Foderplanter

Foderplanter, or forage crops, are herbaceous plants grown primarily to feed livestock. They are harvested and used as fresh forage, hay, silage, or stored feed, and may be fed directly or after processing. Fodder crops form a cornerstone of livestock systems by providing bulk feed throughout the year and supporting nutrient balance in rations.

The main groups of foderplanter are grasses and legumes, with cereals such as maize also used for silage in many regions. Common forage grasses include perennial ryegrass, timothy, meadow fescue, and sometimes orchardgrass. Important forage legumes include red clover, white clover, alfalfa (lucerne), and smaller-seeded vetches. Mixed swards that combine grasses and legumes are widely used to improve protein content and soil fertility, since legumes can fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Nutritive value and management are influenced by species, harvest stage, and storage method. Legumes generally provide higher crude protein, while grasses often supply more energy. Quality is affected by maturity at harvest, wilt or drying conditions for hay, and the fermentation process for silage. Agronomic practices such as soil fertility, irrigation, pest and disease control, and appropriate harvest timing are important. Fodder planters are commonly rotated with other crops to maintain soil health and reduce pest pressures.

Environmental and economic considerations point to fodder crops as buffers against feed scarcity, aids in winter feeding, and potential reductions in fertilizer use when legumes are included. They are sensitive to weather and disease, requiring careful planning, monitoring, and adaptation to local conditions.