WELSH sheep farmers are being urged to make the best use of forage crops this year.

With the cost of bought-in feed continuing to soar, currently hitting more than £300/tonne, increasing market volatility means forage crops could help reduce fluctuations in production costs and increase the profitability of lamb production systems.

Studies show that grazing forage crops such as stubble turnips, swedes and kale, can add value to lambs at a low cost and the release of additional grazing for ewes can further improve the efficiency of lamb production.

Independent sheep specialist Catherine Nakielny sees the role of increasing forage based production as an important element of the future of the sector.

“There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to the system of lamb production but optimising the use of forage is vital,” she said.

“This not only improves profitability, but also improves the marketability of lamb. Not relying on grain which could be argued is better targeted at consumption directly by people is one of the selling points of grass-based lamb production.”

The role of forage crops in lamb finishing is being highlighted through Farming Connect’s ‘Farm Enterprise Competition’ and further information on growing forage crops is available in the factsheet ‘Establishing and growing brassicas’.