Fodder
Multicut Fodder Cultivation Guide: Grow Green Fodder Year-Round
How to grow multicut green fodder for dairy and livestock — choosing the right fodder crop, sowing and seed rate, cutting schedule, irrigation and fertilizer for repeated high-tonnage cuts of nutritious green feed.
By the Varsha Seeds Agronomy Team · Updated Wed Jun 03
For a dairy or livestock farmer, a steady supply of green fodder is the cheapest route to better milk and healthier animals. Multicut fodders are the key: sow once, harvest many times. This guide covers how to grow them for maximum tonnage and quality.
Why multicut fodder
A multicut crop regrows after every cut, so one sowing yields several harvests across the season. That means far more total green fodder per acre, a steadier year-round supply, and lower cost than re-sowing single-cut crops. The trade-off is simple management — water and feed the crop well so each regrowth stays vigorous.
Choosing the right fodder
Match the crop to your need and season:
| Fodder | Type | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Rishva (chicory) | Mineral-rich herb | High calcium & inulin, improves digestibility |
| Green Gold (lucerne / rajka) | Legume | High-protein, long-duration, many cuts |
| Barseem | Legume | Winter protein fodder, very palatable |
| Madhur | Multicut fodder | Reliable green tonnage |
| Mili (SSG) | Energy fodder | Fast-growing summer sorghum-sudan |
A good ration mixes a legume (protein) with an energy fodder — that combination drives milk yield.
Soil and sowing
Most fodders want well-drained, fertile soil and good organic matter. Prepare a fine seedbed and incorporate well-rotted farmyard manure. Seed rate and spacing vary by crop, so follow the rate on the pack — legumes like lucerne and berseem are sown denser than tall energy fodders. For berseem specifically, see the berseem cultivation guide.
The cutting schedule — where tonnage is won
This is the heart of multicut management:
- First cut: usually around 50–60 days after sowing.
- Following cuts: roughly every 25–35 days, depending on the crop and season.
- Cut at the right stage — too early lowers tonnage, too late drops protein and slows regrowth. For most green fodders, cut at early flowering / pre-bloom.
- Leave a clean stubble so the crop regrows quickly and evenly.
Water and nutrition
Regrowth is hungry work. Irrigate after every cut to push the next flush, and top-dress nitrogen after each cut for grass/energy fodders (legumes need much less, as they fix their own). Keep the crop weed-free early so the fodder, not the weeds, uses your inputs.
Next steps
- Compare varieties in best fodder seeds for dairy cattle.
- For the full background, read the fodder farming guide.
Quality multicut fodder seed — Rishva, Green Gold lucerne, Barseem, Madhur and Mili — is available from Varsha Seeds in Modasa, Gujarat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does multicut fodder mean?+
A multicut fodder crop regrows after each harvest, so a single sowing gives several cuts of green fodder over a season — far more total tonnage and a steadier supply than a single-cut crop.
When should I take the first cut of fodder?+
It depends on the crop, but most multicut fodders give their first cut around 50–60 days after sowing, then a cut every 25–35 days. Cut at the right stage for the best balance of yield, protein and regrowth.
Which fodder crop is best for milk production?+
Legume fodders like lucerne (rajka) and berseem are high in protein and excellent for milk yield. Mixing a legume with an energy fodder gives a balanced ration. Chicory-type fodders like Rishva add minerals and improve digestibility.
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