Three options could boost feed availability after prolonged drought restricted summer grass growth across the region.
Spring ryegrasses, forage cereals and stubble turnips could all help plug the gap, says RAGT forage technical manager Scott Newell. But seed availability and a continuing lack of moisture mean growers will need to plan carefully.“Hybrid, Italian and Westerwold ryegrasses are traditional mainstays and a good choice for quick grass forage,” says Mr Newell. Early sowing after rain could even provide some autumn grazing, although this may reduce spring production.
Mr Newell expects supplies of these grasses to tighten following two poor seed production years and widespread demand for additional forage. Forage rye and triticale offer an alternative. Rye provides earlier spring production, while triticale produces more forage later. A mixture could spread grazing and silage workloads.
Farmers could also cut these crops earlier at the boot stage rather than waiting for the traditional soft dough stage. “Dry matter will be lower, but digestibility will increase, and protein will be increased,” says Mr Newell.
For more immediate autumn production, Mr Newell favours stubble turnips once cereal ground becomes available. “With land clear following cereals, we are really just waiting on moisture to start drilling,” he says.
High biomass
Seed is relatively inexpensive, allowing farmers to have supplies ready for drilling when rainfall creates suitable conditions. RAGT says its Kenai stubble turnip has been bred for high biomass production, early vigour and a better bulb-to-leaf balance.
Longer term, two dry summers are prompting livestock businesses to consider more drought-tolerant forage systems. “We are having lots of conversations about drought resilient crops like lucerne, and grass species like cocksfoot or tall fescue. Much of RAGT’s forage breeding activity takes place in central France, so drought tolerance is a characteristic baked into our varieties. This is certainly something that will be more in demand moving forward.”