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Choosing cereal crops to grow for livestock
From nutritional requirements to soil types, this page highlights important considerations when deciding which cereal crop to grow for cattle or sheep feed.
Deciding which cereal crop to grow for livestock
When deciding which cereal crop to grow to feed cattle or sheep, it is important to consider:
- Type of nutrition needed
- Soil type, fertility and climate
- Crop rotation plan
- Weed and pest burdens
- Experience of growing the crops
- Machinery/contractors required to harvest, treat and store
- Storage, handling and feeding-out facilities
- Cost-effectiveness of treatment options
Winter crops normally have higher yields than spring crops, but they tend to need more inputs – such as fertiliser and management time. Spring crops can provide areas for overwintered stubble or cover catch crops. The later spring crops also allow a chance for better control of perennial weeds and grass weeds.