Chicory

Chicory is a summer active herb, providing high yields of palatable feed from spring through to autumn and has a deep tap root which supports growth through dry conditions. Chicory is an excellent option for calves, especially with no facial eczema spores being present in chicory crops. Permanent pasture usually does very well after a Chicory crop.

Agricom

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
ChoiceSummer feed8-10kg/haSpring6 weeks8-12tDM/ha
ChoiceSummer feed8-10kg/haSpring6 weeks8-12tDM/ha

Barenbrug

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
501Summer feed8-10kg/haSpring6 weeks8-12tDM/ha

Turnips

Turnips are a brassica root crop used in dairy farming to bridge summer feed gaps and boost milk production. They can be planted from spring to winter, depending on the variety. By growing turnips, you can manage feed shortages and prepare the soil for new pasture. There are different maturity available to suit different grazing windows.

Agricom

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
RivalSummer feed1.5-3kg/haSpring12-14 weeks8-14tDM/ha

Barenbrug

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
DynamoSummer feed2-3kg/haSpring8-12 weeks8-16tDM/ha

PGGW

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
BarkantSummer feed1-3kg/haSpring8-12 weeks15tDM/ha
TotoSummer feed2kg/haSpring8-12 weeks15tDM/ha
Bulb TurnipSummer feed2kg/haSpring12-15 weeks15tDM/ha

Fodder Beet

Fodder Beet offers high crop yields, energy rich feed and improved milk production. It's digestibility can support cow health and promote weight gain, reducing feed costs when compared to alternatives. It also extends feed periods during winter or dry seasons.

It is critical to understand the ins and outs of Fodder Beet to get the best out of your crop and ensure your cows are kept healthy and receive the appropriate nutrition. Fodder Beet is a great cropping option but requires careful management and staff experience.

Agricom

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
JamonAutumn feed80,000-90,000 seeds/haSpringEarly autumn18-24tDM/ha
JamonWinter feed (grazed)80,000-90,000 seeds/haSpringWinter24+tDM/ha

Barenbrug

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
RobbosWinter feed90,000-100,000 seeds/haSpringAutumn to winter20-35tDM/ha

RAGT

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
RGT BrigadierAutumn and winter feed90,000-100,000 seeds/haSpringAutumn, winter, spring18-24tDM/ha
RGT 1505BvAutumn and winter feed90,000-100,000 seeds/haSpringAutumn, winter, spring18-24tDM/ha
RGT MinotaureAutumn and winter feed90,000-100,000 seeds/haSpringAutumn, winter, spring18-24tDM/ha

Kale

Kale is a late summer or winter feed crop with a deep root system, making it drought-resistant. It's tolerant to many pests and is often grown after swedes due to its resistance to club root and dry rot. You should decide on the type of kale to plant between short, intermediate, and giant cultivars offering different benefits.

Agricom

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
SovGoldSummer feed4kg/haSpringWhenever required (no ripening requirement - be sure to test for nitrates)14-15tDM/ha
SovGoldAutumn feed4-5kg/haSpringWhenever required (no ripening requirement - be sure to test for nitrates)14-18tDM/ha
SovGoldWinter feed4-5kg/haSpringWhenever required (no ripening requirement - be sure to test for nitrates)14-18tDM/ha

PGGW

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
FireflyWinter feed4kg/haSpring21-31 weeks16tDM/ha
RegalWinter feed4kg/haSpring21-31 weeks16tDM/ha
SargeLate autumn forage/winter feed4kg/haSpring21-31 weeks14tDM/ha

Swede

Swedes serve as winter feed for livestock. Swedes thrive best in cooler, moist conditions and dislike waterlogged areas and dry spells. Swedes face diseases like club root and dry rot, which limits them to first-year cropping, not following other brassica crops. There are early and late maturing swede types, each with unique characteristics.

Agricom

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
TriumphWinter feed90,000 seeds/ha pelleted
0.8-1 kg/ha conventionally drilled
Spring24-30 weeks12-16tDM/ha
MassieWinter feed90,000 seeds/ha pelleted
0.8-1 kg/ha conventionally drilled
Spring24-30 weeks12-16tDM/ha

Barenbrug

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
InvitationWinter feed0.8-1.5 kg (drilled)Spring24-35 weeks10-18tDM/ha

PGGW

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
AspiringWinter feed90,000 seed/ha pelleted
1kg/ha
Spring21-31 weeks18tDM/ha
Clutha GoldWinter feed90,000 seed/ha pelleted
0.8-1.5kg/ha
Spring21-31 weeks18tDM/ha
HawkestoneWinter feed90,000 seed/ha pelleted
1kg/ha
Spring21-31 weeks18tDM/ha
EarnslawWinter feed90,000 seed/ha pelleted
0.8-1.5kg/ha
Spring21-31 weeks18tDM/ha

Other Brassica

Leafy turnips are a quick growing brassica with minimal bulb development and excellent forage quality. Multiple grazings are achievable under careful grazing management.

Raphno is a cross between kale and radish and offers a unique product for multi-grazing scenarios when managed careful. High protein and quality, combined with drought, aphid and clubroot tolerance, Raphno is an interesting summer crop option.

Agricom

TypeCultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
Leafy TurnipHunterSummer feed4kg/haSpring or late summer6-8 weeks (spring sown)
8-10 weeks (late summer sown)
10-12tDM/ha

PGGW

TypeCultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
Raphno BrassicaPallaton RaphnoSummer feed8kg/haSpring or late summer6-10 weeks16tDM/ha

Forage Rape

Forage Rape is a high-quality feed, with high protein content and good acceptability to stock but needs to mature before the crop is fed to livestock. Sown in spring, it is able to grow bulk feed early and can hold on longer in dry condition due to its tap root. Under careful grazing management, multiple grazings on re-growth are possible.

Agricom

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
MainstarSummer or winter feed4kg/haSpring or late summer10-12 weeks10-12tDM/ha
SpitfireSummer or winter feed4kg/haSpring or late summer13-14 weeks11-13tDM/ha

PGGW

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
GoliathSummer to winter feed4kg/haSpring to early autumn13-15 weeks13tDM/ha
GoliathSummer to winter feed4kg/haSpring to early autumn13-15 weeks14tDM/ha

Plantain

Plantain is a grazing herb that grows well across New Zealand. Plantain is compatible with other pasture species and can be managed on a similar rotation length as perennial ryegrass, making it a good fit for most farm systems. Plantain is highly palatable and is often preferred by cows when grazing, offering a wide range of cow health benefits.

Agricom

Cultivar nameCategorySowing rateSowing seasonReady for harvest/feedingPotential yield
Ecotain environmental plantainSpring or summer feed10-12kg/haSpring/autumn6 weeks12-20%
Ecotain environmental plantainPasture inclusion3-4kg/ha in pasture mix
1-2kg/ha broadcast annually to maintain content within sward
Spring/autumn6 weeks12-20%