Winter Forage Crops for Dairy Sheep

This document presents two effective legume/cereal intercropping systems for winter forage in central Greece: vetch/barley and forage pea/oat. Tested under non-irrigated Mediterranean conditions, these combinations enhance forage yield, quality, and harvestability. Vetch (Alexandros) with barley (Colorado) and forage pea (Arvika) with oat (Kassandra) were sown in early December at 150 kg/ha (33% cereal, 67% legume) and 180 kg/ha (25% cereal, 75% legume), respectively, with superphosphate at 200 kg/ha. A double sowing technique ensured even distribution. A second farmer practice involves sowing vetch (Alexandros) with barley or oat, and forage pea (Olympos) with oat in late October, harvesting from late April to mid-May for hay or silage at 180 kg/ha (17% cereal, 83% legume). Expected benefits include higher productivity (25–50 T/ha at 25% dry matter), improved forage quality (16% crude protein DM for vetch/barley, 12% for forage pea/oat), and easier harvesting. No limitations or prerequisites were identified.