But trial work has shown that not all forage brassicas are created equal, with many varieties not living up to expectations.
Pillar forage brassica from Cropmark Seeds is high-yielding, palatable and produces high-quality forage, supporting high animal performance and liveweight gain potential.
Pillar forage brassica is a leafy, giant type that can be grazed multiple times in the right conditions.
Pillar is also able to handle tough conditions once established, making it a versatile crop for finishing lambs when other pastures are losing quality and dry matter yield.
It can be established in autumn or late winter/early spring, depending on your feed requirements and environment.
Establish Pillar when soil temperatures are consistently above 12°C into a free-draining paddock that has been sprayed out and cultivated to promote rapid establishment. Sow at a rate of 3 to 4kg/ha at 10mm depth.
Once the crop has reached maturity in 10 to 12 weeks, animals can be transitioned onto the crop.
For best dry matter yield results, rotational grazing is recommended.
Late winter to spring sowings are an ideal preparation for next autumn’s pasture renovation program, with a wide variety of in-crop weed control options available.
Pillar forage brassica can be used over many different farming areas.
Crops have successfully been used from cereal cropping zones to high rainfall regions.
Pillar can yield up to 12 tonnes of quality dry matter per hectare under good growing conditions and rotational grazing management, with up to four to five grazings.
In lower rainfall regions with lower yields, Pillar will still produce a high-quality crop that is a cost-effective alternative to poor-quality summer pastures.
If you need high-quality feed to maintain high levels of milk production over late spring, summer or to finish young stock, Pillar could be the crop for you.
Contact your local Cropmark Seeds representative to discuss your spring, summer and autumn feed requirements. Specific advice is recommended to ensure correct suitability and grazing management so you get the best results on your farm.
For further information, visit: https://www.cropmarkseeds.com/Forage-Products-from-Cropmark-Seeds/Pillar-forage-rape
