Forage prod. MarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov DecJanFeb Cool Season Grass Supply Brassica Grazing * Sow Brassica* USING BRASSICAS TO FILL SEASON FEED SHORTAGES There are times of the year that cool season grass and legume pastures are unable to provide the quantity and quality of forage to maintain animal production. Cool season grass pastures will provide high quality forage through the spring and again in the fall but will shut down production in the heat of summer and the cold of winter leaving gaps in the feed supply. Forage brassicas are a great way to fill these feed gaps with both the quality and quantity of forage. Ampac has a range of brassica varieties that can be used individually, or in conjunction, to extend the grazing season. The different relative maturities of each brassica, and the regrowth potential of these varieties, enable them to be sown during the same season yet, utilized at different times, to keep quality forage available from early summer through late fall, and into the winter. SUMMER GRAZING WINTER GRAZING Pasja Forage Brassica days to first grazing, and can be subsequently grazed every 30 days for multiple grazings. Appin Turnip days to first grazing, and can be subsequently grazed every days multiple grazings. Bonar Rape days to first grazing, and can subsequently be regrazed when mature. Forage prod. MarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFeb Cool Season Grass Supply Brassica Grazing * Sow* Sow Bassica Appin Turnip days to first grazing, and can be subsequently grazed every days up to 3 grazings. Kestrel Kale days to grazing. Major Plus Swede days to grazing. Winton Swede days to grazing. * Brassica crops should be sown when soil temperature are above 50F and fertility is adequate. Time of intended grazing and time to first grazing should be used to determine sowing date. * Brassica grazing time will depend on sowing time, time to maturity and potential for regrowth.

Brassicas For Extended Grazing There are times of the year that cool season grass and legume pastures are unable to provide the quantity and quality of forage to maintain animal production. Cool season grass pastures will provide high quality forage through the spring and again in the fall but will shut down production in the heat of summer and the cold of winter leaving gaps in the feed supply. Forage brassicas are a great way to fill these feed gaps with both the quality and quantity of forage (See Table 1). Ampac have a range of brassica varieties that can be used individually, or in conjunction, to extend the grazing season. The different relative maturities of Appin turnip, Pasja rape hybrid, and Bonar rape, and the regrowth potential of these varieties enable them to be used together to keep quality forage available from early summer through late fall. By grazing one brassica type and allowing the others to regrow (as shown in Figure 1), the potential productivity and quality of the crops is maximized while maintaining a constant source of quality forage. Sowing Rate 1 (lb/Ac) Days to Grazing N o Of Grazings Yield (lb DM/Ac) Energy 3 MJ/KgDM Crude Protein % (tops) Digestibility % Appin Pasja Bonar Corn silage sowing rate should be increased for broadcast seed.; 2 Based on 3 grazings.; 3 Metabolizable energy. Table 1 Forage prod. MarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov DecJan Feb JunJulAugSepOctNovDec Cool Season Grass Supply Brassica Grazing * = Graze Brassica Crop Sow Bassica = Allow regrowth. Figure 1. Outline of a grazing schedule using different brassica crops to complement each other. * The Number of grazings will depend on fertility and moisture. For information on the sowing and management of the brassica varieties mentioned in this publication please contact Ampac seed or download Tech sheets at