Tillage
According to Teagasc, planting of forage maize crops should get underway in sheltered parts of the south east over the coming days
Sheep
The key to improving utilisation of a forage crop is to choose the correct crop for your farm and farming system.
Beef
Forage crops sown after cereals can be extremely beneficial in years where there is a fodder deficit on farms.
If you're growing maize for another farmer, have a contract in place first. It is also wise to have a deposit at the beginning of the season.
There are plenty of forage crops planted across the country for grazing. Weather is the obvious challenge to entering these fields.
Environment
This time last year, farmers were busy deciding which cover crops to plant. Many were opting for forage crops to reduce the fodder deficit.
Grass
These forage crops can be preserved relatively well as silage, but there are a number of key points to consider.
19,400ha of forage crops have been planted under the Fodder Incentive Measure for tillage farmers. More have been planted outside the scheme.
At least €480,000 will go unspent in the Fodder Production Incentive Measure. A total of 1,701 applications were made under the measure.
After the summer that's just been, many farmers have grown and will graze forage crops for the first time this year.
There is still time to sow forage crops under the 'Fodder Production Incentive Measure for Tillage Farmers 2018’.
Of the farmers surveyed, 24% stated that they have already sown forage crops for livestock. A further 21% plan to sow forage crops.
"There is a violent need for extra fodder" - those were the words of Mark Browne, the IFA Grain Committee chairman.
As the harvest hits its peak, AgriLand wants to know how farmers are getting on in the fields.
Over the past number of weeks AgriLand has provided readers with advice on what forage crops to sow and best practice when sowing such crops.
Forage crops can provide large yields. However, fertiliser needs to be applied in order for these crops to reach their full potential.
Westerwold ryegrass and Italian ryegrass are two buzz words in Irish farming at present. These crops are suited to filling a big gap in a fodder deficit.
Forage crops need to be sown into the drier and better soils on your farm - that was the main message from Teagasc tillage advisor John Pettit.
The most important factor to be considered when sowing a forage crop is the cost of that crop and if that cost delivers value for money.
Forage crops are in high demand this season as farmers try to fill gaps in their winter feed supplies following the summer's drought.
Cover crops are a popular topic this season and can provide a valuable source of forage amidst the current fodder crisis.
Due to the lack of silage supplies on farms across the country, farmers may look at forage crops as a viable option.
With the potential to 8-12t/ha of dry matter (DM), farmers may be looking at kale as an alternative to bolster fodder reserves on their farm over the coming winter.
