Optimum Sowing and Feeding Dates for Forage Crops

There is a broad range of forage crops available to farmers but it is about finding the one that is most suited to your management system. The following grid gives a summary of the times of year most suited to growing forage crops, grazing periods and sowing rates:

Crop Sowing Period Grazing Period Sowing Rate
Rape May – August 10-12 Weeks after sowing 2.5kg/ac direct
drill or 4.5kg/ac
broadcast
Kale April – Early June Autumn & Winter 1-2kg/ac direct
drill or 3kg/ac
broadcast
Stubble Turnips April – June 8 weeks after sowing 2kg/ac direct
drill or 3kg/ac
broadcast
Swedes April – June Autumn & Winter 1kg/ac direct
drill or 2kg/ac
broadcast
Forage Rye September – October Winter & Spring 75kg/ac direct
drill

Each of the crops outlined above have specific fertiliser, pest and disease control requirements – along