Forage crops, also known as fodder crops, are specifically grown to provide food for livestock. These crops are typically grown for their leaves and stems which are used as animal feed. They are normally fed by the livestock animals by grazing or in the form of harvested hay or silage. The timing of both grazing events and the cutting for hay or silage are critical to ensuring that the quality and quantity of conserved fodder are optimized. These crops are grown for their high protein content, digestibility and palatability, which are essential for the health and productivity of livestock. Properly fed animals are less prone to diseases and infections and their milk and meat production can increase significantly.
They can be grown as a monocrop or as mixed crop along with wheat or legumes or as cover crop depending on the intended use. Forage crops are an essential component of agriculture, providing a reliable and cost-effective source of animal feed. They are also important for sustainable agriculture, as they can help improve soil health and reduce erosion. Additionally, many forage crops have other uses, such as in biofuels, food or fiber production.
Fodder/Forage crops can be classified into two main categories: Annual and Perennial.
Product Name | Features of the product |
Sugargraze Forage |
|
Nutrifeed Forage |
|
Fat Boy (Multi-cut Forage Sorghum) |
|
Honey Pot (BMR Sweet Sorghum) Forage |
|
Max-Pro (Lucerne) Forage |
|
Makkhan Grass-Forage |
|
NOTE: To know more about the fodder’s cultivation practices, seed rate, harvesting and cutting timings and more details, check the product’s description.
Forage crops play a vital role in sustainable agriculture by providing a source of high-quality livestock feed, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity and supporting the long-term productivity of farming systems. Forage crops can be an important tool for producers, provided the right crop is selected, right management practice is taken to ensure that the crop is fully utilized in its most productive and nutritious phases of growth. Forage crops are vulnerable to pests and diseases which must be managed to minimize their impact on productivity. Proper harvesting and cutting can improve forage quality, yield and nutritional value, while also promoting regrowth and sustainable forage production. Government of India has launched several initiatives to promote the cultivation of high-quality fodder crops, such as the National Livestock Mission and Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
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