Annual Forage Crops for Manitoba

• 7–14 in (18–36 cm) row spacing; 50–100 lb/ac (56–112 kg/ha).
• Double‑row planting is possible with wide‑row planters.

• Pasture fields should be divided for rotational grazing.
• Greatest feeding value is achieved when corn is harvested for silage at maturity.

• Provide valuable early spring and late fall grazing.
• Apply 50 lb/ac (56 kg/ha) N before spring regrowth.
• Rye has higher carrying capacity but may cause off‑flavours in milk—remove dairy cows several hours before milking.
• Spring‑seeded rye can also provide good summer grazing.

• Spring‑seeded oats are ready for grazing in 6–8 weeks.
• Can be grazed lightly early (vegetative stage) and regrazed after recovery.
• High growth rates at boot stage require rotational grazing to limit waste.
• Best annual emergency hay option; cut at early dough stage.

• Higher dry matter yield than oats but less palatable—better suited for silage.
• For hay or silage, mixing with peas (50% of seed weight) improves protein by 2–4%.

• Barley/peas or oats/peas produce high‑protein silage.
• Adding barley to sudangrass or sorghum–sudan hybrids improves silage dry matter.

• Generally drought‑tolerant and productive, but slightly lower feeding value than corn.
• Sudangrass has thinner stems and is preferred for pasture/hay.
• Sorghum–sudan hybrids are better for green chop and silage due to higher biomass.
• All regrow well after cutting or grazing.

• Around June 1; 1–2.5 in (2.5–4 cm) depth.
• Delay seeding until soil reaches >10°C.
• Recommended row spacing: 7–14 in (18–36 cm).

• Levels increase in new growth, drought‑stressed plants, and after frost.
• Do not graze until plants reach 18–24 in (46–61 cm).
• After frost, allow plants to dry thoroughly before grazing.

• Similar feeding value to sudangrass but lower yield.
• Best seeded in early June at 20–25 lb/ac (22.5–28 kg/ha).
• Easier to cure for hay than sudangrass.
• Limited regrowth makes millet less suited for frequent grazing.
• Peas (½ bu/ac) can improve forage quality.

• Siberian/Foxtail Millet: Higher yield and better leaf‑to‑stem ratio; cut at 65–70 days.
• Proso Millet: Lower yield, coarser stems.
• Delay seeding until soil reaches 10°C.

• Suitable for pasture and hay, depending on type.
• Italian ryegrass: Leafy, ~16 in (40 cm), good for grazing.
• Westerwold: Taller (16–32 in), suitable for hay or pasture.
• Seed at 20 lb/ac (pure stands) or 8–10 lb/ac in mixes.
• Produces high‑quality forage 6–8 weeks after seeding; best under good moisture.

• Prepare a fine, firm seedbed to ensure shallow, uniform seeding.

• Use higher rates under dry conditions or when plants are intended for grazing.
• Moisture and nitrogen levels influence tillering/stooling.

• Base fertilizer on soil test recommendations.
• Apply P and N with the seed only if crop‑safe.
• Phosphorus supports root development—especially important in dry conditions.

• Use recommended herbicides where available.
• Refer to the Manitoba Guide to Crop Protection for product specifics.

• Early cutting: high protein, high palatability, lower yield.
• Later cutting: higher yield, lower protein.
• Ensure correct moisture for storage to maintain quality.

• Avoid continuous grazing—results in waste, trampling, and lower pasture utilization.
• Rotational or strip grazing increases yield and improves forage quality across all annual crops.
• Crops under stress are more prone to nitrate accumulation—testing is essential before grazing or harvest.

• Labour and equipment intensive but effective when forage quality and supply are critical.