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Organic SainfoinThe best forage crop available, but do you have the right soil? |
 The attributes of sainfoin have been well documented over many years. The history of the crop in the UK goes back to 1652 when it was introduced by a Mr Hartlib. He shipped over a sack of SAINT FOINE from Calais containing two English bushels saying it has thriven on dry chalk soils, it does not impoverish the land and lasts seven years . Since that time many writers have extolled the virtues of sainfoin.
It was said sainfoin had one third more value than clover, and its roots strike deep. Dry, warm, deep and rich land the best, but on stony ground it would do very well. If fed to horses it was very strengthening also It improves land to a great degree after five years to give three crops of corn . In particular, around 1800, it was recognised by Arthur Young, a well known writer, first secretary of Agriculture and the president of RASE. Young wrote accounts of sainfoin being used in many counties where it was formally grown. In Oxfordshire he states there was sainfoin on all soils that are proper for it a distinguishing feature of the region . Even as late as the 1950 s it was still being commonly used with farmers describing it as one of the best cogs in the wheels of the farming system. Growing sainfoin for seed provided farmers additional income as well as providing a hay crop. Local strains were developed and much rivalry grew through the country, even to this day. Each region thought their sainfoin was best! Cotswold Common became the accepted variety in its local area, being associated with sheep farming and keeping heavy horses which were essential on most farms before tractors came in. Other local strains included Hampshire Common, which is still grown today. Usually one cut of sainfoin was taken for hay and then it was grazed, mainly by sheep and lambs. Continuous grazing by sheep was not recommended as it caused the crop to die out. Youngstock were found to thrive on it, putting on rapid liveweight gains, and it was widely known that sick animals would quickly recover on it. This was presumably because it is very digestible, palatable, has a high protein content as well as it being a natural anthelmintic. After the Second World War and the introduction of cheap nitrogen fertiliser many legumes, including sainfoin, became less commonly grown. Today, it is recognised that sainfoin is an excellent fodder legume which will have a role along side red and white clover. It can be utilized in efficient animal and environmental friendly farming systems. Healthy Hay Cotswold Seeds, along with Reading University, NIAB and ten other organisations from Europe are moving into the third year of the sainfoin research project known as Healthy Hay. The project is very wide ranging and aims to answer some of the intriguing questions which surround this forgotten crop. It is hoped the project will provide information for plant breeding as well as further information on animal performance and health. A Joint Approach Healthy Hay takes a unified approach to a unique sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) germplasm collection. This research is timely because of the CAP reforms. The research is carried out at 10 internationally renowned research institutions and 3 small and medium sized companies in 10 countries. The research benefits enormously from the considerable expertise in a wide range of disciplines amongst the partners: agronomy, plant breeding, seed production and marketing, animal nutrition, veterinary science, chemical analysis, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. The research develops a scientific and technical basis for animal feeding systems based on lower chemical inputs by re popularising a traditional fodder legume for more efficient, animal and environment friendly farming systems. Sainfoin is a showcase for an excellent fodder legume, which was widely grown in Europe before the use of commercial fertilisers and synthetic veterinary drugs. |
Sainfoin Four Year Grazing / Cutting Crop
Ref. MIXSAIORG 65% Organic This is the classic mixture of sainfoin and grass which is
used as a temporary ley. For general use we
recommend the use of a non competitive grass mixture
with sainfoin. The grass fills the base of the crop,
increases yield and increases sugars to make better
silage. A sainfoin ley should be managed carefully.
Sainfoin produces a cut of silage in early June. Hay
may be taken if preferred. Sainfoin should be cut
during early flowering but may be delayed without
much loss of feed value if needed. Regrowth is less than
for the first cut and may be cut again or grazed.
Grazing should be light and quick to avoid damage to
the plant. Never set stock or the sainfoin will become
thin.
Sainfoin seed can be undersown to spring cereals or direct drilled in April or May at around 30mm. (If undersown the cereal sowing rate should be reduced to 40 kg per acre.) The grass seed element, which is supplied separately, should then be surface sown and rolled in.
25.00 kg certified AMBRA ORGANIC Sainfoin (supplied seperately)
2.00 kg certified ROSSA or similar meadow fescue 1.00 kg certified PROMESSE timothy 28.00 kg per acre (70 kg/ha)
Add Sainfoin to Ley Mixtures
Reduce Bloat Risk In light of recent research we are now seeking to add
sainfoin to ley mixtures. This is an option designed to
offset the risk of bloat in high clover leys. It appears a
grass/clover ley containing around 20% of sainfoin will
not cause bloat. In former times sainfoin was used as a
component part of seeds mixture and so we know that
this is possible. We would encourage you to try this
option.
Please remember that sainfoin shows a preference for naturally alkaline, free draining soils and it will fail or be subdued when sown on wet or acidic soils. Include in ley seed mixtures at 5 kg per acre (12 kg/hectare).
65% ORGANIC Sainfoin
£3.27 per kilo
Sainfoin Varieties
At present, research on sainfoin focuses only on a few cultivars. This prevents exploitation of the full genetic potential of sainfoin. The unique collection available within the group and a concerted effort to evaluate this germplasm collection will lay the foundation for exploiting the full potential of this traditional forage crop in modern farming systems. Healthy Hay is funded by Marie Curie Research Training with a budget of 3.5 million. Why Grow Sainfoin Sainfoin is the best forage species available. It meets the protein requirements of ruminant animals. It is a natural anthelmintic. It is virtually self sufficient, needing no nitrogen or phosphate. Livestock consuming sainfoin put on more liveweight gain than when fed other leguminous forages. Soils after sainfoin are rich in nitrogen and have enhanced soil structure which result in excellent crops of brassicas or cereals. Use It is used either for lamb, milk or beef production and can be both grazed or conserved for winter forage. It is bloat free and drought resistant. It is well documented that stock performance when fed on sainfoin is far superior when compared with other forages. This is due to its very high palatability leading to high voluntary intake and to higher protein absorption by the animal. Protein content is approx 20%. Typically, it provides a heavy cut for silage or hay in June and then regrows for grazing during the summer. It is leguminous and requires no artificial nitrogen or phosphate once established. Select Your Field Carefully The particular land for sainfoin is the chalk soil. It will also grow on dry soils, loams and gravels. Free draining soils with a pH of 6 or above are essential for the best results. Compacted or wet lying soils are to be avoided. These are best sown with red clover instead. If you are uncertain please telephone Cotswold Seeds and we can advise. Sowing & Establishment It is advisable to drill in late spring. Autumn sowing is risky as the seedlings are slow growing at first and do not have time to develop before the onset of winter. For spring sowings it is ideal to undersow a spring cereal. Priority has to be given to the sainfoin. Sow the cereal at half the recommended sowing rate. Ideally cut the cereal, usually spring barley, for silage at the milky stage. Sainfoin seeds are approx. 4mm long and are contained within a husk. The seed should be sown at 25 35 kg per acre, the higher rate being used when seedbed conditions are poor or a late sowing is envisaged. The seed is usually drilled to a depth of between 2 3cm. The first year of sainfoin should be treated as an establishment year with full production not being realised until the second year. Clean land, ideally after turnips, should be used. |
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