RAPE

FORAGE RAPE

 

Forage Rape has the advantage of being a very fast growing crop suitable for grazing by sheep or cattle.

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It is an ideal catch crop for boosting midsummer forage production for livestock farmers when planted in the spring, it is also suitable for fattening lambs in the autumn/winter. Forage rape extends the grazing season in the autumn and is superb for flushing ewes. It is better to strip graze to avoid excessive wastage.

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Forage Rape can be mixed with stubble turnips and kale to combine the many benefits of these crops Kale Yield and Feed Quality

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Average dry matter yield 3.5 - 4 tonnes/ha

Average fresh yields 24 - 35 tonnes/ha

Crude protein 19 - 20% (mainly leaves)

Digestibility value 65D

Dry matter 12 - 14%

Metabolisable energy 10 - 11 MJ/kg DM

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Stock should be introduced gradually over a two week period and an area of grassland should be available for    animals to return to; water and hay or straw should also be made available.