Mixed species annual fodder crops
Mixed annual fodder crops - forages sown in autumn for livestock feed with 2-5 different species. Mixes may have a number of different plant types (eg cereal, brassica, legume).
Sown annual forages can provide winter and spring feed for livestock. Combining species in a mix can improve animal performance and extend feed production. However, seasonal variation means that a mix that performs well one year may perform quite differently in the following year. Good spring rainfall favours later maturing components of mixes and provides feed after the shorter season components have finished. In seasons with a dry spring, single species (e.g., oats) can perform as well as mixes and are simpler to manage.
Before deciding to sow forage mix, consider whether a mix or single species is best for your business, as both have benefits and challenges. Sometimes, a single species crop may be a better option than a mix.
Comparing single and mixed annual fodder crops
| Benefits | Challenges | |
|---|---|---|
| Single species |
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| Mixed species |
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Provision of appropriate hay and mineral supplements is still recommended in line with current understanding and advice.
Choosing the right mix
It is important to define the purpose of the mix and align your species selection and management practices with your business goals. So, you can establish a mixed annual forage crop that meets your specific needs and supports the overall productivity of your farming system. Below are some stories of how farmers successfully use mixes in their systems.
Farmer stories
