Forage Brassica is a high-quality, high yielding, fast growing crop, particularly suitable for grazing by livestock. Both tops (stems plus leaves) and roots (bulbs) can be grazed and are very nutritious. Forage crops included in the Brassica family are rape, turnip and kale. Brassica is high in dry matter digestibility at 85% to 95%, which compares with good alfalfa, at 70%. For most forage crops, digestible energy is low for high gains and growth in animals which makes this significant. Brassica also increases the availability of certain minerals and is high in protein.
Characteristics
- Extremely low in fiber and should never be more than two-thirds of the forage portion of livestock diets
- Avoid excessive nitrogen and potassium fertilization
- Once established, forage Brassica will smother out most weeds
- Rotating shallow rooted traditional grasses with deeper rooted Brassica species is very effective to enhance nutrient use efficiency and may reduce the cost of fertilization
Planting Directions
- Plant when soil temperatures reach or exceed 60 degrees F to 65 degrees F
- Forage Brassica should not be grown on the same site for more than two consecutive years to prevent build-up of stand-threatening diseases
Varieties