Choosing cereal crops 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.