Keeping feed available across the year takes more than choosing a good crop. Climate, soil, and timing all matter. Lucerne provides high-quality perennial feed, forage herbs and brassicas can target feed gaps and support pasture renovation, while forage sorghum delivers bulk summer feed in warmer regions.
Feed supply rarely stays even across the year. Pasture growth can slow after the autumn break, fall away through summer or struggle to keep up with winter demand.
Forage crops can help fill these gaps, but there’s no single best option for every farm. The right choice depends on:
Australia has a wide range of forage crops. Here, we look at 3 widely used forage options and the different jobs they perform.
AlfaGen Seeds range of lucerne, forage herbs and brassica, and forage sorghum
Lucerne is a perennial forage option that can deliver high-quality feed over several years when it’s established in suitable soil and managed well. Its deep root system can access moisture beyond the reach of shallower-rooted pastures, helping maintain production when other pastures slow.
The main lucerne grazing benefits are feed quality, persistence and flexibility. Lucerne suits rotational grazing and can also be cut for hay or silage. Dormancy rating, pest and disease resistance and grazing tolerance all influence how a variety performs.
Learn more about setting up lucerne correctly from the start, or explore the AlfaGen lucerne range to compare dormancy options.
Forage herbs and brassica crops provide high-quality feed for a short-term, targeted grazing window. They establish quickly and are commonly used for autumn and winter feed planning, filling summer feed gaps, finishing livestock or supporting higher short-term grazing capacity. Depending on the variety, they can also support pasture renovation and soil regeneration, helping manage weeds while still delivering a season of quality grazing before the paddock moves into its next phase.
Brassicas are generally used for a defined production period rather than as a permanent pasture replacement. Introduce livestock gradually and follow the management recommendations for the crop and livestock class.
Explore the AlfaGen forage herbs and brassica range for more information on available varieties, sowing and grazing management.
Forage sorghum is a high-biomass, warm-season crop suited to warmer regions, generally north of the Hunter Valley. Where soil temperature, moisture and growing conditions line up, it can provide bulk summer feed for cattle while taking pressure off permanent pastures.
Livestock safety needs to be part of the grazing plan. Sorghum can present prussic acid and nitrate risks, particularly when young, after frost or following moisture stress and rapid regrowth. Always follow variety-specific grazing recommendations.
Explore the AlfaGen forage sorghum and millet range for variety options, grazing guidance and summer forage case studies.
Forage crops don’t line up neatly by state border. Start with the job you need the crop to do, then consider the conditions it needs to perform.
Rainfall, temperature and seasonal conditions will rule some crops in and others out. Sorghum needs warm growing conditions, brassica sowing windows vary between regions and lucerne dormancy affects seasonal growth.
Consider both the livestock outcome and the wider role of the paddock. Maintenance feed, weight gain, lactation support and increased grazing capacity may drive the decision, but pasture renovation, weed control and the next phase of the rotation can matter too. Forage herbs and brassicas can provide a season of quality grazing while the paddock moves through renovation.
Intended use can quickly narrow the choice. Lucerne offers flexibility across all 3, forage herbs and brassicas are generally grown for grazing and forage sorghum can provide grazing or conserved feed where conditions suit.
Drainage, fertility, soil type and pH all affect establishment and performance. A crop that suits the season can still struggle if it doesn’t suit the paddock.
More than one crop may have a place in your feed program. Lucerne can provide a perennial base, while brassicas and forage sorghum target specific seasonal gaps.
Learn more about planning around seasonal pasture growth patterns.
Choosing the crop is only half the decision. The variety you sow can make a real difference to establishment, seasonal production and persistence.
AlfaGen Seeds offers forage varieties selected and tested for Australian conditions, backed by local trial data, agronomic knowledge and in-region support. We’ll help you choose the right variety, for the right conditions, at the right time.
Looking for the right forage crop for your farm? Explore the AlfaGen Seeds range or speak with your local AlfaGen Seeds representative.
Get seasonal tips, agronomy advice and seed recommendations from the AlfaGen Seeds team.
