The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: garyloxley on March 22, 2010, 01:25:28 pm

Title: Fodder Crops
Post by: garyloxley on March 22, 2010, 01:25:28 pm

Hello,

We have a 25m x 25m area that we used for 6 months to keep our Saddlebacks. The pigs have now gone and we are using another area for our new pigs. We are hoping to grow some fodder crops in our original area that we can feed our new pigs.

Can anyone suggest or recommend a good crop? Ideally one that we can just broadcast straight onto the earth without having to do anything. I ve looked at beet but this requires ploughing and a fine seed bed. I am just thinking about a rye grass, letting it grow on then letting the pigs in for a munch.

Any suggestions very welcome!

Thanks

Gary

Title: Re: Fodder Crops
Post by: garyloxley on March 22, 2010, 02:07:05 pm

Quick update - I ve been looking around and Tucker Seeds do a range of fodder crops;

http://www.tuckers-seeds.co.uk/productlist.php?subid=88

Not sure which would suit us best and how much prep each variety requires..

Title: Re: Fodder Crops
Post by: Hermit on March 22, 2010, 02:33:51 pm

I was just going to ask this question , we had kale in mind. It will be interesting to hear replies. Hermit

Title: Re: Fodder Crops
Post by: AWP on March 22, 2010, 02:40:12 pm

Iv'e been looking for a supplier for small qty's of fodder beet for ages, Thanks for the link

Title: Re: Fodder Crops
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 23, 2010, 07:30:58 am

We just leave our ground to rest, then the sheep go on it for a while.  Tried manglewurzles and beteraves which the pigs enjoyed for a couple of days before getting bored with them.  Ours didnt eat the cabbages (the coypu did though) although they will eat them when chopped up in their veg intake.  Perhaps our pigs are just contrary.