Field scale plots at New Liskeard have also shown that mixtures with a high pea content wilt slowly. This may be a consideration for producers using storage systems that require extensive wilting before ensiling. Because cereal grains mature rapidly, harvest should begin slightly ahead of the maturity stage desired. Very thick, lush cereal-pea mixtures can be difficult to cut. It is essential that mower conditioner knives and guards be in good condition and that reel speed and adjustment be set properly for efficient cutting of these crops.
Lodged crops are almost impossible to cut cleanly.
It is usually very difficult or impossible to cut cereals with a disk mower-conditioner as the machine pushes into the soft ground and plugs with soil. When cutting crops that have headed out, crimping rolls should be loosened or conditioners removed from swathers to reduce the loss of heads from the silage. Oats are preferred over barley for pasturing due to their higher palatability. When harvested at similar stages of maturity, the nutritional value of cereals are comparable. Maturity affects chemical composition more than species.