Brassica’s

 

RAPE

Pulsar Rape was developed in New Zealand, Pulsar is a special type of forage rape which allows more flexibility in its usage. Pulsar does not need to reach optimum maturity before grazing unlike most traditional forage rapes. Excellent source of nutrition and can be adapted to a wide range of soil and climactic conditions. Can be grazed 10 to 14 weeks after planting with rotational grazing providing the best results. Lightly graze the first time to ensure good leaf regrowth from the main stem and to allow further grazings to occur. Pulsar can be used as a summer crop for fattening and finishing or for an Autumn planted crop to provide early winter feed.

  • Maturity (days to grazing): 90 days.

  • Sowing Rate: 4-6kg (sole stand).

  • Yield Potential: 12tDM/ha

  • Suitable for summer, autumn and early winter feeding.

  • Suitable for grazing by all stock classes (cattle, sheep and deer).

  • Sowing Season: October - February

Suggested Sowing Rate: 3-4kg/ha

FORAGE KALE

  • Medium-tall kale with excellent yield potential.

  • Late flowering variety which maintains leafy crop into late winter/early spring.

  • High leaf to stem ratio.

  • Relatively thin stemmed variety.

  • Suitable for grazing by both cattle and sheep.

  • Maturity (days to grazing): 150-220 days

  • Sowing Season: October – January

  • Suggested Sowing Rate (sole crop): 4-5kg/ha

SWEED

  • Days to grazing: from 170-200 days.

  • Yellow fleshed, purple-skinned bulb.

  • Soft bulb for easy consumption.

  • Good utilisation. Bulb sits approx. 70% plus above ground.

  • Suitable for grazing by all stock classes (cattle, sheep and deer).

  • Sowing Season: November – December

  • Suggested Sowing Rate (sole crop): 1.0kg/ha in 20cm rows, 1.5kg/ha broadcast

FODDER RADISH

  • Tillage/fodder radish is a deep rooted brassica, used to improve soil structure. It has a deep rooting ability to break through compacted layers, creating better drainage and air movement within the soil.

  • Fast growing annual will last through the summer from a spring planting. Late autumn planting should be avoided as little taproot is produced.

  • Can compete well with weeds, also smothering out emerging weed seedlings as it develops a thick green canopy in warm temperatures.

  • Not strictly winter hardy. Several nights of freezing temperatures will normally kill it off.

  • It produces good levels of both green biomass above ground and root biomass below the ground.

  • Sowing Season: October – January

  • Suggested Sowing Rate: 6-8kg/ha sole crop, 1-2.5kg mixed. Can be mixed with other fast growing brassicas or annual clovers.

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.