Forage Brassica Seed for New Zealand Farms
High-quality forage rape, kale, swedes, turnips and fodder radish for winter feed, summer finishing and seasonal feed gaps. Supplied direct to farms throughout New Zealand.
Forage brassicas provide high-yielding, highly digestible feed when pasture growth or quality cannot meet livestock demand. Vernado supplies forage rape, kale, swede and fodder radish seed to dairy, beef, sheep and deer farmers throughout New Zealand.
Whether you need fast summer feed, a winter grazing crop, finishing feed or a deep-rooted crop to support soil conditioning, we can help you select a brassica suited to your farm, stock class, sowing date and required grazing period.
Why Grow Forage Brassicas?
Brassicas can help New Zealand farmers fill seasonal feed deficits while providing high-quality feed for livestock.
Key benefits include:
High dry matter production from a relatively short growing period
Highly digestible, energy-rich feed
Options for summer, autumn and winter grazing
Suitable crops for dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep and deer
Flexible choices for finishing stock or maintaining animals through winter
An opportunity to control weeds and prepare paddocks before pasture renewal
Deep-rooted options that can improve soil structure and biological diversity
Crop selection is important. The best option will depend on when the feed is required, the intended stock class, soil fertility, climate, crop rotation and whether a single or repeat grazing is wanted.
Pulsar Forage Rape
Pulsar is a fast-establishing forage rape suited to farmers wanting flexible, high-quality feed for summer, autumn or early winter grazing.
It can be used for finishing lambs, beef cattle and deer, or for supporting livestock when pasture quality and growth decline. Depending on growing conditions, Pulsar can be ready to graze approximately 10–14 weeks after sowing.
Key features
Fast establishment and early feed production
Suitable for cattle, sheep and deer
Useful for summer finishing and autumn feed
Approximately 90 days to maturity
Sowing window: October–February
Suggested sowing rate: 4–6 kg/ha as a sole crop
Yield potential: approximately 12 tonnes DM/ha under suitable conditions and management
Best suited to: Farmers needing relatively fast, high-quality feed with flexible grazing timing.
Swedes Doon Major
Swedes are slow-maturing, high-energy winter crops traditionally used in cooler and summer-moist areas of New Zealand. Both the bulb and leaf contribute to total feed yield.
Vernado’s swede option produces a yellow-fleshed, purple-skinned bulb, with much of the bulb sitting above ground to help improve livestock access and crop utilisation.
Key features
High-energy feed for winter grazing
Palatable, soft bulbs
Suitable for cattle, sheep and deer
Approximately 170–200 days to grazing
Sowing window: November–December
Suggested rate: approximately 1.0 kg/ha in 20 cm rows or 1.5 kg/ha broadcast
Best suited to: Cooler regions requiring a high-yielding winter bulb crop.
GOODNESS FORAGE MIX
What’s in the mix:
Upbeet Fodder beet, Red beet, Kale, Swede
Benefits:
Window of grazing – Can be grazed as summer forage, autumn to late winter
Ease of grazing – no transition required like straight fodder beet and being lower in height makes it easier for break fencing.
Can drill it yourself with conventional drill – lower cost
Has been direct drilled.
Seeding rate approx. 10-11 kgs per hectare – crop gets canopy closure quicker to reduce weed pressure.
Animal performance and live weight gains looks promising from mixed diet diverse mix.
Yields:
Past season 2024 in Methven grazed as summer crop with summer dry conditions. Yield 10 tonnes DM per hectare 10th Feb.
Season 2023 in Methven grazed as winter crop with good summer -autumn growing season. Yield 19 tonne 20th May
Methven dairy farmer found increased milk production after autumn dry conditions 2024 and feeding to dairy cows.
Forage Kale
Forage kale is a high-yielding, single-graze crop normally spring-sown to provide winter feed. Its strong yield potential makes it suitable for carrying cattle or sheep through periods when pasture growth is limited.
The variety offered by Vernado has a medium-to-tall growth habit, a high leaf-to-stem ratio and relatively thin stems to support crop utilisation.
Key features
High-yielding winter forage
Maintains leafy feed into late winter and early spring
Thin stems support palatability and utilisation
Suitable for cattle and sheep
Approximately 150–220 days to grazing
Sowing window: October–January
Suggested sowing rate: 4–5 kg/ha
Typical yield: approximately 12–14 tonnes DM/ha, with higher yields possible under favourable management
Best suited to: Farmers requiring a substantial volume of standing winter feed.
Turnip Mommoth Purple Top
Mammoth Purple Top is a older type single graze turnip, traditional forage turnip and cover crop known for its large globe-shaped roots and nutritious leafy tops.
Key Characteristics:
Appearance: Large, round white roots with a distinct purple top poking above the soil line, paired with upright, light green leaves.
Maturity: Reaches maturity in roughly 12 to 14 weeks (mid-maturing).
Growth: Establishes very quickly and features a deep taproot that helps break up compacted soil and scavenge residual nitrogen.
Growing Requirements
Climate: Thrives best in cooler climates and moist soils.
Soil: Prefers fertile, loose, well-drained, and slightly acidic loam soils; it struggles in heavy clay or waterlogged ground.
Sowing: Typically planted at a low, economical rate of 1 to 3 kg per hectare, sown shallowly (no deeper than 5mm) in early spring or early autumn.
Turnip Green Globe
Green Globe is a traditional, late-maturing white-fleshed forage turnip used mainly as autumn and winter feed for livestock.
Key Characteristics
Maturity: Takes 90 to 120 days (12 to 17 weeks) to be ready for grazing.
