FORAGE RYE

We used to grow this successfully in the ‘70’s and start grazing it with Jersey dairy cows at the beginning of March. Being short of silage thought it might be good for this year. But, is it now out of fashion as modern grasses could be ready to graze as soon or not long after with more following production? Not wanting to follow with a spring crop so could leave a short term ley down for eighteen months. Seed is expensive so would an “after maize” type mix be as useful and more cost effective?
 

Great In Grass

Member
Location
Cornwall.
Conventional Forage Rye seed is nigh on impossible to find yields being down 25% this year haven't helped.

An Italian Ryegrass/Westerwolds mix is a very good alternative being flexible it's able to fit into existing grazing/cutting regimes.

It will produce up to 30% more forage than a newly sown perennial ryegrass ley and it can grow when soil temperatures are 3dC or above.

Lasts longer too!
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
Conventional Forage Rye seed is nigh on impossible to find yields being down 25% this year haven't helped.

An Italian Ryegrass/Westerwolds mix is a very good alternative being flexible it's able to fit into existing grazing/cutting regimes.

It will produce up to 30% more forage than a newly sown perennial ryegrass ley and it can grow when soil temperatures are 3dC or above.

Lasts longer too!
Festioliums any good?
 
Conventional Forage Rye seed is nigh on impossible to find yields being down 25% this year haven't helped.

An Italian Ryegrass/Westerwolds mix is a very good alternative being flexible it's able to fit into existing grazing/cutting regimes.

It will produce up to 30% more forage than a newly sown perennial ryegrass ley and it can grow when soil temperatures are 3dC or above.

Lasts longer too!

That's what I was thinking, cheaper seed and more/longer production from same establishment costs. What's the thinking on NZ cool season grasses? Just marketing hype or worth a try?
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 79 42.0%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 66 35.1%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 16.0%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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