Brassicas
Brassicas are members of a much wider family which includes many common vegetable varieties, such as bok choy, kale, turnip and rutabaga. These crops come in various plant forms with differing attributes such as leafy tops, long stems and bulbs. Forage brassicas are sown as supplementary feed for animals, typically during periods when pasture growth is limited or quality is poor. They can provide quick and abundant feed, with high digestibility, energy, and protein. Brasscias also play a valuable role in farm rotations and pasture improvement programs. They rejuvenate the soil and reduce weeds, soil-borne diseases, and pests.
Rape
Rape is a hardy, leafy, quick growing crop whose stems and leaves are eaten by the grazing animal. It has fibrous roots and produces many stems. Traditionally rape was used as a summer crop for supplying quick feed for grazing stock, but the advent of new cultivars with good frost resistance and better regrowth potential have extended feeding times to late winter.
Leafy Turnip
Leafy turnip is a hybrid brassica and is the fastest maturing of the forage brassicas. Leafy turnips have vigorous leaf production and generally do not produce a bulb. They can be grazed as early as six weeks after sowing and have the added benefit of being able to maintain leaf quality and palatability over time.
Bulb Turnip
Turnips have a well established role. They were used in crop rotation in 18th century England and were credited for an agricultural revolution. A range of cultivars exist that are white fleshed and yellow fleshed. Modern cultivars have varying maturity dates, differences in leaf to bulb proportion, have been bred for rapid growth, and show high leaf production. Turnips are fed from summer through winter and livestock should be gradually introduced as to adjust to bulb intake.
Ethiopian Cabbage
Ethiopian Cabbage is primarily used for human consumption, however it makes an excellent forage and cover crop. It is known for its leafy greens and also produces flowers that attract beneficial insects. Similar to other brassicas, Ethiopian Cabbage has biofumigant properties that make it an excellent crop rotation.
Radish
The radish is an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family. They have numerous varieties, differing in size, shape and length of time to maturity. Radish germinates quickly and grows rapidly, making it useful for forage and cover crop applications.