Major leguminous and non-leguminous forage crops
A balanced dairy forage cropping system integrates protein-dense legumes with energy-rich cereal grasses.
- Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum): Premier winter leguminous fodder in northern and central India, providing 5 to 6 cuts of succulent, high-protein green forage.
- Lucerne / Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): Perennial legume adapted to western and southern India, yielding multiple protein-rich harvests annually.
- Hybrid Napier (Bajra-Napier hybrid, e.g., CO-4, CO-5, Super Napier): Fast-growing perennial grass yielding high green tonnage under irrigated conditions.
- Fodder Maize and Fodder Sorghum: High-energy, carbohydrate-rich summer forages ideal for fresh feeding or conversion into lactic silage.
- Fodder Oats (Avena sativa): Nutritious, easily digestible winter cereal forage preferred for lactating cows and young calves.
Year-round green fodder production and silage making
Planning seasonal sowing windows prevents the dry-season fodder scarcity that causes milk production slumps.
- Kharif forage crops: Sown in June-July (Fodder Sorghum, Maize, Cowpea, Cluster bean) harvested before flowering.
- Rabi forage crops: Sown in October-November (Berseem, Lucerne, Oats, Fodder Mustard) providing multi-cut harvests through spring.
- Silage preservation: Chaffing surplus green maize or sorghum at dough stage and packing in airtight silo pits preserves high-energy forage for summer months.
- Hydroponic green fodder: Growing sprouted maize or barley in controlled trays provides supplemental green feed during land or water constraints.
Nutritional impact on dairy cattle and milk production
Feeding dairy cows a 2:1 or 3:1 mixture of cereal forage to leguminous fodder delivers balanced crude protein (12% to 16%) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). Adequate green forage provides essential beta-carotene, improves rumen digestion, enhances milk butterfat, and significantly lowers dairy feeding expenses.
Official source
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ICAR - Indian Grassland & Fodder Research Institute ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
Which fodder crop is best for winter cultivation in North India?
Berseem (Egyptian clover) is the leading winter leguminous fodder, providing 5 to 6 cuttings of highly nutritious green feed from December to May.
What is the advantage of Hybrid Napier grass in dairy farming?
Hybrid Napier is a perennial grass that yields multiple heavy cuts per year, providing a reliable, low-cost daily green forage foundation.
Why is combining leguminous and non-leguminous fodder beneficial for dairy animals?
Legumes supply essential protein and calcium, while cereal grasses provide digestible carbohydrates, ensuring balanced nutrition without excess concentrate feed.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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