Arable Silage mixtures can provide valuable amounts of high protein forage for livestock farmers as well as leaving residual nitrogen for following crops. The crop, once ensiled can provide excellent winter feed rations for dairy, beef and sheep.
Arable Silage can produce excellent yields from a short growing period of approximately 13 –16 weeks with the silage combining high intake potential that can be used as part of a mixed forage diet. The pea content of these mixtures can also help increase the protein content.
Arable silage mixtures can be under sown with a new grass ley to further maximise land use. Arable Silage Mixtures are sown late March to Mid April with a seeding rate of 75 – 85 kilos per acre if sown on their own or 50-60 kilos per acre if undersown with a grass crop. The resultant crop can be baled or clamped and should produce around 12-15 tonnes fresh weight per acre with a typical analysis of:
Dry matter 30- 40%
ME 9- 11MJ/kg
Crude Protein 9- 11%
Cope Seeds offer 3 standard mixtures which normally available for immediate dispatch:-
Arable Silage Mixtures
Mixture CSO1 (70% Organic)
60% Spring Barley
40% Spring Peas
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75 kilos per acre (185 kilos per hectare) if sown alone or 50 kilos per acre (125 kilos per hectare) if undersown with a grass mixture.
Our most popular Organic Arable Silage mixture, CSO1 produces a good balance of yield, starch and protein together with the ability to be undersown with a grass mixture.
Mixture CSO2 (70% Organic)
40% Spring Barley
60% Spring Peas
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80-85 kilos per acre (200 – 210 kilos per hectare) if sown alone or 60-65 kilos per acre (150-160 kilos per hectare) if undersown.
This mixture will be slightly lower yielding than CSO1 but with a higher protein content.
Both the above mixtures are available with Spring Oats instead of Spring Barley
Mixture CSO3 (70% Organic)
40% Spring Barley
30% Spring Oats
30% Spring Peas
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75 kilos per acre (185 kilos per hectare) if sown alone or 50 kilos per acre (125 kilos per hectare) if undersown with a grass mixture.
A traditional Arable Silage mixture, including Oats as well as Barley and Peas. Oats can do better than Barley in less favourable conditions or areas of higher rainfall.
Special Mixtures
Although we have the above mixtures readily available, we are more than happy to quote for any special arable silage mixture that you would like to plant. Mixtures CSO1 and CSO2 for instance can also be mixed to order using oats rather than barley if required. Vetches are also available for inclusion if required. Non-Organic mixtures are also available on request.