KNOW THE FACTS.. What is Forage?

Forage refers to edible plant material mainly leaves, stems, and shoots consumed directly by grazing livestock or harvested as feed (such as hay and silage). It forms the nutritional backbone of ruminant animal production and sustainable agriculture.

Main Types of Forage

• Grasses: Narrow-leaved, hollow-stemmed plants that provide essential dietary fiber, ryegrass, timothy, orchard grass and Bermuda grass.

• Legumes: Broad-leaved, nitrogen-fixing plants that enrich the soil and supply high protein and calcium (e.g., alfalfa, clover, Lucerne, cowpeas).

• Forbs & Brassicas: Broadleaf herbaceous plants, chicory, or root crops like kale, rape, and turnips used for seasonal or winter grazing.

• Cereal Fodders: Whole-crop cereals grown for energy-dense silage or green chop, maize/corn, sorghum, oats and barley.

Methods of Utilization

• Pasture (Direct Grazing): Animals harvest the plants directly in the field; this is the most cost-effective method and promotes biodiversity.

• Hay: Forage cut and dried down to low moisture levels (typically under 20%) for long-term storage and winter feeding.

• Silage & Haylage: Moist forage (40–60% moisture) fermented under anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions in silos or wrapped bales.

• Green chop: Fresh forage mechanically harvested and delivered directly to housed livestock on a daily basis.

Agricultural Benefits

• Livestock Nutrition: Delivers critical energy, fiber, and digestible protein for cattle, sheep, goats, and horses.

• Soil Health & Fertility: Legumes use Rhizobium bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

• Erosion & Water Control: Live root systems, year-round ground cover, and residue protect topsoil from wind and rain runoff.

• Crop Rotation: Breaking up cash-crop cycles with perennial or annual forage breaks pest cycles and rebuilds soil structure.