Planting Winter Feed - a 4-fold benefit

Planting Winter Feed – a 4-fold benefit

Planting Winter Feed – A 4-fold benefit*

Low input farming: How does someone who is small scale (often without machinery) utilise autumn soil moisture to economically feed stock over winter & spring?

In the following example, quick establishing Oats is planted to protect slower Rye Grass. Soil isn’t disturbed so dormant native grasses are protected while winter weeds are minimised through competition. Best of all, in Spring, forward condition stock are easily marketable or breeders are on a rising plane of nutrition ready for re-joining.

$263 input Cost / acre for $1000 benefit.

METHOD: Crash graze then (ideally) flail mow in April-May. Next spread Lime Impact (100kg) = $55 (depending on soil type). Spread Rye Grass Seed & Oats Seed (1 bag & 2 bags) = $99 at planting spread Grassmaster (100kg) = $110
Rain/Irrigation dependent, wait 5-6 weeks for first oats graze (wait until oats are 30cm high) then up to 5 Monthly grazings follow.

Strip graze then allow 1 month recovery to cycle minerals, build soil carbon & feed soil microbes.

A $1000 / acre benefit* is calculated based on an av 800kg DM yield per rotation per acre thus supplying enough feed for 10 head for 7-10 days (300kg weaner) followed by irrigation and 30 days recovery.

Bos Rural has Rye Grass seed, Oats and Organic Fertiliser in stock now with a tow-behind spreader available for purchase or hire. Honda Firefighters get water where you want for small-scale irrigation. Call 5484 3771 for information and specials.

Foreground- no winter pasture, Background- Rye & Oats.