Crop Rotation

[brandnew]

Hi,

Pretty much brand new to farming so please don't rip me to shreds!

I grow barley and oats for cattle consumption. Currently have 4 arable fields in either barley or oats. Is it feasible to rotate consistently between these two crops over these fields or should I be putting in another break crop / swapping out to create pasture? I have temporary grazing fields in clover and grass cover at the moment, should I be swapping these over with the barley and oat fields?

Thanks in advance for advice!

 

[Flintstone]

The simple answer is yes, you can alternate between barley and oats.

You’d get a better yield of both (and cheaper grass weed control) if you had a non cereal break crop in the rotation, but if that would mean you’d need to buy in grain for feeding, it doesn’t really make sense.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Grow some feed beans to keep for yourself?

(or Lupins or wholecrop peas or maize...)

 

[HarryB97]

Rotate the grass round the arable. You will get much better yields of both.

 

[brandnew]

Thanks for your replies all. Got a good idea now!