This is where the high potential spring growth of the tall growing alternative legumes can be best exploited. Yields of 8 t/ha dry matter of high quality silage can be readily achieved.
Because fodder cropping of alternative legumes is the highest yielding and highest quality option of any of the existing pasture species it warrants the most suitable paddocks on all dairy farms.
‘Best practice’ management for fodder cropping would include:
- selection of the most suitable paddocks;
- selection of the most suitable mixture of alternative legume species and/or cultivars;
- inoculation and lime pelleting each alternative legume species, with serradellas to be inoculated but not lime pelleted;
- drill sowing an appropriate alternative legume mixture;
- maintenance of a high soil nutrition level;
- weed and insect control when warranted;
- opportunistic grazing up to late winter;
- fodder conservation as either silage or hay;
- grazing any regrowth;
- reseeding to pasture or another fodder crop in the following autumn.
Fodder cropping is at the expense of producing seed for natural regeneration and long-term pasture persistence. Consequently, these paddocks will need to be reseeded next year to either pasture or another fodder crop.
However, the cost of reseeding is relatively small in comparison to the high potential silage yield and quality. On farm seed production for own farm use of alternative legumes is cost effective with an open front seed harvester.
Hard seeded species such as balansa, arrowleaf, and persian clover will need scarifying to enhance their germination whilst yellow serradellas will need dehulling and scarification. Farmers must respect the ‘Plant Breeders Right’ legislation which prohibits trading in seed of protected varieties.
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