Brassicas can come to rescue of shortage of winter forage

British Seed Houses is advising that farmers could in some cases still sow hybrid brassicas this month to provide valuable late-autumn grazing and take the pressure off conserved feed stocks.

Helen Mathieu, a spokeswoman for British Seed Houses, said crops of brassica established before the end of August could in the right circumstances provide good crops for strip-grazing in 10 to 12 weeks. The feed industry is going to be very tight in the coming year, with many concerned about the impact the poor weather will have on winter feed for cattle, sheep and pigs.

“Old pastures destined for re-seeding next spring or fields that have been badly poached over this wet summer could be ideal sites for growing a catch crop of hybrid brassicas,” said Helen.

“There are even some forage maize crops that have failed due to this season’s conditions; in some cases it may be better to cut the losses and sow hybrid brassicas now as a salvage crop to partly overcome what may be a consequent shortfall in forage supplies.

“There is still ample time to spray off an old sward and establish a crop of Restart or Swift hybrid brassica capable of producing five to seven tonnes of dry matter per hectare before the end of the autumn.

“Similar results can be achieved by direct drilling hybrid brassicas into cereal stubbles.

“Stock strip-grazed on brassicas should have access to baled silage or straw that offers a good source of roughage.”