Kale is a well proven fodder crop which consistently provides very high yields of succulent green fodder. One of the big advantages with kale is the crops flexible utilisation period which can stretch from July right through to the following March. The crop has a high crude protein content and can be fed to all types of livestock. Kale is also an ideal full season gamecover crop.
Key Varieties: Grampian; Keeper; Pinfold; Caledonian.
Swede
Swedes prefer a cool, moist climate so traditionally they are grown in the west and northern areas of the UK. Sufficient rainfall is required together with good soil conditions in order to provide strong root development. On this basis, either cultivation in higher rainfall areas or the use of irrigation is essential. In general the good winter hardiness of swedes makes them suitable for the coldest sites in the UK. The crop can be fed to stock and some varieties also have culinary potential.
Key Varieties: Lomond; Invitation; Gowrie.
Our trials and breeding collaboration with the Scottish Crop Research Institute is continuing to produce some exciting new varieties. Many of these new varieties have been specifically bred in Scotland for UK conditions. They represent not only improvements in yield potential but combine disease resistance and the knowledge that they have been fully tried and tested before their commercial launch.
Our recent introductions from this highly successful breeding programme are Lomond and Gowrie Swedes and Grampian Kale.
Please look out for the SCRI varieties which appear in our forage product guide. They are clearly highlighted and represent the best from the UK plant breeding industry.
