Although continuously dry conditions and extreme temperatures have meant an early harvest, forage stocks are considerably lower this year, estimated to be down by as much as 40% and indicating a potentially challenging season ahead for livestock farmers.

However, with some welcome rain last week and more forecast, conditions are improving, and with this comes the perfect chance to take advantage of the growing window to help mitigate against low feed sources. Different approaches will suit different requirements, so I’ve outlined some of the key options that could help to meet your forage needs.

Forage grass

This is typically the most cost-effective forage solution and vital for any dairy, beef and sheep farmer. Any forage grass that is well-managed can provide large amounts of dry matter and valuable feed.

Grass-only mixes, without red or white clover, are a more suitable option for drilling from September and well into October, as long as conditions are favourable. Both overseeding or new re-seeds will provide new growth, making the most of fertiliser, moisture and daylight to provide forage in the spring.

However, selection of both species and variety is crucial for success. More information can be found on the AHDB Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL), which is a good reference point for assessing top yielding varieties, heading dates and other important characteristics.

Short-term grasses, , have become increasingly low in stock due to high demand/ If you do have requirements, it’s important to get in touch with your Frontier representative as soon as possible.

Grazing cover crops

An alternative forage option that many growers might consider is the use of cover crops.

Cover crops are being increasingly incorporated into farm rotations due the benefits they deliver both environmentally and to following crops, but they can also serve as a valuable forage source through the autumn for livestock.

If going this route, I suggest staying clear of species like buckwheat and opt instead for brassica-based mixtures. Our Post-Maize Grazer Mix is a great option, designed to suit a late drilling window so it can be an excellent choice following maize when suitable mixes can be more difficult to come by. Both forage and turnip rape are in this mix and offer strong growth, vigour and subsequently good grazing return. Turnip rape in particular can be a great option for September forage, providing high sugar content, good winter hardiness and fast growth.

If a non-brassica option is better suited to your rotation, forage rye can be a great solution at this time of year thanks to its early vigour and biomass production, as well as the fact it can be drilled right up until the end of October. It is a high-quality feed source which has potential to produce five to six tonnes per hectare of dry matter. It is largely used after maize, as it works well to hold the soil together and helps to capture and prevent loss of nutrients. In order to ensure growers are staying SFI and CS action compliant, it's important to check your option requirements ahead of any grazing activity.

There is still time for you to ‘bridge the forage gap’ on your farm, but for all scenarios it’s important to note that the quicker you’re able to get something in the ground, the better. Out of the options covered, I hope that you can find a mixture that works well for your rotation. Professional advice about mixture and species selection is always available too, ensuring options deliver the best possible benefits to your livestock and overall farm productivity.

More information about forage options, including our wide-ranging seed portfolio, can be found in here.

If you have any further questions or require any technical advice, contact us on 0800 227 445 or at info@frontierag.co.uk.