Feeding sources can be broken into crops, pasture based systems, or supplementary feed systems. Refer to Forages for deer by David Stevens, for detailed information around feed options and deer performance.
Cereals
Forage cereal crops in NZ are predominantly Wheat, Barley, Maize, Oats, Triticale, Ryecorn and Peas. The reason for growing Forage Cereal crops is to achieve as high a yield as possible, with winter growth of these crops out yielding ryegrasses in terms of dry matter production.
Crops
Cropping is a useful tool in farming system to provide additional feed at crucial times in a farming year. Crops traditionally produce more DM and Energy than standard grass based pastures and can reduce the feed risk in a farming system during such times as drought and at feed shortage times.
Grasses
Information on Perennial, annual and other grass species.
Legumes
Information about Legumes such as clover varieties and Lucerne.
Herbs
The two main improved pasture herbs commonly used in NZ are chicory and plantain.
Fodder trees
Both poplar and willow have been used as drought forage for sheep, cattle and deer.
Management
Information on management of new grass
