Forage crops offer a nutritious, cost-effective solution to keep your livestock well fed year-round.
Successful forage programmes don’t start with seed. They start with understanding your feed demand, farm system, rotation and long-term goals.
At Cates, we work with farmers to develop tailored forage and pasture plans that support livestock performance, farm profitability and sustainable land management. Whether you’re planning winter feed, summer grazing, silage production or pasture renewal, our agronomists can help identify the right crop, variety and management approach for your operation.
Unlike seed companies that promote only their own genetics, Cates operates independently. We have access to forage cultivars from multiple seed suppliers, allowing us to recommend the best options for your specific farm rather than a limited product range. We can source and supply forage seed nationwide while providing practical agronomic support throughout the life of the crop.
From initial feed budgeting and crop selection through to establishment planning, fertiliser programmes, grazing management and regrassing strategies, we’re committed to helping farmers achieve reliable, profitable forage outcomes.
Every farm is different, and successful forage programmes rarely rely on a single crop or seed supplier.
Our agronomists work alongside farmers to:
Whether your programme includes pasture renewal, brassicas, fodder beet, forage cereals, herbs or a combination of multiple forage species, Cates can help deliver a practical solution tailored to your farming business.
Contact our agronomy team to discuss a forage programme designed specifically for your farm.
Winter forage crops play a vital role in maintaining livestock performance when pasture growth slows and feed demand remains high. Crop choice depends on factors such as stock class, feeding objectives, soil type, rotation requirements and winter grazing systems.
A high-yielding, high-energy crop capable of producing large amounts of winter feed per hectare. Fodder beet is widely used across dairy, beef and sheep systems where maximum feed production is required.
One of New Zealand’s most widely grown winter forage crops. Kale offers excellent feed yields, grazing flexibility and reliability across a range of farming environments.
Well suited to cooler regions and longer growing seasons, swedes provide high-quality winter feed and fit well within many sheep, beef and dairy support systems.
Fast-growing brassica options that can provide flexible autumn, winter or spring grazing. These crops are often used to bridge seasonal feed deficits and support finishing systems.
Crops such as oats, barley and triticale can provide valuable winter and early spring feed through grazing or silage production. They establish quickly and integrate well into many cropping rotations.
Summer forage crops help maintain feed quality and livestock performance through periods of dry weather and reduced pasture growth.
Deep-rooted forage herbs that provide highly palatable, quality feed with excellent summer resilience and valuable mineral content.
Summer turnips and forage rape can deliver rapid feed production during periods of pasture shortage and are commonly used for lamb finishing and dairy grazing.
Certain cereal crops can provide quality greenfeed or silage options, helping fill feed gaps and support feed reserves for later in the season.
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