Atlantic Forage Guide - Perennia

feed. These crops also represent a viable way of extending the grazing season into the late fall.
Forage brassicas require strip or small paddock grazing for efficient utilization. When grazing
these annual crops, livestock access to perennial pastures or hay is required to ensure adequate
fibre, health, and milk quality.
Kale (Brassica oleracea)
Kale requires a long growing season of 90–100 days for full crop development. This species is
particularly frost-hardy and can be grazed up to December.
Forage rape (Brassica napus)
Rape grows faster than kale and produces a leafy crop late in the season. Feeding rape to milking
cows may taint their milk.
Stubble turnips (Brassica rapa)
Stubble turnips are fast-growing, with large leaves and a root bulb. About 75% of the root bulb is
above ground and is readily grazed by livestock. Stubble turnip hybrids are leafier but they have
no root bulbs or very small ones. Hybrid species are also suitable for green manuring.
Fodder beets (Beta vulgaris)
Fodder beets are a high-yielding crop with a high energy content. Most of the production from
this crop are from the roots. Fodder beets can be grazed and the bulbs harvested for storage.
Approximately 4 to 6 kg of fodder beet can replace 1 kg of rolled barley.
For more information on any of the crops discussed above, consult your local crops specialist.
26