Cornell Cooperative Extension

Lewis County
hay bale

Forage Crops

Northeast livestock farmers must be able to manage a profitable business that is also sustainable in terms of environmental stewardship, and forage-livestock systems can have a positive impact on sustainable agriculture.

Cornell Forage Crops

Penn State University Forage Crops Website

U. Wisconsin Extension - Forage Resources

Contact

Michele Ledoux
Executive Director
mel14@cornell.edu
(315) 376-5270

Last updated December 5, 2023

Specific Crops

Production Techniques

Frost Seeding of Forages (U. Wisconsin)

Variety Selection

Forage Species Selector Tool (Cornell University)

Forage Yield Trial Results (Cornell U.)

Annual Forage Crops

Farmers might consider annual forage production to supplement perennial pasture forages, or as a source of feed with moderate levels of protein in an emergency situation, e.g. delayed planting due to weather.

Some organic dairies might also consider BMR sorghum sudan hybrids as a rotation crop to break up pest cycles and provide a crop with moderate levels of energy.

Brassicas (Penn State U.)

Sorghum & Sudangrass (Penn State U.)

Brown Midrib (BMR) Sorghum Sudangrass (Cornell U.)

Teff as Emergency Forage

Legumes

Alsike Clover (USDA)

Birdsfoot Trefoil (Penn State U.)

Cicer Milkvetch (USDA)

Crown Vetch (USDA)

Flat Pea (USDA)

Ladino White Clover (USDA)

Red Clover (Penn State U.)

Sainfoin (USDA)

Sweet Clover (USDA)

White Clover (Penn State U.)

Perennial Grasses

Orchardgrass (Penn State U.)

Reed Canarygrass

Smooth Bromegrass (Penn State U.)

Tall Fescue (Penn State U.)

Timothy (Penn State U.)

Other Perennial Forages

Chicory (USDA)

Deer Tongue (USDA)

Events

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