During the last few years there has been increasing interest in the potential role of alternative forages in dairy cow rations based on grass silage. In this context, whole crop cereals, particularly wheat (WCW) treated with urea (40 g/kg DM), have more recently received considerable attention within the farming community. This is in spite of the fact that research experience of the potential of whole crop wheat as a forage component for dairy cow rations is limited.

In order to provide general background information on the practical application of this approach, eight farms were surveyed on wheat crop husbandry, harvesting and preservation. Nutritional quality of the resultant forages was also assessed. Additional observations on crop losses during harvesting and feeding were undertaken at the Bernard Weitz Centre.