Forage rape could solve grazing problems

Forage rape could be the solution to summer sheep grazing problems, according to Nick Gladstone, Hurrells Seeds.

Kale crops are suffering from lack of rain and flea-beetle, cut pastures are showing poor re-growth, grazing is at a premium and there are few options for sowing this late in the season to provide a “quick fix”. However, Greenland Forage Rape could be the answer, he says.

Mr Gladstone recommends sowing Greenland forage rape now, at 3-5kg/ha. The crop will then be ready to graze in 6-8 weeks.

“Greenland forage rape is ideal for fattening lambs. It can also be sown into cereal stubble with the addition of slug pellets, where the risk of attack is high. This will provide valuable autumn grazing with excellent re-growth until the first frosts.”

Where grazing later in the season, from October and into the New Year, he suggests stubble turnips that can be sown from mid-August.