Water always equals opportunity at some point. With wet paddocks everywhere, this summer presents an opportunity for summer fodder crop production to value add livestock, or to make hay or silage.
Below are some of the basics on fodder crops to consider and mixes are also a good option.
Fertiliser requirements: Sorghum and millet are C4 plants with a high nitrogen requirement. Sorghum also likes good sulfur nutrition, so ammonium sulphate is a good choice for up-front nitrogen. Nitrohumus compost is a good way to supply basal quantities of full spectrum nutrition. Legume component must be inoculated with the relevant rhizobium inoculant.
Plant-back constraints: Check Trifluralin, Boxer Gold, Sakura or B Group chemistry history.
Supplementation: Important with summer fodder crops to maximize feed use efficiency. Grazemax Sorghum™ is the supplement of choice with sorghum and millet.
Hay and Silage inoculants and pit covers are available through AgriWest.
