Chomper Offers Quality Feed

Daniel Wheeler, along with his daughter Rach, runs RDM Angus stud, which focuses on breeding premium stud stock based on Canadian Angus Genetics. In the Wheelers’ operation, it is essential

to have year-round quality feed to keep young bulls and breeding cows looking and performing at their best.

RDM Angus stud, based in Wellington, NSW, where the cooler months and frosty winters often lead to winter feed gaps.

Daniel saw to shore up his fodder reserves for winter with the introduction of S&W Seed Company Chomper Forage Sorghum to his rotation.

“I had grown a lot of millet in the past but found it didn’t handle the heat very well over the last few years and struggled to produce the bulk I was chasing.” Daniel reflected.

After consultation with his local rural store, Daniel decided on Chomper.

In late October, Daniel planted Chomper with 100 kilograms of DAP into a paddock where he predrilled 100 kilograms per hectare of urea. Chomper has a large seed size, which translates to good emergence and seedling vigour. This speed out of the ground and vigorous seedling growth

makes Chomper quick to first cut or grazing.

By December 22, Mr. Wheelers’ Chomper was ready for its first cut. The district saw an enormous summer rain, so he decided to make silage. The resulting first cut yielded 28 round silage bales to the hectare.

“Previous experience with other forage sorghums had left a bad taste in my mouth as they often look good from the road but are all big thick stems with no leaf. This was not the case with Chomper.” Daniel said.

Chomper is known for its high leaf to stem ratio and fine stems when planted and managed correctly.

After the first cut, Daniel applied 90 kilograms per hectare of SOA to help maintain the quality of the forage produced and the speed to the next cut. Chomper has a rapid regrowth time after cutting or grazing, so Daniel was able to grab a second cut on February 9, which yielded 23 round silage bales to the hectare.

Daniel Wheeler – RDM Angus, Wellington, NSW Daniel noted, “The second cut looked to be leafier and finer than the first.” Attributed to Chomper’s strong tillering nature.

After the cut in February, Daniel thought he would be able to get a third cut, but the weather had other plans, so Daniel decided to graze the Chomper in the paddock.

“Here we are in the middle of April, and I’ve still got cattle on it. It’s fine stemmed,

and the bulls just love it.”

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