Crop types are split into categories with similar characteristics rather than having a long list of individual crops. Table 1 sets out the categories of crops where the inputs or calculation methods differ. Search the category to find which crops are in which category.
The list of different crop types in each category is set out in table 2.
The characteristics of non-vegetable crops is set out in Table 3.
Table 1. Crop categories and associated inputs.
|
Category |
Category characteristics |
Inputs at sowing1 |
|
Fodder crops |
Fodder crops, typically grazed by animals.
|
· Yield or default can be used · Cultivation practice at sowing |
|
Forages
|
Forage crops, typically grazed by animals. These are arbitrarily grass-like crops that typically regrow after defoliation.
|
· Yield or default can be used · (except annual ryegrass) · Cultivation practice at sowing |
|
Grain crops
|
Arable grain crops. |
· Yield or default can be used · Cultivation practice at sowing · Residue disposal method at final harvest |
|
Green manure |
Green manures where no product is removed.
|
· Cultivation practice at sowing · No Yield is required |
|
Permanent pasture
|
Permanent pasture that is grazed, left to fallow, or defoliated (as cut and carry).
|
· Cultivation practice at sowing · Grazed: requires animal source · Cut/carry have defoliations |
|
Seed crops |
Pasture seed crops. |
· Yield or default can be used · Cultivation practice at sowing · Residue disposal method at final harvest |
|
Vegetables: greens
|
Leafy green vegetables. |
· Yield or default can be used · Cultivation practice at sowing · Residue disposal method at final harvest · For broccoli, Chinese cut can be selected |
|
Vegetables: legumes
|
Vegetable crops that can fix nitrogen (beans, peas and lentils).
|
· Yield or default can be used · Cultivation practice at sowing · Residue disposal method at final harvest |
|
Vegetables: root crops
|
Vegetable root crops. |
· Yield or default can be used · Cultivation practice at sowing · Residue disposal method at final harvest |
|
Vegetables: other
|
Other vegetable crops. |
· Yield or default can be used · Cultivation practice at sowing · Residue disposal method at final harvest |
1 Options for cultivation practice at sowing are 'Minimum till or spray first', 'Direct drilled',
and 'Conventional'. Options for Residue disposal method at final harvest are ‘Retained’,
‘Grazed’, ‘Burnt’ and ‘Removed’. The typical yield of the crop (product removed) is
displayed on the interface for reference.
Table 2. The crops available for each crop category
* crops in red denoted those added in Version 6.5.1 (April 2023)
Table 3. The characteristics of non-vegetable crops.
|
Category |
Category characteristics |
|
Fodder crops |
Fodder crops can have multiple defoliations by grazing or removal for feeding. No crop regrowth occurs after defoliation. Final harvest must be identified, and after final harvest, residues are retained. |
|
Forages |
Forage crops can have multiple defoliations by grazing or removal for feeding (cut and carry). For forage crops other than maize, the crop regrows after defoliation. The yield is the yield at the final defoliation. This is normally a silage cut. For maize, total harvest yield is a required input, and there is no regrowth if multiple defoliations are used. At the final harvest, the residues are retained. Annual ryegrass: Annual ryegrass can be defoliated (grazing or removal for silage or feeding), which is specified by the defoliation management option. Multiple defoliations are allowed, and these can be specifically to cover multiple months. If no defoliations are specified, DM accumulates to a maximum, and extra growth is returned to the soil as senesced material. Final harvest must be identified, and after final harvest, residues are retained. |
|
Grain crops |
The model allows defoliations (grazing or removal for silage or feeding) which are specified by the defoliation management option for autumn sown oats and wheat. |
|
Green manure |
All grown material is retained and added to the soil as residues. Thus there are no defoliations (grazing or removal) for silage or feeding. |
|
Permanent pasture |
Grazed pasture is automatically defoliated after a 3 month establishment phase as part of a normal grazing pattern. Specific defoliations are not specified. On fodder crops, it is assumed that pasture is grazed by farm animals. On crop blocks, the animal types grazing the pasture need to be specified. For defoliated pasture (cut or grazed), the time of defoliation is specified, and multiple defoliations can be specified. In all cases, if no defoliations are specified, DM accumulates to a maximum, and extra growth is returned to the soil as senesced material. |
|
Seed crops |
Crops grown for pasture seed production. Seed crops can be harvested for seed, or the vegetative growth can be defoliated (e.g., silage cut or grazed) multiple times. Residue management at harvest refers to management of the residue at seed harvest. Typically these crops are grown for 2 or 3 years, and the product (seed) harvested annually. Between and before harvests, the seed crop is defoliated by grazing or cut and carry. Multiple defoliations are allowed, and these can be specified to cover multiple months. After the first harvest, the crop is modelled similarly to pasture, and is referred to as regrowth seed crops. |