Whole Crops & Mixes

Over recent years Wholecrop has become established as an important alternative source of forage to livestock farmers.

Wholecrop cereals are grown like grain but harvested earlier to make silage

Wheat is the most common species of cereal used, followed by barley, but there is increasing interest in triticale and rye. Wholecrop cereals may be sown with or without peas in mixture. Where forage maize is not a feasible option Wholecrop may be grown, offering good energy levels and higher dry matter contents. 

Wholecrop cereals are conserved in two basic forms:  

• Fermented
• Urea treated Wholecrop  

These two techniques produce different end products, Each requires different harvesting dates and different managment techniques.  

Benefits 

• Allows increased production from home grown forage
• Produces a high starch feed
• Improves Dry Matter
• No effluent
• Improves milk and protein levels
• Useful means of establishing a new ley