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A third crop with added value
The Dutch cattle farming plan basically consists of grass and silage maize. However, more and more livestock farmers are discovering the added value of a third roughage crop. Which third crop can provide added value to your company?
In addition to HAVERA grass mixtures and LG maize varieties, LG also breeds third crops such as fodder beets, field beans, alfalfa, peas and clover. The LG roughage specialist in your region will be happy to advise you without obligation about the choice of crop and variety. Click here for the contact details.
Fodder beets: highest VEM yield per hectare
Fodder beets are on the rise, more and more livestock farmers are (re)discovering the added value of this concentrate substitute. The main features:
- Highest VEM yield: 18 to 20 tons of dry matter per hectare, more than 1.100 VEM per kilo ds,
- Tasty food, increases fat and protein content,
- Partly replaces concentrates,
- Cultivation can be carried out with sugar beet mechanization.
Read more about the cultivation of and experiences with fodder beets
Field beans: high-quality protein and starch
Field beans are a very high-quality concentrate substitute with a high protein and starch quality. In the cropping plan, the crop provides extra added value due to the nitrogen fixation and the beautiful early stubble.
- Yield of 5 to 8 tons per hectare with high crude protein and starch content,
- Sustainable alternative to imported soy,
- Provides extra N-space in construction plan by N-bonding from the air,
- Early harvest and beautiful stubble,
- Winter field beans have even higher yield potential.
Watch the video about field bean cultivation
Alfalfa: healthy source of prickly pear, protein and minerals
Alfalfa is known as a very healthy forage crop. It provides many vitamins and minerals and provides an extra boost for a good rumen function.
- Healthy source of protein and prickly pear,
- Valuable dormant crop in the crop plan,
- Deep rooting improves the soil structure,
- Provides extra N-space in construction plan by N-bonding from the air,
- Can be used as a concentrate substitute by drying the crop in a dryer.
Peas and clover: extra protein
In mixed cultivation with grass or grain, peas provide a very protein-rich animal feed, which reduces the amount of concentrates. The nitrogen fixation and subsequent delivery and the beautiful soil structure also provide a lot of added value. These advantages also apply to red clover, which also counts as a third crop.