Yield: Produces large, round, green-topped bulbs with leafy tops that make up nearly half of the total feed.
Hardiness: Highly winter-hardy and frost-tolerant, allowing it to perform well in harsh conditions and lower-fertility soils.
Usage: Ideal for sheep, cattle, and deer grazing, preferably strip-grazed to limit waste.
Growing Guidelines
Sowing Depth: Plant seeds about 6mm deep.
Spacing: Space plants roughly 10cm apart in rows that are 20cm apart.
Germination: Seeds sprout in 5 to 10 days when the soil is kept moist.
Seeding Rate: Sow at a rate of 1 to 3 kg per hectare.
Fodder Radish and Tillage Radish
Fodder or tillage radish is a fast-growing, deep-rooted annual that can provide leafy forage while supporting soil-conditioning objectives.
Its strong taproot can help penetrate compacted soil layers and improve soil porosity. The crop also produces rapid canopy cover, which can suppress weeds and protect exposed soil.
Key features
Strong, deep taproot
Fast above-ground and below-ground growth
Useful in forage and diverse cover-crop mixtures
Dense canopy can help suppress weeds
Sowing window: October–January
Suggested sowing rate: 6–8 kg/ha alone or approximately 1–2.5 kg/ha in a mixture
Not intended as a reliably winter-hardy crop
Best suited to: Farmers wanting a summer forage or cover-crop component with soil-conditioning benefits.
Results depend heavily on the type and depth of compaction, soil moisture and subsequent management.
Establishing a Successful Brassica Crop
Good establishment has a major influence on final crop yield. Before sowing:
Soil test early enough to correct major fertility or pH limitations.
Select a paddock suited to the crop and intended grazing period.
Control existing weeds before establishment.
Prepare a firm, fine and even seedbed.
Sow shallowly and maintain consistent seed depth.
Check regularly for slugs, springtails, aphids, caterpillars and other establishment pests.
Match fertiliser inputs to soil-test results, crop requirements and expected yield.
Plan water supply, fencing, access and supplementary feed before grazing begins.
Brassicas have small seeds and should not be buried deeply. Actual sowing depth should be matched to soil moisture, soil type and establishment method.
Grazing Brassicas Safely
Livestock should be introduced gradually to brassica crops rather than being placed directly onto unrestricted crop.
Good grazing practice includes:
Transitioning animals onto the crop over approximately 7–14 days
Providing access to fibre such as pasture, hay, straw or silage
Ensuring unrestricted access to clean drinking water
Avoiding grazing hungry animals directly onto a fresh break
Using break fencing to control intake and reduce crop wastage
Monitoring animal health and crop utilisation daily
Testing feed where nitrate or other animal-health risks are suspected
Seeking veterinary or nutritional advice for high-risk crops or stock classes
Avoid grazing immature or stressed crops without appropriate advice. Crop composition and animal-health risks can change following drought, frost, prolonged cloud, nutrient stress or rapid regrowth.
Brassica Seed for Dairy, Beef, Sheep and Deer Farms
Vernado supplies forage brassica seed directly to farmers throughout New Zealand. We can help you compare crop options based on:
The month feed is required
Your region and expected growing conditions
Dairy, beef, sheep or deer requirements
Single-graze or potential multi-graze use
Target dry matter yield
Sowing method and available equipment
Paddock fertility and crop history
The pasture or crop planned after grazing
If a straight brassica crop is not the right fit, we can also discuss custom forage mixtures containing compatible grasses, cereals, clovers or forage herbs.
Not Sure Which Brassica to Sow?
Tell us your region, stock class, intended sowing month, grazing month and area to be planted. We’ll help you compare suitable options and provide realistic seed pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forage Brassicas
What are forage brassicas used for in New Zealand?
Forage brassicas are grown to provide highly digestible supplementary feed during summer, autumn or winter feed shortages. Common crops include forage rape, kale, swedes and turnips. Radish may also be used in forage or cover-crop mixtures.
Which brassica provides the fastest feed?
Forage rape is generally one of the faster options and may be ready to graze approximately 10–14 weeks after sowing, depending on the cultivar, weather, soil fertility and establishment.
What is the best brassica for winter feed?
Kale and swedes are commonly selected for high-yielding winter feed. Kale provides standing leaf and stem, while swedes produce both leafy tops and energy-rich bulbs. The best choice depends on region, stock class, soil conditions and the required grazing date. This aligns with how established New Zealand seed guides classify the crops. Barenbrug Pasture Manual
When should forage brassicas be sown in New Zealand?
Sowing time depends on the crop, region and planned grazing date. Kale is normally sown from spring into early summer, swedes during late spring or early summer, and forage rape can be sown from spring through late summer for different grazing periods.
How much brassica seed is required per hectare?
Rates vary by crop and establishment method. As a general guide, forage rape may be sown at 4–6 kg/ha, kale at 4–5 kg/ha, swedes at approximately 1.0–1.5 kg/ha, turnips at 1-3 kg/ha and fodder radish at 6–8 kg/ha as a sole crop. Obtain variety-specific advice before ordering.
Can cattle, sheep and deer graze brassicas?
Yes, different brassica crops can be grazed by cattle, sheep and deer. Animals must be transitioned gradually, supplied with adequate fibre and water, and monitored for crop-related animal-health risks.
Can brassicas be used before regrassing?
Yes. A brassica crop can provide supplementary feed while creating an opportunity to control weeds and prepare a paddock for pasture renewal. Crop rotation, pest pressure and herbicide residues should be considered before sowing the following pasture.
