AB7 Whole Crop Cereal Seeds

AB7 Whole Crop Cereals provide a valuable seed source in grass-dominated areas and are popular with many farmers because they can choose later in the season whether to cut as forage or harvest for grain. More crucially, whole crop cereals offer a cost-effective alternative or additional feed to grass or maize silage.

Whole crop cereals that fall under the AB7 category are particularly versatile as they can be grown anywhere in the UK under a wide range of conditions and will produce consistently high yields of dry matter, even in dry seasons and cold weather. During the summer there will be foraging for declining and localised farmland birds, small mammals and pollinator species such as bees and other beneficial insects. Because whole crop cereals are only in the ground for 12-14 weeks, their early harvest allows earlier reseeding or drilling of other autumn combinable crops. Not to mention that the whole crop can be grown across a broader range of weather and soil conditions.

When it comes to harvesting the cereal crop, it should not take place until after the cereal grain has progressed beyond the milky-ripe growth stage. We recommend harvesting when the pods are about to fill and flowering remains to the top of the plant. Our seed and agricultural specialists have expertly developed a large and diverse range of AB7 whole crop cereals. Our whole crop cereal mixtures, which include crops such as radish and mustard, are fast-growing cover crops with a long tap root that aids weed suppression and improves soil structure. For the best results, the ideal sowing time is from Spring to Autumn.

If you have any questions regarding mixture percentages, sewing queries or our delivery process for AB7 whole crop cereal then our team is on hand to help. Please also see our FAQs