Forage brassicas - quality crops for livestock production

Summary

Forage brassicas are members of the brassica family, which includes radish, turnip, swedes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. Canola is an oilseed brassica which is not really suitable for grazing by livestock. The forage brassicas are mostly grown in cool temperate parts of NSW such as the tablelands and Monaro regions. They are commonly sown in spring and late summer in these regions to provide high quality feed in summer and autumn when pasture quality is often low, or autumn and winter when pasture quantity is limited.

This agfact includes information on the following:

• types of forage brassicas
• paddock selection and preparation
• sowing
• crop nutrition
• crop protection
• grazing management
• animal health issues