The costs of growing forage crops can vary massively, from cheap and cheerful, fast-growing crops like forage rape, to expensive crops that deliver good energy values, like beet.

It is essential to know your costs of production no matter what crop you are growing. Table 1 shows you the estimated costs and returns of growing a forage crop, according to Teagasc figures. The figures are estimates only and growers should substitute their own figures where possible.

If you have your own machinery you may be able to reduce costs outlined significantly. It should be noted no transport costs are included in the figures and Teagasc does not provide figures for covered maize. The cover could increase your costs by approximately €240/ac. Yield and dry matter content should increase as well.

Beet is the most costly crop to grow in the table, although maize with plastic would be more expensive. The cheapest crop to grow is stubble turnips. Stubble turnips also have the lowest cost per tonne of utilisable dry matter, followed by wholecrop winter wheat and maize.

If you are growing for yourself you will know what crop best suits your system. If you are growing for someone make sure you have a customer lined up and have some payment in hand. Look through the table and see what best suits your system.