Wholecrop can produce high protein and high fibre forage to complement other high energy foods in the ration.
Oliver Seeds have been testing species used for wholecrop since 2001 and carried out extensive trials on various aspects of wholecrop mixtures in 2004. The results make for some fascinating reading and whilst a summary is given over the following pages, full details can be obtained from your Oliver Seeds field staff.
In summary, the trial studied 26 different options in early (harvested 21st July) and late (harvested 31st July) blocks. Half the plots were undersown with grass for comparative information. One variety of peas and one wholecrop mixture was sown at lower seed rates to assess yield and effect on grass performance.
The establishment and performance of the grass sown under the cereal and pulse mixtures was also monitored. The wholecrop trial was grown under low input principles and harvested at over 30% dry matter. A cut was taken off the grass in the plots in September to assess grass/clover yield and ground cover.
Yield is only one aspect of wholecrop and with the disappearance of area aid, each forage will need to be grown on the basis of its place in the ration on farm. Hence energy density and protein will be crucial factors in deciding what you need.
Although Oats produced the top yield in the trial, their "D" value was below 60 (as was Wheat and Triticale) thus seriously diluting the energy density of the ration. The use of additive and the ensiling process may improve these figures but certainly not to the level of Barley which scores a respectable "D" value of 72. When this is converted to digestible yield, then Barley is the top performing cereal at 6.8 tonnes of dry matter per hectare. WESTMINSTER is the variety used in 2008 on account of it's excellent yield and disease resistance.
Peas and vetches play a huge part in supplying protein for home grown rations. Not only do the pulses supply protein but also have a very high "D" value, the range being 70 - 73.3. Winter Vetches (English Common) were disappointing in terms of yield and "D" value and were still flowering at the time of harvest indicating incompatibility with the other Spring species in the mix. TOPAZ had the best pod set, highest dry matter %, highest "D" value (+3%) and highest protein yield (+3%) over other spring Vetches.
Of the Peas, the tannin rich Maples established quickly and were very vigorous, yielding approximately 1 tonne more dry matter per hectare than the blue and white combining Peas in the trial. "D" values were identical. ROSE is the semi-leqfless Maple Pea we have selectewd to use in tandem with PROPHET combining Peas.
Table 2: Digestible Yield v Protein Content of Wholecrop Species
