Michelle also recommended Rapid Root and Winter Graze mixtures to provide a good mix of forage rape, stubble turnips and kale.
She says: “Sowing a break crop between grass leys reduces the risk of pests and improve soil structure. The break crop also provides a potential source of extra feed for livestock, and in hot, dry conditions experienced in previous summers, significantly reducing grass growth and forage yields on-farm, I thought it wise for Richard and Edward to grow something which could be grazed later in the season and help extend forage stocks during winter.”
The crop was sown over 9.3ha (23 acres) of land, established well and was ready to utilise 12-14 weeks after sowing.
Richard says: “We had struggled with grass growth on-farm in summer during dry spells. Not only because we harvested less grass silage, but we also as we had to start feeding it out much earlier in the season to help maintain cow performance and cow health."
“As we had sown the break crops, we were able to turn out about 50 of our pre-bulling heifers, along with in-calf heifers and this provided plenty of good quality grazing between December and April."