Highest output crop rotation on a mixed farm?

[jackrussell101]

Ok...so I know this won't appeal to all grassed based systems but trying to see what everyones thoughts are on achieving the highest output crop rotation on a mixed farm?

So I know this isn't necessarily the most profitable lowest cost system but if you are short of land and need to maximise what you have, would a rotation of Italian ryegrass, first wheat followed by maize be the best?

Obviously westerwolds could be chucked in also to increase yield?, albeit I know they can be expensive and timing can be an issue?

 

[John Chance]

Good question. I guess there will be regional variations, but looking forward to answers.

 

[Great In Grass]

The newer varieties of Westerwolds can be spring or autumn sown and price is no different to an IRG.

 

[jackrussell101]

Ok well around here in a good weather year, I reckon westerwold drilled after first wheat say August time, harvested last week of April or 1st week of May then flipped immediately into a very early variety of Maize, followed by a first Wheat again. Obviously I know the timing of getting the Maize in could be very risky!, would a different crop be better?

 

[Great In Grass]

Autumn sown forage rye(?) spring growth can be up to 3 weeks earlier than IRG but in saying that I have a good number of maize growers sowing IRG in the autumn after maize harvest and then cutting April early May and going back into maize the following spring.

 

[jackrussell101]

Interesting, what would forage rye best be used for ie. Made into silage? Then what is the feed most suitable for, Beef,Sheep or Dairy?

 

[Great In Grass]

Early sown forage rye (sep) can be lightly grazed late Nov early Dec then in the spring zero grazed or made into big bales. Going off literature average fresh yields are quoted as 20-24 tonnes/ha. Suitable for either sheep or cattle.

 

[spin cycle]

forage rye seed is soooo expensive

 

[Great In Grass]

forage rye seed is soooo expensive

It's not that bad for the amount of forage you'll be getting off it.

 

[JD-Kid]

now back in the late 60's i guess in a farming mag here they had about a 3 crop system ..think oats ryegrass and rape maybe turnips for milking cows
total tonnage a year was high way higher than prem grass fields useing all annual crops think with direct drilling etc it could be done or combi ripper power harrow seeder unit

maze ummmm unsure useing summer growing to store for winter maybe better feed for early turn out and late houseing to shorten houseing time feeds just made from out of control grazzing paddocks and growen on contract next door on cropping farm

 

[DRC]

Ok...so I know this won't appeal to all grassed based systems but trying to see what everyones thoughts are on achieving the highest output crop rotation on a mixed farm?

So I know this isn't necessarily the most profitable lowest cost system but if you are short of land and need to maximise what you have, would a rotation of Italian ryegrass, first wheat followed by maize be the best?

Obviously westerwolds could be chucked in also to increase yield?, albeit I know they can be expensive and timing can be an issue?

you could grow some winter barley, then get a crop of stubble turnips in, to graze youngstock.

 

[jackrussell101]

I suppose lighter land would be better?, some of our fields are quite heavy clay so maybe would have to pick and choose between them

 

[jackrussell101]

Early sown forage rye (sep) can be lightly grazed late Nov early Dec then in the spring zero grazed or made into big bales. Going off literature average fresh yields are quoted as 20-24 tonnes/ha. Suitable for either sheep or cattle.

Could it be made into clamp silage? And then suitable for beef cattle?

 

[jackrussell101]

Autumn sown forage rye(?) spring growth can be up to 3 weeks earlier than IRG but in saying that I have a good number of maize growers sowing IRG in the autumn after maize harvest and then cutting April early May and going back into maize the following spring.

Also how many cuts would get off the rye? Just the one in the spring?

 

[Great In Grass]

Could it be made into clamp silage? And then suitable for beef cattle?

It can be ensiled but to be honest I've mostly seen it grazed will some baled.

 

[Great In Grass]

Possible early graze then cut before ploughing in, of course all weather dependent.

 

[jackrussell101]

Graze in Feb time?

 

[Great In Grass]

Graze in Feb time?

I will tell you in March As you know weather/ground conditions play a big part that time of year.

 

[marshfarmer]

Why not fodder beet, appreciate heavy ground not ideal but they will yield well.
Let someone else grow the wheat at a loss circa £100/t

 

[Brisel]

The problem with such a short ley is that your grass becomes expensive as the establishment costs aren't spread very thinly. How about a 2 year IRG/Westerwolds ley sown after wheat, with a 1st cut taken in year 3 then put into maize with lots of muck applied. Back into wheat afterwards.

Winter barley fb turnips fb spring barley fb turnips or forage rape?