Economic Returns from Cereal and Cereal/Vetch Forage Crops Grown as Fodder Conservation Options for Beef and Sheepmeat Production

The economic return from cereal or cereal/vetch crops was determined using previously published and new agronomic herbage quality data experiments conducted at four sites across southern New South Wales, Australia, over years (2008 to 2011), evaluate the parameters of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare oat (Avena sativa one triticale (x Triticosecale) variety, grown as monocultures in combination with purple vetch (Vicia benghalensis L.). (n = 193) were harvested different stages maturity ranged metabolisable energy (ME) 6.9 13.1 MJ/kg DM crude protein (CP) content 49.8 215.4 g/kg DM. Individual crop ME CP used predict dry matter intake liveweight gain Grazfeed decision support tool, assuming forages fed sole diet either crossbred lambs British breed steers, initial liveweights 30 300 kg respectively. Animal yield estimate gross margins (GM) for each based on estimated fixed variable costs, including sowing fertiliser harvesting feedout costs. Feed animal production potential income per animal, while hectare any given level production. Across three GM −$1489 $5788 sheep −$1764 $647 cattle. Reducing costs increasing livestock value improved GM. highest high ME, adequate CP, good yields. Increasing reduced when growth rates low, exceeded gain.