The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: Fud on June 22, 2013, 10:57:10 am
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Hi,
I'm looking for some help!
Has anyone any good suggestions as to a crop I could plant, maximum of an acre, around now to provide food for sheep, pigs and cows in the later/winter months.
Thanks,
Steve. J
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Maybe something like mangold/wurzel/fodder beet? Sheep (and cattle?) will eat the tops then you could let the pigs in to dig up the roots, ploughing it up ready for the next crop? I'm not sure what's best for planting now, or even if there's time to get a good crop before winter, I'm sure someone else will know - I haven't tried growing my own fodder yet but it's on my list!
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We have recently applied for a tenanted farm and had to include estimates for winter fodder crops. I called Mole Valley Farmers who couldn't have been more helpful, especially for a complete novice like me.
For a late October/November planted crop (which ours will have to be if we get the farm) they recommended Forage Rape which is winter hardy and will provide forage suitable for strip grazing in Jan and Feb before grass is ready. They also suggested turnips or Italian Rye Grass with added clover if we could plant a bit earlier.
I would suggest giving them a ring - I explained that I wasn't in the market to buy just yet and might never be but they still gave me loads of help and advice.
Donna
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We have planted stubble turnip on the 31st May for finishing lambs end August we are going to repeat this again in Sept/Oct for feeding in Jan/Feb. We have planted only an acre and we shall use it for the lambs and sheep in August we may lift some to feed to the pigs at this time also but the crop for Jan/Feb will be for grazing the sheep, rotating with pigs we shall bring the sheep in let them graze a strip then move them back bring in the pigs to lift any that the sheep have not managed to pull up probably once or twice a week.
Hope this gives an idea.
Tala
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I would suggest Kale or Turnips.