Grain Guide 2016

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110 GRAANGIDS 2016 GRAIN GUIDE
Feed flow planning is vital for decisions to be
made regarding the crops to be planted and
used. Every feed crop has its unique properties
and growth curve. Adjust this to the livestock
flow and select the right crop.
Feed crops
The properties of the different types of feed
crops and the requirements for successful
cultivation are summarised below for your
convenience:
Lucerne
The ‘king of feed crops’ is a high-quality feed
with 18% to 20% crude protein and a high
level of digestibility. Lucerne can be cultivated
successfully under intensive high-production
conditions under irrigation or less intensively
under dryland conditions. It is a strong peren-
nial plant and will produce well for approxi-
mately six years and longer. Grazing and hay
types are available.
Intensive grasses and mixtures
This crop category is distinguished from others
by the type of livestock unit involved. The input
costs for these crops are high. They MUST be
well fertilised and planted under irrigation to
achieve their genetic potential. To recover the
high input costs, the grazing must be utilised
with producing animals like dairy cows, wean-
ers or sheep.
Dryland winter crops
High-potential oats, triticale and stooling rye
cultivars are available, as are cultivar packag-
es that produce good-quality green feed in the
critical late autumn, winter and spring months.
The right choice of cultivar ensures green feed
that produces sufficient grazing at the right
time. Green-feed cultivars, like wheat cultivars,
are divided into spring, intermediary and
winter types on the basis of their habit. Each of
these types has its own utilisation method in a
feed-flow programme. It is therefore important
to take note of the properties of each of the
types in order to utilise its top benefits.
Annual sub-tropical crops
These crops establish and produce feed rap-
idly. Hybrid babala and feed sorghum hybrids
are used as grazing, silage and standing hay
and/or green chop respectively. Teff cultivars
are not merely a commodity, but have been
developed to give the producer a head start.
Teff is an excellent hay crop and on average
produces two cuttings per season.
Perennial sub-tropical crops
These forages are cultivated under semi-
intensive conditions. They are summer crops
and are dormant in winter. During the autumn
months the forages translocate nutrients from
the leaves and stems to the roots. This enables
the grass species to bud in spring and develop
rapidly. In addition to the fact that each of
these species has preferences with respect
to soil, management and rainfall, each has
properties that allow it to fit in perfectly with
a specific system. The preferences as well as
the properties of the crops must be considered
before one can be selected.
Most of this information comes from Pannar.
Visit their website at
for more information.
Pietman Botha, agricultural consultant
Select the right feed crop