Forage brassica crops are the ideal complementary feed, especially when grass quality and quantity declines in summer. Forage brassicas have high feed value and yield and can be an important part of a pasture renewal programme.
Brassica crops can produce large quantities of feed for relatively low cost of production and are grazed where they are grown so they do not have additional costs such as those associated with hay, silage or grain.
Important Benefits of Brassicas
Brasssicas are a high quality feed to fill a seasonal feed deficit and complement slow growing or poor quality pastures.
• Forage brassicas will in most cases out-compete
bought in feeds as a cost effective source of
dry matter
• Opportunity to break the perennial weed cycle
using non selective herbicides leading to weedfree
pastures
• Opportunity to break clover pest and disease
lifecycles (e.g. Nematodes/viruses) for better
clover content in subsequent pastures
• Opportunity to break the wild endophyte cycle for
sowing of novel endophyte grass seed
• No significant increase in labour requirements |
Forage brassica crops are the ideal complementary feed, especially when grass quality and quantity declines in summer. Forage brassicas have high feed value and yield and can be an important part of a pasture renewal programme.
Brassica crops can produce large quantities of feed for relatively low cost of production and are grazed where they are grown so they do not have additional costs such as those associated with hay, silage or grain.
Important Benefits of Brassicas
Brasssicas are a high quality feed to fill a seasonal feed deficit and complement slow growing or poor quality pastures.
• Forage brassicas will in most cases out-compete
bought in feeds as a cost effective source of
dry matter
• Opportunity to break the perennial weed cycle
using non selective herbicides leading to weedfree
pastures
• Opportunity to break clover pest and disease
lifecycles (e.g. Nematodes/viruses) for better
clover content in subsequent pastures
• Opportunity to break the wild endophyte cycle for
sowing of novel endophyte grass seed
• No significant increase in labour requirements |
Important Benefits of Brassicas
Brasssicas are a high quality feed to fill a seasonal feed deficit and complement slow growing or poor quality pastures.
• Forage brassicas will in most cases out-compete bought in feeds as a cost effective source of dry matter
• Opportunity to break the perennial weed cycle using non selective herbicides leading to weedfree pastures
•
Opportunity to break clover pest and disease lifecycles (e.g.
Nematodes/viruses) for better clover content in subsequent pastures
• Opportunity to break the wild endophyte cycle for sowing of novel endophyte grass seed
• No significant increase in labour requirements
How To Plan A Successful Brassica Crop
Select under performing paddocks
• Soil test 6–8 weeks prior to sowing
• Apply fertiliser and lime
as per soil test recommendations. Lime takes time to change soil pH.
Soil incorporation will increase rate of reaction
• Weed control - aim to control all weeds prior to sowing
• Choose the most suitable brassica crop for your needs based on:
– maturity time - when do you need to graze it?
– how many grazings do you require?
– what level of animal production is required?
– fertility status of the paddock
• Sowing - sow the seed at approximately 1–2 cm depth into a fine,
firm seedbed. Use Ultrastrike treated seed for insect and disease
control at establishment
• Beware of potential for higher insect pressure in direct drilled crops.
