Forage Rape has a high energy value (10 - 11 MJ ME/kg DM) and a highly digestible crude protein content of 18-19%. In general, the taller varieties develop more stems but, as a compensation, the leaves remain cleaner. 

Forage Rape will yield around 3.5t DM/ha and for maximum utilisation, it should be strip grazed using electric fencing. Forage Rape also has some regrowth potential and can also be used as a green manure crop because of its high and speedy production of dry matter both above and below ground level. It shows good tolerance to night frost and has a rapid initial growth rate.

 

Forage Rape can be sown anywhere between May to early September but always around 15 weeks before the feed is required. While typically sown as pure stands, it can be sown in combination with other forages. 

For winter feed, it can be planted with annual or Italian ryegrasses and even as part of a brassica feeding programme with stubble turnips.

 

Advantages

Good regrowth potential with excellent winter keeping properties

Good aphid tolerance

Fast growing leafy catch crop

High protein content

Longer lasting than stubble turnips

Flexible sowing period

Sheep, Dairy or Beef production

 

Management Advice 

Plant two-thirds of the crop area in early maturing Barabas and one-third in late maturing variety Barcoli at the same time (not together) to provide high quality summer feed that can be grazed from 60-150 days after sowing.

 

Utilisation: Graze in situ

Sowing period: Spring & early summer

Utilisation period: Autumn & winter

Days to maturity: 90 - 110 days

Soil type: Grows on most soils ideally with a pH of 6 - 6.5.

Sowing rate: Drilled, natural seed 6 kg/ha - Broadcast, natural seed 10 kg/ha.

Seed bed: Firm, fine level seed bed, can be drilled into cereal stubbles

 

Always ensure a run back area, fibre, fresh water and mineral source is available for grazing livestock.

 

Pack sizes: Available in pack sizes of 5kg or 25kg 

 

Variety Species

100% Barcoli Forage Rape 

Specifications 

Drilled/acre 2.5kg/acre

Drilled/ha6kg/ha

Broadcast/acre4kg/acre

Broadcast/ha10kg/ha